Abstract: A seat belt retractor (22) having an inertial sensor to initiate lockup of the retractor, the inertial sensor including a first housing portion (102) having an actuating arm mounting member (120). The retractor including a first pin (126) cantilevered from the mounting member (120); an activation arm (130) rotationally supported upon the first pin (126), the activation arm (130), when activated, movable into engagement with a ratchet wheel (80), a pendulous vehicle sensor subassembly (150) mounted upon the first housing portion (102), the subassembly (150) and the first housing portion (102) including a support mechanism to rotatably support the sensor subassembly thereon.

Abstract: An automotive seat belt buckle pretensioner is economically mounted on a seat structure with a bracket structure that includes a first major wall securable to an available mounting surface, a second major wall offset horizontally from the first wall mounting the operating components of the pretensioner, and a horizontal connector wall joining the first and second major walls. The bracket can be reconfigured to meet different mounting surface availabilities and installation space requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a crash sensor (49) which senses a crash event and provides a signal (50) indicative of the crash event. A transmitter (54) transmits a signal (58) in response to the crash sensor signal (50). A receiver (60), which is separated from the transmitter (54), receives the transmitter signal (58) and provides a control signal (80) upon receiving the transmitter signal (58). A buckle switch (34) is operable to detect a belted or an unbelted condition of a seat belt system (18). The apparatus (10) also includes an actuatable pretensioner device (49) which actuates to help to protect a vehicle occupant during a crash event. A power switch (82) receives the control signal (80) to connect the pretensioner device (49) electrically with a power source (35, 84) in response to the power switch (82) receiving the control signal (80) while the buckle switch 34 is detecting a belted condition.

Abstract: A compact belt tensioner for use in an occupant restraint system near an end of the webbing fixed to the vehicle body is disclosed. A piston/cylinder linear drive has a pair of opposed pistons and an expansion chamber with a pyrotechnic charge between the pistons. Each piston has an outer end shaped as a webbing engagement member. The belt webbing is looped around the engagement members between the fixed end of the belt and a deflector element mounted on the vehicle body. When the pyrotechnic charge is activated the pistons are driven outwardly, forming a belt loop the length of which is four times the piston stroke.

Abstract: A seat back (35) with a headrest (40) on a vehicle seat (33). To reduce the whiplash effect during a front-end accident to a significant degree, the head rest (40) rests on a headrest support (38) that can be pivoted outward and forward around a horizontal axis (39), with the backward displacement of the support being restricted in terms of movement.

Abstract: A buckle tensioner for a safety belt system has a buckle head, a drive device for displacing the buckle head, the drive device having an element which is driven in the case of restraint, a tension transfer means connecting the driven element to the buckle head, and an intermediate space between the buckle head and the drive device extending along the tension transfer means. The buckle tensioner further has a housing covering the intermediate space between the buckle head and the drive device and surrounding the tension transfer means. The housing is displaced relative to at least one of the buckle head and the drive device during the tensioning process.

Abstract: A belt retractor for incorporation in a fold-down type backrest of a vehicle seat is disclosed. The backrest of the seat is able of being latched to a vehicle body in an upright seating position by a lock. The retractor has a frame and a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame. A blocking mechanism is provided for selectively blocking rotation of the belt reel on the frame. The blocking mechanism is activated as long as the backrest is not locked in place by latching action of the lock. The blocking mechanism comprises an activating mechanism and an actuating element associated therewith and coupled to the lock by a push/pull mechanism.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic pretensioner for a vehicle safety belt comprises a piston slidably movable within a cylinder and attached to one end of a cable. The piston is driven along the cylinder by a gas generator to pull the cable and tension the safety belt. A locking device allows free movement of the piston in a tensioning direction and engages the cylinder to prevents movement of the piston in a loosening direction. The internal surface of the cylinder has a tooth profile engaged by the locking device. The piston has two resilient sealing members which cooperate with the tooth profile to seal the spaces between the teeth. The two sealing members are spaced apart by an odd integral number of half pitches of the teeth.

Abstract: A belt tightening device (100/100') for use with a safety device such as a seat belt buckle: a flexible member (12), such as an anchoring length of seat belt webbing, operatively connected to the safety device (34); a housing (102) including a first opening (110) through which the flexible member loosely extends; first and second relatively movable clamping members (160, 162) for causing a portion of the flexible member extending from the housing to be drawn into the housing thereby shortening the remaining length of the flexible member causing a safety belt operatively attached to or part of the flexible member to become more tightly disposed about a user thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a belt pretensioner with a belt pretensioner housing, a belt link element with a housing, a tension transmission element coupling the belt pretensioner and the belt link element with each other, a tubular body which encompasses the tension transmission element outside the belt pretensioner housing, and a stationary counterpart. The stationary counterpart has a curved guide. The belt pretensioner displaces the belt link element via the tension transmission element in the event of a collision upon actuation of the belt pretensioner, so that the tubular body penetrates into the a curved guide and is bent.

Abstract: A system for eliminating residual seat belt slack about a plurality of occupants of a vehicle, the system comprising a plurality of seat belt assemblies securable about a respective occupant, each seat belt assembly including a lap belt portion, a tongue, and a buckle, one end of the lap belt secured to a support member and an opposite end of the lap belt operatively joined to the tongue, the buckle matingly locking with the tongue, the buckle secured to one end of a connecting member, the connecting member having an opposite second end; a belt tightener is secured to the second end of each connecting member, for generally simultaneously tightening each seat belt assembly about a respective occupant.

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: A pretensioner (22) comprising: a housing (20) with a bore (26); a piston (50) slidably received within the bore (26), the piston further including a pulley surface (58, 60) at one end thereof; a flexible link (92) having a first end (94) fixedly connected to the housing (22), a medial portion slidably positioned about the pulley surface and an opposite end (93) adapted to be connected to a buckle (90); a pyrotechnic device (80) for propelling the piston from a first, static position to a second position to affect a mechanical advantage in the movement of the buckle (90).

Abstract: In an energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants a particularly smooth profile of the force as a function of the travel is achieved in that a plastic deformation of a tubular converter body (10) is effected which has a circular cross-sectional form in the undeformed state. Two symmetrically oppositely disposed rollers (18) are provided which each bear on a ramp face of a piston element (14).

Abstract: A pyrotechnic drive, in particular a linear drive for vehicle occupant restraint systems comprises a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a working space, a piston which together with the cylinder wall delimits the working space, and several pyrotechnic propellant charges producing gas. The gas reaches the working space and thereby sets the piston in motion relative to the cylinder. The propellant charges are ignited staggered in time relative to each other and comprise a first propellant charge integrated in the piston and a second propellant charge connected with the cylinder wall.

Abstract: In a pre-tensioner assembly for automatically increasing a tension of a seat belt in case of a vehicle crash, an arm is pivotally attached to a base plate at its one end and to a part of a seat belt, and a cylinder and piston device is attached to the base plate to selectively rotate the arm from a rest position to an operative position. Typically, the cylinder and piston device comprises a linear cylinder having a propellant placed in a bottom end thereof. The rotary arm for displacing a buckle or other part of the seat belt can be substantially directly connected to the piston of the actuator, and because the piston rod is pushed out of the cylinder when actuating the rotary arm, the pressure receiving surface of the piston can be maximized. Therefore, the power transmission efficiency is improved, and the required amount of the propellant can be reduced with the result that the size and the cost of the assembly can be minimized.

Abstract: In a spool, a torsion bar is inserted into an inner hole formed in the spool. The spool has a first slit and a second slit which extend in parallel with each other along the chord direction in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the inner hole. The end of the webbing is passed through these slits. The end of the webbing is folded back and sewn together to form a loop and a webbing stopper is inserted into the loop made by folding and sewing. The end of the webbing with the webbing stopper engages the second slit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a seat proper mounted on two longitudinal slideways via two sideplates. A seatbelt catch is fixed to a cable, itself connected to a pretensioner fixed along one of the sideplates. The sideplate has a passage through which the rear portion of the pretensioner passes, allowing the front portion of the pretensioner to be situated on the inside of said sideplate.

Abstract: A safety belt system comprises a belt buckle and a belt tightening device adapted to act on the belt buckle via a traction cable. The belt tightening device includes a piston/cylinder unit to be operated by a gas generator and secured to the vehicle body or to a vehicle seat. The directions of movement of the belt buckle and of the piston are the same when the belt tightening device is activated.

Abstract: A safety system comprising: a buckle (22) secured to a pretensioner (20); the pretensioner (20) comprising: a stationary link (102) and stationary block (110); a housing slidably received upon the stationary link (102) and movable relative to the stationary block (110) and a pressure unit for causing the housing, and buckle operatively attached thereto, to move downwardly relative to the stationary block to thereby eliminate slack in a seat belt, and a second link (104) received through the housing for preventing rotation of the housing about the first link (102).

Abstract: A vehicle seat with an integrated belt tensioner secured thereto comprises a seat part, a seat frame and a connection element to connect the piston of the belt tensioner to the safety belt. The tube of the belt tensioner is curved transversely to its longitudinal extent and is substantially adapted to the outer contour of the side wall in the region of the side wall of the seat part so that the belt tensioner only slightly projects from the side of the vehicle seat. In addition, due to the curved tube a relatively long tensioning path results.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 400) comprising: a gear (402) operatively linked to a rotationally supported spool (20) to rotate the spool (24) in a direction of retraction to cause a seat belt (22) wound thereabout to retract; a belt tightener comprising: a gear unit (410) having a first drive member (412) which is initially uncoupled from the gear (402) and which as it rotates is placed into driving engagement with the gear (402) and which upon further rotation is moved to a condition of disengagement with the spur gear to permit the spool to rotate free of the pretensioner and a rack (420) operably connected to the gear unit to cause same to rotate.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for a vehicular safety restraint, which includes a housing; a tube extending from the housing and defining an inner surface; a piston disposed within the tube in close proximity to the inner surface of the tube; a linkage connected at a first end to the piston and having a second end which is adapted for connection to a safety restraint; and a lock member having at least a portion thereof disposed between the piston and the inner surface of the tube, the lock member being configured and dimensioned such that upon application of a force to the piston in a first direction, the lock member permits free movement of the piston in the first direction and upon application of a force to the piston in a second direction being reverse to the first direction, the lock member biases against the inner wall of the tube to prevent movement of the piston in the second direction.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a seat belt includes a piston/cylinder unit. The tube of the unit has a wall which is flattened in the region of its fastening end to form a fastening flange. The fastening end is engagable by a fastener for attaching said belt tensioner to the vehicle or the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pretensioning seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) has at least two different output levels. Sensors (110, 120, 130) sense at least one characteristic of the occupant of the vehicle seat (14). A controller (100) is operatively connected to the sensors (110, 120, 130) for controlling the output level of the pretensioning apparatus (40) based on the characteristics of the occupant sensed by the sensors. The at least two output levels of the pretensioning apparatus (40) correspond to respective levels of force applied to the seat belt webbing (16) which in turn correspond to respective levels of force imposed on the vehicle occupant by the seat belt webbing.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pretensioning seat belt webbing (16) which is extensible about an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) includes a housing (70) having a fluid chamber (90) and an actuatable pyrotechnic device (150) in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. An actuatable venting mechanism, such as a pyrotechnic plug (160), when actuated, opens a vent opening (96) to enable venting of fluid from the fluid chamber (90). A controller (190) is operatively connected to the pyrotechnic device (150) and to the venting mechanism (160) for controlling the actuation of the pyrotechnic device and of the venting mechanism. The controller (190) actuates only the pyrotechnic device (150) to provide a first pretensioning output level and, alternatively, actuates both the pyrotechnic device (150) and the venting mechanism (160) to provide a second pretensioning output level.

Abstract: A linear actuator for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided, which comprises a cylinder and a pulling element connected to the cylinder by means of a holding part. The linear actuator further comprises a piston which is shiftable within the cylinder and has a locking part. The locking part including a sealing part coaxial with to the locking part and a conical outer section. The conical outer section has an axial end at a side facing the sealing part and is provided with a peripheral groove at this axial end. Still further, the linear actuator comprises a plurality of locking bodies shiftably arranged between the conical outer section of the locking part and the inner wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: An adjuster device for a deflector fitting of a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided, which comprises a rail adapted for vehicle-fixed mounting. The rail is provided with latching openings and comprises a bottom part and two side parts. The adjuster device further comprises a sled shiftable in the rail and adapted for being coupled to a vehicle seat. The sled is provided with a fitting part for the deflector fitting and at least one latching part which is able to cooperate with the latching openings to block the sled against a downwards displacement in the rail. The latching part is translatable from a normal rest position, in which it does not engage a latching opening, into a locking position in which it engages at least one of the latching openings, by means of a force acting downwards on the fitting part relative to the rail.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a 3-point vehicular seat belt system comprises a belt webbing, a belt retractor as a first anchoring point, a belt buckle as a second anchoring point, an end fitting as a third anchoring point of the seat belt system and a tensioner drive. To offer various possibilities of accommodation even under restricted space availability conditions in the vehicle, the tensioner drive engages the end fitting, or the webbing next to the end fitting. Upon activation of the tensioner drive, the tensioner drive exerts tension on the belt webbing.

Abstract: A seat belt actuator may be spaced from and mounted at an attitude to the vertical that is different than the attitude of the retractor. Preferably, the remote actuator is connected by a looped cable to the retractor to actuate the retractor to its blocking position to stop belt protraction. Herein, the retractor is mounted on a tiltable seat back of a vehicle seat that changes its attitude to the vertical while the remote inertia-sensitive actuator is mounted in the seat rest of the vehicle seat and does not change its attitude. The cable turns a gear in both the remote actuator and in the retractor. An inertia flywheel sensitive to rotation, or an inertia, weight sensitive to acceleration or deceleration, when deceleration is above the predetermined amount, stops rotation of the gear at the remote actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) has a lower seat frame (14) and a seat back (16) pivoted about a recliner axis (20). An occupant (22) restraining shoulder belt (26) has an upper attachment point provided by a sliding belt guide (40) fixed to the top of a resilient, flexible elongated tower (36) attached to one side of the seat back (16). The tower (36) is normally unflexed, with the same orientation as the seat back (16), but is capable of bending with the belt guide (40) down and forwardly relative to the seat back and closer to the recliner axis (20) when a forward and downward force is applied to the belt guide (40). An inertially locking belt retractor (24) is rigidly fixed to the seat (10) below the belt guide (40). The retractor (24) provides a reserve length of belt (50) that extends up along the back of the tower (36) and over the belt guide (40) and then continues into the shoulder belt (26).

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas generator for a seat belt retracting power generating device to supply power to an emergency retracting device of a seat belt retractor, and aims to reliably ignite an ignition agent and a driving agent by concentrating flames into a small-diameter passage when a primer is ignited, quickly supplying heat to a gas generating agent chamber, and preventing the ignition agent and driving agent within the gas generating agent chamber from being damped.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the unlocking of doors of a motor vehicle in the event of an accident, at least one device for tensioning a safety belt is, in the case of an accident, operatively connected with at least one door-unlocking device. Operation of the belt tensioning device during an accident initiates operation of the door unlocking mechanism.

Abstract: A return preventing device preventing return of an object driven when a vehicle suddenly decelerates includes: a gear receiving drive force of a drive device, which drives the object, so as to rotate in a first direction, and transmitting the drive force to the object so as to drive the object; a rotation-preventing pawl disposed so as to be meshable with the gear, and preventing rotation of the gear in a second direction opposite the first direction in a state in which the rotation-preventing pawl and the gear are meshed; and an elastic member for making the rotation-preventing pawl mesh with the gear substantially synchronously with rotation of the gear in the second direction. Accordingly, the rotation-preventing pawl reliably meshes with the gear substantially synchronously with rotation of the gear in the second direction.

Abstract: A reversing preventing device for preventing the reversing of an object which is driven during a sudden deceleration of a vehicle includes: a gear which rotates and is connected to a driving member for driving the object; a pawl for preventing rotation of the gear, the pawl being supported by a base in such a manner as to be able to mesh with the gear, the pawl meshing with the gear when the object is tending to reverse; and a receiving portion provided in the base at a portion different from a portion for supporting the pawl, the receiving portion being adapted to receive part of a load acting on the pawl. Accordingly, the load acting on the pawl is dispersed to the portion for supporting the pawl and the receiving portion.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor is controlled in consideration of the condition of a vehicle relative to an object and/or the condition of the vehicle to more efficiently and conformably protect the occupant in an emergency. A CPU judges the condition of the vehicle relative to the object based on a detection signal, with regard to the object in front of the vehicle, from a front object detection sensor and drives an electric motor depending on the result of the judgment. The rotation of the electric motor causes a drive side gear clutch, a clutch plate, and a lever member to rotate together. As the rotation of the lever member is stopped, the drive side gear clutch and the clutch plate rotate conversely each other so that the clutch plate shifts axially to engage the teeth thereof with teeth of the driven side gear clutch. As a result, the rotation of the electric motor causes the gear holder and the reel shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A lock arm is rotatably provided on a base bracket. A ratchet is rotatably disposed on a shaft member provided at an end portion of the lock arm. A distal-end claw portion of the ratchet is shaped to be engageable with reverse motion preventing teeth formed on the base bracket. A stopper wall is provided on a proximal end portion of the lock arm. In the state in which an engaging portion of the trigger lever abuts upon the stopper wall, an end portion of the trigger lever is supported by a movable body. Thereby, the lock arm is held in a normal position. The movable body moves from a first position toward a second position at the time of a collision. A support shaft or the center of rotation of the trigger lever is located on a higher level than a location where the lock arm is engaged with the trigger lever. The movable body is provided with a recess in which the end portion of the trigger lever is put when the movable body has moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioner includes a wire, a spring retainer connected to a seat belt buckle by the wire, a casing within which the spring retainer is linearly movable, a primary coil spring contacting the spring retainer, a leaf spring for limiting movement of the spring retainer, a secondary coil spring, and a mass body supported relative to the spring retainer through the secondary coil spring in the direction in which an inertial force is applied. The mass body is moved against the action of the secondary coil spring when a predetermined deceleration is applied, the mass body slides and the primary coil spring is released.

Abstract: A safety device in conjunction with a tensioning mechanism or a force-limiting device of a safety belt system of motor vehicles. The safety device includes a signal device for indicating actuation of the tensioning mechanism or force-limiting device, and after actuation, a signal device extends into a path of movement of a functional component of the safety device so that upon subsequent operation of the safety device, the signal device generates an audible signal.

Abstract: A web-grabber for use with a safety-belt comprises a housing(5) formed as an extrusion of aluminium. A wedge(13) is located within a central passage(6) within the housing. An additional element(20) is also present within the passage(6) having a first side(21) adapted to abut one of the substantially parallel side walls of the passage(6) and an opposed inclined face(22) along which the wedge(13) may slide. The wedge is adapted to engage wedgingly the webbing(3) of a safety-belt, with a face(14) of the wedge engaging the webbing(3) and pressing it against an opposed element(11) which passes through the passage(6) and which secures the extrusion(5) to a retractor unit(1).

Abstract: A preloader apparatus retracts, upon quick deceleration of a vehicle, a buckle apparatus with which a tongue plate for supporting a webbing is engaged so as to fasten the webbing onto an occupant of the vehicle. The preloader apparatus has a flexible wire connected to the buckle apparatus and used to retract the buckle apparatus and a supporting member which supports the wire so as to maintain a predetermined portion of the wire in the standing state and whose supporting function is canceled upon retraction of the buckle apparatus. Accordingly, the buckle apparatus can be maintained in a predetermined standing state.

Abstract: A seat belt fastening device has a seat belt buckle and a single casing in which a compression coil spring for pulling in slack of the seat belt is positioned between a retainer and a flange of a guide member. An inertial mass member is slidably disposed in the guide member. The coil spring is connected by a wire to a pulley unit through the retainer and guide member. The seat belt buckle is connected to the pulley unit by a wire. The wire is usually wound to the pulley unit which is locked by a control lever. When the inertial mass member moves under excessive deceleration, it drives operation levers and the control lever to unlock the pulley unit. As a result, the wire is pulled out from the pulley unit by the released compression spring. Incidentally, the wire is wound to the pulley unit so that the buckle is retracted into the casing and the slack of the seat belt is reduced.

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 arresting hook plate extending from a seatbelt buckle is attached to a buckle plate so that it moves freely along a straight line. When inertia force acts on the mass body inside a pull-in section casing, it leaves a lock state and is caused to move by the spring biasing force. The arresting hook plate attached to the mass body by a wire is caused to be pulled in along with movement of the mass body. A pair of locking pawls included on the buckle plate prevent movement of the arresting hook plate in a pull-out direction when they are in a locked position. There is also an locking pawl holder which is used to select and set the locking or release of the locking pawls. If the locking of the locking pawls is released so that the mass body is returned to the origin position against the spring biasing force by means of the arresting hook plate via the wire, the mass body is placed again in a lock state due to the retainer.

Abstract: An apparatus (40, 460) for tensioning a seat belt and tightening the seat belt against an occupant. The apparatus comprises a housing (42, 462) connectable to a component of a vehicle. A flexible member (102, 482) has a first end portion (104, 484) fixed against movement relative to the housing (42, 462). A second end portion (120, 500) of the flexible member (102, 482) is connectable with a seat belt. An intermediate portion (142, 502) of the flexible member (102, 482) is located between the first and second end portions (104, 120, 484, 500). A part (144, 504) of the intermediate portion (142, 502) is located in the housing (42, 462) and defines an expansible chamber (162, 518). An actuator (202, 562), upon actuation, creates a force which acts on the part (144, 504) of the intermediate portion (144, 502) to expand the chamber (162, 518) and move the second end portion (120, 500) of the flexible member (102, 484) in a direction to tension the seat belt and tighten the seat belt against the occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 220, 420) for tensioning a vehicle seat belt and tightening the seat belt against a vehicle occupant comprising a buckle (22) which is connectable with a tongue of a seat belt. An anchor (80, 280, 444) is connectable with a part of a vehicle. A tubular housing (42, 242, 442) is fixed to one of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444), has a rectangular inner periphery taken in a plane extending normal to a longitudinal axis (B) of the housing, and includes a first wall (64, 264, 446). A second wall (84, 284, 484) is fixed to the other of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444), has a rectangular outer periphery taken in the plane, and is received in the housing (42, 242, 442) opposite the first wall (64, 264, 446) to at least partially define a chamber (102, 302, 502) which is expansible. A connector (82, 282, 482) is fixed to the second wall (84, 284, 484) and to the other of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444).

Abstract: A tensioning device is provided to realize compactness and simplification of device structure and causes mountability to be improved. A tensioning mechanism to rapidly tension one end of an interconnecting member when deceleration of a vehicle is applied, a reversing-prevention hook plate supported rotatably freely on an arm plate, a buckle joined freely rotatably at a position most proximate to a seat belt in a direction of tension action of the seat belt within a plate surface of the reversing-prevention hook plate, and a reversing-prevention claw to restrict reverse rotation of the reversing-prevention hook plate after the interconnecting member has been pulled out are provided, and a base end of the foregoing arm plate is joined freely rotatably to a frame member.

Abstract: When gas is generated in an emergency situation of a vehicle and a cylinder is driven, one of wires rotates a pulley via a small diameter portion of the pulley. For this reason, the other wire connected to a large diameter portion of the pulley has a length wound around the large diameter portion, which is longer than that of the one wire. A drive stroke of the cylinder is increased and transmitted to a seat belt buckle. As a result, even if the cylinder is of a small size, a long pulling stroke is applied to a seat belt.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) includes a movable webbing guide (28) which guides seat belt webbing (26) extendable around an occupant (11) in a vehicle seat (12). A webbing guide stop (70) is movable between different stop positions for stopping movement of the guide (28). The stop (70) is moved between the different stop positions using a positioning screw (64) having one end connected to the stop (70) and the other end operatively connected with a motor (60). A first sensor (80, 84) senses at least one characteristic of an occupant (11) in the seat (12) and provides a signal (82, 86) indicative of the occupant characteristic. The webbing guide stop (70) moves to a stop position which is dependent upon the signal indicative of the occupant characteristic when the occupant (11) is seated in the seat (12) and the vehicle ignition is turned on. An actuator (32), when actuated, causes the guide (28) to move.

Abstract: A pre-loader device that quickly tighten a seat belt after a sudden deceleration of a vehicle is detected is disclosed herein. The pre-loader device includes a mass body and a casing housing the mass body with the mass body being movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within the casing. A holder is positioned by a weak coil spring, and a strong coil spring is disposed between a flange part of the mass body and a flange part of the holder. A retainer and the holder hold therebetween stoppers disposed at the tip of plate springs that extend from the rear end of the mass body so as to position the mass body and maintaining the coil spring in a compressed state. A wire connects the rear end of the mass body to a seat belt buckle.