Apparatus for ratcheting multiple restraint webs via a single actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9554625-B2
Application number	US-201414783881-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2014
Priority date	May 1, 2013
Publication date	Jan 31, 2017
Grant date	Jan 31, 2017

Abstract

An apparatus for ratcheting multiple restraint webs includes first and second locking web retractors each coupled to one end of a different restraint web. When locked, the web retractors each prevent web movement in a web pay-out direction relative thereto. The apparatus further includes first and second ratcheting devices each coupled to a corresponding one of the web retractors, and each is movable in a direction that moves the corresponding web in a web take-up direction relative to its web retractor when the web retractors are locked. The apparatus further includes an actuator movable between two positions and coupled to each of the ratcheting devices. The ratcheting devices are each responsive to a moving force applied thereto by the actuator as the actuator moves between its two positions to move in the direction that moves its corresponding web in the web take-up direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for ratcheting multiple restraint webs, comprising:
a first web retractor coupled to one end of a first restraint web, the first web retractor including a first locking device which, when engaged with the first web retractor, prevents movement of the first restraint web in a web pay-out direction relative to the first web retractor,
a second web retractor coupled to one end of a second restraint web, the second web retractor including a second locking device which, when engaged with the second web retractor, prevents movement of the second restraint web in a web pay-out direction relative to the second web retractor,
a first ratcheting device coupled to the first web retractor, the first ratcheting device movable in a direction that moves the first web in a web take-up direction, opposite to the web pay-out direction of the first web, relative to the first web retractor when the first locking device is engaged with the first web retractor,
a second ratcheting device coupled to the second web retractor, the second ratcheting device movable in a direction that moves the second web in a web take-up direction of the second web, opposite to the web pay-out direction, relative to the second web retractor when the second locking device is engaged with the second web retractor, and
a first actuator movable between first and second positions and coupled to each of the first and second ratcheting devices, the first and second ratcheting devices each responsive to a moving force applied thereto by the first actuator, as the first actuator moves from the first position toward the second position thereof, to move in the direction that moves the first and second restraint webs respectively in its web take-up direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a force distribution device coupled to the first actuator and to each of the first and second ratcheting devices, the force distribution device distributing the moving force applied by the first actuator substantially equally to each of the first and second ratcheting devices as the first actuator is moved from the first position toward the second position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a cable having one end coupled to the first ratcheting device and an opposite end coupled to the second ratcheting device,
wherein the force distribution device comprises a pulley wheel rotatably mounted to the first actuator, first cable extending about and engaging the pulley wheel between the one end and the opposite end of the cable, the pulley wheel rotating relative to the first actuator to distribute the moving force applied by the first actuator to the first and second ratcheting devices via the cable substantially equally to each of the first and second ratcheting devices as the first actuator is moved from the first position toward the second position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first actuator comprises:
a first mounting plate,
a first lever coupled to and movable relative to the first mounting plate between the first and second positions of the first actuator, and
a clutch coupled to and between the first lever and each of the first and second ratcheting devices, the clutch movable with the first lever as the first lever moves between the first and second positions thereof relative to the first mounting plate when the moving force applied to the first and second ratcheting devices by movement of the first lever between the first and second positions thereof does not exceed a threshold force, the clutch allowing the first lever to move relative to the clutch such that the clutch remains stationary relative to the first and second ratcheting devices as the first lever moves between the first and second positions thereof when the moving force applied to the first and second ratcheting devices by movement of the first lever relative to the first mounting plate exceeds the threshold force.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a force distribution device is mounted to the clutch, the clutch coupled to each of the first and second ratcheting devices via the force distribution device.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the clutch comprises a planar body defining a first bore therethrough,
and wherein the first lever comprises a planar portion and a handle extending away from the planar portion, the planar portion defining a second bore therethrough,
and wherein the first actuator further comprises a first shaft extending through the first and second bores and rotatably mounted to the first mounting plate such that the clutch and the first lever rotate about the first shaft relative to the first mounting plate as the first lever is moved between the first and second positions thereof when the moving force applied to the first and second ratcheting devices by movement of the first lever between the first and second positions thereof does not exceed the threshold force.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the clutch defines a generally arcuate slot extending through the planar body and spaced apart from the first bore,
and wherein the first actuator further comprises a second shaft extending through the slot and having one end affixed to the planar portion of the first lever between the handle and the first shaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the generally arcuate slot defines a protrusion along one wall thereof that separates the slot into a first section on one side of the protrusion and a second section on an opposite side of the protrusion, the protrusion sized to permit passage of the second shaft from the first section of the slot to the second section of the slot and thereby allow the first lever to move relative to the clutch when the moving force applied to the first and second ratcheting devices by movement of the first lever relative to the first mounting plate exceeds the threshold force, and to otherwise prevent passage from the first section of the slot to the second section of the slot.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first lever further comprises a rear portion extending from the planar portion with the planar portion positioned between the handle and the rear portion, the rear portion defining at least one bore therethrough, and wherein the first actuator further comprises:
at least one elongated guide member affixed at one end to the first shaft and having an opposite end slidably received through the at least one bore defined through the rear portion of the first lever, and
at least one elongated spring slidably received on the at least one elongated guide member and extending between the first shaft and the rear portion of the first lever, the at least one elongated spring having a spring force selected to bias the opposite end of the at least one elongated guide member toward the at least one bore defined through the rear portion of the first lever when the moving force applied to the first and second ratcheting devices by movement of the first lever between the first and second positions thereof does not exceed the threshold force, and to permit the at least one elongated guide member to travel through the at least one bore defined through the rear portion of the first lever to allow movement of the planar portion of the first lever relative to the clutch in order to accommodate passage of the second shaft over the protrusion from the first section of the slot to the second section of the slot when the moving force applied to the first and second ratcheting devices by movement of the first lever relative to the first mounting plate exceeds the threshold force.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a retractor unlocking apparatus, and
a second actuator including a

Assignees

• Indiana Mills & Mfg
• Indiana Mills & Manufacutring Inc

Inventors

• Latuszek Scott
• Bahler Kent
• Dingman Guy R

Classifications

• B60R2022/3424

  Multi-spool or multi-belt retractors · CPC title

• A44B11/125 Primary

  with strap tightening means · CPC title

• B60R22/18

  Anchoring devices · CPC title

• B60R2022/1806

  for buckles · CPC title

• B60R22/34 Primary

  Belt retractors, e.g. reels (anchoring devices {, e.g. guide loops} , with means to tension the belt in an emergency B60R22/195) · CPC title