Seat belt tensioning device

• US 5,651,564 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Isaji, Kazuyoshi, Takei, Toshihiro, Iwai, Shinichi, Koujiya, Mutsumasa, Ohasi, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/451,154
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 280/806, 280/801.1, 297/480, 297/416, 297/419, 180/282, 180/268, 242/382.4, 242/382.2, 242/383, 242/383.2
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1953 the cable being pulled by mechanical means, e.g. pre-stressed springs, bumper displacement during crash

Abstract

A tensioning device is provided to realize compactness and simplification of device structure and causes mountability to be improved. A tensioning mechanism to rapidly tension one end of an interconnecting member when deceleration of a vehicle is applied, a reversing-prevention hook plate supported rotatably freely on an arm plate, a buckle joined freely rotatably at a position most proximate to a seat belt in a direction of tension action of the seat belt within a plate surface of the reversing-prevention hook plate, and a reversing-prevention claw to restrict reverse rotation of the reversing-prevention hook plate after the interconnecting member has been pulled out are provided, and a base end of the foregoing arm plate is joined freely rotatably to a frame member. During tensioning operation, the arm plate rotates in the direction of tensioning of the interconnecting member, and along with this the reversing-prevention hook plate rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the arm plate while pulling out the interconnecting member.

Claims

1. A seat belt tensioning device (50:

100) to tension a seat belt when a predetermined deceleration force of a vehicle is exerted, comprising;

a first plate which is freely rotatable at a center of a first rotating shaft fixed on a vehicle;

a second plate which is freely rotatable at a center of a second rotating shaft disposed on said first plate;

a tensioning means disposed in said vehicle for causing a tensioning force;

an interconnecting member one end of which is interconnected with said tensioning means and the other end of which is interconnected with said second plate; and

an interconnecting means fixed to said second plate for interconnecting said seat belt;

wherein, when a predetermined deceleration force is exerted, said first and second plates are rotated together by said tensioning force transferred by said interconnecting member so that said seat belt is tensioned.

2. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein said second plate rotates in a direction which is different from a rotational direction of said first plate.

3. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotation restricting member to block rotation in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation due to said tensioning force of said second plate, said rotation restricting member being disposed on one of said first and second plates.

4. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 3, wherein said rotation restricting member includes a plurality of hook portions disposed on an outer periphery of said second plate and a claw portion engageable and disengageable with said hook portions, said claw portion being disposed to be fluctuating on said first plate.

5. A seat belt pre-tensioning device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a guide member having an arc configuration centered on said second rotating shaft on said second plate to guide said interconnecting member.

6. A seat belt tensioning device to tension a seat belt when a predetermined deceleration force of a vehicle is exerted, comprising:

a first plate fixed on a vehicle;

a second plate which is freely rotatable at a center of a rotating shaft disposed on said first plate;

a tensioning means disposed in said vehicle for causing a tensioning force;

an interconnecting member one end of which is interconnected with said tensioning means and the other end of which is interconnected with said second plate; and

an interconnecting means fixed to said second plate for interconnecting said seat belt;

wherein, when a predetermined deceleration force is exerted, said first and second plates are rotated by said tensioning force transferred by said interconnecting member so that said seat belt is tensioned.

7. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a rotation restricting member to block rotation in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation due to said tensioning force of said second plate, said rotation restricting member being disposed on at least one of said first and second plates.

8. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 7, wherein said rotation restricting member includes a plurality of hook portions disposed on an outer periphery of said second plate and a claw portion engageable and disengageable with said hook portions, said claw portion being disposed to be fluctuating on said first plate.

9. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 8, comprising a reversing-prevention means including said claw portion for allowing one way movement of said second plate.

10. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 9, wherein said reversing-prevention means includes an operating portion to release engagement of said claw portion and said hook portions.

11. A seat belt tensioning device according to claim 6, wherein said first plate is freely rotatable at a center of a rotating shaft so that said first and second plates are rotated together by said tensioning force transferred by said interconnecting member so that Said seat belt is tensioned when a predetermined deceleration force is exerted.