Vehicle seat belt height adjuster that protects against inertial unlocking

Abstract

A height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt comprises: a rail having windows, each of the windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seat belt; a slider; a first pin slidably attached to the slider, the first pin movable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the first pin engages with one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position in which the first pin does not engage with any of the windows and the slider is not restricted; an actuator for moving the first pin to the retracted position; a member connected to the actuator, abutting the first pin in the extended position and restricting movement of the first pin in the second direction, the actuator configured to move the member when actuated to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 481,554, filed January 25, 2023, entitled "Vehicle Seat Belt Height Adjuster That Prevents Against Inertial Unlocking," which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 328,505, filed June 2, 2023, entitled "Vehicle Seat Belt Height Adjuster That Prevents Against Inertial Unlocking," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 481,554, filed January 25, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] This document relates to a vehicle seat belt height adjuster that protects against inertial unlocking. [Background technology]

[0004] Many vehicles are equipped with seat belts, and their use may be required by law in certain regions or countries. Three-point seat belts typically have a shoulder belt that extends from a point behind one of the occupant's shoulders, across the torso, and through the pelvis near the occupant's waist to a buckle to which a lap belt also attaches. Some seat belts may have height adjusters on the vehicle pillars to adjust the webbing across the torso depending on the occupant's height. The locking mechanism of such adjusters may be subject to inertial unlocking, for example, during a side impact collision. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a first aspect, a height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt includes a rail having windows, each of the windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seat belt; a slider configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a first pin slidably mounted to the slider, the first pin having: (i) an extended position in which the first pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted; and (ii) an extended position in which the first pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted. a slider that does not engage either the first pin or the second pin and is movable in a second direction between an unrestricted and a retracted position, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator coupled to the first pin and configured to move the first pin to the retracted position; and a member coupled to the actuator and abutting the first pin in the extended position to limit movement of the first pin in the second direction, the actuator configured to move the member when actuated to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position.

[0006] Implementations may include any or all of the following features: the rail is configured to be attached to a vehicle pillar and to enable the height adjustment of the vehicle seat belt; the first pin further includes a second pin oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the actuator is configured to act on the second pin to move the first pin to the retracted position; the actuator includes a sloping edge on a planar member, the sloping edge being angled relative to the first and second directions, and wherein the second pin abuts and is acted upon by the sloping edge during actuation of the actuator. When the actuator is not actuated, the actuator is in a first actuator position relative to the slider, and when the actuator is actuated, the actuator is in a second actuator position relative to the slider, and the sloping edge is oriented such that a first end of the sloping edge is closer to the rail than a second end of the sloping edge, and the actuation moves the second pin from the first end to the second end. The member is a tab on the planar member disposed at the first end of the sloping edge, and the second pin is positioned such that the tab is opposite the second pin from the rail when the second pin is at the first end, and the tab limits the movement of the first and second pins in the second direction. The tab forms a U-shape at the first end of the sloping edge, where when the actuator is not in the first actuator position, the second pin is not inside the U-shape and the sloping edge is oriented to advance toward the second pin in the second direction.The sloping edge is a first sloping edge, and the actuator further includes a second sloping edge on the planar member, wherein the second pin abuts against and is acted upon by both the first and second sloping edges during actuation of the actuator. The height adjuster further includes a biasing member disposed relative to the first pin, wherein the biasing member biases the first pin against moving to the retracted position. The biasing member is disposed on the opposite side of the first pin from the rail. The actuator includes a first lever configured to rotate about a first pivot, the first pivot being substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The actuator further includes a second lever configured to rotate about a second pivot, the second pivot being substantially parallel to the first pivot, wherein a first end of the second lever is the member. The second lever further has a second end opposite the first end, and a user presses the second end to activate the actuator. The actuator further includes a first biasing member on the first lever, and the first biasing member acts on the second lever to abut the member against the first pin in the extended position. The slider further includes a second biasing member disposed against the first pin, and the second biasing member biases the first pin against moving to the retracted position. The second biasing member is disposed on the opposite side of the first pin from the rail. The first lever includes a cavity forming the second pivot, and the second lever is disposed in the cavity.

[0007] In a second aspect, a height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt includes a rail having windows, each of the windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seat belt; a slider configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a pin slidably mounted to the slider, the pin movable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position in which the pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is not restricted, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator coupled to the pin and configured to move the pin to the retracted position; and means for abutting the pin in the extended position and for moving it when actuated to enable the pin to assume the retracted position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a vehicle body having a pillar including a height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt.

[0009] [Figure 2] The height adjuster in Figure 1 is shown.

[0010] [Figure 3] 3 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of the height adjuster of FIG. 2 taken along line YY.

[0011] [Figure 4] 2 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the height adjuster of FIG. 1.

[0012] [Figure 5] 1 shows an example of a vehicle body having a pillar including a height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt.

[0013] [Figure 6] The height adjuster in Figure 5 is shown.

[0014] [Figure 7] 7 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of the height adjuster of FIG. 6 taken along line XX. [Figure 8] 7 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of the height adjuster of FIG. 6 taken along line XX. [Figure 9] 7 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of the height adjuster of FIG. 6 taken along line XX.

[0015] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] This document describes example systems and techniques for preventing inertial unlocking of a vehicle seat belt height adjuster. This can reduce the occurrence of undesired disengagement of the height adjuster's positioning device while allowing each occupant / user to easily adjust the positioning device to a desired height for use. The device may include a vertical sliding element that blocks lateral movement of the height adjuster locking device (e.g., pin) when a button activated by the occupant is not pressed. Once the button is pressed, the sliding element can be positioned so that lateral movement of the pin is not blocked. If the button is not depressed and the pin is subjected to lateral acceleration, such as in a side impact collision, the locking device will not disengage the slider from the rail.

[0017] Examples herein refer to vehicles. A vehicle is a machine that transports passengers, cargo, or both. A vehicle may have one or more motors that use at least one type of fuel or other energy source (e.g., electricity). Examples of vehicles include, but are not limited to, cars, trucks, and buses. The number of wheels may vary between vehicle types, and one or more (e.g., all) of the wheels may be used to propel the vehicle, or the vehicle may be unpowered (e.g., when a trailer is attached to another vehicle). A vehicle may include a passenger compartment that accommodates one or more people. At least one vehicle occupant may be considered the driver; in this case, various tools, implements, or other devices may be provided to the driver. A person carried by a vehicle may be referred to as the "driver" or "passenger" of the vehicle, regardless of whether the person is driving the vehicle, has access to controls for driving the vehicle, or does not have controls for driving the vehicle.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an example of a vehicle body 100 having a pillar 102 including a height adjuster 104 for a vehicle seat belt. FIG. 2 shows the height adjuster 104 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows an example cross-sectional view of the height adjuster 104 of FIG. 2 taken along line YY. FIG. 4 shows an example cross-sectional view of the height adjuster of FIG. 1. Elements of the examples described herein have reference numbers generally associated with the number of the figure in which the element is first mentioned (e.g., elements first appearing in FIG. 1 use numbers in the 100s).

[0019] The height adjuster 104 may be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. The vehicle body 100 may be made of any of several materials, including, but not limited to, aluminum and / or steel. The height adjuster 104 may be attached to any of several locations on the vehicle body 100. In some implementations, the height adjuster 104 is configured to attach to a pillar 102. For example, the pillar 102 may be a B-pillar, a C-pillar, or another pillar of the vehicle. The height adjuster 104 may include a rail 200 configured to attach to the pillar 102. The rail 200 has windows 202. Each of the windows 202 corresponds to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster 104. That is, a vehicle seat belt anchor (e.g., a D-ring from which the seat belt extends) is securely positioned at any of several heights using the windows 202. The height adjuster 104 includes a slider 204 configured to be slidably adjusted to one of a plurality of positions relative to the rail 200. The slider 204 is adjusted along the rail 200 in a direction 206. For example, the direction 206 may be substantially parallel to the z-direction in the vehicle coordinate system. That is, each of the plurality of positions of the slider 204 is associated with a corresponding one of the windows 202.

[0020] The height adjuster 104 includes a pin 300 that is slidingly mounted to the slider 204. The pin 300 is movable in a direction 302 between a plurality of positions. The direction 302 is substantially perpendicular to the direction 206. For example, the direction 302 may be substantially parallel to the y-direction in the vehicle coordinate system. The position of the pin 300 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an extended position in which the pin 300 engages with one of the windows 202 and the slider 204 is restricted. If the pin 300 is moved away from the extended position along the direction 302, the pin 300 instead assumes a retracted position. In the retracted position, the pin 300 does not engage with any of the windows 202 and the slider 204 is unrestricted.

[0021] The height adjuster 104 includes an actuator 208 coupled to the pin 300 and configured to move the pin 300 to a retracted position. An occupant may use (e.g., by pushing or lifting) the actuator 208 to move the pin 300 to the retracted position to facilitate adjustment of the slider 204. When actuated, the actuator 208 may slide relative to the slider 204.

[0022] The pin 300 may include a pin 304 oriented substantially perpendicular to each of the directions 206 and 302. For example, the pin 304 may be substantially parallel to the x-direction in the vehicle coordinate system. The actuator 208 may be configured to act on the pin 304 to move the pin 300 to the retracted position. The actuator 208 may include a planar member 306 having a sloping edge 308. The sloping edge 308 is angled relative to the directions 206 and 302. For example, the sloping edge 308 may extend substantially in the yz-plane of the vehicle coordinate system. The pin 304 abuts against and is acted upon by the sloping edge 308 during actuation of the actuator 208. In this manner, the actuator 208 may act on the pin 304 with the sloping edge 308 to move the pin 300 toward the retracted position.

[0023] A sloping edge 308 may extend between ends 310 and 312 formed on the planar member 306. The distance between end 310 and the rail 200 is less than the distance between end 312 and the rail 200. In FIG. 3 , the pin 304 is shown at end 310. The actuator 208 is in a first actuator position relative to the slider 204 in the illustrated example (e.g., when not actuated). The actuator 208 may be in a second actuator position relative to the slider 204 (e.g., in a depressed or lifted position) when the actuator is actuated. Actuation of the actuator 208 may move the pin 304 along the sloping edge 308 from end 310 to or toward end 312.

[0024] The height adjuster 104 may include a member 314 on the planar member 306. The member 314 is coupled to the actuator 208 and may abut the pin 300 in the extended position (e.g., by abutting the pin 304, which may be part of the pin 300) to restrict the pin 300 from moving in the direction 302. In that way, the actuator 208 may be configured to move the member 314 when actuated, allowing the pin 300 to assume the retracted position. The member 314 may be or may include a tab on the planar member 306. The tab may be located at an end 310 of the sloping edge 308. If the pin 304 is at the end 310, the pin 304 may be located such that the tab is on the opposite side of the pin 304 from the rail 200. In some implementations, the member 314 (e.g., the tab) forms a U-shape at the end 310 of the sloping edge 308. When the actuator 208 is not in the first actuator position (e.g., while being actuated), the pin 304 is not inside the U-shape. The sloping edge 308 may be oriented to advance the pin 304 in the direction 302 during actuation. In that manner, the member 314 (e.g., a tab) may limit movement of the pins 300 and 304 in the direction 302. The member 314 may abut the pin 300 in the extended position (e.g., by abutting the pin 304) and, when the actuator 208 is actuated, may be moved, allowing the pin 300 to assume a retracted position.

[0025] In some implementations, the height adjuster 104 may have more than one sloping edge used to move the pin 300. Here, the actuator 208 further includes a sloping edge 316 on the planar member 306. The pin 304 may abut against and be acted upon by the sloping edge 316. The sloping edge 316 may additionally or alternatively have a member (e.g., a tab) corresponding to the member 314 for the pin 304.

[0026] The height adjuster 104 may include a biasing member 318 for the pin 300. The biasing member 318 may be disposed relative to the pin 300 and bias the pin 300 against moving to the retracted position. The biasing member 318 may be a flexible and / or compressible element, including, but not limited to, a compression spring. The biasing member 318 may be disposed on the opposite side of the pin 300 from the rail 200.

[0027] The above example includes a height adjuster (e.g., height adjuster 104) for a vehicle seat belt mounted on a rail (e.g., rail 200) having windows (e.g., windows 202), each of the windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seat belt; a slider (e.g., slider 204) configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction (e.g., direction 206) to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a first pin (e.g., pin 300) slidably mounted to the slider, the first pin having: (i) an extended position (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) in which the first pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted; and (ii) the first pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is movable in a second direction (e.g., direction 302) between an unrestricted retracted position and a retracted position, where the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator (e.g., actuator 208) coupled to the first pin and configured to move the first pin to the retracted position; and a member (e.g., member 314) coupled to the actuator and abutting the first pin in the extended position to restrict movement of the first pin in the second direction, the actuator configured to move the member when actuated to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows an example of a vehicle body 500 having a pillar 502 including a height adjuster 504 for a vehicle seat belt 506. FIG. 6 shows the height adjuster 504 of FIG. 5. FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show exemplary cross-sectional views of the height adjuster 504 of FIG. 6 taken along line XX. The height adjuster 504 may be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere herein. The vehicle body 500 may be made of any of several materials, including, but not limited to, aluminum and / or steel. The height adjuster 504 may be attached to any of several locations on the vehicle body 500. In some implementations, the height adjuster 504 is configured to attach to the pillar 502. For example, the pillar 502 may be a B-pillar, a C-pillar, or another pillar of the vehicle. The height adjuster 504 may include a rail 600 configured to attach to the pillar 502. The rail 600 has a window 700. Each of the windows 700 corresponds to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster 504. That is, a vehicle seat belt fastener (e.g., a D-ring from which the vehicle seat belt 506 extends) is securely positioned at one of a plurality of heights using the window 700. The height adjuster 504 includes a slider 602 configured to be slidably adjusted to one of a plurality of positions relative to a rail 600. The slider 602 is adjusted along the rail 600 in a direction 604. For example, the direction 604 may be substantially parallel to the z-direction in the vehicle coordinate system. That is, each of the plurality of positions of the slider 602 is associated with a corresponding one of the windows 700.

[0029] The height adjuster 504 includes a pin 702 that is slidingly mounted to the slider 602. The pin 702 is movable in a direction 704 between a plurality of positions. The direction 704 is substantially perpendicular to the direction 604. For example, the direction 704 may be substantially parallel to the y-direction in the vehicle coordinate system. The position of the pin 702 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is an extended position in which the pin 702 engages one of the windows 700 and the slider 602 is restricted. If the pin 702 is moved away from the extended position along the direction 704, the pin 702 instead assumes a retracted position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9). In the retracted position, the pin 702 does not engage any of the windows 700 and the slider 602 is unrestricted.

[0030] Height adjuster 504 includes an actuator 606 coupled to pin 702 and configured to move pin 702 to a retracted position. An occupant may use (e.g., by pushing or lifting) actuator 606 to move pin 702 to the retracted position to facilitate adjustment of slider 602. When actuated, actuator 606 may pivot relative to slider 602.

[0031] Actuator 606 may include a lever 706 configured to rotate about a pivot 708. Pivot 708 may be substantially perpendicular to directions 604 and 704. For example, pivot 708 may be substantially parallel to the x-direction in a vehicle coordinate system. Lever 706 includes features that attach to or engage with pin 702. For example, one or more hooks on lever 706 may engage with a protruding edge on pin 702 such that lever 706 can pull pin 702 in direction 704.

[0032] The actuator 606 may include a lever 710 configured to rotate about a pivot 712. The pivot 712 may be disposed on the lever 706 and may be substantially parallel to the pivot 708. An end 714 of the lever 710 serves as a handle for a passenger, allowing the passenger to push or pull the end 714 to activate the actuator 606. The lever 710 has an end 716 opposite the end 714 and comprising a member that abuts the pin 702 in the extended position and restricts movement of the pin 702 in the direction 704. The actuator 606 may be configured to move the member when actuated, allowing the pin 702 to assume a retracted position. In some implementations, the actuator 606 has a cavity 608 that defines the pivot 712 (e.g., the lever 706 may include two lever members that are parallel and spaced apart to define the cavity 608). The lever 710 may be disposed in the cavity 608. The member at end 716 can abut pin 702 in the extended position and can be moved when actuator 606 is actuated, allowing pin 702 to assume a retracted position.

[0033] The height adjuster 504 may include a biasing member 718 for the pin 702. The biasing member 718 may be disposed relative to the pin 702 and bias the pin 702 against moving to the retracted position. The biasing member 718 may be a flexible and / or compressible element, including, but not limited to, a compression spring. The biasing member 718 may be disposed on the opposite side of the pin 702 from the rail 600.

[0034] The actuator may include a biasing member 720 on the lever 706. The biasing member 720 may be configured to act on the lever 710 such that the member at the end 716 abuts against the pin 702 in the extended position. For example, the biasing member 720 may feature a plastic return spring. As another example, the biasing member 720 may be a discrete torsion spring.

[0035] The above example includes a height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt (e.g., height adjuster 504 for seat belt 506) mounted on a rail (e.g., rail 600) having windows (e.g., windows 700), each of which corresponds to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seat belt; a slider (e.g., slider 602) configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction (e.g., direction 604) to one of a plurality of positions, each of which is associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a first pin (e.g., pin 702) slidably mounted to the slider, the first pin having: (i) an extended position (e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8) in which the first pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted; and (ii) the first pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is movable in a second direction (e.g., direction 704) between an unrestricted retracted position (e.g., FIG. 9 ), where the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator (e.g., actuator 606) coupled to the first pin and configured to move the first pin to the retracted position; and a member (e.g., a member at end 716) coupled to the actuator, abutting the first pin in the extended position and restricting movement of the first pin in the second direction, the actuator configured to move the member when actuated to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position.

[0036] As used throughout this specification, the terms "substantially" and "about" are used to describe and take into account small variations, such as those due to processing variations. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%, or less than or equal to ±5%. Also, as used herein, indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" mean "at least one."

[0037] It should be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed in more detail below, (provided that such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

[0038] Although multiple implementations have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present specification.

[0039] Additionally, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Additionally, other processes may be provided in or removed from the described flows, and other components may be added or removed from the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0040] While certain features of the described implementations have been shown and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It should therefore be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of these implementations. They have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation, and it should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made. Except for mutually exclusive combinations, any portion of the apparatus and / or methods described herein may be combined in any combination. The implementations described herein may include various combinations and / or subcombinations of the functions, components, and / or features of the various implementations described. (Other possible items) (Item 1) 1. A height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt, the height adjuster comprising: a rail having windows, each of said windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of said height adjuster for said vehicle seat belt; a slider configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a first pin slidably mounted on the slider, the first pin movable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the first pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position in which the first pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is unrestricted, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator coupled to the first pin and configured to move the first pin to the retracted position; and a member coupled to the actuator and abutting the first pin in the extended position to limit movement of the first pin in the second direction, the actuator configured to, when actuated, move the member to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position; Equipped with a height adjuster. (Item 2) 2. The height adjuster according to item 1, wherein the rail is attached to a pillar of a vehicle and is configured to enable the height adjustment of the vehicle seat belt. (Item 3) 3. The height adjuster according to item 1 or 2, wherein the first pin further comprises a second pin oriented substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the actuator is configured to act on the second pin to move the first pin to the retracted position. (Item 4) 4. The height adjuster according to item 3, wherein the actuator includes a sloping edge on a planar member, the sloping edge being angled with respect to the first direction and the second direction, and wherein the second pin abuts against and is acted upon by the sloping edge during actuation of the actuator. (Item 5) 5. The height adjuster of claim 4, wherein when the actuator is not actuated, the actuator is in a first actuator position relative to the slider, and when the actuator is actuated, the actuator is in a second actuator position relative to the slider, and wherein the sloping edge is oriented such that a first end of the sloping edge is closer to the rail than a second end of the sloping edge, and wherein the actuation moves the second pin from the first end to the second end. (Item 6) 6. The height adjuster according to item 5, wherein the member is a tab on the planar member that is disposed at the first end of the sloping edge, and wherein the second pin is disposed such that when the second pin is at the first end, the tab is on the opposite side of the second pin from the rail, and the tab limits movement of the first pin and the second pin in the second direction. (Item 7) 7. The height adjuster of claim 6, wherein the tab forms a U-shaped portion at the first end of the sloping edge, and wherein when the actuator is not in the first actuator position, the second pin is not inside the U-shaped portion and the sloping edge is oriented to advance toward the second pin in the second direction. (Item 8) 8. The height adjuster according to any one of items 4 to 7, wherein the sloping edge is a first sloping edge, and the actuator further includes a second sloping edge on the planar member, wherein the second pin abuts against both the first sloping edge and the second sloping edge during actuation of the actuator and is acted upon by both the first sloping edge and the second sloping edge. (Item 9) 9. The height adjuster according to any one of items 1 to 8, further comprising a biasing member disposed relative to the first pin, the biasing member biasing the first pin against moving to the retracted position. (Item 10) Item 10. The height adjuster according to item 9, wherein the biasing member is disposed on the opposite side of the first pin from the rail. (Item 11) 11. The height adjuster of any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the actuator includes a first lever configured to be rotated about a first pivot, the first pivot being substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. (Item 12) Item 12. The height adjuster according to item 11, wherein the actuator further includes a second lever configured to be rotated about a second pivot, the second pivot being substantially parallel to the first pivot, and wherein a first end of the second lever is the member. (Item 13) Item 13. The height adjuster of item 12, wherein the second lever further has a second end opposite the first end, and a user presses the second end to activate the actuator. (Item 14) Item 14. The height adjuster according to item 12 or 13, wherein the actuator further includes a first biasing member on the first lever, the first biasing member acting on the second lever to urge the member against the first pin in the extended position. (Item 15) Item 15. The height adjuster according to item 14, wherein the slider further includes a second biasing member disposed relative to the first pin, the second biasing member biasing the first pin against moving to the retracted position. (Item 16) Item 16. The height adjuster according to item 15, wherein the second biasing member is disposed on the opposite side of the first pin from the rail. (Item 17) 17. The height adjuster according to any one of items 12 to 16, wherein the first lever includes a cavity that forms the second pivot, and wherein the second lever is disposed in the cavity. (Item 18) 1. A height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt, the height adjuster comprising: a rail having windows, each of said windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of said height adjuster for said vehicle seat belt; a slider configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a pin slidably mounted on the slider, the pin movable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position in which the pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is unrestricted, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator coupled to the pin and configured to move the pin to the retracted position; and means for abutting said pin in said extended position and for moving when actuated to enable said pin to assume said retracted position; Equipped with a height adjuster.

Claims

1. 1. A height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt, the height adjuster comprising: a rail having windows, each of said windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of said height adjuster for said vehicle seat belt; a slider configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a first pin slidingly mounted on the slider, the first pin movable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the first pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position in which the first pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is unrestricted, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator coupled to the first pin and configured to move the first pin to the retracted position; and a member coupled to the actuator and abutting the first pin in the extended position to limit movement of the first pin in the second direction, the actuator configured to, when actuated, move the member to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position; Equipped with a height adjuster.

2. The height adjuster of claim 1 , wherein the rail is configured to be attached to a pillar of a vehicle and to allow for the height adjustment of the vehicle seat belt.

3. 2. The height adjuster of claim 1, wherein the first pin further comprises a second pin oriented substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the actuator is configured to act on the second pin to move the first pin to the retracted position.

4. 4. The height adjuster of claim 3, wherein the actuator includes a sloping edge on a planar member, the sloping edge being angled relative to the first direction and the second direction, and wherein the second pin abuts against and is acted upon by the sloping edge during actuation of the actuator.

5. 5. The height adjuster of claim 4, wherein when the actuator is not actuated, the actuator is in a first actuator position relative to the slider, and when the actuator is actuated, the actuator is in a second actuator position relative to the slider, and wherein the sloping edge is oriented such that a first end of the sloping edge is closer to the rail than a second end of the sloping edge, and wherein the actuation moves the second pin from the first end to the second end.

6. 6. The height adjuster of claim 5, wherein the member is a tab on the planar member disposed at the first end of the sloping edge, wherein the second pin is disposed such that when the second pin is at the first end, the tab is on the opposite side of the second pin from the rail, and the tab limits movement of the first pin and the second pin in the second direction.

7. 7. The height adjuster of claim 6, wherein the tab forms a U-shape at the first end of the sloping edge, and wherein when the actuator is not in the first actuator position, the second pin is not inside the U-shape and the sloping edge is oriented to advance the second pin in the second direction.

8. 5. The height adjuster of claim 4, wherein the sloping edge is a first sloping edge, and the actuator further includes a second sloping edge on the planar member, wherein the second pin abuts against and is acted upon by both the first sloping edge and the second sloping edge during actuation of the actuator.

9. 2. The height adjuster of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member disposed against said first pin, said biasing member biasing said first pin against moving to said retracted position.

10. The height adjuster according to claim 9 , wherein the biasing member is disposed on an opposite side of the first pin from the rail.

11. 11. The height adjuster of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a first lever configured to be rotated about a first pivot, the first pivot being substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

12. 12. The height adjuster of claim 11, wherein the actuator further includes a second lever configured to be rotated about a second pivot, the second pivot being substantially parallel to the first pivot, and wherein a first end of the second lever is the member.

13. 13. The height adjuster of claim 12, wherein the second lever further has a second end opposite the first end, and wherein a user presses the second end to activate the actuator.

14. 13. The height adjuster of claim 12, wherein the actuator further includes a first biasing member on the first lever, the first biasing member configured to act on the second lever and urge the member against the first pin in the extended position.

15. 15. The height adjuster of claim 14, wherein the slider further includes a second biasing member disposed against the first pin, the second biasing member biasing the first pin against moving to the retracted position.

16. 16. The height adjuster of claim 15, wherein the second biasing member is located on an opposite side of the first pin from the rail.

17. 13. The height adjuster of claim 12, wherein said first lever includes a cavity that defines said second pivot, and wherein said second lever is disposed in said cavity.

18. 1. A height adjuster for a vehicle seat belt, the height adjuster comprising: a rail having windows, each of said windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of said height adjuster for said vehicle seat belt; a slider configured to be slidably adjusted relative to the rail along a first direction to one of a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions being associated with a corresponding one of the windows; a pin slidably mounted on the slider, the pin movable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the pin engages one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position in which the pin does not engage any of the windows and the slider is not restricted, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; an actuator coupled to the pin and configured to move the pin to the retracted position; and means for abutting said pin in said extended position and for moving when actuated to enable said pin to assume said retracted position; Equipped with a height adjuster.

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