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 locking device for a band in a safety belt of a passive vehicle safety belt system comprises at least one fastening means (10) for the band (11) and a lock casing (15) into which the fastening means can be inserted and retained. The fastening means is adapted to be moved along a guide rail (13) by a traction means (16), controlled by an electric motor, and is adapted to be released from the traction means, when it engages with the lock casing, so that the traction means and the motor are not exposed to shock loads, when the fastening means engages with the lock casing. The traction means can continue its movement, when the power supply to the motor has been interrupted, so that the kinetic energy accumulated in the motor and the traction means can decay gradually. A slider (19) is attached to the traction means (16), and the fastening means (10) is releasably attached to the slider and is retained to the slider by means of pins (25.31) and a pawl (36).

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.