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:
Sep. 03, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 14, 2000
John Bell, Carlisle, GB;
Graham Jack, Eastriggs, GB;
Howard Foster, Carlisle, GB;
Matthew Barber, Carlisle, GB;
Brian Jack, Eastriggs, GB;
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Abstract
A seat belt retractor has a rotatable spool mounted in a frame, a primary locking mechanism for arresting rotation of the spool and a load absorbing mechanism arranged to come into effect at a predetermined load for absorbing a portion of the spool locking load. The load absorbing mechanism may be a section of an inwardly facing peripheral edge of the frame having a serrated or roughened texture and which is positioned and adapted so that above a predetermined load it co-operates with a smooth surfaced spool bearing face to absorb some of the load. Spool rotation is prevented on engagement of the primary locking mechanism and the load on the primary mechanism rises causing the frame side walls to deform and the serrated or roughened section is pushed closer to, and eventually against the spool bearing face, roughening the smooth surface and increasing its coefficient of friction to absorb some of the load and resist rotation of the spool.