Seat-belt mounting system
An apparatus includes a mounting plate having at least one deformable opening arranged to receive a securing member. The opening is configured to deform when a load on the mounting plate exceeds a predetermined threshold. The apparatus includes a ring member connected to the mounting plate. The ring member includes an opening to receive a strap there-through.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a mounting plate having at least one deformable opening arranged to receive a securing member;
a ring member defining an enclosed ring connected to the mounting plate, the ring member including an opening to receive a strap there-through; and
a locking mechanism including a shaft extending from a first side of the ring member to an opposing second side of the ring member in the opening and a longitudinal ridge, the locking mechanism rotatable about the shaft in the opening to a loaded state in which the strap is locked between the ring member and the longitudinal ridge;
wherein the at least one deformable opening is configured to deform when, after the locking mechanism is in the loaded state, a load on the mounting plate exceeds a predetermined threshold.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the securing member is a mounting bolt.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deformable opening includes toothed sides.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deformable opening is provided with two substantially straight sides, a first width at a first end of the deformable opening being greater than a second width at a second end of the deformable opening.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ring member is rotatably connected to the mounting plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bracket mountable on a vehicle pillar and configured to slidably retain the mounting plate.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the strap is webbing for a vehicle seat belt.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is arranged to rotate about an axis defining a nonzero angle with a line of deformation of the mounting plate.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is an elongated locking cam rotatably installed in the opening.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the cam is provided with a plurality of longitudinal ridges.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the longitudinal ridges are arranged to restrain the strap against the ring member during a vehicle impact.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one deformable opening includes a plurality of openings configured to break on application of a predetermined load.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of openings is substantially circular.
14. A seat-belt mounting system, comprising:
a mounting plate having at least one deformable opening arranged to receive a mounting bolt;
a bracket mountable on a vehicle pillar and configured to slidably retain the mounting plate;
a ring member defining an enclosed ring rotatably connected to the mounting plate, the ring member including an opening to receive a strap there-through; and
a locking cam including a shaft extending from a first side of the ring member to an opposing second side of the ring member in the opening and a longitudinal ridge, the locking cam rotatable to a loaded state in which the strap is locked between the ring member and the longitudinal ridge;
wherein the at least one deformable opening is configured to deform when, after the locking cam is in the loaded state, a load on the mounting plate exceeds a predetermined threshold.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one deformable opening includes toothed sides.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one deformable opening is provided with two substantially straight sides, a first width at a first end of the at least one deformable opening being greater than a second width at a second end of the at least one deformable opening.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the longitudinal ridge is arranged to restrain the strap against the ring member during a vehicle impact.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the locking cam is arranged to rotate about an axis defining a nonzero angle with a line of deformation of the mounting plate.
19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one deformable opening includes a plurality of openings configured to break on application of a predetermined load.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of openings is substantially circular.