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  Safety belt web adjusterUSPTO Application #: 20070226962Title: Safety belt web adjuster Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a safety belt web adjuster that incorporates a sliding middle horizontal member around which the lower section of webbing is looped. This allows the webbing section to be trapped between two bars, one sliding and one fixed. The web adjuster of the present invention also allows for relatively easy adjustment of safety belt tension by moving the web adjuster through approximately 90 degrees of motion, thereby removing the bearing force on the webbing previously supplied by the fixed member, allowing the slack in the safety belt to be easily adjusted. (end of abstract)
Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP - Indianapolis, IN, US Inventor: John Yates USPTO Applicaton #: 20070226962 - Class: 024196000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070226962. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to safety belts for motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a safety belt web adjuster. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] As is known in the art, safety belts are commonly used in vehicle interiors in order to limit movement of the belted occupant in the event of sudden vehicle movements, particularly accidents in which the car experiences a violent collision with another stationary or moving object. Because of the generally higher speeds and the competitive nature of the driving, safety belts for racing cars are generally designed for greater protection of the belted occupant than are safety belts for general vehicular use. [0003] Safety belts of the type generally used in vehicles include a webbing material (such as woven nylon, for example) anchored to the vehicle and formed into a protective harness for the vehicle occupant using various pieces of safety belt hardware. One such common piece of safety belt hardware is the web adjuster, which is used to allow slack in the safety belt to be taken up or added in order to ensure that the safety belt snugly conforms to the size of the current vehicle occupant. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a typical prior art safety belt web adjuster, indicated generally at 10. [0004] The prior art web adjuster 10 generally comprises a relatively flat member having three horizontal members 12, 14 and 16 coupled by two vertical members 18 and 20, such that the horizontal member 14 is positioned between the horizontal members 12 and 16. As used herein, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are merely indicators of relative positioning between various objects, and are not intended to signify any position with respect to the ground. The web adjuster 10 may be made of any suitably strong material, and is generally formed from metal. [0005] FIG. 2 illustrates the prior art web adjuster 10 of FIG. 1 in use with a safety belt. FIG. 2 assigns the labels "upper," "lower," posterior" and "anterior" to four relative directions for ease of discussing the positioning of various portions of FIG. 2, but again these directions are not intended to signify any position with respect to the ground. The web adjuster 10 is used to adjustably couple two sections of safety belt webbing, namely a first section 22 and a second section 24, such that the combined length of the two sections 22 and 24 can be changed in order to fit the safety belt snugly against vehicle occupants of differing sizes. The first section 22 of webbing is looped around the horizontal member 12 and secured thereto by threads 26 sewing the two sections of webbing 22 together, as is known in the art. The other end of webbing section 22 is coupled to a suitable anchor point 27, typically to the chassis of the vehicle. [0006] The lower section of webbing 24 is looped around the horizontal member 14; however, the two portions 28 and 30 of webbing section 24 are not coupled by any sewn threads, and remain free to move with respect to one another in certain situations, as explained in greater detail hereinbelow. As can be seen from the drawing, both portions 28 and 30 of the webbing section 24 lie on the posterior side of horizontal member 16. The portion 28 is coupled to a suitable anchor point 31, typically to the chassis of the vehicle, while the portion 30 remains unattached. [0007] In use, the safety belt web adjuster 10 allows the section of safety belt webbing into which it is installed to be adjusted to fit vehicle occupants of various sizes. For example, if the vehicle occupant installs the safety belt and determines that it does not fit snugly enough, then slack may be removed therefrom by grasping the portion 30 of the webbing section 24 and pulling the portion 30 towards the lower direction. This will have the effect of lengthening the portion 30 and shortening the portion 28, thereby removing slack from the combined length of the webbing sections 22 and 24. [0008] Once this slack has been removed in sufficient quantity to force the safety belt to lie snugly against the vehicle occupant, the safety belt will be placed in tension, with the safety belt sections 22 and 24 being pulled away from one another. This will cause the safety belt section 22 to bear against the lower side of horizontal member 12, while the safety belt section 24 bears against the upper side of horizontal member 14. Furthermore, the portion 30 bears against the upper edge of horizontal member 16 as it passes thereby. The looping of safety belt section 24 through the horizontal members 14 and 16 under tension prevents any further relative motion between the portions 28 and 30, and therefore prevents any further relative motion between the webbing sections 22 and 24, thereby maintaining the level of safety belt snugness set by the vehicle occupant. Adding slack to the safety belt may be done by moving the webbing portion 28 toward the lower direction. [0009] One drawback of the prior art web adjuster 10 is that the webbing can bunch to the side within the adjuster 10 when the safety belt is not under proper tension. Furthermore, relatively large pulling forces are required in order to adjust the slack of the safety belt using the prior art web adjuster 10. There therefore remains a need for improvement in the field of safety belt web adjusters. The present invention is directed toward meeting this need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is directed toward a safety belt web adjuster that incorporates a sliding middle horizontal member around which the lower section of webbing is looped. This allows the webbing section to be trapped between two bars, one sliding and one fixed. The web adjuster of the present invention also allows for relatively easy adjustment of safety belt tension by moving the web adjuster through approximately 90 degrees of motion, thereby removing the bearing force on the webbing previously supplied by the fixed member, allowing the slack in the safety belt to be easily adjusted. [0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a safety belt web adjuster is disclosed, comprising a first horizontal member having first and second ends; a second horizontal member having third and fourth ends; a first vertical member extending between the first and third ends; a second vertical member extending between the second and fourth ends; a first ear extending away from the junction between the second horizontal member and the first vertical member; and a second ear extending away from the junction between the second horizontal member and the second vertical member; and a third horizontal member having a first substantially c-shaped end and a second substantially c-shaped end; wherein the first substantially c-shaped end engages the first vertical member; wherein the second substantially c-shaped end engages the second vertical member; and wherein the third horizontal member is free to slide between the first and second horizontal members while engaging the first and second vertical members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art web adjuster. [0013] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the prior art web adjuster of FIG. 1 installed on two sections of safety belt webbing. [0014] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment web adjuster of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the web adjuster of FIG. 3. [0016] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the web adjuster of FIG. 3 installed on two sections of safety belt webbing. [0017] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the web adjuster of FIG. 3 installed on two sections of safety belt webbing, illustrating a preferred adjustment position of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. [0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment web adjuster of the present invention, indicated generally at 100. The web adjuster 100 generally comprises a relatively flat member having two horizontal members 102 and 104 coupled by two vertical members 106 and 108. A first ear 110 is formed at the junction between horizontal member 104 and vertical member 106, while a second ear 112 is formed at the junction between horizontal member 104 and vertical member 108. The purpose of ears 110 and 112 will be illustrated hereinbelow. An opening 114 is preferably formed in the central portion of horizontal member 104. The purpose of the opening 114 will also be illustrated hereinbelow. Continue reading... Full patent description for Safety belt web adjuster Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Safety belt web adjuster patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Safety belt web adjuster or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Buckle assembly Next Patent Application: Fluidtight slide fastener Industry Class: Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc. ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Safety belt web adjuster patent info. 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