Abstract: A vehicle seat belt retractor includes a spool on which seat belt webbing is wound. The spool is rotatable in belt withdrawal and belt retraction directions. A lock bar is movable into engagement with a spool locking ratchet to lock the spool against rotation in the belt withdrawal direction. A first member is rotatable with the spool. A lock bar actuator is supported for rotation on the first member. Rotation of the lock bar actuator moves the lock bar into engagement with the spool locking ratchet. A flywheel is rotatable relative to the spool. The flywheel lags rotation of the spool upon acceleration of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction at a rate above a predetermined rate. In response to lagging rotation of the flywheel relative to the spool, the control pawl moves in an opening in the first member. The pawl engages the lock bar actuator and transmits rotational force from the first member to the lock bar actuator to move the lock bar actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is related to providing a non-infectious molecular clone of a mutant HIV and HIV proteins useful as immunogens and reagents for diagnostic kit.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety apparatus having a belt which restrains an occupant of a vehicle against movement relative to the vehicle. A tongue assembly is mounted on the belt and is connectable with a buckle to secure the belt across the lap and torso of the occupant of the vehicle. The tongue assembly includes a lock bar which is movable relative to a base of the tongue assembly between an engaged position in which the belt is clamped between the base and the lock bar and a release position in which the belt is freely movable relative to the tongue assembly. To facilitate movement of the belt relative to the tongue assembly, when the tongue assembly is disconnected from the buckle, the belt extends along a substantially linear path through the tongue assembly. This is accomplished in part by having the belt enter the tongue assembly through an opening adjacent to the base of the tongue assembly and in a direction generally parallel to the base.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt spool supported by a frame for rotation about an axis in belt withdrawal and belt retraction directions. A ratchet wheel is connected to and rotatable with the spool. A pawl is pivotable between a release position in which it does not engage the ratchet wheel to allow rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction and a lock position in which it engages the ratchet wheel to prevent rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction. The pawl pivots from the release position towards the lock position in response to rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction at a rate of acceleration above a predetermined rate. A spring is coupled to the frame and the pawl to pivot the pawl to the lock position after the pawl pivots beyond a predetermined position defined by a line interconnecting the pivot point of the pawl and the point at which the spring is connected to the frame.

Abstract: A lock mode selection structure for seat belt retractors having a vehicle sensitive lock mode and an automatic lock mode in which a specific interval of withdrawal activates the automatic lock mode in a pilot pawl lock structure and thereafter the vehicle sensitive lock mode is restored by selected rewind or retraction movement of spool.