Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Steven F Snyder

Daniel E Crimmins

Timothy A Potok

Kiel L Brown

E Judy Jordan-Brunson

A seat belt anchorage has a tubular housing adapted to be mounted on support structure of a vehicle. The housing has a cylindrical wall. A nut is axially slidable along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall. The housing has a transverse wall at an inner end of the cylindrical wall. The transverse wall has a tapered surface. The transverse wall has an annular abutment ring inwardly of the tapered surface defining a central opening. The nut has a tapered side in contact with the tapered surface of said transverse wall and an end in contact with the abutment ring. A bolt has a shank extending through the opening and threaded into the nut. The bolt has a head exteriorly of the housing and a collar on the shank between the head and the abutment ring. A seat belt supporting plate is mounted on the collar. The bolt in normal use is tightened to draw the tapered side of the nut against the tapered surface of the transverse wall and to draw the collar against the abutment ring. In a crash, when the head of an occupant of the vehicle strikes the bolt and urges the bolt outwardly, the collar deforms the abutment ring to absorb the energy of the impact.

Energy absorbing seat belt anchorage

An energy absorbing device for the steering column of an automotive vehicle comprises a pair of generally U-shaped straps made of relatively stiff, bendable, flexible strip material. One leg of each strap is connected to a bracket affixed to vehicle support structure. The other leg is connected to the steering column. In a collision, the straps resist movement of the steering column and gradually absorb energy to prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering column against the driver. A connection between the steering column and the bracket prevents vibration of the steering column during normal operation of the vehicle. This connection is releasable in response to initial vehicle impact to allow controlled movement of the steering column under the restraining influence of the straps.

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Steven F Snyder