Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Patent
1996-10-11
2000-05-23
Graysay, Tamara L.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
200 6158B, 24168, G05G 110, A44B 104, H01H 316
Patent
active
060653671
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an actuating device with a rotatable cup-shaped locking head for multi-point safety belts.
2. Description of the Related Art
In accordance with a known type of construction which has been incorporated into the applicable safety standards, actuating devices for multi-point safety belts, particularly for racing cars, are constructed as levers. The levers protrude above the flat plane of the base member as well as beyond the diameter thereof; this is in order to achieve a good accessibility as well as in order to reduce the force to be applied, so that a lock can still be actuated even after an accident.
In aircraft construction, actuating devices are either equipped with substantially grooved locking heads or with very smooth cup-shaped locking heads.
The first embodiment is intended to achieve a sufficient frictional engagement between the hand of the user and the actuating device. However, the first embodiment has the disadvantage that, for example, pilots during the check prior to departure will unintentionally engage the check list holder in one of the grooves and will unintentionally open the lock because the angular movement of about 30.degree. to 40.degree. is kept relatively small in these locks.
In order to prevent these disadvantages, smooth cup-shaped constructions were used in the second embodiment. However, these constructions have the disadvantage that, when loosening the belt, i.e., when actuating the lock, a user must grasp the lock with a hand which is curved like a trough in order to produce a sufficient fictional engagement for actuation. However, it is known that a hand which has sustained an injury especially on the back of the hand is no longer able to carry out such a grasping function. Moreover, in a safety belt which is used in an ambulance aircraft, the use of such an actuating device leads to substantial safety risks because its actuation with the hand of a rescue worker which may be covered, for example, with medicaments or even blood, is hardly possible any more because of the particularly low coefficient of friction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Starting from the state of the art, it is the object of the present invention to provide actuating devices which avoid the described disadvantages.
This object is met in accordance with the invention by an actuating device for the lock of a multi-point safety belt which includes a rotatable cup-shaped locking head with at least one recess on the circumference thereof, wherein the recess is arranged in a downwardly directed circumferential portion in the position of use of the locking head, and wherein the recess is constructed as a finger recess.
For this purpose, the locking head is constructed cup-shaped approximately corresponding to its diameter. If the mechanics of the lock are stiff, the diameter of the locking head may protrude beyond the outer diameter of the base member in order to provide a greater lever length by the increased diameter. The actuating device advantageously includes an inclined insertion surface for the belt tongues. At least one finger recess is provided on a circular arc-shaped portion of the cup-shaped locking head which faces downwardly in the position of use when the lock rests against the body of the belt user. The finger recess has two flanks for rotating the locking head.
If more than one finger recess is provided, these finger recesses are located in a lower circular arc portion of the locking head as seen from the belt user. Webs whose flanks serve as actuating surfaces are provided between the individual finger recesses. The opening force is introduced between the webs. Advantageously, the webs are directed radially.
The webs located between the finger recesses do not protrude above the surface of the locking head. The flanks of the finger recesses are also positioned at an angle of, if possible, not greater than 90.degree. as measured from the vertical center line of the lock. As a result, for example, during a rollover of
REFERENCES:
patent: 2255258 (1941-09-01), Lethern et al.
patent: 3510921 (1970-05-01), Gilmore
patent: 3942760 (1976-03-01), King
patent: 5410780 (1995-05-01), Silagy
Carl-Jurgen Schroth
Charles Marcus
Graysay Tamara L.
Kueffner Friedrich
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