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. 16, 2008
Filed:
Jan. 19, 2005
Bruce A. Stevens, Oakland, MI (US);
Chris A. Adamini, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Bruce A. Stevens, Oakland, MI (US);
Chris A. Adamini, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc., Armada, MI (US);
Abstract
A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism () for use with a seatbelt retractor (). The retractor () has a spool () configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism () is housed inside the retractor spool (). The pretensioner mechanism () includes a movable actuator member () slidably coupled to the retractor spool (), and a stationary member () secured to the retractor () along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (). Helical splines () extend along a portion of the spool (), and complementary helical splines () extend along a first portion of the movable member () for slidingly engaging the splines () on the spool (). Helical splines () also extend along a second portion of the movable member (), and complementary helical splines () extend along a portion of the stationary member () for slidingly engaging the splines () on the second portion of the movable member (). Activation of the pretensioner mechanism () produces a sliding movement of the movable member (), thereby producing simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines. Simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines produces a rotation of the spool () with respect to the stationary member (), thereby pretensioning a seatbelt webbing wound on the spool ().