Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-06-26
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250683
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a belt buckle tensioner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The traction transfer means of vehicle seat belt buckle tensioners is usually constructed nowadays as a traction cable which is firmly connected with the belt buckle. This traction cable is coupled at the other end with the tensioner drive. When the tensioner drive is constructed as a piston/cylinder unit, the traction cable is fastened to the piston and extends through an end wall of the cylinder into its interior. A disadvantage in the belt buckle tensioners known hitherto is, however, that the belt buckle unit, i.e. the belt buckle together with the traction transfer means connected with it, can be displaced or turned unintentionally relative to the tensioner drive, for example whilst the vehicle is being cleaned. This undesired displacement of the belt buckle in axial direction or rotation of the belt buckle can lead to a smaller tensioning path or, in fact on rotation of the belt buckle, it can make the locking of the belt difficult.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a belt buckle tensioner, in which in the non-activated state of the tensioner drive the position of the belt buckle is always clearly established. This is achieved in a belt buckle tensioner which comprises a belt buckle unit provided with a belt buckle and a traction transfer means and further comprises a tensioner drive. The traction transfer means connects the belt buckle with the tensioner drive and displaces the belt buckle in a tensioning direction on activation of the tensioner drive. There is further provided at least one positive connection between the belt buckle unit and the tensioner drive, which in the non-activated state of the tensioner drive largely prevents at least one of a rotation and an axial displacement of the belt buckle unit with respect to the tensioner drive.
Whereas in the prior art, the seal and hence the friction between the traction transfer means and the cylinder wall is often used alone, in order to secure the belt buckle in position, in the belt buckle tensioner according to the invention a type of securing in the form of the positive connection is provided, which leads to a clear fixing in position.
Preferably, separate positive connections are provided on the one hand to prevent the rotation and on the other hand to prevent the axial displacement.
According to a development, the positive connection can be provided between the traction transfer means and the tensioner drive, the positive connection preferably engaging here between the housing of the tensioner drive and the belt buckle unit, in particular the traction transfer means itself.
If a piston/cylinder unit is used as tensioner drive, then one positive connection or several positive connections can be provided between the piston, coupled with the traction transfer means, and the cylinder.
If the cylinder is equipped with an end wall in which there sits a seal, then for a simplified production of the positive connection the seal itself can engage on the traction transfer means or the piston. The seal, which is of plastic or rubber material, can in fact then be produced in a non-cutting manner, so that corresponding projections or recesses can be easily constructed on the seal.
According to the preferred embodiment, a type of multiple-groove connection is provided as protection against torsion, between the piston and the seal.
As positive connection which prevents the axial displacement, a detent connection can be used for example which is unlocked on activation of the tensioner drive. The unlocking takes place in that the connection is released due to the drive forces.
The positive or, in other words, form-fitting connection to prevent an axial displacement preferably consists of a spring plate which is fastened on the one hand to the cylinder of a piston/cylinder unit and on the other hand to the traction transfer means. Fingers which are angled in axial direction on the spring plate increase the force which is necessary in order to release the lock.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5149128 (1992-09-01), Föhl
patent: 5313690 (1994-05-01), Hiramatsu et al.
patent: 5671949 (1997-09-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5897140 (1999-04-01), Wier
patent: 4232569 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 29609054 (1996-10-01), None
patent: 0780271 (1997-06-01), None
Rice Kenneth R.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
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