Abstract: A restraint system includes a retractor housing, a spool rotatably coupled to the retractor housing and defining an axis of rotation, a threaded rod lockable relative to the retractor housing and elongated along the axis, a nut threaded on the threaded rod, and a spring elongated from a first end to a second end. The first end is fixed relative to the spool, and the second end is fixed relative to the nut.

Abstract: A restraint system for a removable vehicle seat is attached to the vehicle seat. A restraint tower associated with the restraint system transfers energy generated during vehicle impact.

Abstract: A child safety seat utilizes a compression-type resilient shock absorber in which a soft-material resilient member serves to dampen shocks applied to the seat's harness assembly by undergoing compressive deformation in a way that prevents the harness safety belts from experiencing a “hard stop”. The resilient member (e.g., a foam rubber block, a gel-like substance, or a fluid-filled bladder) is disposed such that one portion is held against a rigid support (e.g., the backside surface of the seat's shell), and a second portion is operably coupled to a fixed end of a safety belt. The resilient shock absorber is oriented such that tension applied to the safety belt pulls the two end portions of the resilient member toward each other and against the rigid support, thereby causing the resilient member to compressively deform against the rigid support.

Abstract: An energy attenuating seat system for an aircraft includes energy attenuating features and is also configured to provide mobility for the occupant. The system is configured to suspend the operator, or gunner, with a support from the roof of the aircraft. The system includes an armored seat or body harness for the occupant. The system provides energy attenuation in multiple directions. The system also optionally includes a floor tether in order to control the movements of the occupant. The system may also include an impact detection system to selectively change the tension of the support and/or floor harness. The system may also include one or more airbags either within in the fuselage of the aircraft, or included in the seat system in order to provide energy attenuation.

Abstract: In a webbing winding device, a sub-torsion shaft is inserted from one side in the axial direction of a spool into the spool when assembling the sub-torsion shaft to the spool. Subsequently, by the sub-torsion shaft rotating in the winding direction, movement of the sub-torsion shaft with respect to the spool in the winding direction and in one side in the axial direction is inhibited. Subsequently, by a stopper being fitted from one side in the axial direction into insertion groove portions, movement of the sub-torsion shaft with respect to the spool in the pull out direction is inhibited. Accordingly, since the direction in which the sub-torsion shaft is assembled to the spool becomes only a direction parallel to the axial direction of the spool, the assembility of the sub-torsion shaft with respect to the spool may be improved.

Abstract: A harness retractor (62) for a harness system (60) of a child safety harness, which has a tensioning web (80) and buckle connectors (70) coupled to straps of the safety harness. The tensioning device has a rotatable retractor mechanism (90) connected to the tensioning web (80) and biased to wind up the tensioning web in a wind up rotation direction. The tensioning device has a locking device (110) biased to a first position preventing rotation of the retractor mechanism in the wind up direction. The tensioning device has a buckle housing (64) coupled to the retractor mechanism. The buckle connectors (70) are releasably connectable to the buckle housing (64). A release mechanism is connected between the locking device (110) and the buckle housing (64) and can switch the locking device from the first position to a second position permitting rotation of the retractor mechanism in the wind up direction.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for reducing brain and cervical spine injury includes a headpiece sufficiently designed to secure to a user's head, the headpiece having a first attachment member; a support harness sufficiently designed to secure to the user's torso, the support harness having a second attachment member; and a telescoping member having a main tube and a series of progressively smaller diameter tubes nested within each other, wherein the smaller diameter tubes are adapted to extend and compress in a linear plane by the intake and outflow of fluid, wherein the telescoping member has a first engaging member for engaging the first attachment member, and wherein the telescoping member has a second engaging member for engaging the second attachment member.

Abstract: A method of downscaling the travel-time-function of a reference body of mass mt in a spring-mass system with a spring providing a spring force when the spring-mass system is exposed to an acceleration field with an acceleration which moves the reference body against the spring force according to the travel-time-function is provided. In this method, the downscaling is done by coupling the reference body of mass mt to additional masses mr which are kinematically linked together in such a way that they do not react to acceleration field.

Abstract: Seat belt systems and inflatable airbags can be used to mitigate the potential for injury to an occupant's neck. The seat belt systems provide for moderating the seat belt loads acting on the occupant to allow an improved synchronization of the occupant torso and head rebound timing, which in turn limits head and torso differential loading (frontal whiplash) and therefore occupant neck loads and neck, based on the position of the occupant, loads on the seatbelt, or a predetermined time in the crash event. Airbags are also provided with a sloped impact face. Additionally, airbags are also provided with a relatively flat top portion.

Abstract: A dilatant characteristic portion, that is structured to include a dilatant characteristic resin material, is provided at a portion of a webbing from a lap webbing portion to a portion that is further toward a shoulder webbing side than a through-hole of a tongue in a webbing applied state. When the webbing is pushed against an inner peripheral portion of the through-hole due to a body of a passenger pulling the webbing when a vehicle suddenly decelerates, the dilatant characteristic resin material hardens due to this load. Due thereto, flexure of the webbing when the webbing attempts to pass-through the through-hole and move is restricted, and therefore, the shoulder webbing passing-through the through-hole and moving toward a waist portion side of the passenger can be prevented or suppressed.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint system of the lapbelt/diagonal shoulder belt type wherein a sensor and lookup table are used to detect the onset of a collision and provide a programmed (a) relocation of the inboard seatbelt anchor point to increase pelvic area restraint and (b) asymmetric airbag deployment.

Abstract: An inflatable member is inflated by compressed gas that flows through the latch and hollow tubular tongue of a seat belt anchor. The inflatable member is retained in an uninflated condition in a split two layer belt. The latch is pivotally secured to a conduit that receives compressed inflation gas from a cylinder that is provided with a diffuser.

Abstract: A passenger restraint attachment for use by a passenger when wearing a passenger restraint having a shoulder harness for securing an upper torso of the passenger. The passenger restraint attachment includes a cushion having an upper portion including a shoulder harness receiver. A lower portion of the cushion has an S-shaped lower surface for engaging the body of the passenger.

Abstract: A buckle device for a motor vehicle is provided. The buckle device comprising a locking tongue for inserting into a buckle and a deflecting body connected to the locking tongue, which is configured to subdivide a safety belt into a shoulder portion and a lap portion and to deflect said safety belt such that the two portions extend away from the deflecting body in different directions. The deflecting body is connected to the locking tongue via at least one elongate element, which is at least partially wound around the deflecting body.

Abstract: An anchor plate (12) and an inner lap anchor (14) disposed at left and right sides of a vehicle seat are connected to an inner side cable (20A) and an outer side cable (20B), respectively. The anchor plate (12) and the inner lap anchor (14) are pulled substantially at the same time by a pretensioner device (21) when acceleration of a predetermined degree or more is applied to a seat (1). A support device (40) is provided between the inner lap anchor (14) and the inner side cable (20A) so as to support load applied to the inner lap anchor (14) in a distributed manner.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a seat belt. The seat bottom has a support frame to be attached to a vehicle body, and a bottom cushion supported by the support frame. A pretensioner is disposed between the bottom cushion and the support frame to move the bottom cushion rearward with respect to the support frame when the unpreferable external force is generated. When the pretensioner is actuated, the bottom cushion moves rearward, and a moving distance S of a tip anchor and a tongue anchor is set larger than a moving distance T of the bottom cushion.

Abstract: A 4-point occupant restraint belt system for a vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a back rest. A one-piece belt is connected to the vehicle at upper and lower attachment points disposed adjacent a first side of the vehicle seat, and a buckle is disposed adjacent an opposite second side of the vehicle seat. A latch is slidingly mounted on the belt and engagable with the buckle to secure the belt around a seat occupant in a three-point configuration. A lifting arm has a lowered position wherein it is beneath the belt and adjacent the latch when the latch is engaged with the buckle, and the lifting arm is movable to a raised position wherein it raises a portion of the belt to a position adjacent the back rest above the buckle, thereby creating a 4th belt attachment point.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes left and right inflating belts which are formed long in the vertical direction of a seat and in a belt shape enabling an occupant to be restrained; a first slider which is supported on an outer end side in the seat width direction by a support portion of one of the inflating belts in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the one inflating belt, and which retains an engaging member on an inner end side in the seat width direction; and a second slider which is supported on an outer end side in the seat width direction by a support portion of the other inflating belt in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the other inflating belt, and which retains an engageable member on an inner end side in the seat width direction.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame which is lightweight and strong includes a seat cushion frame supporting a seat cushion, a seat back frame supporting a seat back, a recliner rotatably connecting the seat back relative to the seat cushion and adjusting the rotation angle thereof and a shoulder belt anchor provided on the seat back frame for supporting one end of a shoulder belt. The back center frame of the seat back frame includes a hollow quadrangular shape outer peripheral portion and a reinforcement plate provided in the outer peripheral portion and placed in parallel with a direction of load to be applied on the shoulder belt anchor from the shoulder belt.

Abstract: An energy absorbing anchor for securing a child safety seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle and coupling to a tether of the child safety seat is provided. The energy absorbing anchor comprises a bracket including a first end having a tether coupling portion, and a tapered hole having a wide portion adjacent to the first end and a narrow portion opposite to the first end; and a protrusion extending through the tapered hole to secure the bracket to the mounting portion of the vehicle wherein the protrusion is positioned to be adjacent to the wide portion of the tapered hole and wherein the narrow portion of the tapered hole is narrower than a width of the protrusion; wherein, when the bracket is pulled in tension, the protrusion is drawn along a length of the tapered hole towards the narrower portion, thereby deforming a portion of walls of the tapered hole to widen the tapered hole, the walls of tapered hole being configured to increasingly absorb energy as a width of the tapered hole decreases.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioner includes a guide, which has a pair of opposing plates connected by a connector, a wire, a first end of which extends upward to be connected to a seat belt, a central portion of which is curved to extend around the connector, and a retracting mechanism, which is connected to the second end of the wire and is operated by an external signal in an emergency. Here, the connector is integrally formed with at least one of the plates. Thus, the seat belt tensioner enables structural simplification, easy assembly, and a reduction in the number of parts.

Abstract: A head and neck restraint device controls the motion of the head and forces exerted upon the neck of a seated occupant in a decelerating vehicle. A body defines a collar, right and left legs, and right and left wings. The collar is tethered to the helmet. Each leg has belt interaction surfaces that provide a friction action on the shoulder straps. Left and right extensions or wings residing under the shoulder strap rearward of the legs provide a restriction of rotation of the body and thus a binding action on the shoulder straps. A cantilever action is induced during forward impact by the tethers pulling on the collar of the body and the binding action on the shoulder straps, thus reducing the forward motion of the body. The present restraint device does not attach to the structure of the vehicle, allows travel thereof with respect to the seated occupant, yet controls the motion of the occupant's head in order to substantially reduce neck loads on the occupant.

Abstract: A webbing holding device is proposed, which prevents or controls abrupt reduction in take-up speed when taking-up of webbing is completed. In the webbing holding device, when the webbing is released from being fitted over an occupant, the webbing is wound to a retractor by biasing force. Here, immediately before taking-up of the webbing is completed, a guide strap is stretched by movement of a leading end portion of the webbing toward the back side of a vehicle, and thus the guide strap applies biasing force to the leading end portion of the webbing, so that the take-up speed of the webbing is reduced. Therefore, when winding of the webbing is finished, take-up speed of the webbing being abruptly reduced may be prevented or controlled, and therefore extraction of the webbing from the retractor being locked by a lock mechanism of the retractor may be prevented or controlled.

Abstract: A webbing retractor is provided that reduces the amount of webbing that is pulled-out after operation of a pretensioner mechanism. In a webbing retractor 10, a lock pawl 78 is set in a non-meshable state in which it cannot mesh with a lock gear 26. At a time when a pretensioner mechanism 34 operates and a clutch plate 42 rotates in a take-up direction, a lock stopper 86 rotates together with the clutch plate 42 and releases engagement with the lock pawl 78. Therefore, the lock pawl 78 is rotated by a compression coil spring 70 and changed to a meshable state. In this way, immediately after rotational force in a pull-out direction is applied to the lock gear 26 due to load from a vehicle occupant after operation of the pretensioner mechanism 34, the lock pawl 78 meshes with the lock gear 26, and pulling-out of a webbing 20 is impeded. Therefore, an amount of the webbing 20 which is pulled-out can be reduced.

Abstract: A seat belt apparatus is disclosed that includes a rotatable spool connected to the seat belt webbing and at least one variable energy absorbing mechanism connected to an end of the rotatable spool. The variable energy absorbing mechanism may include a chamber configured to be filled with a fluid and a flexible member attached to an outer circumference of the rotatable spool within the chamber.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for seat belt webbing is located in the vicinity of a belt anchor end of a three-point vehicle safety restraint seat belt. The pretensioning apparatus has a fixed member in the form of a tubular member that may be anchored to a vehicle seat at the belt anchor side of the vehicle. A movable member in the form of a piston is connected to the webbing in the region of the belt anchor end. A means is provided for moving the movable member relative to the fixed member in a generally horizontal direction, to move the seat belt webbing in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. A webbing guide is fixed to the seat to provide an effective anchorage point spaced from the belt anchor end of the webbing under pretensioning conditions.

Abstract: A force limiter for a vehicle safety belt includes a shaft and at least one metal strap, one end of which is attached to the shaft and which supports on a strap accommodation ring radially outside of the shaft. The distance between the strap accommodation ring and the shaft is variable.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle system includes a seat belt with a latch plate, and a seat belt buckle assembly. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle head for receiving the latch plate, a scabbard covering a portion of the buckle head, and a buckle stalk connecting the buckle head to a vehicle body portion. The scabbard includes at least one tear seam located at an intersection of the first wall and the third wall. The scabbard is configured such that a separation force of the tear seam is less than a buckling load of the scabbard, such that when the buckle is impacted and undergoes a shock load during buckle pretensioning, the tear seam will separate and allow the buckle head to slide down the ramped surface preventing a shock load from a hard contact point that would cause the latch plate to delatch from the buckle head.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for seat belt webbing is located in the vicinity of a belt anchor end of a three-point vehicle safety restraint seat belt. The pretensioning apparatus has a fixed member in the form of a tubular member that may be anchored to a vehicle seat at the belt anchor side of the vehicle. A movable member in the form of a piston is connected to the webbing in the region of the belt anchor end. A means is provided for moving the movable member relative to the fixed member in a generally horizontal direction, to move the seat belt webbing in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. A webbing guide is fixed to the seat to provide an effective anchorage point spaced from the belt anchor end of the webbing under pretensioning conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes a first link vertically movably supporting a seat to a seat rail of a floor side, a second link connecting a seat belt anchor to the seat side for restraining an occupant into the seat and a third link provided between the first link and the second link for connecting the first link and the second link, the third link being engagable with a lock member which is fixedly connected to the seat side. The third link is normally disengaged from the lock member to allow the seat to move in a vertical direction and is engaged with the lock member in an emergency upon receipt of an active force through the seat belt anchor and the second link to control a vertical movement of the seat.

Abstract: A reinforcing structure for a three-point type seat belt can be installed to a double seat in such a manner that a seat belt fixing bracket attached to the double seat is also united with a seat frame of a single seat disposed near the double seat, thereby securing a sufficient strength for the three-point type seat belt without the requirement of another reinforcing structure. In the reinforcing structure, the first second extension brackets are affixed to single and double seats respectively, while the first extension bracket is united with the second extension bracket.

Abstract: A buffer device for vehicle seat belt includes a housing having two inside racks, a roller assembly, which has a roller and two gearwheels fixedly provided at the ends of the roller and meshed with the racks for guiding rotation of the roller along the racks, a traction cord member, which has a first end connected to the roller and is pullable by the seat belt such that the roller is forced to rotate along the racks to roll up the traction cord member when the seat belt is stretched to pull the roller upon an impact force, and a spring member connected between the housing and the roller for rebounding the roller to a former position.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for seat belt webbing is located in the vicinity of a belt anchor end of a three-point vehicle safety restraint seat belt. The pretensioning apparatus has a fixed member in the form of a tubular member that may be anchored to a vehicle seat at the belt anchor side of the vehicle. A movable member in the form of a piston is connected to the webbing in the region of the belt anchor end. A means is provided for moving the movable member relative to the fixed member in a generally horizontal direction, to move the seat belt webbing in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. A webbing guide is fixed to the seat to provide an effective anchorage point spaced from the belt anchor end of the webbing under pretensioning conditions.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor has a frame, a spindle, a seatbelt webbing and torsion bar. The frame is attached to a structure of a road vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported by the frame. The seatbelt webbing is wound about the spindle for retraction there to and protraction there from. The torsion bar is fixedly coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith, the torsion bar has a first torsion portion mechanically coupled or press-fitted into a second torsion portion.

Abstract: A buckle device that includes a buckle with which a tongue supported by a seat belt becomes engaged, and buckle-moving device which moves the buckle between a storage position at which the buckle is stored when the buckle is not used and a use position at which the buckle is retained in a used state in which the seat belt is fastened. The buckle may be hidden in the vehicle seat at the storage position. The buckle does not obstruct the occupant when the occupant sits on or gets off the vehicle seat, and the occupant can smoothly sit on or get off the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A tether anchor assembly is coupled to a vehicle allowing a child seat tether to be connected thereto. The anchor assembly includes a mounting bracket, a receiver bracket, a nylon loop and a boot. The mounting bracket is configured to be fixedly secured to the vehicle. The nylon loop extends through both the mounting bracket and receiver bracket. The boot includes a channel for concealing the receiver bracket and the loop when not in use.

Abstract: A seat belt system includes a retractor and a seat belt. The retractor includes a motor that drives a pressure rod into a seat belt such that the seat belt is nipped between the pressure rod and belt receiving portions. The driving force of the motor that controls the movement of the pressure rod is set based on the situation at the time of a collision. Thus, the load limit to be exerted on the seat belt is set flexibly and widely according to the situation in an emergency. Further, the motor and the pressure piston rod can be activated repeatedly and, therefore, can be reused.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is disclosed having a frame, a spindle, a tread head and a torsion bar. The frame is attached to a structure of a vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported by the frame. The tread head is matingly coupled to the spindle for relative rotational movement therewith and the tread head is rotationally fixable relative to the frame. The torsion bar has a torsion bar first end fixed to a first spindle end and a torsion bar second end fixed to the tread head and the torsion bar has a protrusion that selectively engages the spindle after the tread head has been fixed and the spindle has rotated a predefined angle ? relative to the fixed tread head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lap fuse belt for a seat belt. A lap fuse belt for a seat belt includes a plurality of lap fuse belt cases which are coupled to one another by receiving holes and coupling projections formed on surfaces thereof so as to house the lap fuse belt. The lap fuse belt reduces injuries on an occupant by dispersing impact.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor includes a frame, a spindle, and a torsion member. The frame is attached to a structural member of a vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported in the frame. The spindle includes a slot for accommodating a seatbelt webbing. The torsion member is coupled to the spindle, and the torsion member has a first engagement end, a second engagement end and an intermediate engagement portion disposed between the first and second engagement ends. The intermediate engagement portion includes an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion couples the torsion member to the spindle and the non-engagement portion is proximate the seatbelt webbing and allows seatbelt webbing to pass through the slot without interference.

Abstract: Energy absorbing webbing is provided for use in child safety seat and child restraint devices. A harness system includes energy-absorbing regions into the construction of the harness to allow some release or extension of the harness during use. The energy-absorbing regions of the harness are formed using energy-absorbing webbing in a given region or regions to permit the webbing to extend or elongate so that strong forces are not fully and directly imparted to the child. The energy-absorbing region may be installed at various positions within the child safety seat and harness system and may be incorporated into the child safety harness as original equipment or as a retrofit feature.

Abstract: Safety device for a vehicle seat which is fixed inside a vehicle including lateral guides. The safety device consists of at least one safety rail fixed in the vehicle, in the region between the guides, and comprises associated securing mechanisms which are connected to the vehicle seat, and co-operate with the safety rail in a non-contact manner for regular loads applied to the seat, and in the event of irregular, especially accident-related deformations and/or movements in the region of the vehicle seat, engage with the safety rail in such a way that they block further deformation/displacements. The securing mechanisms and the safety rail are embodied in such a way that, during the engagement, reaction forces which act in the direction of axes (X, Y, Z) of a standard vehicle co-ordinates system are applied in a distributed manner to at least two different engagement regions of the safety rail.

Abstract: A device for use together with a seat belt (3) of a seat in a vehicle (6), comprising a sensor (2) for measuring tension in the seat belt and a member (4) for limiting the load transferable by the seat belt, the seat belt tension sensor being arranged to provide information based on which an airbag intended for said seat may be disconnected. One of either the seat belt tension sensor (2) or the load limiter member (4) is connectable to a first end of the seat belt (3) and the other of the seat belt tension sensor and the load limiter member is connectable to the vehicle (6), the seat belt tension sensor and the load limiter member being connected to each other so that at least a part of the seat belt tension sensor (2) and a part of the load limiter member (4) overlap with each other.

Abstract: A force-limiting energy absorber comprises at least a first and a second elongated metal element (12, 13), being chosen out of a group consisting of a metal wire, a profiled metal wire, a metal strand, a bundle of untwisted metal wires and a metal rope. The elongated metal elements (12, 13) are deformable in its plastic region of its load-elongation diagram for absorbing energy. The load-elongation diagram and elongation at fracture of the first elongated metal element (12) is different from the load elongation diagram and elongation at fracture of the second elongated metal element (13).

Abstract: A restraint system for restraining a person in a vehicle of transportation, includes a safety harness having length adjustable shoulder belts and a buckle for connecting the shoulder belt on a chest-side of a person and a stiff U-shaped shoulder yoke having legs, which are contoured to a torso of the person, and a high collar interconnecting the legs, whereby the shoulder belts are secured by a fastening mechanism behind the collar. The legs of the shoulder yoke and the shoulder belts have confronting sides which are formed, at least partially, with an interacting engagement structure which is configured to increase friction as the shoulder belts move in relation to the legs in longitudinal direction, while inhibiting a displacement of the shoulder belts in relation to the legs in transverse direction.

Abstract: A method and vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle, in which the webbing movement of a seat belt wound on a belt reel 1 caused by the body of the belted-in vehicle occupant is scanned and corresponding measurement data are fed to an evaluating device 3, wherein measurement data relating to the rotating movement of a rotor 2, in particular the electric motor rotor, which serves in tightening the seat belt webbing, may additionally be fed to this evaluating device 3.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a belt reel rotatably mounted in a frame. A blocking means blocks rotation of a blockable part of the belt reel and a belt webbing carrier on the belt reel that is substantially drum-shaped. The belt webbing carrier is associated with a rotor that is in rotary drive connection with the belt webbing carrier. Upon rotation of the rotor the volumes of at least two chambers filled with a free-flowing medium are varied, and the chambers rotate about the axis of rotation of the belt reels. The free-flowing medium flows in each case from a chamber diminishing in volume into a chamber increasing in volume.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system, in particular a three-point seat belt system, has belt webbing and an end fitting by which an end of the belt webbing is secured to a vehicle. A belt tensioner acts with a pulling eyebolt through which the belt webbing is guided by a webbing guide in the vicinity of the end fitting to transmit a tensioning movement to the belt webbing. The pulling eyebolt has a substantially straight pulling rod by which a pulling movement generated by the tensioning drive is transmitted to the belt webbing during tensioning and during tensioning the pulling rod acts as a webbing deflection rod for the belt webbing guided through the webbing guide. The webbing guide has two deflection points about which the belt webbing is guided during tensioning and the pulling rod acts on a section of the belt webbing guided between these two deflection points.

Abstract: The load acting on the body of a belted-in vehicle occupant restrained by a seat belt is determined by providing electrical signals from occupant restraint device sensors. The electrical signals are then evaluated with an evaluating device, wherein the movement of a seat belt webbing influenced by the body of the belted-in vehicle occupant is scanned and a corresponding signal is fed to the evaluating device.

Abstract: A system and device for managing the restraints available for vehicle occupants that uses fluidic torque conversion to provide an adaptive variable load limiting for the primary occupant safety restraint. The fluidic torque conversion of this invention can be variably controlled through the use of an electro/mechanical flow control device. The flow control is preferably coupled to one or more sensors, including occupant weight, occupant position, seat position, low “g”, high “g”, and belt displacement/latching sensors. This invention is adapted to be responsive to the vehicles interior safety devices, including front air bags, side air bags, seat back pivots, head rests, collapsible steering wheel, and positioning of the dash board and/or vehicle instrumentation. This invention is a re-usable system.