Buffer device for vehicle seat belt

• US 7,455,322 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cadmus Lin
• Original Assignee: Cadmus Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Cadmus
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US11/481,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801.1, 280/808, 280/805, 188/470, 188/471, 297/470, 297/471
• US Class Current: 280/805
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• 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 buffer device for vehicle seat belt includes a housing having two inside racks, a roller assembly, which has a roller and two gearwheels fixedly provided at the ends of the roller and meshed with the racks for guiding rotation of the roller along the racks, a traction cord member, which has a first end connected to the roller and is pullable by the seat belt such that the roller is forced to rotate along the racks to roll up the traction cord member when the seat belt is stretched to pull the roller upon an impact force, and a spring member connected between the housing and the roller for rebounding the roller to a former position.

Claims

1. A buffer device used in a motor vehicle and connected to a seat belt in said motor vehicle for buffering said seat belt upon an impact force, the buffer device comprising:

a housing mounted therein with at least one rack having a first end and a second end;

a roller assembly having a roller with at least one engagement portion meshed with said at least one rack for guiding rotation of said roller along said at least one rack;

a traction cord member having an end connected to said roller, said traction cord member is pullable by movement of the seat belt such that when said seat belt is stretched to pull the traction cord member upon an impact force, said roller is forced to rotate along said at least one rack toward the first end of said at least one rack to roll up said traction cord member thereon; and

a spring member connected between said housing and said roller assembly for pulling said roller assembly toward the second end of said at least one rack.

2. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said roller has an outer diameter greater than said engagement portion.

3. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said roller has an outer diameter smaller than said engagement portion.

4. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bearing device movably provided inside said housing and connected to said seat belt;

wherein

the traction cord member passes over the bearing device and has the other end fixed to the housing.

5. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing has an accommodation chamber accommodating said roller assembly, and at least one sliding groove facing said accommodation chamber and coupled to said roller assembly for guiding movement of said roller assembly in said accommodation chamber.

6. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring member is a tensile spring.

7. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring member is a rubber block.

8. The buffer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring member is a shock absorber.