VEHICLE SEAT BELT SYSTEM

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system has a roof mountable seat belt retractor (1) with a length of seat belt webbing (2). At least one buckle tongue (5, 6) is attached at an end region of the webbing. A housing (10) for the buckle tongue is a hollow channel-like space into which the buckle tongue fits. Attachment means, such as a mechanical clip, attach the housing in a vehicle to either the seat belt retractor or to the roof and a mechanical or magnetic catch holds the buckle tongue or each buckle tongue in the housing.

Description: VEHICLE SEAT BELT SYSTEM The present invention relates generally to seat belts and more specifically to roof mounted seat belt systems. Seat belt systems comprise a length of seat belt webbing wound on a rotatable spool, forming part of a seat belt retractor which controls payout of the webbing and a buckling mechanism comprising a buckle tongue, fixed to an end of the webbing which locks into a buckle typically attached to the floor of the vehicle. The seat belt retractor must be mounted to a load bearing part of a vehicle since it takes the strain in the event of a crash. Usually the seat belt retractor is mounted to a side pillar; however in the center rear seat in vehicles that are large enough to carry three rear passengers, there is no convenient pillar and the seat belt retractor is usually mounted to the roof . The buckle tongue then tends to hang down when the seat belt is not in use and is unsightly and potentially hazardous. In a typical center rear seat arrangement, two buckle tongues are provided on the webbing so as to fit into respective buckles on each side of the center rear passenger, so that the belt can be completely detached from the seat and permit easy access to passengers across the width of the rear seat or the folding or removal of the seat . The two buckle tongues present even more of a hazard if left to hang from the roof and the extra weight can cause the webbing to pull out from the seat belt retractor . According to the present invention, there is provided a seat belt system comprising a roof mountable seat belt retractor having a length of seat belt webbing wound thereon, at least one buckle tongue attached at an end region of the webbing, a housing for the buckle tongue comprising a hollow space into which the buckle tongue fits, means for attaching the housing in a vehicle and means for holding the buckle tongue or each buckle tongue in the housing. Preferably the seat belt system comprises two buckle tongues attached at the end region of the webbing, at least one buckle tongue being slidable on the webbing to adjust its spacing from the other buckle tongue. According to one embodiment of the invention, the means for holding the buckle tongue or buckle tongues in the housing comprises mechanical clips, but magnetic catches may alternatively be used. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG.l is a perspective view from below of a seat belt system according to the present invention; and FIG.2 is a plan view from below of the arrangement of FIG.l. Detailed Description of the Invention The figures show a seat belt retractor 1 that is mountable in the roof of a vehicle for a center rear seat passenger. The seat belt retractor 1 comprises a spool (not shown) on which seat belt webbing 2 is wound. One end of the webbing is attached to the spool and the other end 3 exits the frame of the seat belt retractor through a slot 4. The webbing outside the seat belt retractor is attached to two buckle tongues 5, 6. One buckle tongue 5 is attached to the end of the webbing 3 by being fastened around a bar 7 integral with or attached to the buckle tongue 5. The second buckle tongue 6 is located on the webbing a short distance away from the first buckle tongue and is slidable on the webbing since the webbing passes through a slot 8 in a plastic part 9 molded to the metal buckle tongue 6. The two buckle tongues 5, 6 are located in a housing 10 that is a relatively shallow member constructed as a clip-on plastic part. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for attaching the housing in a vehicle comprises a mechanical clip. One part of the clip may be located on the housing and the other part may be located on the seat belt retractor or alternatively on the roof of the vehicle. Preferably, the housing clips directly to the seat belt retractor and may be assembled thereto after the seat belt retractor has been installed in a vehicle. The seat belt webbing 2 exiting the seat belt retractor passes through an opening 11 in the back wall of the housing 10. When not in use the buckle tongues 5, 6 are held in position in the housing by magnets, magnetic catches or alternatively mechanical clips (not shown) . In FIG.2, the same embodiment is illustrated from a slightly different angle. However the two buckle tongues are both shown clearly in FIG.2 since the webbing is shown only faintly.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A seat belt system comprising a roof mountable seat belt retractor (1) having a length of seat belt webbing (2) wound thereon and at least one buckle tongue (5, 6) attached at an end region of the webbing, a housing (10) for the buckle tongue defining a hollow space into which the buckle tongue fits, means for attaching the housing in a vehicle, and means for holding the at least one buckle tongue in the housing. 2. The seat belt system according to Claim 1 wherein the seat belt system comprises two buckle (5, 6) tongues attached to an end region of the seat belt webbing (2) . 3. The seat belt system according to Claim 2 wherein at least one buckle tongue (6) is arranged to be slidable on the seat belt webbing (2) to adjust its spacing from the other buckle tongue (5) . 4. The seat belt system according any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the means for attaching the housing (10) in a vehicle comprises a mechanical clip. 5. The seat belt system according to Claim 4 wherein the mechanical clip is arranged and adapted to attach the housing (10) to the seat belt retractor (1) . 6. The seat belt system according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the housing (10) is arranged and adapted to clip directly to the seat belt retractor (1) after the seat belt retractor has been installed in a vehicle. 7. The seat belt system according to any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the means for holding the buckle tongue or each buckle tongue (5, 6) in the housing (10) comprises a mechanical clip. 8. The seat belt system according to any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the means for holding the buckle tongue or each buckle tongue (5, 6) in the housing (10) comprises a magnetic catch.

Inventors: SMITHSON ALAN, TAYLOR JOHN, SMITHSON, ALAN, TAYLOR, JOHN
Applicants: BREED AUTOMOTIVE TECH, BREED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B60R22
IPC codes: B60R22