Abstract: In a safety belt arrangement a pre-tensioner assembly is provided adapted to apply tension to a cable. The cable is wound directly round the outer periphery of a plurality of pivotally mounted shoes which, in response to tension being applied to the cable, move to a position in which they engage an extension of the shaft of a retractor reel. Continuing tension applied to the cable causes the shoes and the shaft to rotate about the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A contact device for delivering electrical signals corresponding to the movement of a movable body having two opposing layers including a base layer and a flexible layer spaced from the base layer. An electrical input conductor attached to one of the two layers and is electrically connected to a power source. The device also includes an electrical output conductor attached to one of the layers for transmitting an electrical signal when the output conductor is electrically connected to the input conductor. A plurality of contact elements are attached to one of the layers for electrically connecting the input conductor to the first output conductor. A pressure device attached to the movable body moves along a path defined by at least one of the conductors, abuts the flexible layer and displaces the flexible layer toward the base layer.

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 retractor reel for a vehicle safety belt has a sensor responsive to the speed or acceleration of belt withdrawal to actuate a reel locking mechanism and also has a sensor responsive to vehicle acceleration or deceleration to actuate the locking mechanism. A solenoid actuated device is provided to retain both the sensors in the inoperative position. The reel can thus safely be used in an automatic seat belt arrangement of the type in which a carriage moves withdrawing belt from the reel to locate the belt in the operative position.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed which is incorporated in a seat for a motor vehicle. The seat includes a seat frame and is slidably mounted for forward and backward movement. The seat is retained in a predetermined position by retaining means which are adapted to be released when the seat is subjected to predetermined deceleration forces is that the seat may then slide forward. The safety device has actuating means which are adapted to actuate the safety device as the car seat slides forward subsequent to the release of the retaining means.

Abstract: In a passive vehicle safety belt in which one end of the belt is guided along a track by means of fastening means, slidable along the track and connected to one end of the safety belt, a retractor mechanism is provided which can be selectively locked in order to prevent safety belt being drawn into a retractor mechanism while the fastening means is in motion. Thus a loop of safety belt can be generated which does not strike the face of the person wearing the safety belt.

Abstract: A retractor reel assembly for vehicle safety belt has a rotatable reel which automatically winds in the safety belt when it is not in use, and has a locking arrangement, which is normally in the locked condition. A sensor senses the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle and the locking means are adapted to be released in response to the withdrawal or attempted withdrawal of a length of safety belt when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle is within a predetermined limit. If the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle is outside the predetermined limit the reel is retained in the locked condition.

Abstract: A device for sensing the position of a movable inertia body in a vehicle safety system comprises a radiation emitting means (20) and a radiation detecting means (21) adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation. The inertia body (23) can be either in a neutral position in which the body does not activate the safety system, or in at least one working position in which the body activates the safety system, and is adapted to influence the radiation received by the detecting means (21) depending on its position, so that the radiation received by the detecting means indicates the position of the inertia body. The radiation emitting means (20) and the radiation detecting means (21) are positioned on opposite sides of the inertia means, and the radiation can be, for example, light passing through a hole (22) in the inertia body. Due to the fact that the radiation passes through a hole in the inertia body, a reliable indication of the position of the inertia body is obtained.

Abstract: A seat belt pre-tensioning device is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and includes a buckle to receive a seat belt buckle. The device incorporates components which are responsive to a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle and which move to permit spring-loaded components to apply a force to move the buckle to apply a tension to the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt anchorage consists of a support member which forms part of a carriage movable along a track. The support member is adapted to have a seat belt releasably connected thereto. The seat belt itself engages a connection member, one end of which is engaged by a spring-biassed catch member. The other end of the connection may either be pivotally connected to the support member or may be inserted into a socket or recess defined on the support member. The catch can be moved to a release position to enable the seat belt to be detached from the carriage.

Abstract: A retractor reel for vehicle safety belts of the type in which the belt is automatically wound onto a rotatably supported shaft, when the belt is not used, comprises a first locking means and a second locking means, one of which being attached to the support and the other being attached to the rotatable shaft. One of the locking means is movable and arranged to be moved between an idle position, in which it does not engage with the other locking means, and an operative position, in which it engages with the other locking means for locking the shaft. The two locking means are positioned at one end of the rotatable shaft, and two further locking means are positioned at the opposite end of the shaft, where the shaft is supported by a bearing which is arranged to yield, when the shaft is heavily loaded. When the bearing yields, the two further locking means will engage with each other to lock the end of the shaft, so that the shaft will be locked at both ends when heavily loaded.

Abstract: A locking device for vehicle safety belts of the type in which a band of the belt is automatically wound onto a shaft (14) rotatably mounted between two side walls (12, 13) of a support, when the belt is not used, comprises two notched wheels (22, 23) attached to the shaft, and at least one moveable locking bar (32, 33). The locking bar is adapted to cooperate with the notched wheels (22, 23) for locking the shaft and to be moved between a passive position in which it is positioned outside the rotation paths of the notches, and an active position in which it runs into the rotation paths of the notches, so that the rotation of the notched wheels and thus of the shaft is prevented and further band cannot be withdrawn from the shaft. The notched wheels (22, 23) are positioned adjacent one side wall (13) on either side of the wall and the locking bar (32, 33) is adapted to pass through an aperture in the wall.

Abstract: A seat belt system has an elongate rail mounted in the motor vehicle, and a seat belt termination assembly movable along the rail and connected to one end of the seat belt. The termination assembly is driven along the rail by an elongate drive element which is motor driven. The termination assembly is releasably connected to the drive element by a toggle latch connection. The termination assembly is released from the drive element when subjected to a predetermined retarding force.

Abstract: A seat belt fitting is provided which comprises a guide element mounted on a carriage that is movable along a rail or the like. The rail may be mounted on the "B" post of an automobile so that the position of the guide element can be adjusted up-and-down relative to the shoulder of a person sitting in the automobile. The carriage can be selectively retained in a plurality of different positions along the rail. In the invention a spring strip has one end connected to the carriage, and the other end wound into a spiral. The spiral portion of the spring is retained in a predetermined position and the spring imparts a bias to the carriage tending to cancel out a bias supplied to the carriage by the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt fitting is provided which comprises a guide element mounted on a carriage that is movable along a rail or the like. The rail may be mounted on the "B" post of an automobile so that the position of the guide element can be adjusted up-and-down relative to the shoulder of a person sitting in the automobile. The carriage can be selectively retained in a plurality of different positions along the rail. In the invention a spring strip has one end connected to the carriage, and the other end wound into a spiral. The spiral portion of the spring is retained in a predetermined position and the spring imparts a bias to the carriage tending to cancel out a bias supplied to the carriage by the seat belt.