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:
Apr. 12, 1994
Filed:
Aug. 25, 1992
Gerald A Doty, Crown Point, IN (US);
William G Drinane, New Lenox, IL (US);
Takata Inc, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a noise suppression mechanism for a seat belt retractor used in a vehicle. The preferred retractor includes a reel journaled on a reel shaft and having attached a ratchet wheel with ratchet teeth. The ratchet teeth may be engaged by a pivotally frame-mounted locking pawl. The pawl may pivot between an inoperative position in which the pawl is spaced from the ratchet wheel and an operative position in which an inertial device urges the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel to prevent protraction of the belt. The preferred noise suppression mechanism may include an interlocking disc being mounted on reel shaft for rotation with the ratchet wheel for rotating between an actuated position for immobilizing the locking pawl against rattling and a neutral position allowing the locking pawl to pivot freely. The disc may have a blockout cam having a curved engaging surface for engaging a pawl being spaced at different positions with respect to the ratchet wheel. A spring may be employed for uniformally biasing the disc into engagement with the ratchet wheel. The disc has predetermined rotation for preventing interference with the other retractor components and for ensuring effective application of the blockout cam for engaging the pawl for immobilizing the pawl.