Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2001-11-13
Nguyen, John Q. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With spring motor
C280S807000, C297S475000, C015S256500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315232
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of housings for enclosing vehicle belt retractors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Automatic locking retractors and inertia locking retractors each include a spool rotatably mounted to a frame with a belt wrappingly mounted to the spool. Typically, the retractors are mounted within plastic housings to conceal the spool and limit access thereto. In certain instances, dirt and foreign material becomes caked or attached to the belt which is then withdrawn into the retractor. Disclosed herein is a boot or housing which extends around the retractor with the boot having an entrance slot through which the belt passes. The slot is designed to engage the belt and remove dirt and foreign material from the belt as the belt is withdrawn into the retractor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is a device for scraping dirt and foreign material from a belt extending from a vehicle restraint retractor comprising a housing extending around the retractor and including a channel through which the belt extends from the retractor and outwardly of the housing. The housing includes offset scrapers on opposite sides of the channel to contact the belt and scrape the belt as it is retracted through the channel. The scrapers are spaced apart and sized relative to the belt to minimize passage of the dirt and foreign material into the retractor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved boot or housing for enclosing a vehicle belt retractor.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a belt retractor boot having means for allowing the retractor to be slipped into and mounted within the boot which is then locked thereto.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for protecting a vehicle restraint belt retractor from dirt and foreign material.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for scraping dirt and foreign material from a vehicle retractor belt.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4911377 (1990-03-01), Lortz et al.
patent: 5497956 (1996-03-01), Crook
Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc.
Nguyen John Q.
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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