Low friction D-ring or web guide
A D-ring or web guide for a seat belt, comprising: a load-absorbing body formed with a seat belt support surface and an opening thereabove and a friction-reducing, thin, flexible synthetic tape configured to be applied to the seat belt support surface, the tape comprising a layer of low friction material with a layer of adhesive applied to a first side of the synthetic tape, the seat belt passing over a side of the tape opposite the first side of the tape which is in contact with the adhesive.
1 . A D-ring or web guide for a seat belt, comprising: a load-absorbing body formed with a seat belt support surface and an opening thereabove and a friction-reducing, thin, flexible synthetic tape configured to be applied to the seat belt support surface, the tape comprising a layer of low friction material with a layer of adhesive applied to a first side of the synthetic tape, the seat belt passing over a side of the tape opposite the first side of the tape which is in contact with the adhesive.
2 . The D-ring or web guide as defined in claim 1 wherein the synthetic tape is made from one of a lonomer film, an Acetal film, a PTFE film or an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) film.
3 . The D-ring or web guide as defined in claim 2 wherein the thickness of the film is about 5.0 mil (0.13 mm).
4 . The D-ring or web guide as defined in claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is silicone or acrylic.
5 . The D-ring or web guide as defined in claim 4 wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer is about 1.5 mil (0.04 mm).
6 . The D-ring or web guide as defined in claim 4 wherein the adhesive layer provides a 180 degree peel strength of about 0.6 lbs/in.
7 . A method of making a D-ring or web support comprising the steps of:
a) providing a load-bearing member with a seat belt support surface;
b) providing a synthetic film and
c) adhesively bonding the film to the seat belt support surface.