Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to seat belt assemblies for vehicles, and more particularly, to a system and a method for mounting a three-point seat-belt in a vehicle, such as a three-wheeled vehicle, which facilitates ease in mounting the seat belt in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, seat belts manufactured for vehicles are either two-point belts or three-point belts. A two-point seat belt, also known as the lap belt goes over the lap of a passenger and wraps around the hip of the passenger. The two-point seat belt provides preliminary safety to the passenger by keeping the passenger seated in case of a jerk. However, the two-point belt might not be effective in protecting the passenger from sudden and severe movement caused in the upper body of the passenger during an impact. A three-point seat belt goes over the lap of the passenger, and also through the shoulder and chest of the passenger. The three-point seat belt provides better protection during an impact by keeping the passenger seated and preventing severe movement in upper body of the passenger. Although the three-point seat belt provides enhanced protection, however, it is expensive and has complex installation as compared to the two-point seat belt. Further, the seat belts are usually affixed with the body of the vehicles to comply with the safety standards, and are therefore pre-installed in the vehicles, making it cumbersome to install the seatbelts at a later stage.
[003] The safety standards related to provision of seat belts in three-wheeled vehicles such as passenger auto rickshaws, commercial transport vehicles, or e-rickshaws, differ according to jurisdictions. In some jurisdictions like India, the safety standards do not mandate providing seat belts in three-wheeled vehicles. Whereas in other jurisdictions like Europe, it is mandatory to provide seat belts in the three-wheeled vehicles. In order to cater to the market in different jurisdictions with varying safety standards, vehicle manufacturers are required to manufacture separate vehicle bodies. In markets where seat belts are mandatory, separate vehicle body is manufactured, wherein the seat belt is welded onto the body of the vehicle. This increases the manufacturing costs, since the manufacturer has to provide separate assembly for vehicles with seat belts.
[004] Further, in markets where the seat belts are not mandatory, the three-wheeled vehicles are manufactured without the provision for seat belts to reduce manufacturing costs. Sometimes, the manufacturer may provide two-point seat belts to cater to safety of passengers while balancing manufacturing costs. If a consumer wants to install seat belts to ensure safety of the driver and passengers, it is difficult and cumbersome to install the seat belts due to the assembly requirements. Moreover, installing the three-point seat belts is more difficult than installing the two-point seat belts, so, the consumer has to compromise on the safety by opting for two-point seat belts for the ease of installation and reduced costs.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for mounting a three-point seat belt in a vehicle having at least three wheels, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a system for mounting a three-point seat belt in a vehicle which facilitates ease in mounting the seat belt in the vehicle.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system for mounting a three-point seat belt in a three-wheeled vehicle, such as a three-wheeled passenger vehicle, wherein the system forgoes the need for providing the seat belt during assembling of body of the vehicle.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system for mounting a three-point seat belt in a vehicle in which the seat belt and the seat buckle are mounted on the body of the vehicle through mounting brackets connected on respective mounting members provided on the body of the vehicle.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for mounting the three-point seat belt in the vehicle.
[0010] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1 depicts an isometric view of a system for mounting a three-point seat belt in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 2 depicts a front view of the system for mounting the three-point seat belt in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 3 depicts another front view of the system for mounting the three-point seat belt in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 4 depicts an isometric view of the seat belt, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 5 depicts a side view of the seat belt, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 6 depicts a closer view of the seat belt, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0018] Fig. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method of mounting the three-point seat belt in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0020] The embodiments herein achieve a system for mounting a three-point seat belt in a vehicle which facilitates ease in mounting the seat belt in the vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a method for mounting the three point seat belt in the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 1 depicts an isometric view of a system (100) for mounting a three-point seat belt (200) in a vehicle (10), and Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 depict front views of the system (100) for mounting the three-point seat belt (200) in the vehicle (10), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The system (100) for mounting the three-point seat belt (200) includes a first mounting member (102A), a second mounting member (104A), a third mounting member (106A), a first mounting bracket (102B), a second mounting bracket (104B), and a third mounting bracket (106B). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the system (100) for mounting the three-point seat belt (200) is explained herein with below reference to a driver seat of a three wheeled vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the components of the system (100) for other seats, such as passenger seats, and for any other vehicle having at least three wheels, such as but not limited to a commercial vehicle, passenger vehicle, and agricultural vehicle, etc., without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0022] The first mounting member (102A), the second mounting member (104A), and the third mounting member (106A) are provided on the body of the vehicle (10). The first mounting bracket (102B) is provided on the first mounting member (102A), the second mounting bracket (104B) is provided on the second mounting member (104A), and the third mounting bracket (106B) is provided on the third mounting member (106A). The first mounting bracket (102B) is adapted to mount a seat belt upper anchor (202) of the seat belt (200). The second mounting bracket (104B) is adapted to mount a seat belt lower retractor (204) (as shown in fig. 2, fig. 4 and fig. 5), and the third mounting bracket (106B) is adapted to mount a seat belt buckle (206) (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 3). In an embodiment, the seat belt lower retractor (204) is fastened by bolts on the second mounting bracket (104B). The first mounting bracket (102B), the second mounting bracket (104B), and the third mounting bracket (106B) are provided such that, the seat belt (200) goes over a shoulder portion and a lap portion of an occupant seated on a seat of the vehicle (10), and a seat belt latch (208) of the seat belt (200) is locked into the seat belt buckle (206).
[0023] The first mounting member (102A) is provided between a first vehicular structure (12) and a second vehicular structure (14), in vicinity of a B-pillar (16) of the vehicle (10). The second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A) are provided on the second vehicular structure (14). In an embodiment, the first vehicular structure (12) is a roof frame of the vehicle (10), and the second vehicular structure (14) is a divider panel adapted to divide a first compartment (10A) and a second compartment (10B) (as shown in fig. 1) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the first compartment (10A) is a driver’s compartment, and the second compartment (10B) is passenger compartment of the three wheeled vehicle. Further, in an embodiment, the first mounting member (102A) is a vertical frame extending between the first vehicular structure (12) and a top portion (14T) of the second vehicular structure (14). One end of the first mounting member (102A) is removably connected to the first vehicular structure (12) by using fasteners and another end of the first mounting member (102A) is removably connected to the top portion (14T) of the second vehicular structure (14) by using fasteners. Furthermore, each of the second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A) is a vertical frame which is connected to the second vehicular structure (14). In an embodiment, each of the second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A) is welded to the second vehicular structure (14). In another embodiment, each of the second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A) is connected to the second vehicular structure (14) by using fasteners. In an embodiment, the third mounting member (106A) is positioned parallel and spaced away from the second mounting member (104A). In an embodiment, the mounting brackets (102B, 104B, 106B) are provided as an integral part of the respective mounting members (102A, 104A, 106A), wherein the mounting brackets (102B, 104B, 106B) are welded on the respective mounting members (102A, 104A, 106A). In another embodiment, the mounting brackets (102B, 104B, 106B) are provided as a separate part of the respective mounting members (102A, 104A, 106A), wherein the mounting brackets (102B, 104B, 106B) are fastened on the respective mounting members (102A, 104A, 106A). The mounting brackets (102B, 104B, 106B) and the mounting members (102A, 104A, 106A) are provided such that the system (100) is effective in handling the stress and load generated at the points on which the seat belt (200) and the seat belt buckle (206) is mounted, thereby providing ease in mounting the seat belt (200) without affecting the safety of the occupant.
[0024] The system (100) further includes a plurality of reinforcement members (108A, 108B). Each of the plurality of reinforcement members (108A, 108B) is adapted to connect the second mounting member (104A) with the third mounting member (106A), thereby reinforcing the second and third mounting members (104A, 106A). Each of the reinforcement member (108A, 108B) is connected to the second vehicular structure (14).. In an embodiment, each of the reinforcement member (108A, 108B) is welded with the second vehicular structure (14). In another embodiment, each of the reinforcement members (108A, 108B) is connected to the second vehicular structure (14) by fasteners. In an embodiment, one end of the reinforcement member (108A) is engaged with the second mounting member (104A) near its top end and another end of said reinforcement member (108A) is engaged with the third mounting member (106A) near its top end. Further, one end of another reinforcement member (108B) is engaged with a bottom end of the second mounting member (104A), and another end of another reinforcement member (108B) is engaged with a bottom end of the third mounting member (106A). Each of the reinforcement member (108A, 108B) is connected transversely between the second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A). The reinforcement member (108A) is parallel and spaced away from another reinforcement member (108B). In an embodiment, the second mounting bracket (104B) is fastened with bolt on the reinforcement member (108A) and the first mounting member (104A). Further, in an embodiment, each of the second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A) is welded on the second vehicular structure (14) and another reinforcement member (108B).
[0025] The system (100) further includes an extension member (110), wherein one end of the extension member (110) is connected to the seat belt buckle (206) and another end of the extension member (110) is connected to the third mounting bracket (106B). The extension member thereby facilitates the mounting of the seat belt buckle (206) onto the third mounting bracket (106B).
[0026] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 respectively depict an isometric view and a side view of the three-point seat belt (200), according to embodiments disclosed herein. The seat belt (200) includes a belt (200A) extending between the seat belt upper anchor (202) and a seat belt lower anchor (200L) (as shown in fig. 2 to fig. 5) and extending from the seat belt upper anchor (202) towards the seat belt lower retractor (204), wherein a portion of the belt (200A) is received by the seat belt lower retractor (204). In an embodiment, the seat belt lower retractor (204) is housed in a housing (210) (as shown in Figs. 2 and 3), wherein the housing is mounted near the second mounting bracket (104B). The three-point seat belt (200) also includes the seat belt latch (208), and the seat belt buckle (not shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) adapted to receive the seat belt latch (208). In an embodiment, the lower end (200L) of the seat belt (200) is connected on the second vehicular structure (14). In an embodiment, the lower end (200L) of the seat belt (200) is fastened on the second mounting member (104A). Furthermore, in an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the seat belt upper anchor (202) is a loop member adapted to be fastened on the first mounting bracket (102B) using a fastening means (102M), such as a bolt.
[0027] Fig. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method (300) for mounting the three-point seat belt (200) in the vehicle (10). The method (300) includes, at step (302), providing the first mounting member (102A) between the first vehicular structure (12) and the second vehicular structure (14). In an embodiment, at step (302), the method includes affixing one end of the first mounting member (102A) to the first vehicular structure (12) by fasteners, and affixing another end of the first mounting member (102A) onto the second vehicular structure (14) by fasteners. At step (304), the method (300) includes affixing the second mounting member (104A) and the third mounting member (106A) onto the second vehicular structure (14). In an embodiment, the method (300), at step (304) includes affixing, by fasteners, the plurality of reinforcement members (108A, 108B) onto the second vehicular structure (14), mounting the top end of the second and third mouthing members (104A, 106A) on the reinforcement member (108A), and mounting the bottom end of the second and third mounting members (104A, 106A) on another reinforcement member (108A), wherein the second and third mounting members (104A, 106A) are affixed to the second vehicular structure (14) by fasteners. At step (306), the method (300) includes, connecting the first mounting bracket (102B) on the first mounting member (102A), connecting the second mounting bracket (104B) on the second mounting member (104A), and connecting the third mounting bracket (106B) on the third mounting member (106A). Further, at step (308), the method (300) includes mounting the seat belt upper anchor (202) on the first mounting bracket (102B), wherein the seat belt upper anchor (202) is fastened to the first mounting bracket (102B). Furthermore, at step (310), the method (300) includes, mounting the seat belt lower retractor (204) on the second mounting bracket (104B), wherein the seat belt retractor (204) is fastened to the second mounting bracket (104B). At step (312), the method (300) includes mounting a seat belt lower anchor (200L) on the second mounting member (104A). Moreover, at step (314), the method (300) includes mounting the seat belt buckle (206) on the third mounting bracket (106B). In an embodiment, at step (312), the method (300) includes connecting one end of the extension member (110) to the seat belt buckle (206) and affixing another end of the extension member (110) onto the third mounting bracket (106B). The various actions in method (300) may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some steps listed in Fig. 7 may be omitted.
[0028] The technical advantages of the system (100) and the method (300) for mounting the three-point seat belt (200) in the vehicle (10) are as follows. Ease in mounting the seat belt in the vehicle, forgoes the need of providing the seat belt during assembling of body of the vehicle, ease in maintenance and replacing, inexpensive, and provides flexibility in providing seat belt in vehicles such as three wheeled passenger and commercial vehicles.
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,
1. A system (100) for mounting a three-point seat belt (200) in a vehicle (10), said system (100) comprising:
a first mounting member (102A) provided in vicinity of a B-pillar (16) of the vehicle (10);
a second mounting member (104A);
a third mounting member (106A);
a first mounting bracket (102B) provided on said first mounting member (102A), wherein said first mounting bracket (102B) is adapted to mount a seat belt upper anchor (202) of said seat belt (200) thereon;
a second mounting bracket (104B) provided on said second mounting member (104A), wherein said second mounting bracket (104B) is adapted to mount a seat belt lower retractor (204) thereon; and
a third mounting bracket (106B) provided on said third mounting member (106A), wherein said third mounting bracket (106B) is adapted to mount a seat belt buckle (206) of said seat belt (200) thereon.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat belt (200) goes over a shoulder portion and a lap portion of an occupant seated on a seat of said vehicle (10), and a seat belt latch (208) of said seat belt (200) is locked into said seat belt buckle (206); and
said second mounting member (104A) is adapted to mount a seat belt lower anchor (200L) of said seat belt (200) thereon.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mounting member (102A) is provided between a first vehicular structure (12) and a second vehicular structure (14); and
said second mounting member (104A) and said third mounting member (106A) are provided on said second vehicular structure (14),
wherein
said first vehicular structure (12) is a roof frame of said vehicle (10); and
said second vehicular structure (14) is a divider panel adapted to divide a first compartment (10A) and a second compartment (10B) of said vehicle (10).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first mounting member (102A) is a vertical frame extending between said first vehicular structure (12) and a top portion (14T) of said second vehicular structure (14);
one end of said first mounting member (102A) is removably connected to said first vehicular structure (12) by using fasteners and another end of said first mounting member (102A) is removably connected to said top portion (14T) of said second vehicular structure (14) by using fasteners; and
each of said second mounting member (104A) and said third mounting member (106A) is a vertical frame connected to said second vehicular structure (14) by using any one of welding and fasteners.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said system (100) includes a plurality of reinforcement members (108A, 108B) adapted to connect said second mounting member (104A) with said third mounting member (106A) thereby reinforcing said second and third mounting members (104A, 106A),
wherein
each of said reinforcement member (108A, 108B) is connected to said second vehicular structure (14) by using any one of welding and fasteners;
one end of said reinforcement member (108A) is engaged with said second mounting member (104A) near its top end, and another end of said reinforcement member (108A) is engaged with said third mounting member (106A) near its top end;
one end of said another reinforcement member (108B) is engaged with a bottom end of said second mounting member (104A), and another end of said another reinforcement member (108B) is engaged with a bottom end of said third mounting member (106A);
each of said reinforcement member (108A, 108B) is transverse to said second and third mounting members (104A, 106A);
said second mounting bracket (104B) is fastened onto said reinforcement member (108A) and said first mounting member (104A); and
said reinforcement member (108A) is parallel and spaced away from another said reinforcement member (108B).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second mounting member (104A) is positioned below said first mounting member (102A);
said third mounting member (106A) is parallel and spaced away from said second mounting member (104A);
said first mounting bracket (102B) is a separate part or an integral part of said first mounting member (102A);
said second mounting bracket (104B) is a separate part or an integral part of said second mounting member (104A); and
said third mounting bracket (106B) is a separate part or an integral part of said third mounting member (106A).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) includes an extension member (110), wherein one end of said extension member (110) is connected to said seat belt buckle (206) and another end of said extension member (110) is connected to said third mounting bracket (106B) thereby mounting said seat belt buckle (206) onto said third mounting bracket (106B).
8. A method (300) for mounting a three-point seat belt (200) in a vehicle (10), said method (300) comprising:
providing a first mounting member (102A) between a first vehicular structure (12) and a second vehicular structure (14), wherein said first mounting member (102A) is located in vicinity of a B-pillar (16) of the vehicle (10);
affixing a second mounting member (104A) and a third mounting member (106A) onto said second vehicular structure (14);
connecting a first mounting bracket (102B) on said first mounting member (102A);
connecting a second mounting bracket (104B) on said second mounting member (104A);
connecting a third mounting bracket (106B) on said third mounting member (106A);
mounting, by said first mounting bracket (102B), a seat belt upper anchor (202) of said seat belt (200) thereon in which said seat belt upper anchor (202) is fastened to said first mounting bracket (102B);
mounting, by said second mounting bracket (104B), a seat belt retractor (204) of said seat belt (200) thereon in which said seat belt retractor (204) is fastened to said second mounting bracket (104B);
mounting, by the second mounting member (104A), a seat belt lower anchor (200L) of said seat belt (200) thereon; and
mounting, by said third mounting bracket (106B), a seat belt buckle (206) of said seat belt (200) thereon.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said providing said first mounting member (102A) between said first vehicular structure (12) and said second vehicular structure (14) includes,
affixing, by any one of welding and fasteners, one end of said first mounting member (102A) to said first vehicular structure (12), and affixing, by any one of welding and fasteners, another end of said first mounting member (102A) onto said second vehicular structure (14),
wherein
said affixing said second mounting member (104A) and said third mounting member (106A) onto said second vehicular structure (14) includes,
affixing, by any one of welding and fasteners, a plurality of reinforcement members (108A, 108B) onto said second vehicular structure (14);
mounting a top end of said second mounting member (104A) and said third mounting member (106A) onto said reinforcement member (108A);
mounting a bottom end of said second and third mounting members (104A, 106A) onto said another reinforcement member (108B); and
affixing, by any one of welding and fasteners, said second mounting member (104A) and said third mounting member (106A) onto said second vehicular structure (14).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein mounting, by said third mounting bracket (106B), said seat belt buckle (206) thereon includes,
connecting one end of an extension member (110) to said seat belt buckle (206) and affixing another end of said extension member (110) onto said third mounting bracket (106B) thereby mounting said seat belt buckle (206) onto said third mounting bracket (106B),
wherein
said first vehicular structure (12) is a roof frame; and
said second vehicular structure (14) is a divider panel adapted to divide a first compartment (10A) and a second compartment (10B) of the vehicle (10).