Seat restraint tensioner

Abstract

A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure and a movable piston disposed in the housing. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a gas generator operatively connected to the housing for expelling a gas to move the piston. The seat restraint tensioner further includes a plate member interconnecting the housing and a buckle assembly of the seat restraint system for pulling-down the buckle assembly of the seat restraint system in a linear manner.

1 . A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising: 
 a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure;    a movable piston disposed in said housing;    a gas generator operatively connected to said housing for expelling a gas to move said piston; and    a plate member interconnecting the housing and a buckle assembly of the seat restraint system for pulling-down the buckle assembly of the seat restraint system in a linear manner.    
     
     
         2 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 1  including a base plate connected to said housing and for operative connection to vehicle structure and said plate member.  
     
     
         3 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 2  including an anchor bolt extending through said base plate for connection to the vehicle structure.  
     
     
         4 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 1  including at least one cable having one end operatively connected to said piston and another end operatively connected to said plate member.  
     
     
         5 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 4  including a locking device connected to said base plate to prevent downward travel of the buckle assembly during normal usage.  
     
     
         6 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said locking device comprises a retainer clip having a recess with a cam surface to interfacing with said cable to cause upward rotation of said retainer clip as said cable is pulled.  
     
     
         7 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said locking device comprises a retainer clip having an integral pin to hold said cable at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said plate member.  
     
     
         8 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said piston includes an annular groove therein.  
     
     
         9 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 8  including a seal disposed in said groove to prevent gases from exiting past said piston.  
     
     
         10 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 1  including a locking device to prevent reverse travel of the buckle assembly.  
     
     
         11 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said locking device includes said plate member having a plurality of apertures spaced therealong and a pawl mating with and passing through one of said apertures to provide a locking condition.  
     
     
         12 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said locking device includes a spring to urge said pawl into engagement with said apertures.  
     
     
         13 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises a piston portion extending longitudinally and a gas generation portion extending perpendicular from said piston portion.  
     
     
         14 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said gas generator comprises a pyrotechnic device to expel a gas.  
     
     
         15 . A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising: 
 a base plate for operative connection to vehicle structure;    a housing connected to said base plate;    a movable piston disposed in said housing;    a plate member interconnecting the housing and a buckle assembly of the seat restraint system;    at least one cable having one end operatively connected to said plate member and another end operatively connected to said piston; and    a gas generator operatively connected to said housing for expelling a gas to move said piston and linearly pull-down said plate member toward said base plate.    
     
     
         16 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said housing comprises a piston portion extending longitudinally and a gas generation portion extending perpendicular from said piston portion.  
     
     
         17 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said gas generator comprises a pyrotechnic device connected to said housing to expel a gas in said gas generation portion.  
     
     
         18 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said piston includes an annular groove therein.  
     
     
         19 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 18  including a seal disposed in said groove to prevent gases from exiting past said piston.  
     
     
         20 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said piston includes a passageway extending axially therethrough, said cable extending through said passageway.  
     
     
         21 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 15  including a locking device connected to said base plate to prevent downward travel of the buckle assembly during normal usage.  
     
     
         22 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said locking device comprises a retainer clip having a recess with a cam surface to interfacing with said cable to cause upward rotation of said retainer clip as said cable is pulled.  
     
     
         23 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said locking device comprises a retainer clip having an integral pin to hold said cable at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said plate member.  
     
     
         24 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 15  including a locking device to prevent reverse travel of the buckle assembly.  
     
     
         25 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said locking device includes said plate member having a plurality of apertures spaced therealong and a pawl mating with and passing through one of said apertures to provide a locking condition.  
     
     
         26 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said locking device includes a spring to urge said pawl into engagement with said apertures.  
     
     
         27 . A seat restraint system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a plate member having a first end for connection to a buckle and a second end;    a base plate operatively connected to said second end of said plate member;    an anchor bolt extending through said base plate for connection to vehicle structure of the vehicle;    a housing connected to said base plate;    a movable piston disposed in said housing;    a cable operatively connected to said plate member and operatively connected to said piston; and    a gas generator operatively connected to said housing for expelling a gas to move said piston and linearly pull-down said plate member toward said base plate.    
     
     
         28 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 27  including a first locking device connected to said base plate to prevent downward travel of the buckle assembly during normal usage.  
     
     
         29 . A seat restraint tensioner as set forth in  claim 28  including a second locking device to prevent reverse travel of the buckle assembly.