Patent Description:
Seat belts form part of a restraining system in a vehicle. Seat belts are known to prevent or reduce injuries sustained during a collision or sudden stop. Most vehicles use a <NUM>-point seat belt where the seat belt passes over both the occupant's lap and chest. For optimal distribution of forces during a crash, some seat belts should pass across the chest and rest over a shoulder of an occupant. If the seat belt is incorrectly positioned, it may rest across the occupant's neck resulting in high forces on the neck during a collision or sudden stop. The position of a seat belt across an occupant depends on the occupant's height and the position of a seat belt retractor. For example, a seat belt may pass over the shoulder of an adult, but the same seat belt may pass over the neck of a child that is sat on a booster seat located on top of a vehicle seat. Therefore, a path taken by a seat belt needs to be adjusted depending on the height of the occupant for optimal performance.

In certain vehicles, the position of a seat belt may be changed by varying the height of where the seat belt egresses from a B-pillar. However, this is not always appropriate depending on the design of the vehicle, such as dependent upon a location of seats in relation to the B-pillar. In some vehicles, a retainer is provided in the vehicle to constrain the path of the seat belt, such retainers would need to fit within the space constraints of the vehicle. Additionally, to provide optimal distribution of forces during a collision or sudden stop, a device that modifies the path of a seat belt would need to be able to withstand any incident forces received from the seat belt during the collision or sudden stop.

In <CIT> vehicle seat assembly includes a vehicle seat fold down lever and a vehicle seat fold down lever housing. The housing can connect with the lever such that the lever is movable with respect to the housing. The housing can include an elongate slot through which an associated seat belt exits the housing.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a seat belt retainer, an assembly and a vehicle for retaining a seat belt as claimed in the appended claims.

In accordance with an implementation there is provided, a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the retainer comprising:.

The actuator and the guide are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the aperture, in use. Advantageously, the substantial alignment of the actuator and aperture further reduces the space required in a vehicle to accommodate the seat belt retainer.

The actuator comprises a push button. Advantageously, the push button provides an actuator which occupies minimal space and simplifies the integration of the guide and the actuator into the seat belt retainer.

The seat belt retainer comprises an indicator for indicating a status of the seat latch mechanism. As such, a user can easily observe whether the latch mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

The indicator at least partially surrounds the actuator. This improves the versatility of the actuator because the status of the actuator may be observed by the user from a plurality of different locations. In certain embodiments, the seat belt retainer may comprise a bezel at least partially surrounding the actuator, wherein at least a portion of the bezel comprises the indicator. Advantageously, the bezel may improve the strength of the seat belt retainer.

In certain embodiments, the guide may be integral with the body. As such, the manufacture of the seat belt retainer may be simplified.

The guide may comprise an at least partial loop. Advantageously, in use, the guide may enable a seat belt to pass therethrough without substantially deforming the shape of the seat belt. The guide may comprise a slot for inserting the seat belt into, or releasing the seat belt from, the aperture. As such, the seat belt may be easily inserted into or released from the guide.

In certain embodiments, the aperture may be inclined relative to the body. Advantageously, the inclination of the aperture may further improve the position of a seat belt across an occupant during use.

The support is the seat latch mechanism. Advantageously, in use, forces incident on the seat belt retainer from a seat belt may be generally transmitted to the latch mechanism.

In accordance with an implementation there is provided, an assembly comprising: the seat belt retainer as described above; and a seat latch mechanism.

The seat belt retainer may be attached to the seat latch mechanism so that, in use, forces incident on the retainer from a seat belt are generally transmitted to the latch mechanism. Consequently, the assembly may withstand any forces received from the seat belt during a collision or sudden stop.

In certain embodiments, the seat belt retainer is attached to the seat latch mechanism by a plurality of fixings. Advantageously, the plurality of fixing provides a secure connection between the seat belt retainer and the seat latch mechanism. The plurality of fixings may comprise screws.

The seat latch mechanism may comprise shoulders for supporting the seat belt retainer thereon. The shoulders of the latch mechanism may be configured to withstand occupant deceleration forces received via the retainer. Advantageously, the assembly has the strength to withstand occupant deceleration forces received via the retainer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a seat belt retainer as described above.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising an assembly as described above. In certain embodiments, a seat belt retractor mechanism may be positioned above the rear axle of the vehicle and parallel with the top of the second-row seats.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a seat belt retainer <NUM>. <FIG> shows an exploded view of a seat belt retainer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. The seat belt retainer <NUM> comprises a guide <NUM> supported on a body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the guide <NUM> may be integrally formed with the body <NUM>. The guide <NUM> is for guiding a seatbelt <NUM> as will be explained. The guide <NUM> defines an at least partial aperture <NUM> for receiving the seat belt <NUM> therethrough, as shown in <FIG>. The aperture <NUM> may be shaped to enable a seat belt <NUM> to pass therethrough without deforming the shape of the seat belt <NUM> (i.e. the webbing of the seat belt <NUM> remains substantially flat as it passes through the aperture <NUM>). As such, the aperture <NUM> may have a substantially oval or oblong cross-section where the cross-section is in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the seat belt <NUM> passing through the aperture <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> is configured to enable a seat belt <NUM> to be inserted into or released from the aperture <NUM> during use. Insertion or release of the seat belt <NUM> may facilitate folding of a seat associated with the retainer <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide <NUM> comprises a slot <NUM> for inserting the seat belt <NUM> into, or releasing the seat belt <NUM> from, the aperture <NUM>. The slot <NUM> is positioned in the guide <NUM> so that the seat belt <NUM> requires user input or manipulation to be inserted into or released from the aperture <NUM>. As shown in the non-limiting embodiment of <FIG>, the guide <NUM> may comprise an at least partial loop. The slot <NUM> may be substantially in the centre of the loop of the guide <NUM> so that, in use, the slot <NUM> is substantially aligned with the centre of the cross-section of the seat belt <NUM> to advantageously facilitate seat belt <NUM> removal.

The body <NUM> is configured for attachment to a support <NUM>. In some embodiments, the support may be a seat latch mechanism <NUM> as will be explained. The support <NUM> may be configured to mount the seat belt retainer <NUM> in a vehicle during use. For example, one or more seat belt retainers <NUM> may be indirectly mounted, via the support <NUM>, on a vehicle seat frame <NUM>. <FIG> shows a frame <NUM> for supporting rear seats, such as second-row seats, of a vehicle. The vehicle seat frame <NUM> may be configured to support a seat back of the seat. The frame <NUM> comprises a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM> for supporting the outboard seats of a vehicle. The frame <NUM> comprises a third section <NUM>, in some embodiments. The third section <NUM> may support a centre seat or a centre arm rest which may include one or more storage compartments, a refrigerator and/or multimedia controls. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the seat belt retainer <NUM> is mounted at an end of the seat frame <NUM>, such as an outer end of the seat frame <NUM>. Thus, the retainer <NUM> is arranged proximal to a door of the vehicle. In certain embodiments, a seat belt retainer <NUM> may be mounted at each end of a seat frame <NUM>. Thus, at least two seat belt retainers <NUM> may be mounted upon the frame <NUM>. The seat belt retainer <NUM> at least partially extends above a shoulder of the outer seats, at a side of each seat closest to a corresponding seat belt retractor (not shown), from which the seat belt <NUM> extends. As such, the guide <NUM> of the seat belt retainer <NUM> extends above the seat frame <NUM>. The seat belt retainer <NUM> may alternatively or additionally be mounted to third-row seats in a vehicle.

In certain embodiments, the seat belt retractor may be positioned generally above the rear axle of the vehicle and generally parallel with the top of the second-row seats. The seat belt <NUM> may be inserted into the guide <NUM> which extends above the seat frame <NUM> to control or modify a path of the seat belt <NUM> over an occupant of a seat on the seat frame. The position of the seatbelt <NUM> retained by the guide <NUM> provides a path of the seat belt <NUM> that may be advantageous. The seat belt retainer <NUM> may provide useful restraint when a child of approximately <NUM> years old is seated on a booster seat on top of a seat part (i.e. a generally horizontal seat cushion) of the vehicle seat.

In an embodiment the seat latch mechanism <NUM> is arranged to control latching of the seat. The seat latch mechanism <NUM> may be mounted on the seat frame <NUM>. The seat latch mechanism <NUM> enables the position of the seat frame <NUM>, and therefore position of the seat back, in the vehicle to be changed. The seat latch mechanism <NUM> facilitates the seat frame <NUM> being folded towards the floor of the vehicle and returned to an upright position. The seat latch mechanism <NUM> enables latching of the seat back in a generally upright position and release of the seat back to be folded in a down position.

With reference to <FIG>, in an embodiment the seat latch mechanism <NUM> comprises a jaw <NUM> with a movable tooth <NUM>. The jaw <NUM> may comprise a recess in the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. In the upright position, the tooth <NUM> engages a connector or projection such as a loop (not shown) on the vehicle body. The loop extends into the recess of the jaw <NUM> and the tooth <NUM> passes through the loop to hold the loop within the jaw <NUM>. The engagement of the tooth <NUM> and the loop fixes the seat frame <NUM> in an upright position. To release the seat frame <NUM> from the upright position, the tooth <NUM> is moveable to release the loop from the jaw <NUM>. The tooth <NUM> may be at least partially retracted into the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. The seat latch mechanism <NUM> may comprise a shaft <NUM> operably coupled to the tooth <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> operates the latch mechanism <NUM> to release the tooth <NUM> from the loop. The shaft <NUM> may be depressed into the seat latch mechanism <NUM> to operate the mechanism <NUM>. Once the loop is released, the seat frame <NUM> is not fixed in the upright position. Thus, the seat frame <NUM> may be moved from the upright position and folded towards the floor of the vehicle. The seat frame <NUM> may be returned to the upright position from the folded position without the shaft <NUM> operating the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. The tooth <NUM> comprises a curved side facing away from the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. As the seat frame <NUM> is moved from the folded position to the upright position, the curved side of the tooth <NUM> contacts the loop of the connector causing the tooth <NUM> to be move so that the loop can extend into the recess of the jaw <NUM>. Once the loop is within the recess, the tooth <NUM> can move to engage the loop and hold the seat frame <NUM> in the upright position. In certain embodiments, a first seat latch mechanism <NUM> may be mounted to the first section <NUM> and a second set latch mechanism <NUM> may be mounted to the second section <NUM> of the seat frame <NUM>. The seat frame <NUM> may be configured so that the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> may fold independently. In certain embodiments, the third section <NUM> may be configured to fold with one of the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the seat latch mechanism <NUM> is mounted at an outer end of the seat frame <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> of the seat latch mechanism <NUM> is accessible to a user from above a shoulder of the corresponding seat. Thus, the seat latch mechanism <NUM> may be located in the same or similar location as the guide <NUM> of the seat belt retainer <NUM>. There is limited space on the shoulder of a seat between the headrest and the edge of the seat to position the seat latch mechanism <NUM> and the guide <NUM>. The space available is particularly limited in luxury car models which have wide headrests to maximise passenger comfort. As such, in an embodiment, an actuator <NUM> for the seat latch mechanism <NUM> is integrated into the seat belt retainer <NUM> so that the guide <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> can both be positioned in the limited space available on the shoulder of a vehicle seat. To integrate the actuator <NUM> with the seat belt retainer <NUM>, the body <NUM> of the seat belt retainer <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> is moveably mounted within the opening <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is movable within the opening <NUM> for actuating the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may engage the shaft <NUM> to operate the seat latch mechanism <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> and the guide <NUM> are at least partly aligned along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the seat belt <NUM> when the seat belt <NUM> passes through the aperture <NUM> in use. Advantageously, the alignment of the actuator <NUM> and the guide <NUM> reduces the lateral space required for the seat belt retainer <NUM> on the shoulder of the seats. In certain embodiments, the actuator <NUM> and the guide <NUM> may be substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis <NUM> so that, in use, the seat belt <NUM> passes substantially over the actuator <NUM>.

In the non-limiting embodiment shown in <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> comprises a push button. The push button may be vertically aligned with the shaft <NUM> of the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. The push button vertically actuates the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. Thus, the use of a push button is advantageous because it requires a minimal amount of space and facilities the integration of the actuator <NUM> with the seat latch mechanism <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the body <NUM> of the seat belt retainer <NUM> may comprise an indicator (not shown) for indicating a status of the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. The indicator is arranged in relation to the actuator <NUM> to indicate a position of the actuator <NUM> and, consequently, the status of the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. For example, the indicator may indicate whether the pin <NUM> is engaged with the connector. The indicator may at least partially surround or may completely surround the actuator <NUM>. The indicator may comprise a coloured portion of the body <NUM> which when visible indicates the status of the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. For example, the coloured portion may be visible when the seat latch mechanism <NUM> is engaged. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the seat latch mechanism <NUM> comprises a bezel <NUM>. The bezel <NUM> may at least partially surround the actuator <NUM>. At least a portion of the bezel <NUM> may comprise the indicator.

<FIG> shows an assembly <NUM> comprising the latch mechanism <NUM> and the seat belt retainer <NUM> mounted on the seat frame <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the invention. The body <NUM> of the seat belt retainer <NUM> may be supported by the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the seat latch mechanism <NUM> comprises a pair of shoulders <NUM> on which the seat belt retainer <NUM> may be supported. The seat belt retainer <NUM> is attached to the seat latch mechanism <NUM> by a plurality of fixings <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the plurality of fixings <NUM> may comprise screws, bolts and/or rivets. In certain embodiments, the seat belt retainer <NUM> is attached to the seat latch mechanism <NUM> by four bolts. The seat belt retainer <NUM> is attached to the seat latch mechanism <NUM> so that, in use, forces incident on the retainer <NUM> from a seat belt <NUM> are generally transmitted to the latch mechanism <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the shoulders <NUM> of the seat latch mechanism <NUM> may be configured to withstand occupant deceleration forces received via the retainer. The shoulders <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> may be reinforced to withstand the deceleration forces. The shoulders <NUM> may comprise one or more metal sheets to withstand the deceleration forces. In certain embodiments, the shoulders <NUM> may comprise flanges that extend outwardly from the seat latch mechanism <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, a front cap <NUM> may be attachable to the body <NUM> of the seat belt retainer <NUM>. The front cap <NUM> may be attached to the body <NUM> on the opposite side of the guide <NUM> to the actuator <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the front cap may enclose one or more of the plurality of fixings <NUM>. As such, the front cap <NUM> may improve the aesthetic appearance of the seat belt retainer <NUM> whilst allowing easy access to one or more of the plurality of fixings <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the front cap <NUM> may comprise a protrusion 26a and the body <NUM> may comprise a correspondingly shaped recess 26b so that the front cap <NUM> and body <NUM> may be connected using a push fit.

The guide <NUM> of the seat belt retaining device <NUM> may be used to modify or control the path of the seat belt <NUM> when the seat is in an upright position and when the seat is in a reclined position. As described above, the seat latch mechanism <NUM> engages a hoop on the vehicle body when in the upright position. The connector is movable relative to the vehicle body so that the seat can move between the upright position and a reclined position. In certain embodiments, the connector may be moved rearwards relative to the vehicle body to move a seat from the upright position to a reclined position.

The position of the seat belt <NUM> across an occupant can be modified by the aperture <NUM> of the retaining device being inclined relative to the shoulders <NUM> of the seat latch mechanism <NUM>. The inclination of the aperture <NUM> may be chosen to ensure an optimal path for the seat belt <NUM> when the vehicle seat is in a reclined position and in an upright position. In certain embodiments, the aperture <NUM> may be inclined at a first angle relative to a first plane the shoulders <NUM>. The first plane of the shoulders <NUM> is defined by an upper surface 22a of the shoulders on which the seat belt retainer <NUM> is supported. The first angle may be within the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>° or <NUM>° to <NUM>°. In certain embodiments, the aperture <NUM> may be inclined at a second angle relative to a second plane the shoulders <NUM>. The second plane of the shoulders <NUM> is a plane perpendicular to the front edge 22b of the shoulders <NUM> where the front edge 22b is the edge closest to the front of the vehicle when the latch mechanism is installed in the vehicle. The second angle may be within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>°. As illustrated in <FIG> the front cap <NUM> and the bezel may be shaped by a first angle and/or a second angle to follow that of the inclination of the aperture <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a row of vehicle seats <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. The row of seats <NUM> include a seat belt retainer <NUM> at each outer end of the row of seats <NUM>. In certain embodiments, row of seats <NUM> may include the assembly <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An assembly comprising:
a seat latch mechanism (<NUM>); and
a seat belt retainer (<NUM>) for a vehicle, the retainer comprising:
a body (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>), the body being configured for attachment to the seat latch mechanism;
an actuator (<NUM>) mounted within the opening, the actuator comprising a push button and being moveable within the opening for actuating the seat latch mechanism;
a guide (<NUM>) supported by the body, the guide defining an aperture (<NUM>) for receiving a seatbelt (<NUM>) therethrough; and
an indicator for indicating a status of the seat latch mechanism, wherein the indicator at least partially surrounds the push button, the indicator comprising a coloured portion of the body which when visible indicates a status of the seat latch mechanism;
wherein the actuator and the guide are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the seat belt passing through the aperture so that, in use the seatbelt passes substantially over the push button.