Patent AT-E400465-T1: [Translated] BELT TENSION INDICATOR

A tension detector has a flexible strap ( 350 ) having its end stitched into a loop ( 352 ) that wraps round a central shaft ( 354 ). A U-shaped one-piece coil spring has two coiled end portions ( 356 ) and ( 358 ) wrapped round the shaft ( 354 ). The end portions ( 356 ) and ( 358 ) are inter-connected by a central stirrup ( 360 ). A tether strap ( 316 ) has a loop ( 362 ) sewn into its end which engages round the stirrup ( 360 ). The ends of the shaft ( 354 ) are journalled in side walls of a housing ( 366 ). Each side wall has an inwardly direct abutment projection ( 368 ). The upper surface of the housing ( 366 ) includes a window ( 370 ) through which an arcuate indicator ( 372 ) is visible. The indicator ( 372 ) has side legs ( 374 ) and ( 376 ) that are slidably mounted on the stirrup ( 360 ). When the strap ( 316 ) is relaxed, the left hand end of the arcuate indicator ( 372 ) is visible through the window ( 370 ). When the strap ( 316 ) is tightened, the arcuate indicator ( 372 ) pivots to the position shown in <FIGREF IDREF="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</FIGREF> in which its right hand end, which is of a different color to its left hand end, is visible through the window ( 370 ), indicating that the strap ( 316 ) has been tightened adequately. In the event of a crash, the coiled end portions ( 356 ) and ( 358 ) of the spring over-ride the abutment projections ( 368 ) and partially unwrap from the shaft ( 354 ) so that an extended stirrup portion ( 360 ) projects from the housing ( 366 ).

[
  "009:25"
]

[
  "009:066"
]

[
  "NIH"
]