I claim:
1. A seat belt retractor comprising a belt reel rotatably mounted on a frame, a motive spring that biases the belt reel in a winding direction, an electric motor adjusts the spring force of the motive spring andor produces a torque for tightening a seat belt, and a clutch via which the torque can be transmitted to the belt reel, wherein the clutch comprises a spring element that can be deformed by the torque and which, when deformed, brings the clutch into an engaged state, wherein the spring element is fastened at one end of the spring by a holding device actuated by inertial force at least to initiate the deformation of the spring element, while the torque acts at the other end of the spring.
2. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is connected to the belt reel by a releasable interlocking fit.
3. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is connected to the belt reel by a frictional fit.
4. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is mounted in a freely movable manner with respect to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor and can be moved into the fastening position when there is torque-induced movement with respect to an inertial mass by a control element provided on the inertial mass.
5. Seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is mounted rotatably with respect to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor and can be moved into a fastening position when there is torque-induced movement with respect to an inertial mass by a control element provided on the inertial mass.
6. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is pivotally mounted on an annular bearing mounted in a freely rotatable manner relative to the belt reel in normal operation, and the end of the spring to be fastened is connected to the bearing.
7. The seat belt retractor according to claim 2 wherein the interlocking fit is formed by at a pawl that engages with teeth non-rotatably connected to the belt reel.
8. The seat belt retractor according to claim 7 wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted against the force of a return spring in a pivot bearing on the bearing.
9. The seat belt retractor according to claim 8 wherein the return spring is supported on the inertial mass.
10. The seat belt retractor according to claim 3 wherein the releasable frictional fit in the holding device comprises at least one clamping element connected to the bearing, said clamping element being movable into a fastening position by a control face provided on the inertial mass.
11. The seat belt retractor according to claim 3 wherein the releasable frictional fit in the holding device comprises at least one rolling clamping element connected to the bearing, said rolling clamping element being movable into a fastening position by a control face provided on the inertial mass.
12. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass is freely movable relative to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor.
13. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass is rotatable relative to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor.
14. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass is annular.
15. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary holding device is provided for fastening the inertial mass when the holding device is guided into the fastening position, said auxiliary holding device can be actuated electromagnetically and can be controlled by a control unit controlling the electric motor.
16. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device remains in its fastening position during the transmission of torque.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A universal bushing tool comprising:
a handle member having a longitudinal axis, wherein said handle member includes a first end and a second end;
at least one interchangeable handle extension for attachment to said handle member, wherein said handle extension includes a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one interchangeable pilot stud having a pilot diameter, wherein said pilot stud further includes a longitudinal bore, said pilot stud being disposed in end-to-end relation to said at least one interchangeable handle extension;
a cap screw extending through said bore within said pilot stud, wherein said cap screw engages mating threads formed in said handle extension; and
at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments, wherein said wedge segments are captured intermediate said pilot stud and said handle extension by advancing said cap screw into said mating threads formed in said handle extension.
2. A universal bushing tool of claim 1 wherein said handle member includes a threaded hole formed at said second end thereof, wherein said threaded hole is concentric to said longitudinal axis.
3. A universal bushing tool of claim 2 wherein said handle member includes a knurled gripping surface.
4. A universal bushing tool of claim 2 wherein said at least one interchangeable handle extension includes a threaded member projecting from said proximal end thereof for engagement within said threaded hole formed in said handle member.
5. A universal bushing tool of claim 4 wherein said at least one interchangeable handle extension further includes a threaded hole formed at said distal end thereof for engagement with said cap screw.
6. A universal bushing tool of claim 2 wherein said at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments includes four of said wedge segments, wherein said wedge segments are radially disposed about said pilot stud at ninety-degree intervals in a disc-shaped configuration.
7. A universal bushing tool of claim 6 wherein each of said wedge segments includes an inside radius formed thereon, wherein said inside radius is configured for mating engagement with said pilot diameter.
8. A universal bushing tool of claim 1 wherein said handle extension includes a cross hole extending therethrough at a predetermined axial location.
9. A method of removing a bushing from a machine assembly utilizing a bushing removal tool, wherein said bushing removal tool comprises a handle member, at least one interchangeable handle extension member having a threaded projection formed thereon at a proximal end and a threaded hole formed at a distal end thereof, wherein said handle extension member further includes a cross-hole drilled therein, at least one interchangeable pilot stud having a pilot diameter formed thereon, wherein said pilot stud further includes a longitudinal bore, at least one cap screw, and at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments, wherein each wedge segment includes an inside radius formed thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
selecting a handle extension member based on available access to said bushing;
attaching said handle member to said handle extension member;
installing said set of wedge segments onto said bushing removal tool; and
removing said bushing from said machine assembly.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of attaching further includes the steps of:
engaging said threaded projection formed on said handle extension member within said handle member; and
tightening said handle extension member within said handle member.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of tightening further includes the steps of:
inserting a cylindrical pin into said cross-hole drilled through said handle extension member; and
rotating said pin until a predetermined torque is obtained on said threaded projection.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of installing further includes the steps of:
selecting said wedge segments based on a diameter of said bushing to be removed;
arranging said wedge segments on said pilot diameter at 90 degree intervals to form a disc-shaped subassembly;
inserting said cap screw through said longitudinal bore in said pilot stud; and
advancing said cap screw into said threaded hole formed in said handle extension member to capture said wedge segments in their functional position.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of removing further includes the steps of:
aligning said bushing tool with said bushing such that said wedge segments contact said bushing; and
applying an axial force to said bushing removal tool such that said bushing is removed from said machine assembly.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of applying is carried out by a striking tool such as a hammer.
15. A bushing removal tool comprising:
a handle member having a longitudinal axis, wherein said handle member includes a first end and a second end;
a handle extension member integrally formed in concentric relation to said handle member, wherein said handle extension includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said handle extension further includes a threaded hole formed in said distal end thereof;
at least one interchangeable pilot stud having a pilot diameter formed thereon, wherein said pilot stud further includes a longitudinal bore, said pilot stud being disposed in end-to-end relation to said distal end of said handle extension;
a cap screw extending through said longitudinal bore of said pilot stud, wherein said cap screw engages said threaded hole in said handle extension; and
at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments, wherein said wedge segments are captured intermediate said pilot stud and said handle extension by advancing said cap screw into said handle extension to tighten said pilot stud against said wedge segments.
16. A bushing removal tool of claim 15 wherein said handle member includes a knurled gripping surface.
17. A bushing removal tool of claim 15 wherein said at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments includes four of said wedge segments radially disposed about said pilot diameter at ninety-degree intervals in a disk-shaped configuration.
18. A bushing removal tool of claim 16 wherein each of said wedge segments includes an inside radius formed thereon, wherein said inside radius is configured for mating engagement with said pilot diameter formed on said pilot stud.