Insert for protecting a vehicle occupant's head from an impact
US6273469A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R22/24
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An assembly (10) for use in a vehicle (16) includes a webbing guide (30) for guiding movement of seat belt webbing (14) in the vehicle (16), a fastener (70), a resilient cover (80), and an energy absorbing structure (100). The fastener (70) mounts the webbing guide (30) in position in the vehicle (16) and includes a head portion (76) and a longitudinal axis (75). The resilient cover (80) includes a cover portion (82) covering the head portion (76) of the fastener (70) and at least a portion of the webbing guide (30). The energy absorbing structure (100) is insertable between the webbing guide (30) and the resilient cover (80). The energy absorbing structure (100) is a part separate from the resilient cover (80) and has ribs (110, 120) that deform to absorb energy from an impact to an outer surface portion (96) of the resilient cover (80). Preferably, the energy absorbing structure (100) includes multiple ribs (110, 120) that intersect each other and extend transversely to each other. The part includes a surface (109) for connecting the part to the cover (80).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.