Patent ID: 6913288
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising a load limiting device which serves as a connection between a vehicle safety restraint and an anchor point, the load limiting device comprising a housing and a deformable member, at east one of which is configured for connection to a vehicle safety restraint and the other of which is configured for connection to the anchor point, the housing and the deformable member being moveable relative to each other in a predetermined manner when force is applied to one or the other of the housing and the deformable member, and the housing having a hardened member which is harder than the deformable member, the hardened member positioned to engage and deform the deformable member as the deformable member moves relative to the housing; the housing comprising a pair of housing components which define an opening through which the deformable member is pulled and wherein the hardened member comprising a ball made of hardened steel that is (i) supported by the housing components, (ii) located in the opening in the housing and (iii) positioned to engage and deform the deformable member as the deformable member is being pulled through the opening in the housing; and the deformable member comprising a strip formed of mild steel and having a first portion configured for connection to a component of safety restraint system and a second portion having a stop; the strip having a central portion located between the first and second portions that is configured to be deformed in a predetermined manner when the strip is pulled through the housing and engaged by hardened member.