Abstract: A height adjuster for a safety belt arrangement includes a first element adapted to be fixed in position and has at least one aperture or recess therein and a rail for connection to the first element. A carriage is mounted and movably retained on the rail for sliding movement along the rail. A guide loop for guiding a safety belt is carried by the carriage. A latch, carried by the carriage, engages the at least one aperture or recess in the first element to selectively lock the carriage in position.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for an ignition circuit for an air-bag comprising a series connection between two switches and an ignition squib between a power supply and earth. A potential derived from a predetermined point in the series connection is monitored by a central processing unit and by a comparator which compares the monitored potential with a reference potential. When the monitored potential exceeds predetermined limits, both the central processor unit and the comparator operate to disable the power supply.

Abstract: A safety device in a motor vehicle includes a sensor which provides an output relating to a physical quantity such as acceleration. The signal is passed to a subtracting circuit and the output of the subtracting circuit is fed to a further circuit arrangement which derives a signal value corresponding to an off-set component present in the signal, this signal value being subtracted from the original signal to provide an output which relates solely to the component of the original signal corresponding to the measured physical quantity. The output of the subtracting circuit is used to initiate the operation of the safety device such as an air-bag or seat belt pre-tensioner.

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement includes an accelerometer for producing a signal representative of the acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle and processing circuitry for processing the signal from the accelerometer by either integrating or differentiating to produce a processed signal, comparing the processed signal with at least one reference signal, and providing an output signal when the reference signal is exceeded by the processed signal. At least one of the reference signal and the processing of the signal vary in a predetermined manner with time.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a system for detecting a side impact on the vehicle. The system comprises a reinforcing element located adjacent or engaging the interior of the outer skin of the vehicle in the region of the side of the vehicle. A sensor element is arranged to provide an output signal, in response to a side impact of the vehicle, when or after the reinforcing element is deformed.

Abstract: A seating arrangement for a motor car has a seat for occupation by an adult comprising a squab and a back. A child's seat is incorporated in the back of the adult seat and is movable from a retracted position, in which the child seat is accommodated within a recess formed in the back of the adult seat, to an operative position. The child seat has a squab which incorporates a mechanism adapted to move squab elements from an initial position to an operative position. The overall size of the squab when the squab elements are in the operative position is greater than the size when the squab elements are in the initial position. The mechanism is actuated on movement of a control member.

Abstract: A rear or bench seat in a motor vehicle such as a "Estate car", "station-wagon" or "hatch-back" is adapted to be folded down. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the back seat in the operative position. The locking mechanism comprises a locking element which extends substantially across the whole width of the vehicle in which the seat is fitted, which is mounted on the back of the seat. The locking element has means adapted to engage an abutment located on each side of the motor car when in the locking position. The locking element can be moved to a release position.

Abstract: A sensor adapted to sense a side impact in a vehicle comprises an elongate element extending between two substantially fixed points spaced apart along the side of a vehicle, a sensor being provided adapted to sense tension in or longitudinal movement of the elongate element caused by an impact which deforms the vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable bag is provided to protect an occupant of a motor vehicle. The bag is mounted within the structure of a seat of a vehicle and, when inflated, the bag is located between the occupant of the vehicle sitting on that seat and the side of the vehicle, with the center of that part of the bag which contacts the occupant of the vehicle being substantially aligned with the center of gravity of the torso of that occupant.

Abstract: Inflatable air-bag for use in a motor vehicle has a gas generator unit which includes at least one charge of cellulose nitrate having a mass of less than 10 grams. Gas from the charge, when ignited, is directed to the interior of the air-bag by a tube having a number of holes positioned along the length of the tube providing communication between the center of the tube and the air-bag. The tube is provided with a part of the charge of cellulose nitrate at each end of the tube.

Abstract: A passive safety harness for use in a vehicle comprises a safety belt portion one end of which is attached to a retractor reel and the other end of which is attached to a carriage movable along a rail formed in the door of the vehicle. The carriage carries a tongue which is received in a latching or locking element secured to the vehicle so as to ensure that in an accident situation the end of the belt attached to the carriage is securely retained in the desired position. The locking mechanism comprises a safety belt buckle which is pivotally mounted in position, but which normally occupies a position in which the plane of the buckle is parallel with the plane of the rail to enable the tongue to be easily inserted into the buckle. However, the arrangement is such that in the event that an accident arises the buckle can pivot so that the force applied to the buckle by the safety belt is axial of the buckle, the buckle being designed primarily to withstand forces in this particular direction.

Abstract: A pre-tensioner arrangement applies tension to a safety belt in response to deceleration of a vehicle. A spring stores a force which is to be applied to the safety belt. A trigger mechanism comprises a lever which exhibits a mechanical advantage, one end of the lever engaging the spring, or an element associated with the spring, to retain the spring in a compressed state, and the other end of the lever engaging an over-dead-center linkage. An inertia mass is provided to engage the over-dead-center linkage to move it through the dead-center condition to release the lever and cause the spring to be released when severe deceleration is experienced.

Abstract: A three-point safety harness for use in a motor vehicle consists of two safety belts, each having its own individual retractor mechanism, the retractor mechanisms being mounted on the side of the relevant seat which is furthest from the associated door of the vehicle. One safety belt extends to a carriage movable along a rail mounted on the roof of the motor vehicle extending over the door opening. This safety belt is to form a chest strap. The other safety belt extends to a carriage movable along a rail formed in the door of the motor vehicle. This is the lap strap. The two straps are connected together by means of a slidable element which defines a passage or passages through which the safety belts pass in a sliding manner. The safety belt that forms the lap strap has a thickened portion which cannot pass through the said element.

Abstract: A buckle adapted to receive and retain a tongue mounted on a safety belt includes an actuating member mounted for rotation about a first predetermined axis to and from a latch position, the actuating member having an engaging portion, and a latching member mounted for rotation about a second predetermined axis. The latching member is movable between a first, latching position in which the latching member or a latching component driven thereby engages a tongue to retain the tongue latched in the buckle and a second, release position in which the tongue may be released from or introduced into the buckle.

Abstract: A locking device is provided in a pre-tensioner for a safety belt or safety harness in a vehicle. The pre-tensioner is mounted on a plate secured to the seat of the vehicle. In order to prevent the pre-tensioner being triggered by forward adjustment of the seat, a plate is provided which is pivotally mounted, so that the plate can swing to a locking position on forward movement of the seat. When in the locking position, an arcuate edge of the plate is located adjacent a lever forming part of the pre-tensioner preventing forward movement thereof and thus preventing triggering of the pre-tensioner.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises a spool or shaft onto which a seat belt may be retracted. A first relatively weak spring is provided which tends to wind the belt onto the spool or reel. A second stronger spring is also provided which tends to wind the belt onto the reel but the second spring is only activated selectively, for example when the buckle is released. Thus the strong spring does not, in normal circumstances, pull the belt tightly across the chest of a person wearing it.

Abstract: A safety belt for use in an automobile has a retractor reel incorporating a spindle onto which the belt is wound. The spindle can be locked, to prevent rotation of the spindle, in response to predetermined conditions, such as rapid deceleration of the automobile. The retractor reel is mounted on the chassis so that the reel can move relative to the chassis if a large force is applied thereto, by the safety belt, in excess of a predetermined limit. A clamp is also provided, which can clamp the safety belt leaving the reel, the clamp operating in response to movement of the reel as a consequence of the large force. A force limiter is provided to relieve any force exerted by the safety belt in excess of a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An electrical connection is provided adapted to be mounted on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, for example to establish a connection with an inflatable air bag disposed at the center of the steering wheel. The connection comprises a continuous sheathed flat cable, a central region of which is coiled into a large number of helical turns, so that the cable forms a flat spiral, with the flat cable being placed on edge, so that the plane of the cable is perpendicular to the plane of the flat spiral. The ends of the cable are bent to extend out of the plane of the spiral, substantially at right angles. These projecting ends of the flat cable are encased in an extra sheath of insulating material which extends along some of the cable at the ends of the spiral and along the whole length of the projecting end parts of the cable to provide additional tensile strength at the ends of the flat cable. The ends of the cable are provided with plug-and-socket connectors.

Abstract: A buckle is intended to receive a tongue which is mounted on a safety-belt along a predetermined path. A latching member in the buckle engages the tongue. A push-button, associated with a separate actuating element, is provided to move the latching member between a latching position and a release position. The push-button is spring-biassed to a predetermined forward-most position. Part of the actuating element contacts the push-button when the tongue is inserted in the buckle, but is separated from the push-button when the tongue is not present in the buckle.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle arrangement incorporating a buckle having an open mouth for receiving a tongue and for retaining the tongue therein. Part of the buckle is connected by a flexible connection to an anchoring point on a motor vehicle. There is a resilient element extending between the anchoring point and the buckle for holding the buckle in a position in which the open mouth of the buckle is presented to receive the tongue.