Abstract:
The vehicle sensitive retractor has a pendulum assembly which includes a pendulum dome. A support for the pendulum assembly includes a substantially cylindrical support member having a substantially circular line of contact at its upper end upon which the pendulum dome is disposed. Prior to actuation, the pendulum assembly has an infinite variety of operable static positions to which the pendulum assembly is adjustable according to the position in which the retractor is oriented by virtue of installation in the vehicle. As a result, the retractor may be tilted for installation without having to redesign the pendulum assembly and support. An actuating means is disposed above the pendulum dome. The actuating means is disposed in an unlocked position when the pendulum assembly is in any one of its infinite variety of operable static positions. The actuating means is moved to a locked position by the pendulum assembly during emergency situations to lock a reel and prevent further unwinding of a safety belt from the reel.
Abstract:
A seat belt buckle assembly including a housing in which a latch bar is movably disposed to be moved by a push button between a latched position for engaging a tongue and a release position for allowing the tongue to be removed from the housing. A leaf type spring normally urges the latch bar upwardly toward the latched position. The novelty resides in the utilization of a cup-shaped diaphragm disposed in sealing engagement with the bottom wall of the housing to define a chamber with the bottom wall of the housing. The bottom wall of the housing has a hole therein and the diaphragm includes a flap which normally is disposed over the hole for sealing the opening in response to a sudden rise in pressure in the chamber which in turn results from the application of a predetermined force urging the latch bar to the release position but which allows flow through the opening during the application of a lesser force urging the latch bar to the release position whereby the buckle assembly is prevented from unlatching or releasing the tongue in response to sudden impact or like force.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for filling motor vehicle gas bags. A gas-filled cylinder is provided with an inlet pressure sensitive rupture disc and a dislodgeable outlet plug. The inlet disc is in communication with a combustible material. The material is fired, yielding a gaseous product. The outlet plug is dislodged before, concurrently or subsequent to the rupture of the inlet disc. The liberated gas flows to a diffuser, about which a motor vehicle gas bag is disposed, whereby the gas bag is filled.
Abstract:
An apparatus for holding an explosive charge in place at the outlet of a gas filled chamber. A holding means which may be provided with a plurality of legs, is provided with a receptacle means to accommodate and keep stationary the explosive charge, against the outlet, inside the chamber. Means are provided on the inside surface of the chamber to accommodate the legs, if provided, to assist in keeping the holding means and thus the explosive charge, stationary.
Abstract:
A self-contained seat and restraint system including a semirigid seat shell having a channel about the rear and sides thereof, a fixed, beltless buckle in one side of the channel, and a retractable lap belt guided through and by the other side of the channel. A shoulder belt and a particular buckle design is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The vehicle-sensitive retractor has an improved, universal inertia mechanism and support assembly. The inertia mechanism is a sphere adapted to roll in an infinite variety of directions in an approximately horizontal plane. The support assembly includes a sphere support, a swivel axis for the sphere support, a trunnion and a swivel axis for the trunnion. The sphere rolls on the sphere support. The swivel axis for the sphere support is adapted to allow the sphere support to pivot in two directions. The swivel axis for the trunnion is also adapted to allow the trunnion to pivot in two directions. The swivel axis for the trunnion is disposed approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis for the sphere support. As a result, the sphere support is adapted to pivot in an infinite variety of lateral directions. The improved actuating means is disposed above the sphere and is adapted to respond to rolling of the sphere on the sphere support to actuate the reel locking mechanism. The retractor may be tilted for installation without having to redesign the inertia mechanism and support assembly.
Abstract:
A safety restraint for use in a vehicle, comprising an inflatable band assembly having a fastening device for positioning the band about an individual. The fastening device includes a rigid unitary tongue attached to the inflatable band, said tongue adapted for locking engagement with a buckle anchored to the vehicle, and said tongue having a chamber integrated therewith containing a source of pressurized gas in communication with the inflatable band. The source of pressurized gas includes electrical means for releasing the gas, said electrical means being placed in a circuit for activation by a sensing device responsive to crash conditions, by the act of engaging the tongue in the buckle. Inflation of the band therefore cannot occur unless the band is positioned about the individual.
Abstract:
A vehicle safety assembly adapted for connection to a conventional steering column which includes a housing surrounding a steering shaft. The assembly includes a steering wheel which is splined for connection to the steering shaft with a hub portion having a plurality of holes therein communicating with the interior of an inflatable bag which is held in sealing engagement with the steering wheel. A cup-shaped member is connected to the housing of the steering column and defines an annular chamber in sealing engagement with the steering wheel. A conduit is in communication with the cup-shaped member at one end and with a source of pressurized fluid at the other end whereby the bag may be inflated during crash or collision conditions. The system is adapted for connection to conventional steering columns presently utilized in automobiles.
Abstract:
A power actuated outside rearview mirror assembly, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising a mirror housing in which is mounted a stationary yoke member which supports a motor having an output shaft to which is fixed a worm gear adapted to mesh with a sector gear formed on the rear of a second yoke member, pivotally supported within the stationary yoke member and attached to the rear of a mirror for angular movement of the mirror in one direction. The second yoke member supports another motor having an output shaft to which is fixed a worm gear adapted to mesh with another sector gear disposed within the second yoke member which is similarly connected to the rear of the mirror for angular movement of the mirror in another direction. The last named motor extends through an elongated opening in the stationary yoke member for relative movement therein upon adjustment of the mirror in a first angular direction.
Abstract:
The vehicle-sensitive retractor has an improved inertia mechanism and support. The inertia mechanism is a lower pendulum assembly which includes a pendulum head in contact with an actuating means. The support for the lower pendulum assembly is an upper pendulum assembly which includes a trunnion, a swivel axis for the trunnion, and a support member for the trunnion. The trunnion has a substantially circular support edge upon which the pendulum head of the lower pendulum assembly is disposed. The trunnion and lower pendulum assembly are adapted to pivot automatically in one plane to a variety of operable static positions according to the position in which the retractor is oriented by virtue of installation in the vehicle. The lower pendulum assembly and trunnion comprise a double pendulum mechanism.