Switchable retractor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10328894-B2
Application number	US-201615353792-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 17, 2016
Priority date	Nov 20, 2015
Publication date	Jun 25, 2019
Grant date	Jun 25, 2019

Abstract

A switchable retractor system includes a retractor with a spool. The spool is rotatable in an extension direction for extending a web and in a retraction direction for retracting the web. A first clutch has an engaged state where the first clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the extension direction and a disengaged state where the first clutch allows rotation of the spool in the extension direction. A release actuator actuates the first clutch into the disengaged state when actuated by a user to allow extension of the web. A second clutch has a locked state where the second clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the retraction direction and an unlocked state where the second clutch allows rotation of the spool in the retraction direction. A tension actuator actuates the second clutch into the unlocked state when actuated to allow retraction of the web into the retractor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a web; and
a retractor including
a spool around which the web is wrapped, wherein the spool is rotatable in an extension direction for extending the web from the retractor, wherein the spool is rotatable in a retraction direction for retracting the web into the retractor,
a first clutch coupled to the spool, the first clutch having an engaged state where the first clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the extension direction and a disengaged state where the first clutch allows rotation of the spool in the extension direction,
a release actuator configured to actuate the first clutch into the disengaged state when actuated by a user to allow extension of the web from the retractor,
a second clutch coupled to the spool, the second clutch having a locked state where the second clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the retraction direction and an unlocked state where the second clutch allows rotation of the spool in the retraction direction, and
a tension actuator configured to actuate the second clutch into the unlocked state when actuated by the user to allow retraction of the web into the retractor.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the retractor further includes a tension mechanism coupled to the spool to rotate the spool in the retraction direction; and
the tension mechanism is configured to automatically retract the web when the tension actuator actuates the second clutch into the unlocked state.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the tension mechanism includes a tension spring coupled to the spool for storing potential energy when the web is extended that is used to automatically retract the web.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first clutch is biased to remain at the engaged state unless the release actuator is actively actuated by the user.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first clutch includes a ratchet mechanism that includes:
one or more ratchet teeth extending from the spool;
a pawl positioned to engage the ratchet teeth; and
a pawl bias spring biasing the pawl to engage the ratchet teeth.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the release actuator includes a pawl engagement member that is positioned to press against the pawl to move the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth when the release actuator is actuated by the user.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the release actuator includes a release button; and
the tension actuator includes a tighten button.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second clutch includes a ratchet mechanism; and
the ratchet mechanism includes
a ratchet spool connected to one end of the spool, the ratchet spool having one or more ratchet teeth, and
a toggle pawl positioned to engage the one or more ratchet teeth of the ratchet spool.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the ratchet mechanism includes
a toggle pawl bias spring coupled to the toggle pawl to bias the toggle pawl at both the locked state and the unlocked state.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein:
the release actuator includes a lock toggle member positioned to pivot the toggle pawl to the locked state where the toggle pawl engages the one or more ratchet teeth of the ratchet spool; and
the tension actuator includes an unlock toggle member positioned to pivot the toggle pawl to the unlocked state where the toggle pawl disengages from the one or more ratchet teeth of the ratchet spool.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein:
the release actuator includes a body to which the toggle pawl is pivotally coupled;
the body defines a guide notch in which the unlock toggle member is received to guide the unlock toggle member; and
the body has a stop member positioned to limit movement of the toggle pawl when in the unlocked state.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the release actuator includes a pawl engagement member positioned to actuate the first clutch to the disengaged state when the release actuator is actuated.

13. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
wherein the ratchet spool defines a support opening;
a toggle cover covering the ratchet spool and the toggle pawl; and
wherein the toggle pawl has a ratchet spool support pin received in the support opening of the ratchet spool.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the release actuator includes:
a pawl engagement member positioned to actuate the first clutch to the disengaged state when the release actuator is actuated; and
a lock toggle member positioned to actuate the second clutch to the locked state when the release actuator is actuated.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the retractor includes a tie bar defining a web slot through which the web extends; and
the web has
an extension stop structure configured to engage the tie bar to limit extension of the web, and
a retraction stop structure configured to engage the tie bar to limit retraction of the web.

16. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an extendable connector connected to the web;
a stationary connector; and
a stationary web connected at a fixed length between the retractor and the stationary connector.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the fixed length of the stationary web is shorter than a length of the web when fully retracted by the retractor.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the release actuator includes a release button having a toggle actuation arm with a toggle member configured to actuate the second clutch to the locked state when the release button is pressed; and
the retractor further includes
a frame having
a base flange,
a first side flange extending from the base flange, wherein the first side flange has a release button flange, wherein the release button is pivotally connected to the release button flange, and
a second side flange extending from the base flange opposite the first side flange, wherein the first side flange and the second side flange rotatably support the spool, wherein the second side flange defines a release extension button through which the toggle actuation arm of the release button extends.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the retractor further includes
a tension mechanism coupled to the spool to rotate the spool in the retraction direction, wherein the tension mechanism is configured to automatically retract the web when the tension actuator actuates the second clutch into the unlocked state;

the first clutch includes
first ratchet teeth extending from the spool,
a first pawl positioned to engage the first ratchet teeth, and
a first pawl bias spring biasing the first pawl to engage the first ratchet teeth;

the second clutch includes
a ratchet spool connected to one end of the spool, wherein the ratchet spool has a second ratchet teeth,
a second pawl positioned to engage the second ratchet teeth, and
a second pawl bias spring biasing the second pawl to engage the first ratchet teeth; and

the first ratchet teeth and the second ratchet teeth are circumferentially oriented in opposite directions.

Assignees

• Indiana Mills & Mfg

Inventors

• Geist Christopher
• Dingman Guy R

Classifications

• B60R2022/3421

  with means for locking the belt reel in a non-use position, e.g. for seat mounted retractor when the seat is in a non-locked condition · CPC title

• B60R22/3416 Primary

  Unlocking devices for retractors (B60R22/3405 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2002/2815

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B60N2/2806 Primary

  for securing the child seat to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60N2/28

  Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats {or other parts} of the vehicle · CPC title