The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 23, 1979
Filed:
Jul. 21, 1977
Robert L Stephenson, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
James Gavagan, Center Line, MI (US);
Yogendra S Loomba, Knoxville, TN (US);
Allied Chemical Corporation, Morris Township, Morris County, NJ (US);
Abstract
A safety belt retractor comprises a housing containing first and second tandem spools for storing, respectively, lap and shoulder belts in helical wrap. Each of the spools is secured to a ratchet wheel engageable by a pawl located in the housing between the spools. Pawl support openings formed in opposite sidewalls of the housing enable the pawl to float while pivoting. In an equilibrium position, clearance between one end of the floating pawl and the first ratchet wheel is less than the clearance between the opposite end of the pawl and the second ratchet wheel. In response to acceleration of the vehicle carrying the retractor housing, a pendulum-type inertia device pivots the pawl from equilibrium into engagement with the first ratchet wheel. During pay out of the belts, with one end pivoting on the first ratchet wheel, the floating pawl is guided into contact with the second ratchet wheel by a cam surface defining one of the sidewall openings to positively lock the two spools. The pawl is supported by a plastic support member. The entire assembly is formed of interlocking parts.