Patent ID: 6260884
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A web belt gripper for installation in a vehicle having a belt restraining system installed therein, the belt restraining system including a web belt having at least a first portion and a second portion, said web belt gripper comprising:a frame mountable to the vehicle, said frame including a first base member;a web belt gripping component including a web belt gripping surface facing and spatially biased from said first base member, the first portion of the web belt being disposable between said web belt gripping surface and said first base member; anda web belt-actuating component movably mounted to said frame, said web belt-actuating component including at least one driver adjoined to said web belt gripping component,wherein the second portion of the web belt is arcuately disposable upon said web belt actuating component to form an arcuation in the second portion of the web belt whereby a forcible unbending of said arcuation in the second portion of the web belt displaces said at least one driver in a direction of said first base member to thereby displace said web belt gripping surface in a direction of said first base member; and,wherein said web belt gripping component includes a second base member having a bottom surface and a rear surface, said bottom surface constituting said web belt gripping surface; andwherein said web belt actuating component includesa first guide wall having a first inner side and a first outer side, said first outer side pivotally adjoined to said frame,a second guide wall having a second inner side and a second outer side, said second outer side pivotally adjoined to said frame,a support member having a first end adjoined to said first inner side of said first guide wall and a second end adjoined to said second inner side of said second guide wall, said at least one driver adjoined to said support member and extended therefrom, andat least one lever arm, each of said at least one lever arm having a first end adjoined to said first inner side of said first guide wall and a second end adjoined to said second inner side of said second guide wall, each of said at least one lever arm further having a pivoting surface between said first end and said second end, the second portion of the web belt being arcuately disposable upon said pivoting surface to form said arcuation in the second portion of the web belt whereby said forcible unbending of said arcuation in the second portion of the web belt pivots said at least one driver in a direction of said first base member.