Abstract: A height adjusting mechanism for an upper brace of a shoulder belt of a safety belt device of a motorized vehicle has a locking device that includes a guide track having a longitudinal extension and having locking recesses distributed along the longitudinal extension. The locking device also includes a slide displaceable in the longitudinal direction and a locking lever with a locking projection. The locking lever has a supporting zone for supporting the locking lever on the slide such that the locking lever is pivotable from a locking position into a release position. In the locking position the locking projection engages one of the locking recesses. The locking lever has a zone of reduced material strength located between the locking projection and the supporting zone, wherein the zone of reduced material strength provides a deformative travel for the locking projection under load and has an abutment for limiting the deformative travel.

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 safety belt reeling device with inclination compensation is connected to a vehicle seat, wherein the part of the vehicle seat to which the safety belt reeling device is connected is inclination-adjustable relative to the axis oriented to the center of the earth, and has a vehicle-sensitive acceleration sensor to be oriented in a nominal position to the center of the earth. A pendulum mass, pivotable about a pivot point, acts on the acceleration sensor for returning the acceleration sensor into the nominal position when inclination changes occurs. A first inertia mass in the form of a first instable compensation pendulum sensitive to acceleration forces is provided. The first compensation pendulum is pivotable about the pivot point of the pendulum mass. A first locking member is coupled to the first pendulum mass and the compensation pendulum. A stationary blocking toothing is provided.

Abstract: A gas generator for generating gas for use in a vehicle safety device includes a pressure vessel containing a compressed gas including at least one oxidizing component, the pressure vessel having defined therein at least one opening which is normally closed and means to open the at least one opening in response to a signal including a duct leading from the at least one opening towards an outlet that communicates with the safety device, and a solid fuel located within the duct arranged to be oxidized with the oxidizing gas when the oxidizing gas passes through the duct after the opening has been opened, the solid fuel being in the form of a structure that is restrained within the duct.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a mechanical sensor at a safety belt reeling device of a safety restraining mechanism has a housing and a mechanical sensor pivotably connected to the housing. A locking device is connected to the housing and has a locking position for securing the mechanical sensor against pivoting and a release position for releasing the mechanical sensor. The locking device has an initial disengaged position before mounting of the housing to the vehicle and a stand-by position in which the locking device still secures the mechanical sensor. A sensing device for sensing belt removal from the safety belt reeling device is provided and cooperates with the locking device in the stand-by position such that, at a certain degree of belt removal, the sensing device moves the locking device from the locking position into the release position. A control member for controlling the locking device is provided and has an inactive position and an active position.

Abstract: A rotational tensioning device for a safety belt of a motor vehicle has a reeling device with reeling shaft and a drive wheel connected to the reeling shaft. The drive wheel has a circumference with semi-spherical recesses. A channel, having a first and a second end, is positioned in a plane parallel to the drive wheel. It extends at least over a portion of the circumference of the drive wheel. Spherical mass bodies are contained in the channel. A gas generator is connected to the first end of the channel, wherein, upon activation of the gas generator, a gas is released into the channel for accelerating the spherical mass bodies in the channel and driving the spherical mass bodies through the channel into the semi-spherical recesses to thereby drive the drive wheel and the reeling shaft in a direction of winding of the safety belt. A drive piston, for driving the spherical mass bodies, consists of two of the spherical mass bodies fixedly connected to one another to form a twin ball.

Abstract: A safety device for a steering wheel unit. The safety device includes a one-piece metal core having: a rim; a plurality of spokes extending from the rim; a hub structure being disposed such that the spokes extend from the rim to the hub structure; and a mounting structure disposed adjacent the hub structure. The safety device further includes an air-bag assembly having: a gas generator directly connected to the mounting structure; an air-bag adapted to be in gas communication with the gas generator and being directly connected to the mounting structure; and an air-bag cover adapted to cover the air-bag and being directly connected to the mounting structure.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a bottle containing compressed gas and an outlet passage through which the gas may leave the bottle; a housing supported within the bottle and having a side wall defining an inner housing space communicating with the outlet passage; a movable element disposed in the housing and being displaceable between an initial position and an advanced position; an externally actuatable triggering mechanism positioned in the housing for propelling the movable element from the initial position into the advanced position; an aperture provided in the side wall of the housing for establishing communication between an inner bottle space and the outlet passage; a sealing disc secured to the side wall and obturating the aperture for preventing communication between the inner bottle space and the outlet passage. The sealing disc has a surface flush with an inner face of the side wall of the housing.

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 safety belt reeling device has a housing and a belt reeling shaft rotatably supported in the housing. A safety belt is connected with one end to the belt reeling shaft so as to be reeled onto and withdrawn from the belt reeling shaft. A safety belt guide is movably connected in the housing between an assembly position and an operational position. The safety belt guide has a guide slot through which the safety belt is threaded during assembly of the safety belt reeling device and in which the safety belt is guided during operation of the safety belt reeling device. The belt reeling shaft has a belt slot and the safety belt is guided through the belt slot and is secured thereat. The safety belt guide during assembly is moved into the assembly position at the periphery of the belt reeling shaft and is secured in the assembly position such that the guide slot is aligned with the belt slot and such that the guide slot and the belt slot are directly adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A vehicle impact sensor arrangement is provided for sensing a side impact. The arrangement comprises at least one sensor which is directly or indirectly fixed to the monocoque shell of a motor vehicle and which is responsive to inward movement of part of a door mounted on a motor vehicle. The part of the door adjacent the sensor is reinforced.

Abstract: In a blocking device for a safety belt having a belt retractor, which carries a belt reel for winding and unwinding the safety belt and has a control wheel controlled in a safety belt-sensitive and/or vehicle-sensitive manner and a control plate controlled thereby for triggering blocking of the belt reel, a self-blocking action of the belt retractor is to be cancelled by a single pull on the safety belt. On the control plate a pilot pawl is supported, which is rotatable by the movement of the control plate and which, during the blocking sequence, before the latter reaches its disengaged position, holds the control plate securely in such an intermediate position that a subsequent relative movement between the control wheel and the control plate is possible. This results in the cancellation of the self-blocking action and the return of the relevant structural parts into their respective initial position.

Abstract: A gas generator for generating gas under pressure. The gas generator comprises a device for providing a first gas including a pressure vessel containing the first gas, the first gas being an oxidizing gas; a device for providing a second gas adapted to be oxidized by the first gas and including a pyrotechnic charge for generating the second gas when ignited. An oxidation zone of the gas generator includes an outlet, the first gas and the second gas being adapted to undergo an oxidation reaction in the oxidation zone for generating the gas under pressure. The first gas and the second gas are directed to the oxidation zone such that the oxidation zone contains a mixture of the first gas and the second gas for the oxidation reaction thereof, the second gas being of a sufficiently elevated temperature to initiate the oxidation reaction in the oxidation zone. A back-up catalytic device ensures initiation of the oxidation reaction of the mixture.

Abstract: A gas supply device for supplying gas to an air-bag comprises a bottle containing compressed gas. The bottle is provided with a valve mechanism which operates to pen in a controlled way a flow passage for the compressed gas. The valve mechanism operates in response to a change in pressure in a region within the bottle. The valve mechanism comprises two valve members each with a tubular portion terminating with an inwardly turned lip directed towards a tubular member. The valve members are initially retained by frangible solder sports until a predetermined change of pressure has occurred in the region. The flow passage is defined between the free end of the lip and the exterior of the tubular member. Various grooves or depressions are provided in the outer surface of the tubular member so that the flow passage area for gas increases gradually as the valve is opened. Each tubular portion carries a portion extending across the interior of the bottle to define the region.

Abstract: A locking arrangement is provided comprising a retaining element which is positionable to retain a lockable element in position. A combination of an actuating element and a counter weight are provided which are inter-connected to rotate simultaneously in a predetermined manner about axes of rotation. The centers of gravity of the actuating element and the counter weight are so positioned that when subjected to acceleration or deceleration the two components are substantially in balance and do not tend to move. One of the components blocks movement of the retaining element, when the arrangement is in the locked condition, but if the actuating element is moved rotationally, the counter weight will move rotationally, and as a consequence the retaining element will be released, the retaining element then being movable to a position in which the lockable element can be separated from the locking arrangement.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle for receiving and retaining a tongue includes a housing defining a path therein to receive the tongue. A main locking element is movable between a release position in which it does not engage the tongue, and a locking position in which it engages the tongue to retain the tongue in the buckle. A push button is movable along a longitudinal axis of the path and is positioned above the main locking element. A second locking element is mounted to the housing between the push button and the main locking element, and includes a first portion engagable by the push button, and a second portion movable to a first position to engage the main locking element to prevent movement of the main locking element to the release position. The second portion and the push button are movable along the longitudinal axis of the path in opposite directions when the main locking element is to be released so that the second portion is moved to a second position in which the main locking element is freed.

Abstract: A self-locking safety-belt reeling device has a reeling shaft on which a safety-belt is wound. A blocking device that is controlled by at least a vehicle-sensitive control mechanism and/or a safety-belt-sensitive control mechanism for blocking the safety-belt reeling shaft is provided. A tightening device acting on the reeling shaft comprises a tightener coupling. The tightening device further has a drive disk. The drive disk, upon activation of the tightening device, is driven in rotation by a drive device and coupled with the tightener coupling to the reeling shaft. A power limiter is connected to the safety-belt reeling device for limiting removal of the safety belt, whereby the power limiter is activated and deactivated depending on the operational states of the safety-belt reeling device and the tightening device. The power limiter during blocking of the safety belt reeling device is inactive and is activated only after completion of a tightening movement of the safety belt.

Abstract: A device for releasing a mechanical energy storage device from an initial locked position in a release situation is comprised of a housing having a bearing connected thereto, a locking device for securing the energy storage device in the initial locked position and a supporting device deflectable in the release situation and connected to the bearing. The locking means is connected to the housing and rests on the supporting device in a prestressed manner in the initial locked position, whereby the supporting device is deflected in the release situation by forces created by its own inertia. The supporting device may be in the form of a spring, two springs with an inertia member therebetween, two bodies with an inertia member therebetween, or a ball in a ball socket. Another embodiment uses rollers and roller bearings.

Abstract: A retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a housing, a spindle rotatably mounted within the housing and to which one end of a safety belt is attached, the spindle being spring-biased for retracting the safety belt so that the belt is wound around the spindle. The retractor has a sensor adapted to provide a signal indicative of whether the safety belt is retracted and not in use or is withdrawn from the spindle and in use. The sensor provides said signal in dependence upon the length of safety belt withdrawn from the spindle, with means transmitting movement of the spindle to an element which activates the sensor, said means comprising a gear train, one component of which is coupled directly to the spindle. The means which transmit movement of the spindle to the element which activates the sensor cause the element to adopt a unique position upon withdrawal of any one particular length of safety belt.