Load limiting device for a seat belt
First Claim
1. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint comprising(a) a inside tube having a hole, and (b) an outside tube overlapping the inside tube and having a cut-out portion, wherein a portion of the load transmitted to a seatbelt webbing from a vehicle occupant increases the overlap between the inside tube and the outside tube, a fluid escapes through the hole in the inside tube when the hole aligns with the cut-out portion of the outside tube.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant'"'"'s torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.
8 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint comprising
(a) a inside tube having a hole, and (b) an outside tube overlapping the inside tube and having a cut-out portion, wherein a portion of the load transmitted to a seatbelt webbing from a vehicle occupant increases the overlap between the inside tube and the outside tube, a fluid escapes through the hole in the inside tube when the hole aligns with the cut-out portion of the outside tube.
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4. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint system comprising
(a) an inside tube having a plurality of holes, (b) an outside tube overlapping the inside tube and having cut-out portions, wherein a portion of the load transmitted to a seatbelt webbing from a vehicle occupant increases the overlap between the inside tube and the outside tube, a fluid escapes through the holes in the inside tube when the holes align with the cut-out portions of the outside tube.
Specification