DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A LOWER ANCHORAGE GEAR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOR SEAT BELT AND METHOD TO OPERATE THEROF

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400001,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims priority from Indian provisional patent application no. 202221019657, filed on March 31, 2022. The entire contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to field of automobiles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a seat belt lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for a vehicle occupant protection system for improving the crash safety of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Seatbelt restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle seat play an important role in reducing occupant injury in vehicle crash situations. Seatbelt restraint systems of the conventional so-called "3-point variety commonly have a lap belt section extending across the seat occupants pelvis and a shoulder belt section crossing the upper torso, which are fastened together or are formed by a continuous length of seatbelt webbing. The lap and shoulder belt sections are connected to the vehicle structure by anchorages. A belt retractor is typically provided to store belt webbing and may further act to manage belt tension loads in a crash situation.
[0004] Seatbelt restraint systems which are manually deployed by the occupant (so-called “active' types) also typically include a buckle attached to the vehicle body structure by an anchor age. A latch plate attached to the belt webbing is received by the buckle to allow the belt system to be fastened for enabling restraint, and unfastened to allow entrance and egress from the vehicle. Seatbelt systems, when deployed, effectively restrain the occupant during a collision.
[0005] In recent years, motor vehicles have been often fitted with a pre-tensioner device which positively increases the tension of the seat belt for restraining the vehicle occupant at the time of a crash and improves the protection of the vehicle occupant. The deceleration acting on the vehicle occupant who is restrained to the seat by a restraint device such as a seatbelt starts rising only when the forward inertia force acting on the vehicle occupant at the time of the crash has started to be supported by the Seatbelt. As it is not possible to eliminate a certain amount of resiliency and slack in the seat belt, the deceleration of the vehicle occupant reaches a peak level only when the vehicle occupant has moved forward a certain distance under the inertia force and the elongation of the seat belt has reached its maximum extent. The peak value of the deceleration of the vehicle occupant gets greater as the forward displacement of the vehicle occupant under the inertia force increases, and is known to be substantially larger than the average deceleration of the passenger compartment of the vehicle body.
[0006] Current Lower anchorage is mostly designed to meet the comfort and safety of 50th percentile occupant. But in actual, anthropometry of drivers is different which results in in-appropriate belt overlap across their lap.
[0007] Therefore, there is a requirement to resolve the said longstanding problem of in-appropriate belt overlap.
[0008] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional configuration of voice assistant systems for an automobile.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Main object of the present disclosure is to provide an innovative lower anchorage adjuster which provides better belt overlap across lap.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to addresses the issue of higher HIC and Chest injuries for real world drivers and encouraging them to wear seatbelt by making it more comfortable to wear.
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Before the present a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to a particular a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof as there may be multiple possible embodiments, which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular implementations, versions, or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] The present invention discloses a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof to provide better belt overlap across lap. The mechanism comprises of plurality of tooth and a locking mechanism to be locked at a desired location using cam and push pins to addresses the issue of higher HIC and chest injuries for real world drivers and encouraging them to wear seatbelt by making it more comfortable to wear and provide an innovative lower anchorage adjuster which provides better belt overlap across lap.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, the present invention discloses a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt comprising at least one groove in the sill of a vehicle provided with top and bottom horizontal surfaces (6), at least one rail (5) with an engaging means (11) on the inner side is configured to be mounted on said horizontal surfaces (6) through resilient means (9) and at least one slider mechanism (14) with engaging means (12) on at least one side configured to be mounted between at least one rail (5).
[0014] The present invention also discloses a method for operating the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly comprises the steps of: Rotating the knob (3) of the slider mechanism (14) by 90 degrees for actuating the cam (13) to push the rail (5) apart through the roller follower (7, 8) to compress the resilient means (9) to disengage the engaging means (11) of the rail and engaging means (12) of slider mechanism. Sliding the slider mechanism (14) to a desired position. Rotating the knob (3) of the slider mechanism (14) by 90 degrees to engage the engaging means (11) of the rail and engaging means (12) of slider mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present subject matter, an example of construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the present subject matter is not limited to the specific a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof disclosed in the document and the figures.
[0016] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0017] Figure 1(a) and 1(b) illustrates a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] Figure 2 illustrates the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] Figure 3 illustrates the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) in a disengaged position is disclosed.
[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) in an engaged position is disclosed.
[0022] Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) in a disengaged position is disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof and, similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof is now described.
[0024] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described but is to be accorded the widest scope consist in this regard, in a generic sense.
[0025] Referring to Figure 1, a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the system comprises of top and bottom horizontal surfaces (6) mounted in a groove provided in the sill of a vehicle. At least one rail (5) mounted on the inner side of the horizontal surfaces (6) having plurality of teeth/ratchet (11) on the inner side of rails (5) for engaging the lower anchorage with the seat belt locking system. At least one compression spring (9) is mounted between the horizontal surface (6) and rail (5). A slider mechanism (14) is mounted on the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly. The slider mechanism (14) comprises of a plurality of teeth/ratchet (12) to mesh with the teeth mounted on the rail (5).
[0026] Referring to figure 2-6, the slider assembly (14) comprises of an elliptical cam (13) is provided for engaging the teeth (12) slider mechanism and teeth (11) of the rails. A knob (3) is provided on the slider mechanism for rotating the cam (13) in clockwise and anticlockwise direction. Plurality of guide roller follower (7, 8) having one end mounted on the inner side of rail (5) and other end attached to the cam (13) wherein, the roller follower (7, 8) are provided for sliding the slider mechanism (14). Plurality of pins (2) are mounted on the cam (13) for engaging with the two rods mounted on inner top (8) and inner bottom (7) side of the rails (5) for sliding the slider mechanism (14). Plurality of guide rod (15) is mounted on slider mechanism (14) and attached to roller follower (7, 8) respectively for guiding the roller follower (7, 8) along the rail. The spring (9) is in decompressed state, when the teeth of the slider mechanism (14) are engaged with teeth of the rails (5). On turning the knob (3) by 90 degrees, the cam (13) is actuated pushing the roller follower apart, thus compressing the spring (9) and expanding the distance in the horizontal surfaces (1). The teeth (12) of the slider mechanism (14) are disengaged from the teeth (11) of the rail. Once disengaged, slider mechanism (14) can be freely slided along the rail and adjusted at a desired location. Once desired location is reached, the knob (3) is turned by 90 degrees thus, turning the cam (13), decompressing the spring (9), reducing the distance between the horizontal surfaces (1) and engaging the teeth (12) of the slider mechanism (14) and teeth (11) of the rail.
[0027] Referring Figure 2, the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) in an engaged position is disclosed.
[0028] In an embodiment, a plurality of teeth of the slider mechanism are engaged with a plurality of teeth of the rail. The engagement of the teeth may provide a firm engagement of the lower anchorage further preventing the lower anchorage from sliding within the slide path.
[0029] Referring Figure 3, the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) in a disengaged position is disclosed.
[0030] Referring to Figure 4, in an embodiment, a plurality of teeth of the slider mechanism are disengaged with a plurality of teeth of the rail. The disengagement of the teeth may allow the lower anchorage for sliding within the slide path between side A to side B
[0031] Accordingly, the present invention discloses a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) for seat belt comprising at least one groove in the sill of a vehicle provided with top and bottom horizontal surfaces (6), at least one rail (5) with an engaging means (11) on the inner side is configured to be mounted on said horizontal surfaces (6) through resilient means (9) and at least one slider mechanism (14) with engaging means (12) on at least one side configured to be mounted between at least one rail (5).
[0032] The slider mechanism (14) is configured with plurality of engaging means (12) to mesh with engaging means of the rail (11). The slider mechanism (14) is provided with a pivot pin at the center wherein, a knob (3) is mounted on one end of the said pivot pin on one side of the slider mechanism and a cam (13) is mounted on other end of the said pivot pin on other side of the slider mechanism. At least one guiding means (15) configured to mounted on one side of the slider mechanism (14) to mount and guide roller follower (7, 8). The roller follower (7, 8) is configured to push the rail (5) apart from said slider mechanism (14) by compressing the resilient means (9) on actuation of cam (13) through the knob (3) to disengage the slider mechanism (14) from the rail (5) for freely sliding of the said slider mechanism (14) on the rail (5). The cam (13) is configured to be actuated on rotation of knob (3) by 90 degrees for disengaging the slider mechanism (14) from the rail (5) for freely sliding of the said slider mechanism (14) on the rail (5). The slider mechanism (14) is configured to be engaged from disengaged position on rotation of knob (3) by 90 degrees from the disengaged position. The resilient means (9) is configured to be a compression spring.
[0033] The method for operating the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly comprises the steps of:
• Rotating the knob (3) of the slider mechanism (14) by 90 degrees for actuating the cam (13) to push the rail (5) apart through the roller follower (7, 8) to compress the resilient means (9) to disengage the engaging means (11) of the rail and engaging means (12) of slider mechanism.
• Sliding the slider mechanism (14) to a desired position.
• Rotating the knob (3) of the slider mechanism (14) by 90 degrees to engage the engaging means (11) of the rail and engaging means (12) of slider mechanism.
[0034] Further, the invention can be used, but not limited to, in the following applications.
[0035] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following:
[0036] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide an innovative lower anchorage adjuster which provides better belt overlap across lap.
[0037] Some embodiments of the present subject matter addresses the issue of higher HIC and Chest injuries for real world drivers and encouraging them to wear seatbelt by making it more comfortable to wear..
[0038] Although implementations for a lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt and method to operate thereof have been described in language specific to structural features and/or system, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations.
[0039] Figures 1-6 are now described using the reference numbers stated in the below table.
Reference Numeral Description
1 Gap between the two teeth
2 Push pins
3 Knob
4 Mounting of spring to rod at one end
5 Rail
6 Horizontal surface
7 Bottom rod
8 Top rod
9 Spring
10 Rolling ball connecting the spring to the rail
11 Teeth of the rail
12 Teeth of the slider assembly
13 Cam
14 Slider mechanism
15 Guide rod
100 Lower anchorage gear shifter assembly

,CLAIMS:
1. A lower anchorage gear shifter assembly (100) for seat belt comprising:
at least one groove in the sill of a vehicle provided with top and bottom horizontal surfaces (6);
at least one rail (5) with an engaging means (11) on the inner side is configured to be mounted on said horizontal surfaces (6) through resilient means (9); and
at least one slider mechanism (14) with engaging means (12) on at least one side configured to be mounted between at least one rail (5).

2. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider mechanism (14) is configured with plurality of engaging means (12) to mesh with engaging means of the rail (11).

3. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider mechanism (14) is provided with a pivot pin at the center wherein, a knob (3) is mounted on one end of the said pivot pin on one side of the slider mechanism and a cam (13) is mounted on other end of the said pivot pin on other side of the slider mechanism.

4. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one guiding means (15) configured to mounted on one side of the slider mechanism (14) to mount and guide roller follower (7, 8).

5. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein said roller follower (7, 8) is configured to push the rail (5) apart from said slider mechanism (14) by compressing the resilient means (9) on actuation of cam (13) through the knob (3) to disengage the slider mechanism (14) from the rail (5) for freely sliding of the said slider mechanism (14) on the rail (5).

6. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cam (13) is configured to be actuated on rotation of knob (3) by 90 degrees for disengaging the slider mechanism (14) from the rail (5) for freely sliding of the said slider mechanism (14) on the rail (5).

7. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider mechanism (14) is configured to be engaged from disengaged position on rotation of knob (3) by 90 degrees from the disengaged position.

8. The lower anchorage gear shifter assembly for seat belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient means (9) is configured to be a compression spring.

9. A method for operating the lower anchorage gear shifter assembly comprises the steps of:
• rotating the knob (3) of the slider mechanism (14) by 90 degrees for actuating the cam (13) to push the rail (5) apart through the roller follower (7, 8) to compress the resilient means (9) to disengage the engaging means (11) of the rail and engaging means (12) of slider mechanism;
• sliding the slider mechanism (14) to a desired position;
• rotating the knob (3) of the slider mechanism (14) by 90 degrees to engage the engaging means (11) of the rail and engaging means (12) of slider mechanism.