Seatbelt device

• US 7,168,742 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan GK
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tomita, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/632,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041390A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 280/806, 280/805, 297/480, 246/29, 246/33, 246/40, 246/42
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4609 using a plurality of tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/023 Three-point seat belt systems comprising two side lower and one side upper anchoring devices B60R22/022, B60R22/03 take precedence
• 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: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor

Abstract

A seat belt device includes a lap anchor and connector assembly that are engaged by a latch pressed by a first latch spring. In the event that inertia force is applied to the connector assembly in a direction that tends to urge the disengagement of the connector assembly and the lap anchor, the latch tries to move in the direction of disengagement. The attempted movement causes retaining shoulder portions of the latch to abut against latch holding portions of a second latch spring, thereby preventing movement of the latch in the direction of disengagement. Thus, engagement of the connector assembly and the lap anchor is stable, and disengagement of the connector assembly and the lap anchor is prevented.

Claims

1. A seatbelt device, comprising:

a pretensioner configured to cooperate with an anchor;

wherein said pretensioner includes a connector portion, and

wherein the anchor is configured to be inserted into and engaged with said connector portion; and

wherein said connector portion includes a latch mechanism for engaging said anchor with the connector portion, and a disengagement prevention mechanism for preventing disengagement between said connector portion and said anchor in the event that a force acts upon said connector portion in a direction that urges disengagement of the connector portion and the anchor, wherein the disengagement prevention mechanism comprises an elastic prevention member configured to be attached to and fixed into position by the latch mechanism when the anchor is engaged with the connector portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said latch mechanism comprises a latch for engaging said anchor with said connector portion and an elastic pressing member for pressing said latch in the direction of engagement between said anchor and said connector portion.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said elastic pressing member and said elastic prevention member are both formed of leaf springs.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the disengagement prevention member comprises two apertures that mate with the latch mechanism to prevent disengagement between said latch mechanism and said anchor.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the latch mechanism comprises two protrusions with notches that mate with the two apertures of the disengagement prevention member.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the disengagement prevention member is fixed to left and right sides of the latch mechanism.

7. A device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising:

a seatbelt;

an anchor connected to a lap belt portion of the seat belt for securing the lap belt portion of the seat belt to the vehicle;

a pretensioner configured to be engaged with the anchor;

a first elastic member positioned and configured to urge the anchor and the pretensioner to remain engaged when the anchor is engaged with the pretensioner; and

a second elastic member positioned to prevent the pretensioner and the anchor from being disengaged when a force is applied to the seatbelt in the event that the vehicle is involved in a collision, wherein the second elastic member is configured to be attached to and fixed into position by a latching mechanism when the anchor is engaged with the pretensioner.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the elastic members are leaf springs.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising a tongue connected to the seat belt.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a buckle for receiving the tongue when the seat belt is worn by the occupant.

11. The device of claim 7, further comprising a retractor for winding the seatbelt around a spool when the seatbelt is not being worn by the occupant.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the second elastic member comprises two apertures that mate with the latch mechanism to prevent disengagement between said pretensioner and said anchor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the latch mechanism comprises two protrusions with notches that mate with the two apertures of the second elastic member.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein the second elastic member is fixed to left and right sides of the latch mechanism.

15. A seatbelt device, comprising:

a pretensioner configured to cooperate with an anchor, wherein said pretensioner includes a connector portion; and

an inner cover with one end attached to the connector portion and an opposite end attached to a wire holder,

wherein the anchor is configured to be inserted into and engaged with said connector portion; and

wherein said connector portion includes a latch mechanism for engaging said anchor with the connector portion, and a disengagement prevention mechanism for preventing disengagement between said connector portion and said anchor in the event that a force acts upon said connector portion in a direction that urges disengagement of the connector portion and the anchor, wherein the disengagement prevention mechanism comprises an elastic prevention member configured to be attached to and fixed into position by the latch mechanism when the anchor is engaged with the connector portion.