U.S. patent application number 09/876618 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for restraint belt presenter with rising arm and offset rotary action.
This patent application is currently assigned to Joalto Design, Inc.. Invention is credited to Campbell, John E., DeLorean, Paul J., El-Sayed, Mohamed, Townsend, John A..
Application Number | 20010040369 09/876618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23425434 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010040369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Townsend, John A. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2001 |
Restraint belt presenter with rising arm and offset rotary
action
Abstract
A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt
engaging member that is selectively driven by a track drive
mechanism to catch and pull a restraint belt from its unused
position to a presentation position for grasping by a vehicle
occupant. In one embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member
includes a selectively upwardly moving arm having a finger assembly
with an offset rotary action for moving the finger assembly into an
actuating position. In a second embodiment, the restraint belt
engaging member is connected to a hinge member that pivots the
restraint belt engaging member into an actuating position.
Inventors: |
Townsend, John A.;
(Bloomfield Hills, MI) ; El-Sayed, Mohamed;
(Bloomfield Hills, MI) ; Campbell, John E.; (Hazel
Park, MI) ; DeLorean, Paul J.; (Bloomfield Hills,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER, FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
39533 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 140
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-0610
US
|
Assignee: |
Joalto Design, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23425434 |
Appl. No.: |
09/876618 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09876618 |
Jun 7, 2001 |
|
|
|
09362271 |
Jul 28, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/801.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 22/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/801.1 |
International
Class: |
B60R 022/00; B60R
022/48 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A restraint belt presenter assembly for bringing a restraint
belt forward comprising: a restraint belt engaging member having a
selectively movable upper arm, a lower arm and a finger assembly
mounted on said upper arm; a pivot member for rotationally pivoting
said finger assembly toward an actuated position; and a track drive
mechanism positioned adjacent a vehicle seat for selectively
driving said restraint belt engaging member from a starting
position to a presentation position.
2. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 1, wherein said
lower arm further includes a slot that receives said upper arm.
3. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 2, wherein said
lower arm further includes a screw member fixedly secured to a
rotatable cog.
4. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 3, wherein a
bottom portion of said upper arm is operatively connected to said
screw member.
5. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 4, further
including a toothed track member positioned alongside the vehicle
seat, wherein said rotatable cog meshes with said toothed track
member as said restraint belt moves from said starting position to
said presentation position, thereby turning said screw member in a
first predetermined direction so as to move upper arm upwardly.
6. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 1, wherein said
finger assembly is contained in a cap housing positioned on a top
portion of said selectively movable upper arm, said cap housing
having a slot from which a selectively retractable presenting
finger protrudes.
7. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 1, wherein said
pivot member is rotatably mounted on a base member.
8. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 7, wherein said
pivot member includes corresponding walls that cooperate to define
a channel therebetween that receives a mounting member connected to
an end portion of said presenting finger.
9. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 8, wherein said
mounting member is pivotally connected to said pivot member.
10. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 8, wherein said
mounting member further includes a positioning lug that cooperates
with a recess formed in said base member.
11. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 10, further
including a first spring for biasing said positioning lug in a
first predetermined position.
12. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 11, further
including a second spring for biasing said pivot member in a second
predetermined position.
13. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 1, wherein said
drive mechanism includes a carriage moved along a track by a belt
driven by a motor.
14. A restraint belt presenter assembly for bringing a restraint
belt forward comprising: a restraint belt engaging member having a
selectively movable upper arm that has a bottom portion connected
to a screw member positioned in a lower arm and a finger assembly
mounted on said upper arm; a rotatable cog fixedly secured to said
screw member; a pivot member for rotationally pivoting said finger
assembly toward an actuated position; a track drive mechanism
positioned adjacent a vehicle seat for selectively driving said
restraint belt engaging member from a starting position to a
presentation position; and a toothed track member positioned
alongside the vehicle seat, wherein said rotatable cog meshes with
said toothed track member as said restraint belt moves from said
starting position to said presentation position, thereby turning
said screw member in a first predetermined direction so as to move
upper arm upwardly.
15. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 14, wherein said
finger assembly is contained in a cap housing positioned on a top
portion of said selectively movable upper arm, said cap housing
having a slot from which a selectively retractable presenting
finger protrudes.
16. The restraint belt presenter assembly of claim 15, wherein said
pivot member includes corresponding walls that cooperate to define
a channel therebetween that receives a mounting member pivotally
connected to an end portion of said presenting finger, wherein said
mounting member further includes a positioning lug that cooperates
with a recess formed in said base member, wherein said a first
spring operates to bias said positioning lug in a first
predetermined position and a second spring operates to bias said
pivot member in a second predetermined position.
17. A restraint belt presenter assembly for bringing a restraint
belt forward comprising: a selectively movable carriage carrying a
restraint belt engaging member; a mounting member positioned on
said carriage; a hinge member connected to said mounting member for
pivotal movement about said mounting member; and a track drive
mechanism positioned adjacent a vehicle seat for selectively
driving said carriage carrying said restraint belt engaging member
from a starting position to a presentation position.
18. The restraint belt presenting member of claim 17, wherein said
hinge member includes a first pair of ears that cooperate to form a
channel therebetween, said mounting member being positioned in said
channel and said hinge being secured to said mounting member for
pivotal movement about said mounting member.
19. The restraint belt presenting member of claim 18, wherein said
hinge member includes a second pair of ears that cooperate to form
a second channel therebetween, said second channel receiving said
restraint belt engaging member therein, wherein said restraint belt
engaging member is mounted to said hinge member for pivotal
movement.
20. The restraint belt presenting member of claim 19, wherein said
second channel further includes a stop member positioned between
said second pair of ears to limit the pivotal movement of said
restraint belt engaging member.
21. The restraint belt presenting member of claim 17, further
including a projecting feature for engaging said restraint belt
engaging member and assisting in moving said restraint belt
engaging member to the actuated position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/362,271, filed Jul. 28, 2000 by the same
inventors, entitled RESTRAINT BELT PRESENTER HAVING OFFSET ROTARY
ACTION. Applicant incorporates said Application herein by reference
and hereby claims the priority date of this earlier filed
Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a restraint belt presenter
for vehicles, and more particularly to a presenter system that
presents the restraint belt to a vehicle occupant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of restraint belts in vehicles is known for
providing vehicle occupants with protection in the event of a
collision or accident. Conventional restraint belts include a
combination of a lap belt portion and shoulder belt portion formed
from a continuous belt. In such an arrangement, one end of the belt
is anchored to a structural floor member of the vehicle behind a
seat on its outboard side. The other end is secured to a retracting
mechanism mounted on or in the `B` pillar rearward from the vehicle
door, the outboard edge of the ceiling or floor, or in the seat
back. A buckle for engaging with a receptacle positioned adjacent
to the inboard side of the vehicle seat, is slidably attached to
the belt. When not in use, the retracting mechanism biases the belt
and buckle toward the outboard side of the vehicle.
[0004] To secure a restraint belt, the vehicle occupant typically
must first twist around in the seat and reach across their body to
try and grab the buckle that is located above and behind the seat.
Next, the occupant must draw the buckle and belt across his body
such that the shoulder belt portion extends from the retracting
mechanism diagonally across the occupant's chest while the lap belt
portion is directed across the occupant's lap. Finally, the
occupant must releasably secure the buckle to the receptacle. Such
prior art restraint systems are undesirable. It is awkward for an
occupant to twist around and grab a buckle. Thus, statistics have
shown that people will often forget or forego using such prior art
restraint systems.
[0005] To overcome the problems associated with conventional
restraints systems, another type of restraint system known as a
"passive" restraint system has been developed. One such passive
restraint system uses separate lap and shoulder belts. The lap belt
is of a conventional design wherein a retracting mechanism is
positioned adjacent to the seat on its outboard side. The shoulder
belt has one end attached to the inside of the upper rear comer of
the vehicle door. The other end is engaged with a separate
retracting mechanism adjacent to the inboard side of the seat. When
the vehicle door is opened, the belt extends from the inboard side
of the seat away from the seat to the outer comer of the vehicle
door, so as to enable the vehicle occupant to enter the vehicle
between the shoulder belt and the seat. Once the door is pulled
shut, the inboard end of the shoulder belt retracts, thereby
securing the shoulder belt around the vehicle occupant. The lap
belt is then separately secured across the occupant's lap. While
restraint systems of this type reduce the problems associated with
the awkward manual fastening of the restraint belt, the positioning
of shoulder belt reduces the available room in which the vehicle
occupant may enter and exit the vehicle, thus hindering entry and
exit of the vehicle.
[0006] To provide more room to enter and exit the vehicle, another
known type of passive restraint system has the outboard end of the
shoulder belt attached to a movable shuttle riding in a track along
the upper periphery of the door opening. When the door is opened,
the shuttle automatically moves the outboard end of the shoulder
belt forward along the track. More room is provided for the
occupant to enter and exit the vehicle without becoming
inadvertently entangled in the shoulder belt. The lap belt still
must be separately and manually fastened across the occupant's lap
in the conventional manner.
[0007] To simplify restraint systems, another known type of
restraint system includes a pivotable armrest positioned on the
outboard side of a vehicle seat that has a combination shoulder and
lap restraint belt secured in a detent mechanism at the lower
forward inboard end of the armrest. An end of the lap belt is
anchored to the floor of the vehicle while an end of the shoulder
belt is retractably attached to a belt reel and tensioner. When the
armrest is in a lowered position, the detent serves to position the
belt buckle in plain view and adjacent to the vehicle occupant to
permit easier grasping of the belt buckle for fastening. A guide
incorporated with the armrest further assures the proper
positioning of the buckle. When the belt is unbuckled and the
armrest raised, the buckle is automatically returned to the detent
by belt reel and tensioner to maintain the proper positioning of
the buckle for the next use. However, the addition of the guide and
the detent to the armrest still provide additional manufacturing
steps, thereby increasing costs.
[0008] Therefore, there exists a need for a restraint presentation
system that insures reliable capturing and positioning of the belt
for repeated use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to a restraint belt
presenter assembly for bringing a restraint belt forward comprising
a housing having a slot with a recessed portion and a finger
assembly movably received in the housing for movement relative to
the slot. A biasing member is located in the housing for
rotationally biasing the finger assembly toward an actuated
position in the recessed portion of the slot. In addition, a track
drive mechanism is connected to the housing for selectively driving
the housing from an initial position to a final position.
[0010] The finger assembly further includes a shaft that is
connected to a finger, preferably by a pivoting connection.
Moreover, the shaft has a slot for receiving a portion of the
finger and a bushing is optionally mounted on the shaft for
reducing friction between the shaft and the housing. The drive
mechanism includes a carriage moved along a track by a belt driven
by a motor. Also, a projecting feature is provided along the return
path of the presenter assembly for engaging the finger assembly and
assisting in moving the finger assembly to the actuated position in
a resetting or cocking motion.
[0011] Accordingly, the restraint belt presenter assembly of the
present invention provides a reliable, efficient device for
capturing a restraint belt, moving the belt to a presentation
position, allowing a user to easily grasp the belt and remove it
from the presenter, and returning the presenter to a starting
position to once again be ready to capture the restraint belt
during the next restraint belt presentation cycle.
[0012] The smooth offset rotary movement of the finger assembly
provides a positive mechanical connection for the finger while
engaging and moving the belt. In addition, the finger assembly
retracts to a streamlined unactuated position to minimize the
possibility of the finger interfering with surrounding structure
such as the vehicle seat, while the presenter assembly is traveling
back to its starting position.
[0013] In an alternative embodiment, a restraint belt presenter
assembly is mounted to the underside of a vehicle seat, and
includes a restraint belt engaging member that is movably mounted
to a track drive mechanism. The track drive mechanism selectively
moves the restraint belt engaging member through the restraint belt
presenting cycle from a starting position at the rear of the
vehicle seat to a presentation position at the forward edge of the
vehicle seat.
[0014] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the
restraint belt engaging member includes a lower arm with a slot
that cooperates with a selectively retractable upper arm. A top
portion of the upper arm houses a retractable finger assembly. A
screw member is positioned within the lower arm and is fixedly
secured to a rotatable cog. A bottom portion of the upper arm is
operatively connected to the screw member by a nut. The rotatable
cog cooperates with a toothed track member positioned approximately
mid-way between the starting position and the presentation
position. As the rotatable cog meshes with the toothed track member
when the restraint belt engaging member is traveling toward the
presentation position, the rotatable cog causes the screw member to
turn in a first predetermined direction to move the nut upwardly.
The nut, in turn, causes the upper arm to move upwardly into the
presentation position such that the restraint belt that is carried
by the restraint belt engaging member is lifted upward and in easy
view of a vehicle occupant when reaching the presenting position.
The finger assembly retracts when the restraint belt is removed
from the finger of the restraint belt engaging member.
[0015] In a second alternative embodiment, the restraint belt
presenter includes a track mechanism similar to the previous
embodiments and a restraint belt engaging member carried by a
selectively movable carriage that travels between the starting
position and the presentation position. In accordance with the
invention, the carriage includes an upwardly extending mounting
member thereon with a mounting aperture extending transversely
therethrough. A hinge member that has a first pair of ears
positioned parallel to one another and cooperate to form a channel.
The first pair of ears are positioned on either side of the
mounting member such that the mounting member is positioned in the
channel. A mounting hole formed through the first pair of ears is
aligned with the mounting holes and a suitable fastener is posited
therein to pivotally connect the hinge member to the carriage.
[0016] The hinge member includes a second pair of ears that
cooperate to define a second channel. A stop member is positioned
between the second pair of ears along an edge of the hinge member.
A mounting arm carrying the restraint belt engaging member is
positioned within the second channel and pivotally connected to the
hinge member.
[0017] In operation, a drive belt moves the carriage along the
track member toward a forward edge of the vehicle seat. The
restraint belt engaging member is initially at an approximately
90.degree. angle such that the restraint belt engaging member pulls
the restraint belt forward to the presentation positioned. Once the
restraint belt is removed from the restraint belt engaging member,
the hinge member moves upward and rearward approximately
180.degree. such that a second surface of the hinge member is in
face-to-face engagement with an upper surface of the carriage. The
restraint belt engaging member is retracted to approximately
90.degree., its retraction motion being limited by the stop member,
such that the restraint belt engaging member is generally parallel
to the vehicle seat. To facilitate re-setting the restraint belt
engaging member, a projecting feature is preferably provided with a
ramp surface. The ramp surface engages the restraint belt engaging
member to reposition the restraint belt to the initial starting
position generally perpendicular to the carriage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The features and inventive aspects of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed
description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a
brief description:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a restraint belt presenter
attached to a vehicle seat.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a restraint belt presenter
assembly according to the present invention.
[0021] FIGS. 3 is a perspective view of a restraint belt engaging
member.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a restraint belt
engaging member according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view of a restraint belt engaging
member.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of the restraint belt engaging
member.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bracket.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a projecting feature.
[0027] FIG. 9 shows the restraint belt engaging member being reset
to an actuating position.
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates the restraint belt engaging member
carrying a restraint belt forward.
[0029] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a restraint belt engaging member at
various positions during a restraint belt presenting process.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative restraint
belt presenter assembly attached to the underside of a vehicle
seat.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an arm and presenting
finger of the restraint belt presenter assembly of FIG. 14.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the arm of the
restraint belt presenter assembly of FIG. 14 in both a starting
position and a presenting position.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the restraint belt
presenter assembly of FIG. 14 in operation.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a presenting finger
assembly in accordance with the present invention.
[0035] FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the operation of the presenting
finger assembly of FIG. 18.
[0036] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the restraint belt
presenting assembly of FIG. 14 at various positions during a
restraint belt presenting operation.
[0037] FIG. 23 is a second alternative restraint belt presenter
assembly attached to a side surface of a vehicle seat.
[0038] FIGS. 24A-24C illustrate the presenting operation of the
restraint belt presenter assembly of FIG. 23.
[0039] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge member taken
along lines 25-25 of FIG. 24c.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a restraint belt presenter assembly 20 mounted
on a vehicle seat 22 according to the present invention. Restraint
belt presenter assembly 20 includes a restraint belt engaging
member 24 that is movably mounted to a track drive mechanism 26 for
selectively moving the restraint belt engaging member 24 through
the restraint belt presentation cycle from a starting position to a
presentation position and back to the starting position.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows the restraint belt presenter assembly 20
including restraint belt engaging member 24 being mounted to a
carriage 28 by mounting bracket 30. Track drive mechanism 26
includes a generally elongated track 32 for receiving and guiding
carriage 28. Carriage 28 is connected to a drive belt 34 which is
driven by a motorized drive gear assembly 35. Drive gear assembly
35 includes a tooth drive gear pulley 36 and a series of idler
pulleys 38 located adjacent drive pulley 36 and at the ends of
track 32. Drive pulley 36 is connected to a motor 40 for powering
drive pulley 36.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the restraint belt
engaging member 24 mounted to mounting bracket 30. Restraint belt
engaging member 24 includes a housing 42 having an L-shaped slot 44
with a recessed portion 46. Housing 42 is preferably a generally
hollow cylinder for receiving a finger assembly 48. Finger assembly
48 is illustrated in FIG. 3 in a fully retracted position.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows restraint belt engaging member 24 in an
exploded perspective view including housing 42 for receiving finger
assembly 48 which includes a shaft 50 having a longitudinally
extending slot 52 with an aperture 54 formed generally
perpendicular to slot 52. Shaft 50 is preferably generally
cylindrical in shape and includes a reduced diameter section 56 for
mounting to a torsion spring 58. Respective ends 59 of torsion
spring 58 are inserted into corresponding apertures 61, 63 provided
in housing 42 and shaft 50, respectively. In addition, an optional
but preferable bushing 60 is also mounted on shaft 50 to reduce
friction between shaft 50 and housing 42. Next, a finger 62 is
designed to be inserted into slot 52 of shaft 50 such that one end
64 of finger 62 having an aperture 66 is aligned with shaft
aperture 54 and a pin 58 pivotally connects finger 62 to shaft 50.
An extension spring 70 is further provided for biasing finger 62
relative to shaft 50 toward a retracted, unactuated position as
shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. Extension spring 70 has its respective
ends anchored on shaft 50 and finger 62 using, for example a pin 65
located in a slot 67. Further, a switch 71 cooperates with
restraint belt engaging member 24 and a control unit (not shown) to
control movement of restraint belt engaging member 24.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows mounting bracket 30 having a generally Z-shaped
profile and further including a least one aperture 73 for
connecting bracket 30 to carriage 28.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows a projecting feature 72 that includes a ramp
surface 74 for engaging finger 62 as restraint belt engaging member
24 returns to the starting position. Ramp surface 74 engages finger
62 and helps reposition finger 62 to an actuated position generally
perpendicular to housing 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
Although projecting feature 72 is illustrated as a generally
U-shaped bracket, it is envisioned to use any suitable shape that
accomplishes re-setting of finger 62.
[0046] FIG. 9 shows a partial view of a restraint belt engaging
member 24 traveling rearwardly toward its starting position as
indicated by the arrow. FIG. 62 engages ramp surface 74 of
projecting feature 72 such that finger 62 is moved from a
retracted, unactuated position, generally coaxial with housing 42,
to an actuated position located in recessed portion 46 of L-shaped
slot 44 and generally perpendicular to housing 42. Torsion spring
58 rotates shaft 50 and finger 62 into recessed portion 46 once
finger 62 pivots to a position above the recessed portion 46.
[0047] A restraint belt 80 is shown is FIGS. 9 and 10 and
projecting feature 72 is positioned along the return travel path
such that finger 62 is able to travel rearwardly without contacting
or interfering with restraint belt 80. However, once finger 62 is
in an actuated position as illustrated in FIG. 10, finger 62 is
designed to catch and engage restraint belt 80 for traveling
forward toward a restraint belt presenting position.
[0048] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate various stages of a restraint belt
presenting cycle. In FIG. 11, restraint belt engaging member 24 is
traveling forward with finger 62 in an actuated position carrying
restraint belt 80. Finger 62 is biased to rotate into recessed
portion 46 of L-shaped slot 44 by torsion spring 58.
[0049] FIG. 12 shows restraint belt 80 being pulled upwardly and
laterally inwardly by a vehicle occupant who is strapping the
restraint belt across her body. As illustrated by the arrows,
restraint belt 80 pulls finger 62 upwardly and counteracts the
biasing force of torsion spring 58 thereby raising finger 62 out of
recessed portion 46. Simultaneously, finger 62 is biased rearwardly
by extension spring 60 which pivots finger 62 to its retracted
unactuating position illustrated in FIG. 13. Thus, when finger
assembly 48 is moved to an actuated position, it undergoes an
offset rotary locking type of motion wherein finger 62 pivots along
a longitudinal slot 44 and then is rotated with shaft 50 downwardly
relative to housing 42 such that finger 62 is stationed within
recessed portion 46.
[0050] The restraint belt presenter of the present invention can be
fabricated using any suitable materials, including but not limited
to, steel, aluminum, and plastic.
[0051] FIGS. 14-20 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
restraint belt presenter assembly 100 mounted to the underside 102
of a vehicle seat 104 according to the present invention. Restraint
belt presenter assembly 100 includes a restraint belt engaging
member 106 that is movably mounted to a track drive mechanism 108
for selectively moving restraint belt engaging member 106 through
the restraint belt presentation cycle from a starting position to a
presentation position and back to the starting position.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 15, restraint belt engaging member 106 is
mounted to a carriage 110 by a mounting bracket 112. Carriage 110
is operatively connected to track drive mechanism 108. More
specifically, track drive mechanism 108 includes a generally
elongated track 114 for receiving and guiding carriage 110.
Carriage 110 is operatively connected to a drive belt 116 which is
driven by motorized drive gear assembly 118 that is substantially
identical to drive gear assembly 35. Drive gear assembly 118
includes a tooth drive gear pulley 120 and a series of idler
pulleys 122 that are engaged by drive belt 116. Idler pulleys 122
are located adjacent drive gear pulley 120 and at the ends of track
114. Drive gear pulley 120 is connected to a motor 124 for powering
drive gear pulley 120.
[0053] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of restraint belt engaging
member 106 mounted to mounting bracket 112. Restraint belt engaging
member 106 includes a lower arm 126 with a slot 128. In accordance
with the invention, a selectively retractable upper arm 130 is
positioned in slot 128. A top portion 132 of upper arm 130 houses a
finger assembly 134, to be explained in further detail below.
Finger assembly 134 is illustrated in FIG. 15 in a presenting
position.
[0054] FIG. 16 depicts the interior of restraint belt engaging
member 106. A screw member 136 is positioned within lower arm 126.
A first end 138 of screw member 136 is fixedly secured to a
rotatable cog 140. A bottom portion 142 of upper arm 130 is
operatively connected to screw member 136 by a nut 144. In
accordance with one aspect of the invention, a toothed track member
145 is positioned alongside vehicle seat 104 at approximately the
midpoint between the starting position and the presenting position.
Toothed track member 145 includes a plurality of teeth 146.
Rotatable cog 140 engages in a mating fashion with teeth 146 as
restraint belt engaging member 106 travels between a starting
position and a presenting position. As rotatable cog 140 meshes
with teeth 146, rotatable cog 140 causes screw member 136 to turn
in a first predetermined direction and move nut 144 upwardly. Nut
144, which is engaged with screw member 136, in turn causes upper
arm 130 to move upwardly as restraint belt engaging member 106
travels toward the presenting position at a forward edge 148 of
vehicle seat 104, as best seen in FIGS. 17 and 22.
[0055] FIGS. 18-21 depict the finger assembly 134 that cooperates
with lower and upper arms 126 and 130 to deliver a restraint belt
150 to a vehicle passenger. Finger assembly 134 is contained within
a cap housing 152 positioned on top portion 132 of upper arm 130.
As best seen in FIG. 20, cap housing 152 has a slot 154 from which
a selectively retractable presenting finger 156 protrudes.
Presenting finger 156 preferably has a selectively rotatable outer
surface of a tactile material to grip restraint belt 150.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, finger assembly 134 includes a
pivot member 158 rotatably mounted to a base member 160. Pivot
member 158 includes two corresponding upstanding walls 161 that
cooperate to define a channel therebetween. Presenting finger 156
includes mounting member 162 positioned between walls 161 and
pivotally connected to pivot member 158 such that presenting finger
156 pivots about pivot point A. Mounting member 162 further
includes a positioning lug 164 extending therefrom that cooperates
with a recess 166 formed in base member 160, to be explained in
further detail below. Finger assembly 134 further includes a first
spring 168 for biasing positioning lug 164 in a predetermined
position and a second spring 170 for biasing pivoting member 158 in
a predetermined position. Base member 160 is secured to top portion
132 of upper arm 130.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 20-22, the operation of restraint
belt presenting assembly 100 will be explained. Restraint belt
presenting assembly 100 initially is in the starting position, with
carriage 110 carrying lower and upper arms 126 and 130 and finger
assembly 134 being positioned adjacent the rear of vehicle seat
104. Presenting finger 156 is positioned at approximately a
90.degree. angle from lower and upper arms 126 and 130 such that
presenting finger 156 extends toward vehicle seat 104. Preferably,
restraint belt presenter assembly 100 further includes a seat
occupancy switch and either a door switch or ignition switch to
initiate the presentation cycle of restraint belt presenter
assembly 100. Thus, the vehicle occupant must be seated in vehicle
seat and have either closed the vehicle door or turned on the
ignition for restraint belt presenter assembly 100 to begin the
presentation cycle. Once the vehicle door or ignition switch is
activated, an electrical signal activates gear motor 124 to move
drive belt 116. Drive belt 116 move carriage 110 to drive lower and
upper arms 126 and 130 and finger assembly 134 along track 114
toward forward edge 148 of vehicle seat. Because presenting finger
156 is positioned at approximately a 90.degree. angle, presenting
finger 156 pulls restraint belt 150 forward, unwinding restraint
belt 150 from a take-up reel 172 positioned along the rear edge of
vehicle seat 104.
[0058] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention at
approximately the mid-point of the presentation cycle (see FIG.
17), rotatable cog 140 attached to the bottom of screw member 136
engages tooth rack 145. Rotatable cog 140 cooperates with rack 145
to rotate screw member 136 a first predetermined direction. Screw
member 136 cooperates with a nut 144 positioned on bottom portion
142 of upper arm 130 to drive upper arm 130 upwardly into a
presenting position at the forward edge 148 of vehicle seat 104.
Upper arm 130 rises from lower arm 126 approximately 4-5 inches by
the end of the presentation cycle. Preferably, a limit switch 174,
located at forward edge 148 of vehicle seat 104, adjacent a distal
end of track 116 operates to de-activate motor 124 when carriage
110 contacts it. The rising motion of restraint belt presenter
assembly 100 places presenting finger 156, and therefore restraint
belt 150 and buckle 176, at a very convenient position alongside
the leg of the vehicle occupant.
[0059] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, when the
vehicle occupant removes restraint belt 150 from presenting finger
156, an offset rotary action of presenting finger 156 is activated.
Referring to FIGS. 18-21, as restraint belt 150 is removed from
presenting finger 156, positioning lug 164 is disengaged from
recess 166, thereby allowing presenting finger 156 to be moved
upward and twisted back approximately 90.degree.. Once restraint
belt 150 is completely removed from presenting finger 156, first
and second springs 168 and 170 cooperate to return positioning lug
164 to recess 166.
[0060] Next, once buckle 176 is placed in a restraint belt
receptacle (not shown), an electric switch in restraint belt
receptacle triggers motor 124 to reverse the direction of drive
belt 116 and return carriage 110 back to the starting position
adjacent the rear of vehicle seat 104. As carriage 110 returns to
the starting position, upper arm 130 is retracted back into slot
128 of lower arm. When restraint belt 150 is disengaged from the
restraint belt receptacle, restraint belt 150 is retracted by
take-up reel 172 in a conventional manner, thereby placing
restraint belt 150 ahead of presenting finger 156.
[0061] A second alternative embodiment of a restraint belt
presenter 200 is shown in FIGS. 23-25. Restraint belt presenter 200
includes a track mechanism 202 similar to track drive mechanisms 26
and 108 and a restraint belt engaging member 204 carried by a
selectively movable carriage 206.
[0062] In accordance with the invention, carriage 206 includes an
upwardly extending mounting member 208 thereon. Upwardly extending
mounting member 208 may be fixedly secured to carriage 206 by
welding or other suitable method, or formed integral with carriage
206. A mounting aperture (not shown) extends transversely through
upwardly extending mounting member 208. Carriage 206 further
includes at least one tooth member 210 that mates with and engages
a groove 212 formed in track member 214 to facilitate movement of
carriage 206 along track member 214.
[0063] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, restraint
belt presenter 200 further includes a hinge member 216. Hinge
member 216 includes a first pair of ears 218 that are positioned
parallel to one another and cooperate to form a channel 220. First
pair of ears 218 further include a mounting hole 222 positioned
therethrough. First pair of ears 218 are positioned on either side
of upwardly extending mounting member 208 such that upwardly
extending mounting member is positioned in channel 220. The
mounting aperture of upwardly extending mounting member 208 is
aligned with mounting holes 222. A pin or other suitable fastener
is positioned through the aligned holes 222 and aperture to
pivotally connected hinge member 216 to carriage 208.
[0064] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, hinge
member 216 includes a second pair of ears 224 that cooperate to
define a second channel 226. Referring to FIG. 25, a stop member
228 is positioned between second pair of ears 224 along an edge of
hinge member 216. Extending through second pair of ears 224 are
mounting holes 230. A mounting arm 232 carrying restraint belt
engaging member 204 is positioned within second channel 226.
Mounting arm 232 further includes a mounting aperture (not shown)
extending therethrough that aligns with mounting holes 230. A pin
or other suitable fastener is used to pivotally connect mounting
arm 232 to hinge member 216.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 23-25, the operation of restraint belt
presenting assembly 200 will be explained. Restraint belt
presenting assembly 200 is initially in the starting position, with
carriage 206 being positioned adjacent the rear of a vehicle seat
234. Restraint belt engaging member 204 is positioned at
approximately a 90.degree. angle from carriage 206 such that
restraint belt engaging member 204 extends toward vehicle seat 234.
Further, hinge member 216 is positioned so as to have a first
surface 236 of hinge member 216 in face-to-face contact with an
upper surface 238 of carriage 206.
[0066] Preferably, restraint belt presenter assembly 200 further
includes a seat occupancy switch and either a door switch or
ignition switch to initiate the presentation cycle of restraint
belt presenter assembly 200. Thus, the vehicle occupant must be
seated in vehicle seat 234 and have either closed the vehicle door
or turned on the ignition for restraint belt presenter assembly 200
to begin the presentation cycle. Once the vehicle door or ignition
switch is activated, an electrical signal activates a gear motor to
move the drive belt of track mechanism 202. The drive belt moves
carriage 206 along track member 214 toward a forward edge 242 of
vehicle seat 234. Because restraint belt engaging member 204 is
positioned at approximately a 90.degree. angle, restraint belt
engaging member 204 pulls the restraint belt 244 forward, unwinding
restraint belt 244 from a take up reel 246 positioned adjacent
vehicle seat 234.
[0067] Once restraint belt presenting assembly 200 reaches the
presenting position and the vehicle occupant grasps restraint belt
244, hinge member 216 moves upward and rearward approximately
180.degree. such that a second surface 240 of hinge member 216 is
in face-to-face engagement with upper surface 238 of carriage 206.
Further, restraint belt engaging member 204 retracts in response to
a biasing spring (not shown) that cooperates with the mounting arm
232 approximately 90.degree., its retraction motion being limited
by stop member 228, to as to be generally parallel to vehicle seat
234. Once the vehicle occupant buckles up, preferably a switch
activates track mechanism 202 to return carriage 206 back to the
starting position adjacent the rear of vehicle seat 234.
[0068] To facilitate re-setting restraint belt engaging member 204,
restraint belt presenting assembly further includes a projecting
feature mounted to a vehicle car door, such as that shown in FIG.
8. The ramp surface 74 of projecting feature 72 engages restraint
belt engaging member 204 and help repositioned restraint belt
engaging member 204 to the initial position generally perpendicular
to carriage 206, as illustrated in FIG. 23.
[0069] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize,
however, that certain modifications would come within the teachings
of this invention. Therefore, the following claims should be
studied to determine the true scope and content of the
invention.
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