DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a guiding device for safety belts adapted to secure the position of a driver or passenger of a car with respect to the respective seat, in particular for applications to racing cars.

Background

As it is known, the racing cars are equipped with safety belts to secure the position of a driver or passenger of the car even at high speeds or when there are high stresses, for example at strong brakes.

Typically, the safety belts adopted in sport field are different from those commonly used on the production cars, at least as far as the number of attachments to the car frame and/or the mode for fastening/releasing on the driver body are concerned.

In this sense, in sport field safety belts are used having 3, 4, 5 or 6 points, wherein under the term“points” one relates indeed to the number of points for anchoring the belts to the car structure.

This type of belts can provide that some belt sections (those intended to prevent the driver from slipping forwards, that is according to the direction of driving motion of the car) are fastened to the car structure at the seat, underneath the same, and made to pass through an opening placed at the seating portion of the seat in order to secure the subject sit therein.

However, especially when road cars are adapted and modified for sport use on tract, it can happen the case wherein in the area underneath the guiding seat, there are no frame structures suitable for anchoring the safety belts. In fact, often, underneath the seat there is only the car bottom, generally consisted of a thin sheet, generally a low resistance sheet. In these cases, it is customary to anchor the belt sections winding the driver’s hips (third and fourth point) and/or the belt sections passing through the driver’s legs (fifth and sixth point) to the same structure of the seat. Therefore, the driver is secured to the seat, but not to the car.

It is clear that in case of accident this configuration has the dangerous disadvantage of not guaranteeing to keep the driver aboard the car. In fact, the system for fastening the belts directly to the seat does not prevent the seat itself, together with the driver made integral thereto by means of the belts, from detaching.

Technical problem solved by the invention

The object of the present invention is to solve the problems unsolved by the known art, by providing a solution allowing a correct positioning of the safety belts in the car.

This is obtained through a guiding device as defined in claim 1.

Additionally, the present invention relates to an assembly of seat as defined in claim 17, as well as a car comprising an anchoring and guiding device and/or the aforementioned assembly of seat according to claim 20.

Additional features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding depending claims.

The present invention involves several and evident advantages with respect to the known art.

The main advantage of the present invention is to allow to guide one or more sections of safety belts at of the lower portion of the seat, at the opening adapted to allow the passage of the belts themselves.

Moreover, the device of the invention can advantageously provide simultaneously the fastening of one or more sections of safety belts, by becoming in reality a device for anchoring and guiding one or more sections of safety belts. In this sense, the device can have substantially a frame structure which comprises its own attachment means of the belts, outside the lower portion of the seat opposite to the seating surface. Moreover, the device comprises guiding means of the safety belts anchored thereto.

In particular, the device is configured to allow the constraint of the so-called“fifth” and“sixth point” of the safety belts in the seats of racing cars, mainly to prevent the driver from sliding forwards during abrupt brakes. However, as it will be shown, it can be used even for anchoring the belt sections corresponding to the“third” and “fourth” point of the typical sport belts.

The frame structure can be assembled by simply interposing it between the seat (wherein under seat the set of seat element and the possible slide allowing the adjustment thereof in the position is meant) and the car frame.

The shape and sizes of frame could evidently be adapted depending upon the car brand and model, such that it could cooperate with the closest structures of the car frame resulting suitable for anchoring safety belts.

According to embodiments of the invention, the connection between the frame structure and the support structures of the car frame can be implemented by means of threaded connections, by exploiting holes already existing on the original frame of the car.

Still, the guiding device comprises guiding means allowing to put in tension and to adjust the orientation of the belts, to address them at the opening of the seat. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, such adjustment means comprises a tubular element, around thereof the belt winds according to a given winding angle, based thereupon it varies in its orientation outgoing from the device. Such winding angle, of course, depends upon the mutual position of the guiding device, in particular of the guiding tubular element and of the opening of the seat wherein the belt has to be inserted.

Advantageously, thanks to limited overall dimensions, the presence of the guiding device according to the present invention does not affect the sliding of the seat and allows an easy adjustment of the safety belts. Other advantages, together with the features and the use modes of the present invention, will result evident from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, shown by way of example and not for limitative purposes.

Brief description of the figures

The drawings shown in the enclosed figures will be referred to, wherein:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the anchoring and guiding device according to the present invention;

• figure 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment of figure 1 , wherein even safety belts connected to the guiding device are represented;

• figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of figure 1 , in a configuration for connecting to a seat and to a car frame; and

• figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of figure 1 , in a configuration for connecting to a safety belt, to a seat and to the frame of a car.

The present invention will be described hereinafter by referring to the aforementioned figures. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A preferred embodiment di un guiding device of safety belts according to the present invention is shown in figures 1 and 2, wherein it is designated as a whole with 1.

The device 1 is suitable for application to racing cars, which have a plurality of sections of safety belts for each seat. Such belts are intended to wrap the subject seated on the seat to prevent him/her from being thrown out due to the strong stresses caused by high speed. In particular, such cars have seats provided with a through-opening at the seating portion, wherein the passage of at least one of the belts is provided. The device 1 is configured to allow fastening and guiding one or more sections of belts 1 1. Under guiding the action of keeping in tension the aforementioned one or more belts 11 is meant and moreover to allow an orientation of the same. In particular, when the device 1 is in use, that is when it is installed in a car at the lower portion di a seat, the device 1 orients the belt fastened thereto towards the lower portion of the seat, or better towards the opening existing in the lower portion of the seat, as it will be better described hereinafter.

For convenience, if hereinafter only one belt will be referred to, it is to be meant that what is described is valid also for the presence of a plurality of belt sections, as shown by way of example in figure 2.

The device 1 is further configured to connect to the car seat and to the frame or trampling surface of the car itself.

The guiding device 1 has an overall flat conformation and in plan view (for example view of figure 2) it has a longitudinal development direction L and a transverse development direction T.

In the present case, under longitudinal development direction a direction substantially coincident with the driving direction of the car during travel is meant.

Consequently, under transverse direction a direction substantially perpendicular to the driving direction of the car during travel is meant.

Moreover, the terms“anterior”, “front”, and so on are to be interpreted with reference to the corresponding car portion, as oriented in the ordinary forward driving direction. On the contrary, the terms“posterior”,“back”, and so on are to be referred to the opposite car portion.

The frame 10 in turn comprises first means 2 and 4 for connecting to the support structures S of the car frame.

According to an additional embodiment, the frame 10 can even comprise second connection means 3 for anchoring one or more sections of safety belts 1 1.

It is, however, to be meant that the anchoring of the safety belt sections has not necessarily to be provided on the device of the present invention. In fact, the anchoring could even be implemented on anchoring points directly on the frame of the car (whenever possible) or on other neighbouring structures suitable to the purpose.

Therefore, the herein described preferred embodiment, which provides even the presence of second connection means 3 for the safety belts, is clearly to be considered by way of example.

Still, the device 1 comprises guiding means 5 of the aforementioned one or more belts 11 , connected to said support frame 10 and configured to allow an orientation of the aforementioned one or more belts 1 1 , and in particular to keep them in tension when the device 1 is in use.

The guiding means 5 is preferably arranged in a front position with respect to the second connection means 3 with reference to the longitudinal development direction L. However, such configuration has not to be considered essential, since different configurations can be provided.

With reference to the preferred configuration, in use, when the guiding device 1 is connected underneath the seat and interposed between the support structures of the car frame and the seat itself, the overall configuration is such that the guiding means 5 is arranged in a front position with respect to the second connection means 3 with reference to the driving direction A of the car.

According to such preferred embodiment shown in figure 1 , the guiding means 5 comprises an elongated element 51 , which preferably has a cylindrical or tubular shape. The shaping of the means 5, in particular that of the cylindrical or tubular element 51 , is such that the aforementioned one or more belts 11 are adhering thereto according to a given winding angle a. In other words, one or more belts 1 1 are fastened - for example at one of their end portions, as shown in figure 2 - to the device 1 by means of the second connection means 3, and starting from such fastening points they are brought towards the guiding means 5. The belts 11 are made to adhere partially to the latter guiding means 5 according to a given winding angle a, based thereupon they have a determined orientation. The latter orientation is such as to address the belts 11 towards the lower portion of the seat, in particular towards the opening existing in the lower portion of the seat. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in figures, the elongated element 51 is arranged so as to have its own longitudinal development direction S orthogonal to the first longitudinal development direction L of the support frame 10.

With reference to the support frame 10, this can include a front terminal element 7 and a rear terminal element 6, each opposite to the other along the longitudinal development direction L. Such terminal elements 6, 7 can have an elongated shape and have a first main development direction P parallel to the transverse development direction T. Preferably, one or both terminal elements 6, 7 can have a“L”-shaped section, to fit and be connected to support structures S transversal with respect to the driving direction of the car.

However, it is to be meant that the shape of the terminal elements 6, 7 could be varied depending upon the support structures whereon they are intended to be fastened. In the same way it is not to be excluded that the terminal elements 6 and 7 are not positioned one on the rear side and one on the front side with respect to the driving direction, but for example positioned so as to be able to be connected to support structures arranged longitudinally with respect to the driving direction of the car.

The second means 3 for connecting to the belts 11 is preferably arranged at the rear terminal element 6. The first connection means 2 can be arranged at the rear terminal element 6 and the front terminal element 7, to allow a stable fastening of the device to the seat. Still, even the connection means 4 can be arranged at the rear terminal element 6 and the front terminal element 7, to allow a stable fastening of the device to the car. The first connection means 2 and 4 preferably comprise mechanical connection means, in particular configured to implement a connection of threaded type. In this respect, the first connection means 2 and 4 can comprise one or more through-holes, for example obtained respectively on the rear terminal element 6 and/or on the front terminal element 7. The connections are then secured by applying screws or other threaded elements. Similarly, the second connection means 3, which can be used for anchoring the safety belts, can be of the type using threaded elements.

However, it is to be meant that the safety belts can be anchored and connected to the device, or to other support structures, by means of anyone of the already known modes, such as for example hooks, eyebolts, spring hooks or by wrapping-around. The support frame 10 further comprises one or more upright elements 8, which provide a connection between the rear terminal element 6, the front terminal element 7 and the guiding means 5, to implement preferably a closed frame structure wherein the guiding means 5 is inserted. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the device 1 comprises two upright elements 8, each opposite to the other along the transverse development direction T.

In particular, the upright elements 8 have elongated, preferably cylindrical or tubular, shape and have a main development direction M parallel to the longitudinal development direction L.

Such upright elements 8 can be connected to the rear terminal element 6 and to the front terminal element 7 at their own terminal ends, respectively, such that the support frame 10 has an overall quadrangular, preferably rectangular or squared, configuration.

The respective connections between the rear terminal element 6 and/or the front terminal element 7 and/or the guiding means 5 to one or more upright elements 8 are preferably implemented by welding.

The device of the invention is made at least partially of metallic material, preferably high resistant material.

A second particularly preferred embodiment of the support frame of the invention will be now referred to, which will be described exclusively with respect to the differences existing in the sofar described embodiment.

The support frame consists of five simple elements made of iron, easily weldable and processable.

Such elements comprise the two terminal elements 6, 7, implemented by means of a front plate and a rear plate, respectively, made of sheet of about 3 mm of thickness, bent like a L and perforated to implement the aforementioned connecting means 2, 3 and 4.

Additionally, there are two upright elements 8, also designated as beams, implemented by means of two solid round bars, having diameter equal to about 16 mm, and an elongated guiding element or crosspiece, implemented by means of a tube having diameter equal to about 25 mm and thickness of about 2 mm. The tube has two transverse through-holes having diameter of about 16 mm apt to allow the insertion of the two uprights 8.

The belts 1 1 are constrained to the rear plate, for example, with two screws M10 by means of the usual spring hooks. In this case, the stresses of the plate and of the screws are exclusively shear stresses. The shear force is transferred from the uprights 8 even to the front plate. In the device there are a total of seven shear- stressed screws M8.

The belt is then guided upwards to intercept the suitable opening of the seat by turning around the crosspiece which changes the direction of the applied force. The crosspiece works with simple bending and transfers the force applied to the two beams which work under bending (little, since the crosspiece is very near to the front plate), shear and traction/compression (the force exerted by the belts is broken down by the crosspiece in a resulting oblique).

In this way, the two front and rear plates are stressed as follows:

- front plate: for about half to shear, for the other half upwards (stress thereto three screws M8 resist to traction). Upper stiffnesses can be reached by gluing the plate to the frame through a suitable sealant (for example like Sicaflex) and/or the application of through-screws and counter-plates from the car bottom (it is necessary to pierce the frame);

- rear plate: to simple shear (four shear-stressed screws M8).

In particular, it is considered that both the production belts and the racing belts are constrained to the seat of the racing car, which in turn is constrained to the frame with four screws M8. On the contrary, with the device according to the invention, the so-called fifth and sixth point of the belts would be constrained to a much stiffer structure of the seat, as well as connected to the frame with seven screws M8, or otherwise glued to the support structures, or fastened thereto by means of through- screws and suitably sized counter-plates.

Moreover, as already said previously, even the third and fourth point of the belts can be constrained to the device, by selecting points of the same suitable to house the related attachments.

By referring again to figures 3 and 4, the device is configured for being installed in the passenger compartment of a car comprising a seat 20, and is adapted to be connected to support structures S of the car frame.

According to the present invention, the device can further be adapted to implement an assembly with a seat 20. In particular, such seat 20 is a seat for racing cars, which has an opening at its own seating element. The opening is configured to allow the passage of one or more safety belts 11 addressed therein by means of the guiding means 5. As said previously, the overall configuration of the assembly 200 is such that the guiding means 5 is arranged in a front position with respect to the second connection means 3, with reference to a direction A of driving motion of the car.

As it can be seen from enclosed figures 3 and 4, the guiding device 1 preferably has plan view dimensions which are substantially equal to the overall dimensions of the lower portion of the seat 20.

The present invention has been sofar described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be meant that each one of the technical solutions implemented in the preferred embodiments, herein described by way of example, can advantageously be combined, differently from what described, with the other ones, to produce additional embodiments, belonging to the same inventive core and however all within the protective scope of the herebelow reported claims.