Restraining device

• US 5,997,097 A
• Filed: 10/26/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joerg Engelhard
• Original Assignee: Joerg Engelhard
• Inventors: Engelhard, Joerg
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US09/178,555
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 297/472, 297/471, 297/470, 280/805, 280/801.1, 116/203, 188/371, 188/376
• US Class Current: 297/472
• 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

Abstract

A restraining device comprises a seat belt and a belt force limiter. The belt force limiter is arranged at a location along the belt and comprises an absorption member which is deformed or destroyed when a predetermined belt tension force is exceeded, whereby a prolongation of the belt section is caused. Further, a holding means is provided that limits the prolongation of said belt section when said absorption means is deformed or destroyed.

Claims

1. A restraining device comprising a seat belt (12, 14) and a belt force limiter (16), said belt force limiter (16) being arranged between two belt sections of said seat belt (12, 14), said belt force limiter (16) includes an absorption member (18) which is destroyed only when a predetermined belt tension force is exceeded thereby causing a prolongation of the seat belt, separate holding means (20) for limiting the prolongation of said seat belt when said absorption member (18) is destroyed, said absorption member (18) being substantially X-shaped defined by opposite broad ends and a narrow medial portion therebetween defining a rated breaking point (22), and at least one of said belt sections being fastened to an associated one of said absorption member opposite broad ends.

2. The restraining device as defined in claim 1 wherein said absorption member (18) holds together said belt sections, said rated breaking point (22) breaks when a predetermined belt tension force is exceeded, and only the holding means (20) holds the two belt sections together when said absorption member (18) is broken.

3. The restraining device as defined in claim 1 wherein said holding means (20) is high strength holding frame (36) interconnecting said belt sections.

4. The restraining device as defined in claim 3 wherein said absorption member (18) is arranged within said holding frame (36).

5. The restraining device as defined in claim 4 wherein each belt section includes a belt loop (32, 34) each connected with said absorption member (18) and said holding frame (36).

6. The restraining device as defined in claim 4 wherein said holding means (20) is made of steel and said absorption member (18) is made of plastics material.