WEBBING ADJUSTER FOR A SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY

• US 20120274120A1
• Filed: 04/27/2012
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Smith, Paul Michael, Grzybowski, Thomas, Akoma, Patrick Ramone
• Granted Patent: US 9,156,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/242 Bus seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/688 Particular seat belt attachment and guiding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1818 Belt guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/024 Adaptations for use by small passengers, e.g. children B60R22/20 takes precedence; using belt anti-slip devices B60R22/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/19 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions included in the retractor B60R22/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 adjustable in position, e.g. in height

Abstract

A webbing adjuster for a seat belt system having a webbing, the webbing adjuster including a main body having a base and a guide portion configured to limit a forward movement of the webbing relative to the base, the base having a friction element and a passage configured to route the webbing from a front side to a rear side of the base, and a lower guide member connected to the main body and configured to limit the forward movement of the webbing. When the webbing is not under load, the webbing adjuster is configured to be moveable relative to the webbing. When the webbing is under load, the friction element is configured to secure the webbing to maintain a relative position between the webbing adjuster and the webbing.

Claims

1. A webbing adjuster for a seat belt system having a webbing, the webbing adjuster comprising:

a main body having a base and a guide portion configured to limit a forward movement of the webbing relative to the base, the base having a friction element and a passage configured to route the webbing from a front side to a rear side of the base; and

a lower guide member connected to the main body and configured to limit the forward movement of the webbing;

wherein when the webbing is not under load, the webbing adjuster is configured to be moveable relative to the webbing;

wherein when the webbing is under load, the friction element is configured to secure the webbing to maintain a relative position between the webbing adjuster and the webbing.

2. The webbing adjuster of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first member spaced apart from a second member defining the passage.

3. The webbing adjuster of claim 2, wherein the friction element is provided on the first member at the front side of the base.

4. The webbing adjuster of claim 3, wherein the friction element includes a plurality of grooves.

5. The webbing adjuster of claim 3, wherein the base includes a second friction element provided on the second member at the rear side of the base.

6. The webbing adjuster of claim 5, wherein the second friction includes a plurality of projections.

7. The webbing adjuster of claim 1, further comprising an upper guide member connected to the body and configured to route the webbing from the rear side to the front side of the base.

8. The webbing adjuster of claim 7, wherein the upper guide member is configured to limit a rearward movement of the webbing.

9. The webbing adjuster of claim 1, wherein the lower guide member is configured at an angle relative to the base.

10. The webbing adjuster of claim 9, wherein the angle is a forward oblique angle.

11. A seat belt assembly for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, the seat belt assembly comprising:

a webbing; and

a webbing adjuster coupled only to the webbing, the webbing adjuster including;

a main body having a base and a guide portion configured to limit a forward movement of the webbing relative to the base, the base having a friction element and a passage configured to route the webbing from a front side to a rear side of the base; and

a lower guide member connected to the main body and configured to limit the forward movement of the webbing;

wherein when the webbing is not under load, the webbing adjuster is configured to be moveable relative to the webbing;

wherein when the webbing is under load, the friction element is configured to secure the webbing to maintain a relative position between the webbing adjuster and the webbing.

12. The webbing adjuster of claim 11, wherein the base includes a first member spaced apart from a second member defining the passage.

13. The webbing adjuster of claim 12, wherein the friction element is provided on the first member at the front side of the base.

14. The webbing adjuster of claim 13, wherein the friction element includes a plurality of grooves.

15. The webbing adjuster of claim 13, wherein the base includes a second friction element provided on the second member at the rear side of the base.

16. The webbing adjuster of claim 15, wherein the second friction includes a plurality of projections.

17. The webbing adjuster of claim 11, further comprising an upper guide member connected to the body and configured to route the webbing from the rear side to the front side of the base.

18. The webbing adjuster of claim 17, wherein the upper guide member is configured to limit a rearward movement of the webbing.

19. The webbing adjuster of claim 11, wherein the lower guide member is configured at an angle relative to the base.

20. The webbing adjuster of claim 19, wherein the angle is a forward oblique angle.