Abstract: An adjustable seat belt anchorage (20) comprising: a guide rail (22) adapted to be secured to a portion of a vehicle (24) generally at or above occupant shoulder height, the guide rail (22) forming an open channel (34), and a plurality of pairs of cut-outs (36) oppositely positioned in front walls (28) thereof; a latch plate assembly (50) comprising: a resilient carrier (52) slidingly received within the channel (34); a latching mechanism (54) biased into the guide rail by the carrier (52) and supported by and movable within the carrier (52) including a latch bar (112) extending upwardly from the carrier (52) for engaging a selected pair of cut-outs (36). A flat spring (130) arcuately shaped spring (200) or coiled spring (222) is provided to bias the latch bar (112) into the selected cut-out (36).

Abstract: An automatic seat belt device for motor vehicles, includes a retracting member installed on a vehicle door, and upper and lower webbings wherein each lower end thereof is unified into a composite structure for slidably locking with a seat belt lock and each upper end thereof is movably connected to the retracting member, whereby the upper and lower webbings can be fitted to or released from the seated occupant as the vehicle door is closed or opened.

Abstract: A rear or bench seat in a motor vehicle such as a "Estate car", "station-wagon" or "hatch-back" is adapted to be folded down. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the back seat in the operative position. The locking mechanism comprises a locking element which extends substantially across the whole width of the vehicle in which the seat is fitted, which is mounted on the back of the seat. The locking element has means adapted to engage an abutment located on each side of the motor car when in the locking position. The locking element can be moved to a release position.

Abstract: A child safety belt sleeve for use with an existing automobile safety belt. The sleeve includes a pliable funnel-shaped frame structure in which the safety belt may be releasably inserted prior to the fastening of the safety belt. The sleeve facilitates in the proper orientation of the safety belt across the lap and chest area of a child. The funnel-shaped frame structure may include an adjustment to ensure that the sleeve is oriented in accordance with the particular girth of the child being restrained. The funnel-shaped structure may be provided with a protective cover which also enhances the aesthetic appearance of the sleeve. The sleeve provides a frontal barrier for children who have outgrown safety restraint seats yet are still not physically mature enough to effectively use a factory installed seat belt.

Abstract: A three-point belt assembly is mounted to the seat frame removably mounted to a vehicle. The upper portion of the belt extends through a guide having a tongue thereon releasably lockable with a buckle mounted to the vehicle frame above the seat. In one embodiment, the guide tongue is pivotally constructed to facilitate swinging movement of the belt whereas in an alternate embodiment, the buckle is pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame above the seat facilitating pivotal web movement.

Abstract: The apparatus for redirecting a shoulder strap of a vehicle's seat belt from a standard path, the standard path extending between a lower buckle clasp to an upper vehicle side wall mounting across a torso of an average height adult passenger of the vehicle, to a lowered path extending across a torso of a reduced height passenger of the vehicle, may comprise; an upper shoulder strap feeder fastener for holding and guiding the shoulder strap from the upper side wall mounting at a point substantially along the standard path at a side of the reduced height passenger adjacent the mounting; a middle shoulder strap locating fastener for holding and guiding the shoulder strap from the upper shoulder strap feeder fastener to the lower buckle clasp; a lower belt fastener attachable to a lap strap of the seat belt; and a body member interconnecting the upper shoulder strap feeder fastener, the middle shoulder strap locating fastener and the lower belt fastener.

Abstract: An automatic seat belt system in which a slider supported by a guide rail and adapted to be worn by a vehicle occupant is moved from a webbing-application canceling position to a webbing applying position so as to apply the webbing around the occupant. The automatic seat belt system includes a slider holding portion for retaining the slider at the webbing applying position and movable along the guide rail in the retaining state, and a lock pin for retaining the slider holding member onto a chassis by being inserted in a hole provided in the chassis and for setting the slider holding member in a movable state as the lock pin is pulled out of the hole. Also provided is a controller for moving the slider by a predetermined distance from the webbing applying position toward the webbing-application canceling position by reversely rotating the motor before the lock pin is pulled out of the hole.

Abstract: A self-locking strap guide (S) has a base (10) with a flange (11) for mounting on the structure or shell (C) and with a support (12) against which the strap (S) can be pressed, a lock (20) with a shoe (21) articulated via an axle (30) on the base (10) in such a way that the strap (S) can pass between the support (12) and shoe (21), and in such a way that this shoe (21) can press the strap (S) against this support (12), and elastic stressing means (40) tending normally to move this shoe (21) and this support (12) apart.

Abstract: A clip for use with three-point seat belt systems to permit adjustment of the diagonal or shoulder belt component to accommodate relatively short passengers. The clip is substantially S-shaped in transverse cross section including a forward face, a rearward face, and an intermediate web section interconnected therebetween. Between the forward face and the web section is a shoulder belt receiving section and between the rearward face and the web section is a lap belt receiving section. In use, portions of the lap belt and shoulder belt are received within the respective belt receiving sections of the clip. By movement of the clip relative to the belts, the lower attachment point of the shoulder belt is selectively adjustable by the passenger to permit limited adjustment of the shouldeer belt to a more comfortable and effective position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shoulder adjuster comprising: a guide rail fitted so that the longitudinal direction is set as a vertical directions to a vehicle and provided with a plurality of notches formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction; and a slide member slidable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and having engaging parts engaging with the notches and a shoulder anchor fitting part. The guide rail consists of a synthetic resin guide rail and a metal guide rail so that the slide member engages with the synthetic resin guide rail during an emergency, and during a non-emergency the synthetic resin guide rail is deformed to make the slide member engage with the metal guide rail.

Abstract: A guide is provided for a vehicle shoulder belt so the latter, when in an operative mode, will safely engage the person while sitting in a vehicle seat. The guide includes a first attaching member which removably encompasses a first portion of the back section of the vehicle seat, and a second attaching member which is angularly disposed relative to and intersects the first attaching member. The second attaching member removably encompasses a second portion of the seat back section. Carried by the first attaching member and disposed to the side of the seat back section, which is proximate the shoulder belt, is a guide piece. The guide piece is in sliding engagement with a portion of the shoulder belt. The second attaching member has a portion thereof affixed to an intersecting portion of the first attaching member.

Abstract: An adjustable breakaway comfort strap for use in connection with a restraining system which includes a seat belt and shoulder harness combination. The device includes first and second elongated strap members, each strap member having a combination of fastening elements such as VELCRO attached thereto for allowing adjustable attachment of the first and second strap members to the shoulder harness and lap belt strap respectively of an automobile restraining system. The first and second elongated straps also include an attachment tab which allows interconnection of the two straps to form a single elongated strap.

Abstract: A position adjusting device for a shoulder belt in a seat belt assembly includes a belt anchor into which the shoulder belt is loosely passed, an anchor support block supporting the belt anchor, a guide rail slidably holding the anchor support block, and a straight screw member which is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the guide rail and is screwed into the anchor support member, so that the anchor support block may be moved along the guide rail by the rotation of the screw member. A surface layer of solid lubricant is formed on at least one of thread surfaces of the screw member and the anchor support block.

Abstract: A device for the vertical adjustment of the upper anchorage or deflection point of a safety belt system as a function of the longitudinal displacement of an associated motor vehicle seat. Displacement of the seat is transmitted by a cable coupled to a guide rail and a slider vertically displaceable therein between a lower and an upper stop and accommodating an attachment fitting or sash guide. Vertically correct adaptation, even to persons sitting relatively far back and having a relatively small upper body is achieved by an arrangement which permits further cable movement, directed counter a spring force, when the slider runs up against the upper stop and the motor vehicle seat is pushed further back.

Abstract: A through anchor suitable for use in a seat belt system is disclosed. In use, the through anchor is mounted by way of a through bore formed in a fixing member arranged on a side of a vehicle body. The through anchor comprises a metal plate, a fixing bolt, a resin covering and an internally-threaded member. The metal plate defines therein a through hole and a webbing slot. The fixing bolt has a head portion, a threaded portion and a base portion. The resin covering is molded as an integral member on a surface of the head portion of the fixing bolt and a surface of the metal plate. The internally-threaded member has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion extending radially and outwardly from the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A seat belt drawing angle adjusting device provided on the upper end part of a seat back, comprising a housing, a seat belt retractor supported within the housing, a seat belt guide member rotatably supported in the housing and a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the guide member. The guide member has, formed therein, a slit through which a seat belt passes from the retractor to the outside, and is so arranged as to be vertically movable, thereby allowing vertical displacement of the slit. Hence, the seat belt can be adjusted at lower or higher level in relation to its drawing point.

Abstract: A seat belt safety clip for orienting a shoulder seat belt away from a passenger's head and neck when the passager is restrained by the shoulder belt and a lap seat belt. The seat belt safety clip includes a frame member having a longitudinal slot for retaining a portion of the shoulder seat belt, and a clip member longitudinally attached to the frame member for retaining a portion of the lap seat belt between the frame member and the clip member. The frame member has a receiving member including a pair of spaced apart lips, and the clip member has a mating member including a pair of spaced apart hooks, such that the two hooks of the clip member can be engaged to the two lips of the frame member respectively, so that the clip member is removably attached to the frame member.

Abstract: A harness adjustment and fastening mechanism for a child's car seat and method for securing a child's car seat harness. A harness made of a single belt threaded through a buckle detachably fixed to a point on the front, seat portion, of a plastic unitary seat structure. The belt is free to travel through the buckle. The two free ends of the belt pass over the child's shoulders and are threaded through the unitary seat structure to a rear portion of said structure. The belt ends each contain several loops through which a wire rod can be passed. Size of the harness can be altered by varying the loops through which the rod is threaded. The ends of the threaded rod are fitted into grooves located on the back of the unitary seat structure. A snap tab molded into the housing prevents motion of the rod out of the grooves thereby securely fastening the harness.

Abstract: A position adjusting device for a shoulder belt in a seat belt assembly comprises a belt anchor into which the shoulder belt is loosely passed, an anchor support block supporting the belt anchor, a guide rail slidably holding the anchor support block, and a straight screw shaft which is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the guide rail and is screwed into the anchor support member, so that the anchor support block may be moved along the guide rail by the rotation of the screw shaft; the anchor supporting block having two female screw members screwed around the screw shaft, and is biased by an elastic member toward or away from each other.

Abstract: An adjustable shoulder anchorage is provided for use in a vehicle seat belt system. The anchorage includes a base defining a plurality of engagement portions distributed at predetermined intervals along the length of the base; a slide anchor provided movably under guidance along the base and carrying a joint on which a webbing is supported; a lock member provided on the slide anchor, the lock member being selectively engageable with the engagement portions; a stopper provided on a side of one end of the base so that movement of the slide anchor can be limited; and an impact absorber interposed between the stopper and the slide anchor, the impact absorber being flexible when brought into abutment against the stopper.

Abstract: A device is provided for improving comfort of a person seated in a motor vehicle using a safety belt assembly provided therein that includes a shoulder strap. Such device includes as essential parts (a) a suction cup that may be releasably adhered to the windshield, side window or other part of said motor vehicle, (b) a clip that may be releasably attached to a part of the shoulder strap, (c) a cord attached to one end to the suction cup and slidably looped through the clip creating a first section or cord that extends from the suction cup to the clip and a second section of cord that leads away from the clip but does not connect with the suction cup and (d) a cord jam member for manually adjusting the length of the first section of the cord.

Abstract: A free falling cinch tongue has a lock bar which is supported to be freely rotatable about a fixed axis to move a belt clamping surface on the lock bar toward and away from a belt clamping surface on the cinch tongue frame.

Abstract: A passive restraint system includes a torso belt automatically securing a vehicle occupant by moving from a forward position along a track to a rearward position to secure the occupant. A belt carrier carries one end of the torso belt along the track while the other end of the torso belt is retained on a belt retractor. Inadvertent latching of the retractor latching mechanism during movement of the belt carrier to the rearward position may cause stalling of the belt carrier. A manual retrigger is provided whereby the vehicle occupant may reinitiate the movement of the belt carrier once the latched belt is released.

Abstract: An improved seat belt restraint system having a "comfort" feature for controlling tension in a shoulder belt. The comfort feature partially relieves tension exerted by the seat belt retractor on the vehicle occupant, yet prevents excess slack from developing in the shoulder belt which can negatively affect occupant protection performance of the restraint system. A webbing guide is provided which forms the upper anchorage of the shoulder belt of the restraint system. The webbing guide includes a sensing lever which contacts the seat belt webbing and is moved through various angular positions in response to tension applied on the shoulder belt. When the sensing lever is in an angular position corresponding to excess slack in the webbing, the webbing can pass freely through the guide loop and the retractor can freely retract webbing.

Abstract: An adjustable seat belt anchorage (20) comprising: a guide rail (22) adapted to be secured to a portion of a vehicle (24) generally at or above occupant shoulder height, the guide rail (22) forming an open channel (34), and a plurality of pairs of cut-outs (36) oppositely positioned in front walls (28) thereof; a latch plate assembly (50) comprising: a resilient carrier (52) slidingly received within the channel (34); a latching mechanism (54) biased into the guide rail by the carrier (52) and supported by and movable within the carrier (52) including a latch bar (112) extending upwardly from the carrier (52) for engaging a selected pair of cut-outs (36) and a bushing (102) for supporting a D-ring (140), wherein the point of attachment of the D-ring is located relative to the latch bar (112) in a manner that forces and torques exerted upon the safety belt (146) and D-ring (140) tend to urge the latch bar (112) into the cut-outs (36) in the guide rail (22) and a spring (56) comprising a coiled end (84) slidabl

Abstract: This invention is directed to a useful improvement in a seat belt mount mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle of the type that an anchor plate adapted to support a shoulder anchor for holding the seat belt extending through an opening defined therein is mounted operatively to a door sash element of the vehicle body by way of a fixing bracket, wherein there is provided an elongated portion extending outwardly from the lower end of the anchor plate, upon which the elongated portion the shoulder anchor is held operatively, whereby it is feasible in practice to bring the mount for the shoulder anchor as far behind as possible of the door sash element, and consequently, the seat belt may serve more effectively in function to forcibly catch a driver or passengers therein. With this arrangement, it is possible in practice to make the anchor plate and the fixing bracket small and compact in construction, accordingly.

Abstract: An attachment is provided for enabling the shoulder belt portion of a restraining device as employed in automotive vehicles to be positionally adjusted for the comfort of the wearer. The attachment, having a rigid base panel with front and rear faces, slidably engages the lap belt portion of the restraint device by clamping elements associated with said rear face. An alongated hook member disposed upon said front face is adapted to slidably engage the shoulder belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle includes a D-ring with a slot through which the webbing can extend. A bolt is fixed to the webbing guide and has a portion extending through an opening in a bracket fixed to the body of the vehicle. The surfaces on the bracket which define the opening in the bracket include a pair of stop surfaces. The bolt is pivotable relative to the bracket. A surface on the bolt abuts the stop surfaces on the bracket to limit rotation of the bolt relative to the bracket and prevent the D-ring from rotating so far forward that the edge of the belt webbing jams or twists in the end of the slot.

Abstract: A seat comprising a first eyelet secured to the top of the seatback, on one side of the same, and inside which a first belt slides; a winding device for the first belt, secured to the rear surface of the seat; a carriage traveling substantially longitudinally and to which is secured one end of the first belt; a second eyelet secured to the seat portion of the seat and inside which a second belt slides; a second winding device secured underneath the seat for winding the second belt; and means for retaining one end of the second belt, which means are secured to the seat for enabling the connection of connecting means to which the end of the second belt is secured.

Abstract: A seat assembly for over-the-highway trucks and tractors including a seat (10) having a frame (16), a cushion (17) and a back (25). The assembly includes a three-point seat belt structure including a retractor (52), a shoulder anchor (58) on a support (67), a lock (56) and an anchor (54). Vehicle cab and frame structure connected tethers (30, 31, 71) limit seat and seat belt movement in the event of an accident.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the position of a shoulder anchor in a passive seat belt system for a vehicle includes a base plate for transmitting a load to the vehicle body and an anchor plate to which a webbing for restraining an occupant is connected. An adjusting-type connection is used between the base plate and the anchor plate so that the anchor plate is adjustable with respect to the base plate both vertically and angularly when the occupant is restrained by the webbing.

Abstract: A seat integrated seat belt system. A three point seat belt system includes a belt having one end affixed to the seat and an opposite end mounted to a retractor secured to the seat. A seat belt tongue is mounted to the belt intermediate the belt ends and is releasably lockable with a belt buckle on the opposite side of the seat thereby pulling one portion of the belt across the passenger lap and another portion of the belt across the passenger upper torso. The belt extends through a guide located at the top of the seat. A seat tether includes a second belt having one end attached to the seat at the location of the guide and a second end mounted to a second retractor located beneath the seat. The second retractor is operable to limit motion of the seat thereby minimizing the impact of vehicle motion on the first belt securing the passenger to the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting relative sliding movement of first and second belt portions arranged in an overlapping side-by-side relationship is usable with a three-point safety seat belt system for securing a child's seat on a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a V-shaped member having a pair of leg portions and a bight portion interconnecting the leg portions. The V-shaped member has an opening in the bight portion. A bar is pivotally connected to the leg portions of the V-shaped member. When it is desired to secure a child's seat on a vehicle seat, the lap belt portion is extended around the child's seat and a tongue plate slidably fastened to the lap and shoulder belt portions is secured to a belt buckle. With the bar in an open position, a loop formed from overlapped lap and shoulder belt portions of the seat belt webbing adjacent the tongue plate is inserted through the opening in the bight portion of the V-shaped member.

Abstract: A passive restraint system includes a torso belt automatically securing a vehicle occupant by moving from a forward position along a track to a rearward position. A belt carrier carries one end of the torso belt along the track while the other end of the torso belt is retained on a belt retractor. Adjustment of the location of a vehicle seat during travel of the torso belt could cause inadvertent latching of the retractor latching mechanism which results in stalling of the belt carrier. The present invention inhibits torso belt movement whenever the seat is adjusted to prevent such latching. When the seat adjustment is completed, the torso belt movement is resumed.

Abstract: This seat belt locking device is utilized to temporarily modify a shoulder/lap belt occupant restraint system in a vehicle to secure a child's restraint seat in place in the vehicle. The clamp has a base on which overlapping shoulder and lap belt webbings are placed on a locking bar pivoted to the base is used to force the overlapping webbing to an offset, high friction position. A camming and retaining knob is turned over the free camming end of the clamping bar to further tension the lap belt webbing and to secure the bar and the webbing offset thereby in position so that the lap belt can be effectively employed to keep the child restraint seat in position under a wide range of seat belt loads as encountered during normal driving conditions.

Abstract: A contoured vehicle seat back and a belt restraint which cooperate to safely secure and immobilize a rearwardly handcuffed prisoner for transport is disclosed. The contoured seat back includes a pair of downwardly converging channels therein for receiving and engaging the arms of the occupant. A central lower pocket for receiving the cuffed hands of the occupant is recessed into the seat back proximate the lower extremities of the channels. The belt restraint includes a cinching handle detachably mounted to the seat belt latching mechanism which can be detached from the latching mechanism and used to tighten the seat belt urging the occupant into engagement with the contoured seat back.

Abstract: The drawings and accompanying description disclose an attachment mechanism for a vehicular shoulder belt, which is readily attachable and quickly removable as a complete assembly from a mounting bolt threadedly secured to the roof rail adjacent the rear seat of a vehicle, such as a station wagon. The attachment mechanism includes a base member having a keyhole opening therein for mounting on the bolt, a leaf spring adapted to lie in part against the base member and retain the bolt head in the smaller portion of the keyhole opening after being deflected to permit the bolt head to pass through the larger portion of the keyhole opening, and a partially exposed pivotable actuating member operatively connected intermediate the base member and leaf spring for manually urging the leaf spring past the bolt head to permit removal of the attachment mechanism from the bolt via the larger keyhole opening portion.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat for use with a passive seat belt has a seat cushion having a joining portion and a seat back having a joining portion at which it is pivotally supported on the joining portion of the seat cushion. A clearance is provided between the joining portions of the seat back and seat cushion for preventing the webbing from being held compressedly between the joining portions when the seat back is in a forwardly turned position.

Abstract: In a vertically displaceable safety belt fitting, to ensure that, even when high displacement forces occur, a first catch element of the slideably displaceable anchoring element received by a guide rail fixed to the vehicle body executes a downwardly directed movement after it has run up against an associated pawl and after an actuating button has been released, whereby, when the button is depressed again, the first catch element becomes capable of moving the associated pawl away, it is proposed to equip a release element carrying the first catch element with an upwardly directed slot on the same side as the bearing and to provide the release element with a spring which engages on the top side of the release element.

Abstract: A force limiter comprises a stretch element which is inserted into the force flow path and which under tensile load by increasing its length deforms in force-limiting manner and the longitudinal ends of which are bridged by a stretch-limiting element with insertion of a clearance corresponding to the intended extension of the stretch element. By the stretch-limiting element the failure load of the force limiter is increased without influencing the tensile stress/elongation characteristic within the intended action range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt handle assembly which allows a vehicle passenger to conveniently grasp a seat and shoulder belt from its retracted position for engagement. The apparatus comprises a clip assembly slidably attached to the shoulder belt with a handle projecting from the clip assembly. The clip assembly and handle are positioned such that the handle extends forward from the seat and shoulder belt to a location beside and slightly in front of the occupant's torso when the seat and shoulder belt is in the retracted position, thereby allowing the occupant to grasp the handle of the seat belt handle assembly and pull the seat and shoulder belt forward parallel to the direction of the occupant without the necessity of reaching behind the plane of the occupant's torso.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a webbing-supporting member in a passive seat belt system is constructed of an elongated member to be mounted on a vehicle body--such as a guide rail--, an anchor base transversely surrounding the elongated member, and a spacer provided between the elongated member and anchor base to substantially fill up a spacing between the elongated member and at least one of planar walls of the anchor base.

Abstract: A seat belt holder position adjuster is disclosed which adjusts the height of a belt holder which supports an uppermost portion of a shoulder belt part of the seat belt. The adjuster comprises an elongate base unit formed with a plurality of latch holes, an anchor unit disposed on the base member in a manner to slide therealong, a belt holding member connected to the anchor unit to move therewith, and a latch pawl unit mounted on the anchor unit. The latch pawl unit includes two shank portions which are latchingly engageable with selected pair of the latch holes of the base member and at least one spring for biasing the shank portions in a direction to establish a latching engagement between the shank portions and the selected pair of the latch holes.

Abstract: An adjustable shoulder/lap seat belt adapter in the form of an elongated strap, has fixably mounted on one face thereof a central strip of one of a hook-and-loop type fastener material tape intermediate the ends of the elongated strap. Short length strips of the other of hook-and-loop type fastener tape are affixed to opposite ends of the elongated strap on the same face. Closed loops are formed at the end of the elongated strap about a shoulder strap and a lap strap of a shoulder/lap seat belt securing an occupant to an automotive motor vehicle seat, preventing ride up of the shoulder strap on the torso of the seat occupant, misuse of the shoulder strap, and eliminating the need for constant repetitive readjusting of the shoulder strap position. A swivel-mounted snap clamp affixed to the one face of the adapter elongated strap, clamps to the edge of the shoulder strap with a swivel axis oriented approximately 65.degree. to the center line of the elongated strap.

Abstract: A seat belt latchplate is disclosed for use in association with a three-point seat belt harness wherein the latchplate is mounted at an intermediate point on the belt formed with a tongue portion adapted to be releasably anchored to an associated releasable buckle positioned inboard of the vehicle passenger seat. The latchplate has a trough-shaped depression providing a cross bar defined by a pair of symmetrically disposed belt slots located in each sloped side of the depression. A J-shaped lock bar is supported on the cross bar enabling the belt to be weaved through one slot and over the lock bar for passage through the other slot. With the latchplate in its free running stowed mode the belt is straight allowing the lock bar to float for free sliding travel of the belt through the latchplate slots. In its latched mode the belt is pulled around a hook-shaped portion of the lock bar causing the bar to rock and pinch the belt in its cinching mode releasably locking the passenger in the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for a three-point safety restraint system comprising a tongue plate having a pair of intersecting openings of dissimilar diameters, the point of intersection defining a narrow passage, a connector plate assembly adapted to be connected to the tongue plate having a two tier shoulder rivet including an enlarged head portion having a diameter smaller than the larger opening and larger than the smaller opening. The rivet further including a circular boss formed on the underside of the head portion having a diameter slightly smaller than the smaller opening and larger than the diameter of the passage. A spring having one end in engagement with the connector plate and having its other end in engagement with a flat faced spring retainer, the spring and spring retainer urging the tongue plate and connector plate in compressive engagement when such plates are in a locked position with the rivet centered about the smaller of the two openings.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system with an improved slide-anchor-holding structure is provided. The structure includes a load bearing element and an auxiliary load bearing member. The load bearing element is engageable with a slide anchor when the slide anchor assumes an occupant-restraining position. The auxiliary load bearing element is provided at a position spaced further by a predetermined distance toward an end of a guide rail, the end being on the side of the restraining position, from the point of engagement between the load bearing element and slide anchor. The auxiliary load bearing element has an engaging portion which faces toward the point of connection between the slide anchor and a webbing and is brought into contact and engagement with the slide anchor at least when an angular moment is applied to the slide anchor.

Abstract: A passive safety belt arrangement for a motor vehicle which comprises a guide located at the center of the motor vehicle to guide a belt from a retractor reel over the shoulder of a person sitting on a seat of the motor vehicle, the belt passing to a carriage which is movable along a horizontal rail located between the seat and the side of the car. A motor drives the carriage along the rail. A locking station receives the carriage at a terminal position. When an accident occurs the carriage moves from a normal position within a locking station to bring part of the carriage into engagement with a detent provided in the locking station.

Abstract: A height adjustment device is provided which is suitable for combination with a webbing tightener. Unintentional release of the locking engagement by the downwardly directed inertia forces on the slide are avoided in that by means of a compensating mass a compensation force is generated which simultaneously acts on the slide and opposes the inertia forces of the latter. A two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted in its center and to the one end of which the compensating mass is secured converts the downwardly directed inertia forces originating from the compensating mass to an upwardly directed compensation force acting on the slide.

Abstract: According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system includes a housing having a base wall with flanges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored in the generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower end of the belt.