Safety belt

• US 5,234,181 A
• Filed: 05/27/1992
• Issued: 08/10/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl F. Schroth GmbH
• Original Assignee: Carl F. Schroth GmbH
• Inventors: Schroth, Karl-Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US07/889,449
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 244/122 B, 244/122 R, 280/806, 280/805, 297/471, 297/472, 297/479, 297/480
• US Class Current: 244/122.00B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1953 the cable being pulled by mechanical means, e.g. pre-stressed springs, bumper displacement during crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/28 incorporating energy-absorbing devices belt anchors provided with energy-absorbing means for protecting the occupants in case of physical contact therewith B60R21/055; belt retractors comprising energy-absorbing means B60R22/341, B60R22/4676
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4676 comprising energy-absorbing means operating between belt reel and retractor frame
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/06 Harnessing

Abstract

A seat belt for a pilot seat or flight attendant seat in an aircraft includes a belt tightener with a reversible energy storage member in the form of a helical compression spring and a rod-shaped energy converter coupled to the energy storage member. The energy converter is at least indirectly connected to a belt member of the seat belt. After the belt member has been tightened and the energy converter has been displaced as a result with an at least partial regeneration of the energy storage member, a cutting chisel penetrates the surface of the energy converter and dampens the movement of the belt member. A renewed activation of the energy storage member after the deceleration phase is prevented by the penetration of a clamping edge of a clamping member in the surface of the energy converter.

Claims

1. A safety belt for a pilot seat or flight attendant seat having a vehicle cell, the safety belt including at least one belt member with a belt tightener, the belt tightener including a reversible energy storage means with an energy converter, an element for deforming the energy converter during regeneration of the energy storage means, the deforming means being supported, at least indirectly, by the vehicle cell as an abutment and comprising a chisel capable of cutting chips from the surface of the energy converter to thereby dampen movement of the belt member, and clamping means for fixing the deformed energy converter in its position when the energy storage means is at least partially regenerated.

2. The safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the energy converter is one of rod-shaped and disk-shaped, and the clamping means engages the deformed energy converter for fixing it in its position with a time delay with respect to the chisel cutting a chip from the surface of the energy converter.

3. The safety belt according to claim 1, comprising a lever means for retaining the chisel in a predetermined position with respect to the energy converter in an initial position of the energy storage means, spring means for biasing the chisel into a frictional engagement against the energy converter, and means for pivotally supporting the chisel in a manner such that the chisel penetrates into the surface of the energy converter during at least partial regeneration of the energy storage means.

4. The safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the chisel is one of tooth-shaped and cutting edge-shaped and is a component of a rocket member, the clamping means comprising a clamping edge, which also forms part of the rocker member and is located on a side thereof facing the energy converter, the chisel having a chisel edge located on the same side of the rocker member as the clamping edge and in a spaced relationship to the clamping member, the safety belt further comprising spring means for biasing the chisel into a frictional engagement against the energy converter, and means for pivotally supporting the chisel in a manner such that the chisel penetrates into the surface of the energy converter during at least partial regeneration of the energy storage means.