초록 ▼

An apparatus (10) for protecting a vehicle occupant including a vehicle seat belt webbing (20) which is extensible about a vehicle occupant, a housing (134) connectable to a component of a vehicle, and a flexible member (280) having a first end portion (284), a second end portion (286), and an inter

An apparatus (10) for protecting a vehicle occupant including a vehicle seat belt webbing (20) which is extensible about a vehicle occupant, a housing (134) connectable to a component of a vehicle, and a flexible member (280) having a first end portion (284), a second end portion (286), and an intermediate portion (288) extending between the first and second end portions (284, 286). A part (310) of the intermediate portion (288) is located in the housing (134) and cooperates with the housing to define an expansible chamber (308) in the housing. The housing (134) includes a surface (156) for guiding movement of the part (310) of the intermediate portion (288) in an arcuate path (224) to expand the expansible chamber. A clutch (270), actuatable in response to expansion of the expansible chamber (308), is provided to connect the first end portion (284) of the flexible member (280) with the seat belt webbing (20). A gas generator (316) is provided for, when actuated, exerting a first force on the part (310) of the intermediate portion (288) to move the part of the intermediate portion along the arcuate path (224) in the housing (134) to expand the expansible chamber (308) and actuate the clutch and to move the first end portion (284) of the flexible member (280) in a direction to move the seat belt webbing (20) a first distance and tighten the seat belt webbing against the occupant.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, we claim:] [1.] An apparatus comprising:vehicle seat belt webbing which is extensible about a vehicle occupant;a housing connectable to a component of a vehicle;a flexible member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending

[ Having described the invention, we claim:] [1.] An apparatus comprising:vehicle seat belt webbing which is extensible about a vehicle occupant;a housing connectable to a component of a vehicle;a flexible member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between said first and second end portions, a part of said intermediate portion being located in said housing and cooperating with said housing to define an expansible chamber in said housing, said housing having surface means for guiding movement of said part of said intermediate portion in an arcuate path to expand said expansible chamber;a clutch actuatable in response to expansion of said expansible chamber to connect said first end portion with said seat belt webbing;actuatable means for, when actuated, initially exerting a first force directly on said part of said intermediate portion to move said part of said intermediate portion along said arcuate path in said housing to expand said expansible chamber and thereby actuate said clutch and to move said first end portion of said flexible member in a direction to move said seat belt webbing a first distance and tighten said seat belt webbing against the vehicle occupant;said actuatable means comprising a fluid generator which, when actuated, initially directs fluid under pressure against said intermediate portion of said flexible member; andan energy absorbing mechanism for dissipating energy transferred to said seat belt webbing in response to movement of the occupant against said seat belt webbing, said energy absorbing mechanism being capable of dissipating energy for a distance significantly greater than said first distance;said energy absorbing mechanism engaging said flexible member in response to movement of the occupant against said seat belt webbing.