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 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 force limiter is provided on a belt retractor. The belt retractor comprises a belt spool (1) that is rotatably mounted in a frame (10) and has at least one flange (1a) and a disk (2) that can be non-rotatably blocked on the frame. The disk (2) and the flange (1a) of the belt spool (1) are adapted to be coupled by a cutting element (3). The cutting element (3), with a relative rotation between the disk (2) and the flange (1a), comes into a coupling position and cuts material when the relative rotation is continued.

Abstract: A belt force limiter which limits the belt force through the twisting of a torsion bar. The belt force limiter includes a flange, a reel for winding and unwinding the belt, as well as the torsion bar. Additionally, a shear pin or a deformable pin may be provided for locking the flange and the reel together, so that the relative turning of the flange and reel is prevented or impeded until the tensile force acting on the belt exceeds a preset level momentarily or over a preset period of time. Thus the force limitation is delayed or graduated. Furthermore, in a method for reducing the danger of injury to a vehicle's occupant by means of a restraining system the belt force is allowed to increase to an elevated level of force and then the belt force diminishes again before the belt force limitation begins.

Abstract: A device for tensioning a safety belt includes a pyrotechnic linear drive. The linear drive includes a gas generator (10) with an ignition unit (16), and a protective cap (18) to secure the gas generator (10) before and during the assembly of the gas generator (10). In the installed state of the device, at least a portion of the protective cap (18), after the igniting of the gas generator (10), represents a function element.

Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle structure including a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion intersecting at a seat bight. A vehicle anchorage system for securing a child seat on the vehicle seat comprises two lower anchorage assemblies each having a fixed member secured to the vehicle structure, an anchor having a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a lower child seat tether hook at the seat bight, and an energy absorbing mechanism operable above a predetermined force threshold to provide a limited forward displacement of the anchor and the lower child seat tether hook. The vehicle anchorage system also includes an upper anchorage assembly having a fixed portion secured to the vehicle structure, a latchable portion for releasable engagement with an upper child seat tether hook, and an energy absorbing mechanism operable above a second predetermined force threshold to provide a limited forward displacement of the latchable portion and the upper child seat tether hook.

Abstract: ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER is a device (1) to be applied to any model of seatbelt (C), consisted of laminated plate (2) provided with convenient number of folds (3) arranged parallel among themselves and transversally in relation to the longitudinal axle of plate and/or of additional element (4) provided with convenient number of turns (5). These folds and turns, when submitted to a certain traction strength, resulting from strong collision or sudden deceleration of the vehicle, are gradually unfolded and/or unrolled, causing a gradual increase in the length of referred plate (2) and of referred element (4), respectively. The seatbelt additional displacement, necessary and required to attend and gradually absorb the sudden deceleration of vehicle is provided by the own retractor body (R) of seatbelt, more specifically by the energy absorbing device (1) installed therein.

Abstract: In an arrangement of a child seat on a motor vehicle seat according to the ISOFIX standard, in the case of a crash-associated deceleration, the child seat is displaced in a limited manner in the direction of travel (FR), so that the resultant movement of the child in said direction of travel (FR) is compensated within the seatbelt system of the child seat.

Abstract: A tensioner for a safety belt includes a cylinder, a piston which is slidably arranged within the cylinder, and a traction transfer element which is connected with the piston to transfer a movement of the piston to the safety belt. The tensioner further includes a drive which may exert a driving force on the piston to tension the safety belt. The piston is provided with a deformation element which the traction transfer element engages.

Abstract: In a child seat device, a child seat body is connected to a base while a bar disposed at the front bottom thereof is engaged with a guide member disposed at the front of the base, and the child seat body is pivotally supported on the arms standing at the rear of the base via shafts on the right and left rear sides thereof. The guide member extends forward and upward from the front of the base. The bar is movable along the guide member. In the case of a head-on collision of the car, the child seat body pivots on the shafts, so that the bar swings along the guide member to reduce the load to be applied to a passenger.

Abstract: A safety belt-reversing device on a vehicle seat, having a sheet metal body connected with a base construction of the seat. The sheet metal body comprises a surface on which the belt is running in the form of a saddle, and stiffening tabs connected on the face sides of the saddle, as well as foot elements projecting from the underside. A belt-guiding element, for example in the form of a bow, is arranged in the area of the ridge of the saddle above the surface on which the belt is running, for limiting a slot for the belt. The ridge area of the saddle is rounded in the direction in which the belt is running and, in the transverse direction thereto, has upwardly shaped ears. The foot elements in the form of sheet metal tabs are secured on a cross bar of the base construction of the seat so that the face-side tabs of the sheet metal body are spaced from the cross bar.

Abstract: The vehicle seat has a seat carrier and an underframe. The underframe comprises two bottom rails, two seat rails, two front supports, and two rear pivoting supports. A buckle of a safety belt is provided. Tensile loads acting on the buckle are transferred into the underframe. The bottom rail neighboring the buckle is provided with a side part that extends upward toward the seat carrier. A slot is configured in this side part and is oriented substantially transversely to a direction of a force acting on the buckle during of a frontal crash. A sliding member is provided and is guided in the slot. A pull-type strap is arranged between the buckle and the sliding member. A connecting rod is arranged between the neighboring rear pivoting support and the sliding member. Whenever the seat carrier is adjusted in height, the neighboring rear pivoting support is pivoted and the connecting rod displaces the sliding member in the slot, causing the buckle to follow the movement of the seat carrier.

Abstract: A seat belt has a buckle tongue stop that is resiliently deformable. The buckle tongue stop may be deformable laterally or in its width and may be formed of compressible bumps. The seat belt allows a child seat to be secured in a vehicle according to European regulations yet still enables the buckle tongue to be supported on the belt webbing at a convenient location for an adult vehicle occupant.

Abstract: In order to cause a deformation or a yielding, in the event of a head impact onto a safety belt system of a passenger vehicle, a deformation element is interposed which deforms plastically and absorbs energy. So that an exchange of numerous parts is avoided, an arrangement for a belt level adjuster is configured so that after a head impact, only the deformation element needs to be exchanged.

Abstract: A simple, low cost energy absorbing shear strip bender that provides constant load, tailored load, or adjustable load/displacement profiles for use in any application where a single use energy absorber is required. Examples include, but are not limited to: a spinal load attenuator for use in crash-resistant aircraft seats; crash-resistant aircraft landing gear; aircraft or automotive restraint harness attachments; cargo or high-mass item tie-downs; automotive bumper attachments; and collapsible steering columns. The present invention comprises a shear plate or other base material, a shear strip integral to the shear plate, and a shear strip tab, all of which are formed from a single sheet of ductile material. The energy absorber attaches to two objects and begins to displace when opposing forces applied to the shear plate and shear strip tab reach the design limit value such that shear strip shears and plastically deforms, i.e., bends.

Abstract: An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat includes an elongated attenuator having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism relative to the attenuator in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator to absorb energy applied to the energy attenuating apparatus.

Abstract: An arrangement for a passenger vehicle safety belt level adjuster includes a receptacle with a deformation element, and a carrier plate for a detent rail of a belt level adjuster. The receptacle is configured to be mounted as a constructional unit into a vehicle column together with the deformation element and carrier plate.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool member (40) on which seat belt webbing (16) is wound. The spool member (40) is supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction (52) and an opposite belt retraction direction (54). The retractor (10) includes a plastically deformable torsion bar member (70) having a first portion (78) and a second portion (74). The second portion (78) of the torsion bar member (70) is rotatable relative to the first portion (74). The torsion bar member (70) twists upon rotation of the second portion (78) relative to the first portion (74). When the torsion bar member (70) twists, the spool member (40) rotates in the belt withdrawal direction (52) relative to the ratchet member (60), and the spool member cutter portion (92, 94) of the ratchet member cuts into the spool member (82, 84) to increase the resistance to rotation of the spool member relative to the ratchet member.

Abstract: A device for winding and unwinding a seat belt has an electric drive which supplies a torque to a belt reel that is loaded in the belt winding direction by a motive spring. The motive spring can be wound to a blocking configuration by the torque.

Abstract: An assembly unit comprising a belt buckle (10) for the insert tongue of a vehicular seat belt, a fastener fitting (12) for the belt buckle (10) and a force limiter between the belt buckle (10) and the fastener fitting (12) is characterized in that the force limiter contains a traction means (14, 16) fixedly connected to the belt buckle (10), movable relative to the fastener fitting (12) by a predetermined travel, and a stretchable member (24) coupled to the belt buckle (10) and the fastener fitting (12), which can be stretched by a predetermined tensile force between the belt buckle (10) and the fastener fitting (12) being exceeded.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70, 70′) having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.

Abstract: An energy management device (10) for seat belt webbing (18) for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a base (40) for attachment to the vehicle. The device (10) also includes a plastically deformable torsion bar (60) having a first portion (66) fixed relative to the base (40) and a second portion (72) rotatable relative to the first portion and the base. The torsion bar (60) twists upon rotation of the second portion (72) relative to the first portion (66). A spool (80) is supported on the base (40) and is fixed for rotation with the second portion (72) of the torsion bar (60) relative to the first portion (66) of the torsion bar. The spool (80) has an outer peripheral surface (90). A flexible member (100) is wound on the outer peripheral surface (90) of the spool (80). The flexible member (100) has a first end portion (104) connected with the spool (80) and a second end portion (110) extending from the spool (80) for connection with the seat belt webbing (14) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tongue for an inflatable belt device and the inflatable belt device. One end of the inflatable belt is attached to the rear of the tongue. This connection preferably is concealed by a cover. The cover is preferably constructed from a synthetic resin. Also, the cover preferably is integrally formed with a flange. The flange serves to press on the inflatable belt, thus ensuring that the inflatable belt has a substantially constant thickness over the entirety of its length including the area in the vicinity of the belt-tongue joint. The flange, preferably, has a plurality of tear lines at which the flange tears open into a plurality of flaps when the inflatable belt is inflated. Also, the belt conforming member preferably has a groove at the union of the cover and the flange, which facilitates swiveling of the flange and the flaps about an axis of the groove.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for use in a vehicle (16) includes a webbing guide (30) for guiding movement of seat belt webbing (14) in the vehicle (16), a fastener (70), a resilient cover (80), and an energy absorbing structure (100). The fastener (70) mounts the webbing guide (30) in position in the vehicle (16) and includes a head portion (76) and a longitudinal axis (75). The resilient cover (80) includes a cover portion (82) covering the head portion (76) of the fastener (70) and at least a portion of the webbing guide (30). The energy absorbing structure (100) is insertable between the webbing guide (30) and the resilient cover (80). The energy absorbing structure (100) is a part separate from the resilient cover (80) and has ribs (110, 120) that deform to absorb energy from an impact to an outer surface portion (96) of the resilient cover (80). Preferably, the energy absorbing structure (100) includes multiple ribs (110, 120) that intersect each other and extend transversely to each other.

Abstract: Force limitation in retractors is needed to avoid injury to an occupant from the seat belt itself particularly at high crash impact loads. The invention provides a seat belt retractor comprising a spool including force limiting means for allowing further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool has locked, under the influence of an occupant's forward momentum in the crash condition.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70,70') having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.

Abstract: A force limiter in a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a tube, a piston displaceably arranged in the tube, a traction and thrust devices connected with the piston element, and at least one roller body. The piston has a stop provided thereon and a radial exterior with at least one ramp surface. The roller body on displacement of the piston in a direction of movement travels along the ramp surface up to the stop and is pressed radially outwards into a wall and plastically deforms the wall. The stop has an extension which protrudes in the direction of movement and extends radially outside a point of the roller body which lies furthest opposed to the direction of movement.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a metal member and means for deforming the metal member associated with the seat belt. Excessive load on the seat belt is transferred to the metal member by deforming the metal member.

Abstract: A frame for a belt retractor of a vehicular seat belt system includes two side parts, a rear wall connecting the side parts to each other, and a positioning strap having a first end connected to the rear wall and a second end. The second end is provided with a stiffening strip which in turn is connected to the rear wall.

Abstract: A buckle tensioner for a vehicle comprises a belt buckle and a linear drive connected to the belt buckle via a traction member. The traction member has a first end connected to the belt buckle and a second end connected to the linear drive. The buckle tensioner further comprises a deflection member adapted to deflect the traction member between the first and the second ends of the traction member. The deflection member comprises a holding section for the linear drive and an attachment section. The attachment section is adapted for fixing the deflection member in a vehicle-fixed manner.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) pretensions seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14). The apparatus (40) includes a movable first member (140), a connector (42) for connecting the first member (140) with the seat belt webbing (16), a movable second member (200), a pyrotechnic device (120) for applying a force to the second member (200) to move the second member, and force limiting coupling device (240). The force limiting coupling device (240) couples the first member (140) and the second member (200). The coupling device (240) moves the first member (140) with the second member (200) until a predetermined force is applied by the connector (42) to the first member (140) resisting movement of the first member with the second member. Thereafter, the coupling device (240) enables the second member to move relative to the first member.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mounting arrangement for a seat belt includes an anchorage assembly attached to a mounting plate. A D-ring is attached to the anchorage assembly and is operative for receiving a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt webbing. The anchorage assembly is preferably attached to the mounting plate at attachment points which are spaced apart on the mounting plate and are adapted to displace in an outboard direction when the anchorage assembly is subjected to a predetermined compression load. In one embodiment, the mounting plate is fixably attached to an inner side of the B-pillar and is formed to include a boss portion which passes through an aperture in the B-pillar. A fastener, such as a bolt, interconnects the anchorage assembly and the boss portion.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a strength-member for its back that includes an upper portion pivotally mounted on a lower portion and carrying a headrest, the two portions of the strength-member are connected together by a locking device which holds them together and which is dimensioned to give way when the back of a passenger bears against a thrust member of the upper portion of the strength-member in the event of an impact from behind, such that the upper portion of the seat-back strength-member and the upper region of the front face of the seat-back then pivot forwards together with the headrest, with this movement being braked by an energy absorber device.

Abstract: A steering fixture for a seat belt in a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, is pivotable during its normal use within a certain angle range. The pivotability is limited by a predetermined breaking point. If the steering fixture is subjected to a particular load, the connection breaks and the steering fixture can turn freely.

Abstract: A restraining device comprises a seat belt and a belt force limiter. The belt force limiter is arranged at a location along the belt and comprises an absorption member which is deformed or destroyed when a predetermined belt tension force is exceeded, whereby a prolongation of the belt section is caused. Further, a holding means is provided that limits the prolongation of said belt section when said absorption means is deformed or destroyed.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a metal member and means for deforming the metal member associated with the seat belt. Excessive load on the seat belt is transferred to the metal member by deforming the metal member.

Abstract: An energy management device (10) for connecting a length of belt webbing (16) with a vehicle portion (30) includes an elongate strap (50). The strap (50) has a fixed end portion (100) for connection with the vehicle portion (30), a free end portion (102), and an intermediate portion (110) extending between and interconnecting the fixed end portion and the free end portion. The device (10) has an unactuated condition in which force is transmitted from the belt webbing (16) to the vehicle portion (30) through the strap (50) between the fixed end portion (100) and a first point (116) on the strap which is on the intermediate portion (110) of the strap. Upon the application of a force greater than a predetermined force to the belt webbing (16), the device (10) moves an actuated condition in which force is transmitted between the fixed end portion (100) of the strap (50) and a second point (116a) on the strap which is farther from the fixed end portion than the first point (116).

Abstract: A shoulder anchor structure capable of reliably absorbing energy when a predetermined large load acts thereon and also capable of adjusting its energy absorption characteristic according to vehicle model. The shoulder anchor structure includes an energy absorbing member having a pair of deformation amplifying portions formed thereon. The deformation amplifying portions ensure a predetermined displacement stroke of an intermediate portion of the energy absorbing member. Further, the deformation amplifying portions can deform so as to absorb a load acting on an occupant during a secondary collision. Accordingly, there is no fear of separation of the energy absorbing member from a pillar inner panel before a predetermined amount of energy is absorbed. This makes it possible to reliably absorb the load acting on the occupant during the secondary collision.

Abstract: A passenger-restraining system, in particular for children and wheelchair occupants in motor vehicles. The restraining system includes at least one safety-belt arrangement with a lap belt and an associated cushion element. The cushion element has a body made of at least one cushion material which can be deformed, absorbing energy in the process, and has a guide slit for the lap belt. The element also has an insert which is embedded in the deformable cushion material and surrounds the guide slit. In order to convert a large amount of kinetic energy into deformation work in the cushion element, and thus to dissipate said kinetic energy, without there being any risk of injury to the individual secured by the restraining system, the insert includes, a plurality of layers of a thin, flexible foil, sheet material and/or fabric which are separated from one another by a layer of the cushion material.

Abstract: A spool sleeve (78) is rotatable in webbing withdrawal and webbing retraction directions (A, B). A lock pawl (122) engageable with a ratchet wheel (114), stops rotation of the spool sleeve (78) in the webbing withdrawal direction (A). The spool sleeve (78) is rotatable relative to the ratchet wheel (114) upon the occurrence of tension in webbing (16) above a predetermined amount. A cutter (94) is located radially within the spool sleeve (78) for cutting the spool sleeve (78) when the spool sleeve (78) rotates relative to the stopped ratchet wheel (114). In one preferred embodiment, the cutter (220) includes a portion (226) which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis (164) of the spool sleeve (192) to cause the cutter (220) to move axially relative to the spool sleeve. In another preferred embodiment, the spool sleeve (284, 286) is comprised of a plurality of pieces fitted together to extend around the axis (164).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) has a seat belt system (16) with webbing (24) for restraining a vehicle occupant (88). A sensor (116) detects the occurrence of a condition indicative of a vehicle collision. A payout device (36) enables pay out of the webbing (24) in response to force applied to the webbing by the vehicle occupant (88). The payout device (36) is enabled to function in response to the signal. During payout of the webbing (24), energy is absorbed. In one embodiment, energy is absorbed by deforming a deformable material (104).

Abstract: A preloader apparatus which retracts a buckle upon quick deceleration of a vehicle to tighten a webbing, and then restores the buckle to a position of ordinary vehicle running, to contemplate the improvement in operability of an operation button. The buckle is retracted upon quick deceleration of a vehicle from an ordinary protracted position to a retracted position through wires wound around a drum. After that, when a buckle-retracting force decreases and becomes smaller than a buckle-protracting force, a force F corresponding to a difference between the both acts on a projection, and the projection is broken. Although a meshing portion of a pawl meshes with an external tooth of an external gear to prevent the external gear from rotation in a direction of buckle protraction, the breakage allows the drum to rotate in the direction of buckle protraction, and the buckle can be restored to the protracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for biasing a portion of a seat belt shoulder harness away from a portion of a human chest. The apparatus comprises a body portion including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The body portion is deformable between a first and a second position. In the first position the intermediate portion is substantially non-coplanar with the first and second end portions, and in the second position, the intermediate portion is substantially coplanar with the end portions. The body portion is biased in the first position and is secured to the seat belt shoulder harness.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system (11) includes a length of belt webbing (60) for restraining a vehicle occupant. The belt webbing (60) has a shortened condition and an extended condition. An elongate tear strip (50), preferably made from seat belt webbing material, is connected between first and second sections (120, 122) of the belt webbing (60). The tear strip (50) is tearable lengthwise upon the application of a force greater than a predetermined force to the belt webbing (60) to enable the first and second sections (120, 122) of the belt webbing to separate and cause the seat belt webbing to extend from the shortened condition to the extended condition. The tear strip (50) tears over a period of time, reducing the abruptness of the load on the vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seatback frame for a vehicle seat, comprising a lower structure provided with two side uprights, and an upper structure provided with a horizontal torsion bar surmounted by an arch. The first end of the torsion bar is prevented from rotating relative to one of the two uprights of the lower structure and is secured to one end of the arch. The second end of the torsion bar is mounted to pivot freely relative to the other side upright of the lower structure, while being secured to the other end of the arch. A seat belt is mechanically connected to the arch of the upper structure, with said upper structure being dimensioned so as to deform plastically when the seat belt is subjected to a traction force.

Abstract: An energy absorbing fastener apparatus is disclosed for fastening an integral child seat disposed within a primary passenger seat back of a primary passenger seat of a motor vehicle. The apparatus interconnects the child seat to a frame of the primary passenger seat back and includes a stress raiser to induce energy absorbing shearing and plastic deformation of the fastener apparatus.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle device for a vehicle includes a lower stay having a guide slot, a C-shaped impact-absorbing plate fixed to the lower stay at a lower wall, and an upper stay having a switch connector and fixed to an upper wall of the impact-absorbing plate, whereby when a traffic accident occurs, the C-shaped impact-absorbing plate is transformed, whereby an overload of the seat belt can be effectively eliminated and reduced and when the impact-absorbing plate is exhausted, a warning lamp is illuminated, and the impact-absorbing plate can be replaced.

Abstract: A low-cost energy management device for dissipating a portion of the energy imparted to a safety belt in a rapid vehicular deceleration is preferably comprised of two pieces, viz., a strap and a channel-shaped guide and deflector member. The strap has a row of deflectable tabs or beams and is mounted to the vehicle. The channel-shaped guide and deflector member is secured to a seat belt retractor and straddles the strap and slides along the strap rectilinearly and guides the retractor in this linear sliding movement along the strap while an integral depending deflector portion on the channel-shaped member deflects the beams. The deflecting portion engages two adjacent, spaced, deflected beams on the strap and these spaced deflected abutting the deflecting portion aid in aligning the deflector member to travel in a straight line path. The guiding and deflecting member has staking tabs to stake the channel-shaped member to the retractor in a low-cost manner.

Abstract: In a seat belt system (10), a plurality of sensors (76, 80, 84) sense characteristics of a vehicle occupant and of a vehicle collision. The vehicle occupant sensors (80, 84) cooperate with a controller (90) to control a motor (60) which sets the position of a movable D-ring stop (70). The position of the stop (70) determines the position to which a movable D-ring (28) is repositioned in the event of a vehicle collision. The system (10) also includes a retractor (30) supported for movement on the vehicle. A crushable energy absorbing material, preferably a honeycomb (230), is disposed in the path of movement of a crush plate (160) movable with the retractor (30). The crushable material (230) controls movement of the crush plate (160) and thus of the retractor (30). Together with the repositioning of the D-ring (28), this reduces the abruptness of the load on the vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision.