Energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter

• US 7,128,374 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chris Cintos De SeguranムA Ltda.
• Original Assignee: Chris Cintos De SeguranムA Ltda.
• Inventors: Mitropoulos, Christos Argyrios
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US10/682,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20040090107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 297/472, 297/471, 297/475, 280/805, 242/379
• US Class Current: 297/472
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/286 using deformation of material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/341 comprising energy-absorbing means

Abstract

An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter to be applied to any seatbelt model is characterized by a laminated plate conveniently fastened to a retractor body of a seatbelt. The device presents predetermined resistance and malleability characteristics and is provided with a convenient number of folds arranged in parallel with respect to each other and transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The folds, when submitted to a certain traction strength resulting from a strong collision or sudden deceleration of a vehicle in which they are being used, are gradually unfolded, causing a gradual increase in the length of plate.

Claims

1. An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter to be applied to any seatbelt (C) model characterized by

a laminated plate (2) fastened to a retractor body (R) of a seatbelt, presenting predetermined resistance and malleability characteristics and provided with a plurality of folds (3) arranged parallelly among themselves and transversally in relation to a longitudinal axle of said laminated plate;

said plurality of folds, when submitted to a certain traction strength resulting from strong collision or sudden deceleration of a vehicle, are gradually unfoldable, causing a gradual increase in the length of said laminated plate (2);

further characterized by an additional element (4), wired type and with restraint effect, conveniently installed in the retractor body (R), having predetermined resistance and malleability characteristics and provided with a plurality of turns (5) that, when submitted to a certain traction strength resulting from strong collision or sudden deceleration of said vehicle, are gradually unfolded, causing a gradual increase in length of said additional element (4).

2. An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter as recited in claim 1 wherein said laminated plate is treated steel.

3. An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter according to claim 1, wherein said laminated plate (2) is fastened to the retractor body (R) to cause it to become an integral part of the retractor body.

4. An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter according to claim 1, installed in said vehicle, and characterized by said plurality of folds (3) of such laminated plate (2) having a section, format and number complying with body deceleration requirements and displacement limits for said vehicle in which said energy absorbing device is installed.

5. An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter according to claim 1, installed in said vehicle, and characterized by said plurality of turns (5) of said additional element (4) having a section, format and number, complying with body deceleration requirements and displacement limits for said vehicle in which said energy absorbing device is installed.

6. An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter according to claim 1, characterized by such additional element (4) made of treated steel.