GB2357468A

GB2357468A - U-shaped safety restraint retractor frame

Info

Publication number: GB2357468A
Application number: GB9930512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Blackadder; Alan George Smithson; John Taylor; Joseph Patrick Harte; Nigel Mitchinson; Paul Bowman
Original assignee: Breed Automotive Technology Inc
Current assignee: Breed Automotive Technology Inc
Priority date: 1999-12-23
Filing date: 1999-12-23
Publication date: 2001-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-23
Also published as: DE20012528U1; GB2357468B; GB9930512D0

Abstract

A u-shaped frame 1 for a safety restraint retractor has two parallel sides 2 and 3 connected by a back portion 4, with an aperture 10 for forming a web guide located in the back portion. The frame may be formed from pressed steel while the upper edge 12 of the aperture may be bent over in the direction of movement of the webbing, to present a smooth surface thereto. A plastic insert 6 may be arranged to fit into the aperture. In a second embodiment the frame may be provided with a clip on plastic cover (14, Fig 4), with a webbing guide (22, Fig 4) integrally located therein.

Description

2357468 SAFETY RESTRAINT RETRACTOR DESCRIPTION The present invention

relates to a retractor for a vehicle safety restraint seat belt system.

A traditional retractor comprises a rotatable spool supported in a frame. Seat belt webbing is wound on the spool and a spring biases the spool in the webbingwound direction. Webbing can be pulled out to engage around a vehicle occupant by pulling against the spring bias but the belt tends to pull the occupant gently back into position in the seat. Sensors are arranged to detect sudden changes in the vehicle movement and to lock the retractor against spool rotation in the event of a crash situation being detected, thus locking the spool against further webbing payout and securing the occupant in the seat against forward motion.

It is necessary to provide a guide on the retractor frame for the webbing so as to avoid snagging and catching with the retractor mechanism. The frame is generally formed as a metal pressing bent into a U-shape. Usually the webbing guide is formed by a horizontally disposed bar which also acts as a tie plate to provide strength to the frame by holding the two parallel sides of the U together. Each end of the tie plate is usually attached to respective sides of the frame.

However the optimum position for a tie plate from the strength point of view is not particularly the best position for a webbing guide as far as comfort for the user is concerned: in conventional retractors this arrangement leads to the webbing being routed somewhat indirectly. Also it is difficult to fit a cover to a.retractor with a tie plate and thus any parts of the vehicle overhanging the retractor are 5 more prone to interfere adversely with its performance.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid some of the disadvantages of the traditional retractor arrangements.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame for a safety restraint retractor comprising a generally U-shaped member having two generally parallel sides connected by a back portion, and an aperture, preferably relatively large and wide, located in the back portion and forming a webbing guide.

Preferably the material of the frame lying along the upper edge of the aperture is bent over in the direction of movement of the webbing, across the width of the frame, to present a generally smooth surface to the webbing.

The frame may be formed as a metal pressing, preferably of steel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention there is further provided a plastic insert which is arranged to fit into the aperture in the back portion of the U-shaped member. This is a separate piece which clips, or is attached, to the back portion of the U-shaped member. The guide comprises a wide aperture through which the webbing is arranged to pass, and a smooth guide bar over which the webbing is arranged to run and which extends across the width of the back portion, and may be used to cover the upper edge of the aperture in the frame.

This arrangement provides a more direct route for the webbing in exiting from the spool, and results in the webbing exiting in a more convenient position and direction, having regard to the mounting position of the retractor which is typically on a vehicle pillar. The large aperture in the back portion also reduces the metal used and thus reduces the cost and weight of the retractor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame for a safety restraint retractor comprising a generally U-shaped member and a retractor cover having a webbing guide integrally located therein.

Preferably the cover is formed as a clip-on plastic part. It protects the webb ing stored on the spool and reduces the wear on the webbing by reducing the metal parts which the webbing is likely to come into contact with. The cover may be fitted over an existing frame tie-plate if necessary or can be fitted without the usual tie-plate to suit the application since the cover can provide strength to the retractor. This can result in both a cost and a weight reduction.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a retractor frame in accordance with the first aspect of the invention with a webbing guide unattached; Figure 2 is a perspective side view of the retractor frame of Figure 1 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention with the webbing guide attached; Figure 3 a perspective side view of a retractor frame in accordance with the second aspect of the invention showing a cover detached; Figure 4 a perspective side view of the retractor frame of Figure 3 showing the cover attached.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the first aspect of the invention and show a retractor frame 1 formed by a steel pressing bent into a Ushape having two generally parallel sides 2, 3 linked by a back portion 4. The frame has cutouts for supporting a spool (not shown) between the sides 2, 3. There is also a large cut-out aperture 10 in the back portion 4 of the frame 1, together with a hole 5 for bolting the frame to a vehicle. The aperture 10 provides an uninhibiting exit space for the webbing coming from a spool (not shown) located between the frame sides 2, 3. The upper bar 11 framing the aperture 10 has its lower edge 12 bent over to present a stiffer smoother, less wearing guiding surface to the webbing.

A plastic webbing guide 6 is formed as a separate member and inserted into the aperture 10 in the f rame back 4 in the manner shown in Figure 2. Pegs 7 on the side of the guide 6 nestle in slots 8 in the back 4 of the f rame 1 and a bent portion 9 covers the upper bar 11 of the f rame so 5 as to present an even smoother surf ace to the webbing.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the second aspect of the invention. A frame 1 is formed by a steel pressing bent into a U-shape with two sides 2, 3 connected by a back portion 4. The frame has cut-outs 13 in its sides 2, 3 for receiving a spool (not shown) A plastic cover 14 performs the function of a cover and of a web guide, and clips onto the frame 1 by means of interlocking pegs and slots.15. Two extending arms 16, 17 locate against and over the top edges 18,19 of the frame sides 2,3. They clip on by moulded formations locating into profiled slots 20,21. The arms 16,17 provide a relatively unabrasive surface to the edges of the webbing and the upper edge 22 of the cover 14 provides a guide surface for the webbing. In place the cover provides strength to the frame, and this is sufficient to dispense, in certain cases, with the usual tie bar 23 thus reducing weight and cost. The cover may also be used with a tie plate if necessary.

The cover thus provides protection for the stor, webbing and forms a web guide which prevents the webb. rubbing against metal parts of the retractor, prolonging life of the webbing.)o

Claims

1. A f rame for a safety restraint retractor comprising a generally Ushaped member having two generally parallel sides connected by a back portion and an aperture located in the back portion and forming a webbing guide.

2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein the upper edge of the aperture is bent over in the direction of movement of the webbing across the width of the f rame to present a generally smooth surface to the webbing.

3. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims formed as a metal pressing.

4. A frame according to claim 3 wherein the metal is steel.

5. A frame according. to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a plastic insert which is constructed and arranged to fit into the aperture in the back portion of the U-shaped member.

6. A frame for a safety restraint retractor comprising a generally U-shaped frame member and a retractor frame cover which has a webbing guide integrally located therein.

7. A frame according to claim 6 wherein the cover is formed as a clip-on plastic part.

8. A frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.