Device for adjusting the position of a strap return element, in particular of a safety belt for an automobile vehicle

• US 4,840,403 A
• Filed: 05/18/1988
• Issued: 06/20/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ECIA - Equipements et Composants Pour L'Industrie Automobile
• Original Assignee: ECIA - Equipements et Composants Pour L'Industrie Automobile
• Inventors: Escaravage, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US07/195,339
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 280/804, 280/808, 280/801, 297/483
• US Class Current: 280/801.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/202 the slider comprising spring-actuated locking means B60R22/205 takes precedence

Abstract

The device is of the type comprising a guide rail (1) mounted on the post (2) of the vehicle and on which is movable the strap return element (3). The return element comprises a first planar portion (8) from which extend two wings (9) disposed on each side of the guide rail (1) and between which wings is provided a blocking plate (11) which extends behind the rail, is downwardly inclined toward the rear side of the rail and cooperates with locking means (12) provided on the rear side of the rail for locking the strap return element (3) in position. Elastic means (13) are provided for biasing the blocking plate (11) to the locking position and the first planar portion (8) of the strap return element (3) to a position in which it bears against the front side of the rail (1). The strap return element includes a second portion (14) which is angularly offset relative to the first portion (8) and which is actuatable by a user for disengaging the blocking plate (11) from the locking means (12) and thereafter shifting the strap return element (3).

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the position of a strap-return element of a safety belt between two end positions, said device adapted to be mounted in particular on a post of an automobile vehicle, and said device comprising:

a guide rail adapted to be fixed to said post and having a front side and a rear side, which is adapted to face said post, said guide rail being provided with a rack-shaped locking means;

the strap return element comprising a first substantially planar portion and a second portion which is angularly offset relative to said first portion in a direction away from said front side of said guide rail;

said first portion having two lateral wings extending toward said guide rail and located on each side of the latter, said first portion also comprising a blocking plate located between said wings and extending oppositely to said guide rail rear side and downwardly inclined toward the latter to cooperate with said rack-shaped locking means for locking said strap-return element in position; and

elastic means, located between said blocking plate and said rail rear side and facing said first planar portion, for biasing said strap-return element so that, normally, said first planar portion bears against said rail front side and said blocking plate rests in contact, and in engagement, with said rack-shaped locking means, whereby, when said second portion is pushed in the direction of said rail front side against said elastic means bias, the strap-return element tilts about a junction of said first and second portion so that said first planar portion rotates away from said rail front side and so that said blocking plate is pivotally released from said rack-shaped locking means, thereby allowing shifting of said strap-return element along said guide rail.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means provided on the rear side of the rail comprises two substantially parallel spaced-apart ribs in which ribs are formed notches cooperative with the blocking plate for locking the strap return element.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the notches of each rib have bottoms which are inclined in the direction toward the other rib.

4. A device acording to claim 1, wherein the blocking plate has a rounded portion adapted to cooperate with the locking means provided on the rail.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rail has in a lower part thereof an abutment surface for maintaining the strap return element in a safety position.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic means comprise a bent strip having one end portion connected to the blocking plate and an opposite end portion which is in bearing relation to the rear side of the rail.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking plate comprises two symmetrical parts having confronting edges by which they are fixed together and form one piece with said wings.