Abstract: A furniture handling strap assembly may be used to aid in lifting and carrying a furniture item such as a chair, sofa, or loveseat, for example. The handling strap assembly may include a strap, a bracket, and a fastener. The strap may include a first handling loop and a second handling loop. The first and second handling loops may be flexible. The bracket may be attached to the strap. The fastener may be configured to be received through an aperture in the bracket and may engage the furniture item. A person may insert his/her hand through one or both of the handling loops and gasp a portion of the strap. The person may use his/her other hand to support and stabilize the furniture member as the person lifts the furniture item. Another person may assist in lifting the furniture item using another one of the handling strap assemblies.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an interface which receives sensor information associated with a vehicle, a severing tool, a parachute load limiting device state controller, and a reefing device. The controller determines, based at least in part on the sensor information, whether to instruct the severing tool to release a reefing device prior to parachute deployment. If it is determined to instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the severing tool is so instructed. If it is determined to not instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the reefing device is configured to be situated around a parachute canopy to constrain the parachute canopy during an initial state and slide down the parachute canopy to a position below the parachute canopy to constrain one or more parachute tethers.

Abstract: A seat bottom assembly including a seat bottom frame having a front side and a back side, a seat plate having a front side and a back side, webbing stitches, and tear away stitches. The back side of the seat plate is coupled to the back side of the seat bottom frame. The webbing straps are coupled to and extending between the front side of the seat bottom frame and the front side of the seat plate, and tear away stitches connect two points of the webbing straps along a longitudinal axis so that the webbing straps are partially looped at locations of the respective tear away stitches. The tear away stitches separate and increase a length of the webbing straps in response to experiencing a threshold load in a direction perpendicular to the seat plate.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed between two connectors, such as carabiners, with a connector secured to a respective end of each absorber unit. Each absorber unit has a rupture length corresponding to its length when it is stretched to its maximum immediately before rupturing under tensile loading. A limiter strap also is secured between the connectors, with a connector on each end of the limiter strap. The limiter strap prevents the absorber units from breaking by preventing their stretch to their breaking point. A flap or bands are provided for temporarily maintaining the limiter strap folded in a compact bale until needed. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle comprises a first seat belt buckle mounted at a first location, a second seat belt buckle mounted at a second location and a seat belt retractor mounted at a third location, a seat belt and a circuit. The third location is spaced along a seat for an occupant from the second location. The seat belt is extendable from the seat belt retractor and has a tongue. The seat belt is extendable to connect the tongue to the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle. The circuit interconnects the first seat belt buckle, the second seat belt buckle and the seat belt retractor. The circuit is configured to change an operating mode of the seat belt retractor when (1) the seat belt tongue is removed from the first seat belt buckle and/or (2) the seat belt tongue is removed from the second seat belt buckle. An optional indicator can be provided to indicate to the vehicle operator that the operating mode of the retractor has been changed.

Abstract: Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster can be attached to a vehicle frame between an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point adjacent to an occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include a web clamp that locates a D-ring for positioning a shoulder web portion of the restraint web at a desired height that is comfortable for the occupant. Additionally, the height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that can elastically extend in response to tension loads in the shoulder web portion, thereby reducing shock loads from being transmitted to the seat occupant from the shoulder web portion.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a housing, an airbag, and a band. The airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position in the housing to a fully inflated position extending from the housing, and the airbag has a rear panel spaced from the housing when the airbag is in the fully inflated position. The band is elongated from a first end to a second end, and the first and second ends are attached to the housing. When the airbag is in a partially inflated position, the band extends across the rear panel and is stretched to a maximum length.

Abstract: A motor vehicle belt restraint system combining a three-point active seatbelt system with a two-point seatbelt system. The webbing of the three-point seatbelt is allowed to slide through a latch plate releasably attached to a seatbelt buckle. The webbing of the two-point belt system is affixed to the latch plate. When in use, the belt systems combine to provide two lap belt segments extending across the lower torso of a vehicle seat occupant with a single diagonal shoulder belt section. Additional embodiments incorporate the use of an anchor mechanism for the three-point belt system having additional capabilities including a webbing release and a load limiting function. Further embodiments provide different arrangements for the two lap belt sections.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle housing; a plate extending from the buckle housing and defining a slot; and a bracket including a rivet engaged in the slot. The plate and rivet are configured such that, in response to an impact force that exceeds a threshold acting to pull the buckle housing away from the bracket, the slot plastically deforms, permitting the buckle housing and plate to translate relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing restraint web assembly may include a motor vehicle seat restraint web and an energy absorption web having a first length, a first end attached to the restraint web at a first location thereof and a second end, opposite the first end of the energy absorption web, attached to the restraint web at a second location thereof, the energy absorption web responsive to a transverse force applied to the restraint web between first and second ends thereof that is greater than a threshold force to elongate and absorb energy while elongating, wherein the restraint web defines a second length between the first and second locations thereof, the second length of the restraint web greater than the first length of the energy absorption web such that the overall length of the restraint web increases as the energy absorption web elongates.

Abstract: A seat belt for a vehicle comprises a first tongue coupled to a first webbing, the first webbing configured to cover portions of a shoulder, a chest, and an abdomen of a passenger; a first buckle coupled to the first tongue; a second tongue coupled to a second webbing, the second webbing configured to cover portions of the abdomen of the passenger; a second buckle coupled to the second tongue; and an actuator configured to upwardly pull the first tongue and the first buckle, wherein the first buckle is coupled to the second buckle; and upon a collision of the vehicle, the actuator operates to separate the first buckle from the second buckle, and the first webbing moves upward, restricting a movement of an upper body of the passenger.

Abstract: Arrangements for safety and comfort in vehicles.

Abstract: A safety belt buffering device and a related vehicle safety seat are provided. The safety belt buffering device is applied to a shoulder belt. The safety belt buffering device includes a buffering component, a blocking component and an actuating component. The buffering component includes an accommodating space, and the accommodating space is formed through the buffering component. The blocking component is disposed inside the accommodating space. The actuating component is disposed on the shoulder belt. The shoulder belt movably passes through the accommodating space. The actuating component is driven to move into the accommodating space to contact the blocking component when the shoulder belt is pulled by external impact, and the blocking component is structurally deformed to reduce the external impact. The present invention can obviously decrease the impact energy transmitted from the vehicle safety seat to the passenger, so as to protect safety of the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a seat, and a latch assembly including a deformable element. Shoulder and lap belt webbings are attached to the latch assembly. The shoulder belt webbing is associated with the deformable element. According to one embodiment, the latch assembly includes a latch plate to which the shoulder belt webbing is attached at an attachment point. This point includes the deformable element that may be a deformable pin or an insert fitted to the latch plate, or may be a relatively soft material. Alternatively, the latch assembly includes a movable element and a fixed element having a deformable element fitted there between. When deformed, the deformable element allows movement of the movable element toward the fixed element, thereby limiting the forces of an impact applied by the shoulder belt to the lower portion of the chest of a vehicle occupant wearing the disclosed belt system.

Abstract: One lower end portion of a belt anchor bracket is supported on a lock unit rotatably in a front-rear direction, the other lower end portion of the belt anchor bracket is fixed to a leg, and a seatbelt anchor is supported on an upper end portion of the belt anchor bracket rotatably in the front-rear direction.

Abstract: A child safety seat assembly includes a support base, and a child safety seat arranged on the support base. The support base includes a shell body, a latch assembly operable to fixedly attach the shell body with an anchorage fixture of a vehicle, and a cushion structure coupled with the shell body, wherein the cushion structure is operable to allow a cushioned displacement of the shell body relative to the latch assembly when the child safety seat is subject to collision.

Abstract: A belt retractor has a frame (10), a belt spool (12) that is rotatably mounted in the frame (10), and a force limiter (22) that is adapted to reach a force limiting position. A guide-in mechanism (26) is provided which causes the force limiter (22) to reach the force limiting position as a function of the length of belt webbing withdrawn.

Abstract: A safety belt buffering device and a related vehicle safety seat are provided. The safety belt buffering device is applied to a shoulder belt. The safety belt buffering device includes a buffering component, a blocking component and an actuating component. The buffering component includes an accommodating space, and the accommodating space is formed through the buffering component. The blocking component is disposed inside the accommodating space. The actuating component is disposed on the shoulder belt. The shoulder belt movably passes through the accommodating space. The actuating component is driven to move into the accommodating space to contact the blocking component when the shoulder belt is pulled by external impact, and the blocking component is structurally deformed to reduce the external impact. The present invention can obviously decrease the impact energy transmitted from the vehicle safety seat to the passenger, so as to protect safety of the passenger.

Abstract: A self-locking seat belt retractor has the following components: a locking device (9) which can be actuated in a vehicle-sensitive and/or in a belt webbing-sensitive manner, a belt shaft (1), and a two-stage load limiting device (13) located within the force flow between the locking device (9) and the belt shaft (1). The load limiting device (13) includes a first, high-load limiting element (3) and a second, low-load limiting element (2). The load limitation level can be switched from high to low during load limitation. A third load limiting element (14) parallel to the second load limiting element (2) between the locking device (9) and the belt shaft (1) is formed by at least two structural elements (10, 11, 12, 20a, 20b, 21a-21g, 22a-22g), at least one of which is sheared off during the load limitation.

Abstract: A torsion bar capable of torsional deformation, a ring arranged at a shaft end portion of a spool and connected rotatably integrally with an outer peripheral portion on the other side in an axial direction of the torsion bar, a plastic-deformable plate member having one end side fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the ring and the other end side being a free end in the vicinity of an inner peripheral portion of the shaft end portion of the spool, and a projecting portion which projects from an inner peripheral surface of the spool, which is brought into contact with the other end of the plate member after the torsion bar starts rotating integrally with the spool and an impact absorbing load of the torsion bar becomes constant due to torsional deformation, and which imparts a load for plastically deforming the plate member in further rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A restraining device according to the invention for a child's safety seat provided to be fixed in a vehicle by at least one top tether, wherein the at least one top tether comprises at least one first loop that is provided to be pushed over a crossbar, is characterized in that the at least one top tether comprises a second loop provided to be pushed over restraining means.

Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.

Abstract: A main object of the invention is a textile strip forming at least partially a safety belt intended to be fastened to a fixed structure of a seat or of a passenger compartment, characterised in that a notch is formed on the textile strip (10) in order to allow for the folding of the textile strip onto itself in such a way as to surround the fixed structure of the seat or of the passenger compartment by insertion of an end of the textile strip into the notch made in the textile strip.

Abstract: A seat belt connection device for a vehicle has a ring through which the seat belt can slide; the ring is supported by a member fixed to the front end of a stem, which extends along a substantially horizontal axis and is guided by a sleeve fixed in a hole of the pillar; the device also has a deformable structure that is fixed to the pillar and to one of the ends of the stem and is plastically deformable so as to allow the stem to retract in the event of an axial impact.

Abstract: A load limiting anchor for seatbelt systems is provided. The anchor includes a pair of plates sandwiched together and connected by a rivet or other fastener. One of the plates features a key-hole shaped slot through which the rivet can move upon relative sliding motion between the plates causing material deformation as the anchor absorbs tensile exerted by the associated seatbelt system.

Abstract: An energy absorber element comprises an absorber portion having first and second distal ends and having a first elongate element and a second elongate element facing the first elongate element and connected to the second element solely at the first and second distal ends, a first anchor point secured to the first distal end of the absorber portion, and a second anchor point secured to the second distal end of the absorber portion, wherein each of the first and second elongate elements includes a succession of straight-line segments parallel to one another and at least one circularly-arcuate segment such that at least two successive straight-line segments are connected together by one of the at least one circularly-arcuate segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy absorption device in particular for the seat of an automobile in case of a shock, said device being substantially in the form of a plate including a succession of cutouts following each other in a deformation direction (X) between a first cutout and a last cutout and defining between them at least one bridge extending in a stretching direction (Y) transverse to the deformation direction (X), the first cutout having a shape slightly flaring in the deformation (X) direction towards the following cutouts.

Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting the load on a seat belt buckle, includes providing an adjustable energy absorbing device mounting the seat belt buckle on the vehicle, sensing vehicle and occupant conditions to determine the optimal adjustment of the adjustable energy absorbing device for restraint of the occupant under the sensed conditions, and adjusting the adjustable energy absorbing device in response to the sensed conditions to thereby adapt the restraint of the occupant to the sensed conditions. The adjustable energy absorbing device is an extendable strut having an end connected to the buckle and an end connected to the vehicle, said strut having metal deforming elements therein being deformed upon the load reaching a certain magnitude, and said strut having an adjusting mechanism adjusting the metal deforming elements to adjust the degree of metal deformation and thereby adjust the energy absorbing capacity of the strut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a restraint device (1) for a seat belt (2) in a vehicle, comprising a housing (10) for guiding the seat belt (2) and for accommodating an energy-absorbing element (12) adapted to cooperate with the seat belt (2) so as to absorb energy when a predetermined retardation condition of the vehicle is fulfilled. Said device (1) comprises a device (15, 16, 23, 27, 28) for attaching the energy-absorbing element (12) to said seat belt (2) when said condition is fulfilled, said energy-absorbing element (12) being adapted to be attached in a lamellar manner to said seat belt (2) along a predetermined length thereof. The invention also relates to a method for restraining a seat belt (2). By means of the invention, a cost effective and safe device and method for restraining a seat belt in the event of a vehicle collision is obtained.

Abstract: An occupant restraint apparatus includes an anchor adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body, a lap belt having a tip side fixed to the anchor, and an inflatable portion formed at the tip side, an inflator for introducing gas from the tip side to inflate the inflatable portion, and a cover. The cover includes a first masking portion for covering the anchor, and a second masking portion formed separately from the first masking portion and attached to the first masking portion for covering at least the tip side of the lap belt.

Abstract: An adaptive load-limiting seat belt buckle presenter includes a plow assembly movable within a tube and connected to the buckle by cables. Movement of the plow assembly presents the buckle at various positions relative to the occupant. The plow assembly has a plurality of plow elements that engage with the tube to plow troughs in the tube when an occupant restraining load moves the plow assembly within the tube. A plow actuator mechanism selects a number of the plurality of plow elements to be engaged or not engaged with the tube to thereby adapt the load-limiting capability of the presenter. A controller and various sensors cooperate to operate an adjusting motor for translating the plow assembly within the tube to present the buckle at a desired position and to also operate a rotary actuator to select the number of plow elements that will be engaged or not engaged.

Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt spool for the safety belt which is rotatably arranged in the frame, a locking disc which is arranged on the belt spool and is connected therewith through an energy absorption element, and a blocking mechanism which allows to block the locking disc against a rotation in the unwinding direction of the safety belt in the frame. A detent is provided which is movably arranged in the belt spool and can prevent a rotation of the locking disc relative to the belt spool as a function of its position.

Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.

Abstract: A device is provided for fixing a child seat to a support structure of a motor vehicle, including a plastically deformable holding device, which is fixed to the support structure and has a holding element to which a fixing element, which is attached to the child seat, can be fixed. In order to permit a defined movement of the holding element during deformation of the holding device, the holding device has at least one bending axis along which the holding device can be deformed when a force, such as a tensile force, acts on the holding element.

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 child safety seat tether anchor for securing a child safety seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle is provided. The child safety seat tether anchor may comprise a metal strip cooperating with a plurality of vertically offset pins extending from a surface of an engagement structure and positioned along a length of the metal strip. The metal strip is bent by the plurality of pins along a length of the metal strip so that when pulled in tension, the metal strip slides while bending around the pins to absorb energy.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a cylindrical member, a torsionally deformable shaft arranged inside the cylindrical member and having one end side connected to the cylindrical member, a plate mounting member arranged in the cylindrical member and disposed on an outer periphery of the shaft, a locking mechanism for preventing a rotation of the plate mounting member, and a plate member having one end portion fixed to the plate mounting member and the other end portion engaging an inner periphery of the cylindrical member. The plate member is plastically deformable so that the plate member is wound onto the plate mounting member. The plate mounting member includes a first reducing radius portion having a radius gradually decreasing toward a downstream in a winding direction, and a second reducing radius portion located on the downstream side and having a radius reducing rate greater than that of the first reducing radius portion.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for retracting a seatbelt includes a spool for retracting the seatbelt, a locking mechanism having a locking member rotating together with the spool in a normal state and prevented from rotating in a direction of withdrawal of the seatbelt so as to cause a relative rotation with respect to the spool in case of emergency, and an energy absorbing pin provided to the spool and the locking member for limiting a load applied on the seatbelt at a time of the relative rotation between the spool and the locking member. The energy absorbing pin includes a lubricating coating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformable structure to attach a child safety seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle comprises a bracket. The bracket includes a base configured to be coupled to the mounting portion of the vehicle, a metal strap positioned in the base such that a first end of the metal strap is configured to be free and coupled to the child safety seat, a second end of the metal strap is separably attached to the base, and a body of the metal strap is bent between the first end and the second end. When the metal strap is pulled in tension, the metal strap tears from the base, thereby absorbing energy.

Abstract: An energy absorbing tether assembly for use with a child safety seat of the type having a pair of spaced apart slots in a shell.

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 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: An arrangement for step-by-step height adjustment of a holding or deflecting fitting of a seat belt on a hollow body part of a motor vehicle, particularly on a B-column or a C-column, includes a guide rail mounted on the body part, and a carriage which can be displaced along the guide rail, which can be fixed in defined adjusting positions, and which has a fastening device for the holding or deflecting fitting. The guide rail, which is arranged behind a column covering, is mountable on the vehicle body part by way of two mutually spaced fastenings. In the event of a vehicle collision, particularly a side impact, the forces acting upon a vehicle occupant's head are to be kept below a permissible limit value.

Abstract: Deformable guides for use with smaller persons and/or in a child restraint system are provided. The guides are of at least two varieties, one for inclusion within a belt system, so as to absorb the impact and stresses of a collision or other abrupt vehicular motion and the other of a type useful to guide the restraint system of an automobile about the correct location on a smaller person. The second type permits a smaller individual to be properly secured to a restraint system in spite of his small stature. The guides are made of multiple layers of metal, plastic or other structurally significant materials, or combinations thereof, and designed to receive the energy of a collision such that a guide will deform, without breaking, absorbing the energy of a collision or other abrupt action.

Abstract: A juvenile restraint system includes a juvenile seat and a tether coupled at one end to the juvenile seat and at an opposite end to an anchor provided in a vehicle.

Abstract: A deflection fitting for the safety belt of a motor vehicle comprising a belt guide (17, 18) which encircles the safety belt (7) and a pivot bearing (13) about which the belt guide is pivoted about a pivot pin (14) and parallel to the direction in which the belt passes through. The pivot bearing is adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The belt guide includes at least two chain links (17, 18) which can pivot independently of each other in the pivot bearing (13), respectively, and which are located some distance apart from each other in the direction in which the belt (7) passes through. This configuration enables easy adjustment of the belt guide, even when the angles of the strands (8, 9) of the belt (7) deviate considerably from the standard.

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: An upper end portion of a seat backrest and a lower end portion of a head rest are superposed together. A rear end portion of an upper portion cushion member and a lower end portion of the seat backrest are superposed together. These superposed portions are sewn together by thin threads which break when pressing force of a predetermined value or greater is applied to the seat backrest. Thus, when pressing force of the predetermined value or greater is applied to the seat backrest, the thin threads break. A portion of the seat backrest which a shoulder portion of a seated occupant contacts, and a portion of the seat backrest which buttocks of the seated occupant contact, are enlarged, and impact force can be damped.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter to be applied to any seatbelt model is characterized by a laminated plate conveniently fastened to a retractor body of a seatbelt. The device presents predetermined resistance and malleability characteristics and is provided with a convenient number of folds arranged in parallel with respect to each other and transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The folds, when submitted to a certain traction strength resulting from a strong collision or sudden deceleration of a vehicle in which they are being used, are gradually unfolded, causing a gradual increase in the length of plate.