Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A web locking retractor (20) for a vehicle safety restraint system is described comprising a spool assembly (60) mounted for linear movement with respect to a wedge housing frame (22) such that linear movement of the spool assembly (60), e.g. vertically, pushes against one or more clamping wedges (46a,b) to clamp a seat belt therebetween, characterized in that the spool assembly (60) is operatively coupled to the at least one clamping wedge (46a,b) via a resilient member, such as a coil spring (36a,b). The spool assembly (60) is operatively coupled to the at least one clamping wedge (46a,b) and this coupling is advantageously via a resilient member such as a coil spring (36a,b). Such a direct link between the clamping wedge (46a,b) and the spool assembly (60) provides for faster, more effective release of the clamping wedge (46a,b) from the belt when the loading on the belt diminishes below the spring bias force.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor (10) comprised of a spool (28), a belt (40) wound on the spool (28), a ratchet wheel (48), and a torsion bar (44) interconnecting the spool (28) to the ratchet wheel (48) and capable of yielding in response to loading exerted on the belt (40) when the ratchet wheel (48) is locked against rotation. The safety belt retractor (10) also includes a holdout mechanism (18) which is normally operable in an ELR mode to permit operation of an emergency locking mechanism (16) and which can be selectively shifted into an ALR mode for locking the ratchet wheel (48) against rotation to prevent further payout of the belt (40) after a predetermined length of the belt (40) has been withdrawn from the spool (28). A timing assembly (124) functions to determine when the predetermined length of the belt (40) has been withdrawn or retracted for controlling engagement and disengagement of a latch mechanism (110).