Seat belt arrangement for a seat of a vehicle
A seatbelt guide is attached to a seat of a motor vehicle in the shoulder area of the seat to guide a shoulder belt. The guide includes an inner element fixed relative to the seat, and an outer element spaced from the inner element by a distance to receive and guide the seatbelt. The outer element is movable relative to the inner element in a longitudinal direction to allow the seatbelt to be removed from the guide. This may be desirable if, for example, the seat has a fold-down back rest. The outer element pivots about a pivot axis extending approximately in a transverse direction of the vehicle.
1. A seatbelt guide attached to a seat of a motor vehicle, comprising:
an inner element fixed relative to and extending upward from an outboard shoulder area of the seat; and
an outer element extending upward from the outboard shoulder area and spaced laterally outboard from the inner element to form a through-opening for receiving the seatbelt, the outer element movable relative to the inner element in a longitudinal direction to release the seatbelt.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outer element pivots about a pivot axis extending approximately in a transverse direction of the vehicle.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a recess receiving the outer element when the outer element is moved to release the seatbelt.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an unlocking lever for unlocking a folding mechanism of the seat.
5. A seatbelt guide for attachment to a seat of a motor vehicle, comprising:
an inner element adapted to be rigidly attached to the seat adjacent a shoulder area of the seat; and
an outer element spaced laterally outboard of and movably attached to the inner element and movable relative thereto in a fore-and-aft direction between a guide position wherein the elements form a through-opening to retain a seatbelt and a folded position wherein the seatbelt is easily removed from engagement with the guide.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the outer element pivots about a pivot axis extending approximately in a transverse direction of the vehicle.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a recess receiving the outer element when the outer element is in the folded position.
8. The apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising an unlocking lever for unlocking a folding mechanism of the seat.
9. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the outer element is biased toward the guide position by a restoring spring force.
10. A seat and occupant restraint assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a backrest foldable between an upright position and a folded forward position;
a seatbelt;
an inner guide element fixed relative to a shoulder area of the backrest; and
an outer element spaced laterally outboard of the inner guide element and movably attached to the backrest and movable relative thereto in a fore-and-aft direction between a guide position wherein the inner and outer elements form a through-opening to retain the seatbelt and a folded position wherein the seatbelt is easily removed from engagement with the guide.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the outer element pivots about a pivot axis extending approximately in a transverse direction of the vehicle.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising a recess receiving the outer element when the outer element is in the folded position.
13. The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising an unlocking lever for unlocking a folding mechanism to allow folding of the backrest away from the upright position.