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:
May. 25, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 17, 1998
Applicant:
Inventor:
Antony W Chamings, Oxford, MI (US);
Assignee:
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60R / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
242374 ; 280806 ; 297480 ;
Abstract
An apparatus (20, 400) comprising: a gear (402) operatively linked to a rotationally supported spool (20) to rotate the spool (24) in a direction of retraction to cause a seat belt (22) wound thereabout to retract; a belt tightener comprising: a gear unit (410) having a first drive member (412) which is initially uncoupled from the gear (402) and which as it rotates is placed into driving engagement with the gear (402) and which upon further rotation is moved to a condition of disengagement with the spur gear to permit the spool to rotate free of the pretensioner and a rack (420) operably connected to the gear unit to cause same to rotate.