The subject matter in general relates to a seat belt retractor for rear
passenger in an automobile. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a mounting bracket for attaching the seat belt retractor.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Many accidents occur every single day and the safety of the occupants
within the vehicle during such unforeseen circumstances is of paramount importance. The safety of the occupants is directly proportional to the number of safety devices provided in the vehicle. There are a number of such safety devices in the vehicle, prominent among them is the seat belt. Fastened seat belts keep the occupants safe and secure inside the vehicle during the event of a crash.
[004] Generally, seat belts are of two types, three-point seatbelt and two point
seatbelt. The three-point seatbelt (also known as a diagonal seatbelt) is the most commonly used seatbelt in cars today and comes across the driver's shoulder and lap to buckle at the side. Whereas, the two-point belt (also known as a lap belt) goes across the lap only.
[005] Front passengers and the rear window seat passengers are often
provided with the three-point seatbelt. However, conventionally the rear middle seat passenger is provided with a two-point seat belt. There have been various studies that show that the three-point seatbelt is much safer than the two point seat belt for occupants. Furthermore, with increased emphasis on occupants' safety, there have been government norms mandating three-point seatbelt for the rear middle seat passenger in the vehicle.

[006] In sedan vehicles with longer partition panels, it is easier to provide a
seat belt retractor in the partition panel, as the partition panel is sufficiently long so as to package the seat belt retractor inside a box section in the partition panel.
[007] However, in sedan vehicles with shorter overall length compared to
sedan vehicles with longer overall length, the space with regards to the partition panel is reduced due to the reduction in the overall length of the vehicle. The partition panel plays a major role in providing torsional rigidity to the vehicle and if a hole is created in a shorter partition panel, to accommodate the seat belt retractor, it will lose its strength and will not function as desired. Alternatively, if the seat belt retractor is assembled on top of the shorter partition panel, a separate cover needs to be provided to hide the retractor. This additional cover doesn't look aesthetically pleasing and gives an appearance of an odd hump on the partition panel. Also, there are chances that the driver's rear visibility may be hampered due to the presence of the hump.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[008] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some
of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[009] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a mounting bracket
for mounting a seat belt retractor to a back panel of an automobile.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a mounting bracket that can be in a back panel of an automobile with lack of space to package the seat belt retractor.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a mounting bracket that does not compromise the aesthetics of an automobile.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a mounting bracket
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[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a mounting bracket for mounting a seat belt retractor. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0015] The present disclosure relates to a mounting bracket for mounting a seat belt retractor to a back panel of an automobile. The mounting bracket comprises a first reinforcement and a second reinforcement. The first reinforcement defines an L-shape structure configured to be attached to a rear portion of a back panel. The second reinforcement comprises a vertical wall, a horizontal wall and a triangular side wall. The horizontal wall extends from one end of the vertical wall. The vertical wall and the horizontal wall define an L-shape structure. The triangular side wall is adjacent to the vertical wall and the horizontal wall. The triangular side wall is transverse to the vertical wall and the horizontal wall. The second reinforcement is configured to be attached to a front portion of the back panel.
[0016] In an embodiment, the first reinforcement comprises a first portion and a second portion. Surface plane of the first portion and the second portion are transverse to each other to define the L-shape structure.
[0017] In an embodiment, the second portion of the first reinforcement is configured to lie on the vertical wall of the second reinforcement.
[0018] In an embodiment, the first portion defines a first reinforcement hole to receive a fastener.

[0019] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement comprises an extended flange extending transversely from the vertical wall. The extended flange is configured to lie on the rear portion of the back panel.
[0020] In an embodiment, the extended flange defines a second reinforcement hole to receive a fastener. The first reinforcement hole and the second reinforcement hole are coaxial to each other when the second portion of the first reinforcement is configured to lie on the vertical wall of the second reinforcement.
[0021] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement comprises two triangular side walls with each triangular side wall attached to each corresponding sides of the vertical wall and the horizontal wall.
[0022] In an embodiment, the vertical wall, the horizontal wall and the two triangular side walls define a containment area for receiving a seat belt retractor.
[0023] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement comprises flange portion extending transversely from the triangular side wall. The flange portion is configured to lie on the front portion of the back panel.
[0024] In an embodiment, the front portion of the back panel defines a through-hole configured to receive the second reinforcement.
[0025] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present

subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 discloses an isometric view of a mounting bracket attached to a back panel of an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 discloses an exploded view of the mounting bracket along with the back panel of the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 3 discloses an isometric view of a first reinforcement of the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4 discloses an isometric view of a second reinforcement of the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0031] FIG. 5 discloses an isometric view of a seat belt retractor attached to the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0032] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives

falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "consisting" and/or "including" when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0036] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0037] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of

ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is an isometric view of a mounting bracket 100 attached to a back panel 102 of an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mounting bracket 100 may be configured to mount a seat belt retractor 500 (shown in FIG. 5) to the back panel 102 of the automobile.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, disclosed is an exploded view of the mounting bracket 100 along with the back panel 102 of the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, the back panel 102 comprises a rear portion 208 and a front portion 210. The front portion 210 of the back panel 102 may be in contact with the rear seat of the automobile and may extend towards the tail of the automobile. The rear portion 208 of the back panel 102 may extend from the front portion 210 towards the rear of the automobile.
[0041] In an embodiment, the front portion 210 may be inclined with respect to the rear portion 208 of the back panel 102.
[0042] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket 100 comprises a first reinforcement 202 and a second reinforcement 204.
[0043] In an embodiment, the front portion 210 of the back panel 102 may define a through-hole 206 that may be configured to receive the second reinforcement 204.
[0044] FIG. 3 discloses an isometric view of the first reinforcement 202 of the mounting bracket 100. The first reinforcement 202 defines an L-shape structure configured to be attached to a rear portion 208 of a back panel 102. The first

reinforcement 202 comprises a first portion 302 and a second portion 304. Surface plane of the first portion 302 and the second portion 304 are transverse to each other to define the L-shape structure.
[0045] In an embodiment, the first portion 302 of the first reinforcement 202 may define a first reinforcement hole 306 to receive a fastener 414 (shown in FIG. 4). The fastener 414 may be any one of screw, nut and bolt, or any other means conventionally known to fix two parts.
[0046] FIG. 4 discloses an isometric view of the second reinforcement 204 of the mounting bracket 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The second reinforcement 204 comprises a vertical wall 402, a horizontal wall 404 and a triangular side wall 406.
[0047] In an embodiment, the vertical wall 402 may extend along a height of the automobile and the horizontal wall 404 may extend along a length of the automobile.
[0048] The horizontal wall 404 extends from one end of the vertical wall 402 so that the vertical wall 402 and the horizontal wall 404 together define an L-shape structure. The triangular side wall 406 may be provided adjacent to the vertical wall 402 and the horizontal wall 404 such that the triangular side wall 406 connects a side of the vertical wall 402 to an adjacent side of the horizontal wall 404. The triangular side wall 406 may be transverse to the vertical wall 402 and the horizontal wall 404. The triangular side wall 406 may be triangular in shape.
[0049] In an embodiment, there may be two triangular side walls 406 with each triangular side wall 406 being attached to each corresponding sides of the vertical wall 402 and the horizontal wall 404.
[0050] In an embodiment, the vertical wall 402, the horizontal wall 404 and the two triangular side walls 406 define a containment area 408 for receiving the seat belt retractor 500 (shown in FIG. 5). The containment area 408 may be in the

shape of "V".
[0051] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement 204 may comprise a flange portion 410 extending transversely from the triangular side wall 406. The flange portion 410 may be configured to lie on the front portion 210 of the back panel 102. In an embodiment, the flange portion may be welded to the front portion 210 of the back panel 102 so as to attach the second reinforcement 204 to the back panel 102.
[0052] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement 204 may be configured to be attached to the front portion 210 of the back panel 102 such that the second reinforcement 204 is received within the through-hole 206 defined by the front portion 210 of the back panel 102.
[0053] In an embodiment, the second portion 304 of the first reinforcement 202 may be configured to lie on the vertical wall 402 of the second reinforcement 204.
[0054] In an embodiment, the second reinforcement 204 comprises an extended flange 412 extending transversely from the vertical wall 402. The extended flange 412 may be configured to lie on the rear portion 208 of the back panel 102. The extended flange 412 may define a second reinforcement hole (not shown) to receive the fastener 414. The fastener 414 may be any one of screw, nut and bolt, or any other means conventionally known to fix two parts.
[0055] In an embodiment, the first reinforcement hole 306 and the second reinforcement hole may be coaxial to each other when the second portion 304 of the first reinforcement 202 is configured to lie on the vertical wall 402 of the second reinforcement 204.
[0056] FIG. 5 discloses an isometric view of the seat belt retractor 500 attached to the mounting bracket 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The seat belt retractor 500 may define an outer body 502 with a through hole (not shown), wherein the though hole of the outer body 502 is coaxial with the first reinforcement hole 306 defined by the first reinforcement 202 and the second reinforcement hole

defined by the extended flange 412 so as to allow the passage of the fastener 414 to fasten the seat belt retractor 500 to the mounting bracket 100.
[0057] In an embodiment, the above described structural configuration of the mounting bracket 100 is specifically attributed to a sedan which has a shorter back panel 102, wherein there is lack of space to package the seat belt retractor within a box section without providing any bracket for its mounting.
[0058] The mounting bracket 100 maintains the strength and the integrity of the back panel without compromising its functionality. In addition to providing strength to the back panel to maintain the torsional rigidity of the automobile, the mounting bracket 100 also acts as support for the seat belt retractor after its mounting on the partition panel.
[0059] In an embodiment, a variety of vibration absorbing pads (not shown) and supports may be attached to the mounting bracket 100 so that the noise generated by the seat belt retractor 500 during its operation can be reduced. Additionally, the seat belt retractor 500 has to sustain a tremendous amount of load during the event of crash. The mounting bracket 100 will also help in sustaining these high loads and maintaining the integrity of the back panel during the event of a crash.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0060] The present disclosure proposes a mounting bracket for mounting a seat belt retractor to a back panel of an automobile.
[0061] The present disclosure proposes a mounting bracket that can be in a back panel of an automobile with lack of space to package the seat belt retractor.
[0062] The present disclosure proposes a mounting bracket that does not compromise the aesthetics of an automobile.
[0063] The present disclosure proposes a mounting bracket that does not

compromise the strength and torsional rigidity of the automobile.
[0064] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0065] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0066] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0067] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0068] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0069] The term "automobile" or "vehicle" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving automobile or vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term "automobile" or "vehicle" is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

we claim:

1. A mounting bracket (100) for mounting a seat belt retractor (500) to a back
panel (102) of an automobile, the mounting bracket (100) comprises:
a first reinforcement (202) defining an L-shape structure configured to be attached to a rear portion (208) of a back panel (102); and a second reinforcement (204) comprising: a vertical wall (402);
a horizontal wall (404) extending from one end of the vertical wall (402), wherein the vertical wall (402) and the horizontal wall (404) define an L-shape structure; and
a triangular side wall (406) adjacent to the vertical wall (402) and the horizontal wall (404), wherein the triangular side wall (406) is transverse to the vertical wall (402) and the horizontal wall (404), wherein the second reinforcement (204) is configured to be attached to a front portion (210) of the back panel (102).
2. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first reinforcement (202) comprises a first portion (302) and a second portion (304), wherein surface plane of the first portion (302) and the second portion (304) are transverse to each other to define the L-shape structure.
3. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second portion (304) of the first reinforcement (202) is configured to lie on the vertical wall (402) of the second reinforcement (204).
4. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion (302) defines a first reinforcement hole (306) to receive a fastener (414).
5. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second reinforcement (204) comprises an extended flange (412) extending transversely from the vertical wall (402), wherein the extended flange (412) is configured to lie on the rear portion (208) of the back panel (102).

6. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the extended flange (412) defines a second reinforcement hole to receive a fastener (414), wherein the first reinforcement hole (306) and the second reinforcement hole are coaxial to each other when the second portion (304) of the first reinforcement (202) is configured to lie on the vertical wall (402) of the second reinforcement (204).
7. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement (204) comprises two triangular side walls (406) with each triangular side wall (406) attached to each corresponding sides of the vertical wall (402) and the horizontal wall (404).
8. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vertical wall (402), the horizontal wall (404) and the two triangular side walls (406) define a containment area (408) for receiving a seat belt retractor (500).
9. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement (204) comprises flange portion (410) extending transversely from the triangular side wall (406), wherein the flange portion (410) is configured to lie on the front portion (210) of the back panel (102).
10. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front portion (210) of the back panel (102) defines a through-hole (206) configured to receive the second reinforcement (204).