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:
Aug. 08, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 01, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Alan Smithson, Carlisle, GB;
David Blackadder, Carlisle, GB;
John Taylor, Penrith, GB;
Andrew Downie, Carlisle, GB;
Joe Harte, Maryport, GB;
Andrew Park, Wigton, GB;
Elizabeth Rees, Carlisle, GB;
Assignee:
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60R / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
297472 ; 280805 ;
Abstract
A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a metal member and means for deforming the metal member associated with the seat belt. Excessive load on the seat belt is transferred to the metal member by deforming the metal member.