Abstract: In a safety harness, a strap length adjustment device (10) has an adjustment member (20) selectively movable generally longitudinally of the strap (9), the strap preferably extending around the member so that twice the length of strap is protracted or retracted per unit movement of the member. The adjustment member (20) may be held in a selected position against a spring (29) tending to retract the strap by spring-biassed caliper jaws (30) released by a push button (37). The device (10) may be embodied as an abdominal pad in a child's harness for use or incorporated in a push chair or a vehicle safety seat.

Abstract: A passive vehicle seat belt system includes measures to prevent overheating of the drive motor and obstruction of system operation. Drive motor excess current demand is sensed to effect motor de-energization and/or disabling of latching means of a retractor included in the system and/or operation of an indicator light. The indicator light can prompt manual motor de-energization. Disabling of retractor latching means can be effected by a belt movement command signal. Retractors with means for signalling operation of latching means, with solenoid means for disabling latching means, and with means for indicating when a predetermined belt length has been received therein, are described.

Abstract: An adjustable anchorage, for example a shoulder anchorage of a vehicle seat belt system, has a first part formed with a slot and a second part received in and movable along the slot. One part may support a seat belt and the other part may be part of, or be attachable to, a motor vehicle. The slot has alternate narrow and wide portions and the second part is shaped to engage in the wide slot portions. Adjustment is achieved either by rotation of the second part to align flats on it with the narrow slot portions, or by movement perpendicular to the slot against a spring bias to bring a narrow portion of the second part into the plane of the slot. Advantageously, the second member has a frusto-conical portion and the walls of the slot are shaped always to urge the second member into a wide portion when released at a position intermediate two wide portions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt buckle has a flat tongue part with latching edges, and a socket part with spaced parallel plates defining a socket within which the tongue can be received. A latch member slides at right angles to the plane of the tongue to engage the latch formations to retain the tongue within the socket, the movement being imparted by latch member portions received in grooves of a push botton slidably guided for manual movement in the direction of insertion of the tongue. A spring urged detent retains the push button and thus the latch member in the release positions and is itself released by a portion of an ejector device when this is moved inwardly in the socket on insertion of the tongue. In a modification a spring biassed ejector prevents return of the latch member to its latching position after release of the tongue.

Abstract: An adjustable anchorage, for example a shoulder anchorage of a vehicle seat belt system, has a first part formed with a slot and a second part received in and movable along the slot. One part may support a seat belt and the other part may be part of, or be attachable to, a motor vehicle. The slot has alternate narrow and wide portions and the second part is shaped to engage in the wide slot portions. Adjustment is achieved either by rotation of the second part to align flats on it with the narrow slot portions, or by movement perpendicular to the slot against a spring bias to bring a narrow portion of the second part into the plane of the slot. Advantageously, the second member has a frusto-conical portion and the walls of the slot are shaped always to urge the second member into a wide portion when released at a position intermediate two wide portions.

Abstract: An upper anchorage for a shoulder belt of a vehicle seat belt system comprises a plate-like carriage slidable within a generally tubular upright track having a longitudinal slot through which a support for the belt outwardly projects. An arm or arms pivoted on the carriage, or a spring loaded detent projecting therefrom, normally engage in recesses in a wall or walls of the tubular track. The carriage can then quite readily be moved at least upwardly as desired. When a predetermined tension is experienced by the belt the support moves to cause the or each arm to be moved into, or further into, the recess, or, if only upward movement is normally permitted, the support can be moved upwardly on the carriage to allow adjustment downwardly.

Abstract: An adjustable seat belt anchorage, particularly for the upper end of the shoulder belt of a vehicle seat belt system, comprises a channel-shaped track along which a carriage having a loop or other means for attachment of a seat belt is slidable. The track has a series of notches which are engageable by a protruding rib on the carriage. For adjustment, the carriage is rockable about an axis perpendicular to the direction of sliding movement to release the rib from engagement with the notches. A torsion spring acting between the carriage and the track biasses the rib and notches into engagement and the engagement is enhanced by the tension in the belt during use.

Abstract: An upper anchorage for a shoulder belt of a vehicle seat belt system comprises a plate-like carriage slidable within a generally tubular upright track having a longitudinal slot through which a support for the belt outwardly projects. An arm or arms pivoted on the carriage, or a spring loaded detent projecting therefrom, normally engage in recesses in a wall or walls of the tubular track. The carriage can then quite readily be moved at least upwardly as desired. When a predetermined tension is experienced by the belt the support moves to cause the or each arm to be moved into, or further into, the recess, or, if only upward movement is normally permitted, the support can be moved upwardly on the carriage to allow adjustment downwardly.

Abstract: An adjustable seat belt anchorage, particularly for the upper end of the shoulder belt of a vehicle seat belt system, comprises a channel-shaped track along which a carriage having a loop or other means for attachment of a seat belt is slidable. The track has a series of notches which are engageable by a protruding rib on the carriage. For adjustment, the carriage is rockable about an axis perpendicular to the direction of sliding movement to release the rib from engagement with the notches. A torsion spring acting between the carriage and the track biasses the rib and notches into engagement and the engagement is enhanced by the tension in the belt during use.