Abstract: The present invention is directed to a belt tensioning mechanism that is actuated in response to a vehicle deceleration exceeding a predetermined critical value for retracting the belt buckle so as to apply a tension loading on the safety belt for minimizing forward excursions of the seat occupant.

Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint system is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor also includes a biasing member for urging the latch assembly into locked engagement with the lock plate for inhibiting movement thereof in the first direction, and an actuation mechanism for selectively releasing the latch assembly for such movement.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor for providing motor vehicle occupant protection is disclosed. The retractor has a rotatable spool for storing safety belt webbing and a rewind spring for exerting a retraction force on the belt webbing. The retractor includes a comfort mechanism for relieving the tension exerted on the belt webbing by the rewind spring. The comfort mechanism is actuated in response to a deliberate motion exerted on the belt webbing which is different than belt movements normally associated with operation of the retractor. The tension relief feature can be automatically cancelled in response to the occurrence of a predetermined condition for returning the belt webbing to a taut position.

Abstract: A vehicle-sensitive belt tensioning mechanism provided for taking up slack in a seat belt in response to a high deceleration condition for restraining the seat occupant against forward excursion. The belt tensioning mechanism includes an inertial sensing device for detecting the deceleration forces, a pre-loaded drive mechanism for rotatably driving a reel member, a coupling device interconnecting the belt buckle and the reel member, a triggering linkage for actuating the pre-loaded drive mechanism, and a locking device for maintaining tension on the seat belt. Following actuation of the drive mechanism, the coupling device is wound onto the reel member for effectively retracting the belt buckle from its normal location.

Abstract: A removable seat belt guide ring assembly that is adapted to be anchored to the frame of the vehicle for routing the webbing over the shoulder of the occupant of the seat. The guide ring comprises a unitary triangular-shaped member having a base portion and integral supporting arms with overlapping free ends forming flattened mounting tabs that are offset with respect to each other to permit the guide ring to be installed onto the webbing. A trim cover placed over the bolt that mounts the guide ring to the frame of the vehicle cooperates with the base portion of the guide ring to define a narrow guideway to permit the webbing to pass freely therethrough while preventing the belt from twisting. The guide ring may be installed at any time in the automobile assembly process, and may be easily removed for replacement without requiring removal of the entire seat belt system.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor for providing motor vehicle occupant protection is disclosed. The retractor has a rotatable spool for storing safety belt webbing and a rewind spring for exerting a retraction force on the belt webbing. The retractor also includes a comfort mechanism for releasing tension on the belt webbing which is exerted by the rewind spring. The comfort mechanism is actuated in response to a deliberate motion exerted on the belt webbing which is different than belt movements normally associated with operation of the retractor.

Abstract: A combination seat belt retractor particularly useful for motor vehicles is disclosed. The seat belt retractor according to this invention converts between an emergency locking retractor which locks only when the vehicle is subjected to a deceleration level above a predetermined level to an automatic locking mode wherein the seat belt webbing cannot be withdrawn from the retractor. The convertible feature is particularly advantageous since an emergency locking retractor does not provide the desired firm positioning of child restraint systems. The emergency locking retractor, however, has advantages in terms of occupant comfort and convience since they permit free movement of the occupants within the vehicle. In accordance with this invention, the retractor is converted to the automatic locking mode by first fully withdrawing the seat belt webbing therefrom.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for motor vehicle applications having a switch assembly for controlling a seat belt warning indicator or other electrical circuits requiring an input of belt webbing extension or retraction. The switch assembly includes a cam disk which is rotatable with the retractor spool having generally spiral grooves on one of its radial face surfaces. A follower, made of an electrically conductive material, engages the grooves and is moved radially in response to the rotated position of the spool. When the follower reaches a predetermined radial position, the follower engages the electrical contacts, thereby closing an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor assembly particularly adapted for mounting in a motor vehicle door as part of a passive belt system. The retractor includes both an inertia sensitive actuator and a tension relief or "comfort" features. The retractor further includes an operating system which renders the inertia sensitive actuator and comfort mechanism inoperative while the vehicle door is being opened or closed to allow the belt webbing to be freely withdrawn and retracted onto the retractor spool during such door movement. The operating system is actuated by an electrical solenoid. The force output and size of the electrical solenoid are minimized by employing a system which uses rotation of the retractor spool which "cocks" a latch plate member against spring tension and using the solenoid only to release the release plate when necessary.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved seat belt retractor rewind spring assembly. In accordance with this invention, a rewind spring assembly is provided having the "bridling" effect wherein the coiled flat strip spring is retained by a spring cap which exerts an outwardly directed bending load on the end of the spring which engages the cap. This bridling effect has been found to increase the efficiency of the coil spring. The rewind spring assembly according to this invention improves over prior art designs in that completely automated assembly is possible through the provision of a novel spring cap design, assembly fixture and assembly process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seat belt retractor for a motor vehicle which can be operated in an emergency locking mode wherein belt retraction is prevented only upon vehicle deceleration, or in an automatic locking mode where the retractor operates as a one-way clutch to inhibit belt withdrawal. A mode switching mechanism is provided which causes the operating mode of the retractor to change when the seat belt webbing is either fully extended or fully retracted. The mode switching mechanism employs a rotating actuator ring gear having one or more tabs which engage an actuator lever which is caused to move between two positions. In one position of the actuator lever, the locking bar of the retractor is urged into engagement with the toothed sprockets of the retractor causing the retractor to operate in the automatic locking mode. In the other position of the actuator lever, biasing of the locking bar is relieved so that the retractor operates in the emergency locking mode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seat belt retractor for a motor vehicle which can be operated in an emergency locking mode wherein belt retraction is prevented only upon vehicle deceleration, or in an automatic locking mode where the retractor operates as a one-way clutch to inhibit belt withdrawal. A mode switching mechanism is provided which causes the operating mode of the retractor to change when the seat belt webbing is either fully extended or fully retracted. The mode switching mechanism employs a rotating actuator ring gear having one or more tabs which engage an actuator lever which is caused to move between two positions. In one position of the actuator lever, the locking bar of the retractor is urged into engagement with the toothed sprockets of the retractor causing the retractor to operate in the automatic locking mode. In the other position of the actuator lever, biasing of the locking bar is relieved so that the retractor operates in the emergency locking mode.

Abstract: An improved seat belt retractor of the emergency locking variety is described. The primary improvement resides in providing a spur gear component which is insert molded directly onto one of the toothed sprockets of the retractor spool. By eliminating the two-piece prior art assembly, and molding the spur gear directly onto the toothed sprocket, the spur gear strength characteristics are vastly improved. Moreover, the relative positioning between the teeth of the spur gear and those of the toothed sprocket may be controlled with a very high degree of accuracy. This design further eliminates the required step of assembling the spur gear and sprocket together, and avoids problems of these components becoming separated during assembly or use.

Abstract: An improved seat belt retractor of the emergency locking variety is described. The primary improvement resides in providing a spur gear component which is insert molded directly onto one of the toothed sprockets of the retractor spool. By eliminating the two-piece prior art assembly, and molding the spur gear directly onto the toothed sprocket, the spur gear strength characteristics are vastly improved. Moreover, the relative positioning between the teeth of the spur gear and those of the toothed sprocket may be controlled with a very high degree of accuracy. This design further eliminates the required step of assembling the spur gear and sprocket together, and avoids problems of these components becoming separated during assembly or use.

Abstract: A dual mode seat belt retractor assembly particularly useful for motor vehicles is described. The seat belt retractor according to this invention converts between an emergency locking retractor which locks only when the vehicle is subjected to a deceleration level above a predetermined level to an automatic locking mode wherein withdrawal of webbing from the retractor is inhibited. An automatic locking retractor is advantageous for firmly positioning child restraint systems. The emergency locking retractor, however, has advantages in terms of occupant comfort and convenience for adult occupants since they provide freedom of movement within the vehicle. In accordance with this invention, the retractor is converted between automatic locking and emergency locking operating modes through rotation of a drive plate which moves an actuator lever between two positions of engagement with an actuator cam rotatable with the retractor spool.

Abstract: A combination seat belt retractor particularly useful for motor vehicles is described. The seat belt retractor according to this invention converts between an emergency locking retractor which locks only when the vehicle is subjected to a deceleration level above a predetermined level to an automatic locking mode wherein the seat belt webbing cannot be withdrawn from the retractor. The convertible feature is particularly advantageous since an emergency locking retractor does not provide the desired firm positioning of child restraint systems. The emergency locking retractor, however, has advantages in terms of occupant comfort and convenience since they permit free movement of the occupants within the vehicle. In accordance with this invention, the retractor is converted to the automatic locking mode by first fully withdrawing the seat belt webbing therefrom. Such action causes a switching lever to force a leaf spring in a position against the retractor locking bar.

Abstract: A composite safety lock for a door which lock has a passage long enough to prevent access to the actuation mechanism by a child but not by an adult.

Abstract: A combination seat belt retractor particularly useful for motor vehicles is described. The seat belt retractor according to this invention converts between an emergency locking retractor which locks only when the vehicle is subjected to a deceleration level above a predetermined level to an automatic locking mode wherein the seat belt webbing cannot be withdrawn from the retractor. The convertible feature is particularly advantageous since an emergency locking retractor does not provide the desired firm positioning of child restraint systems. The emergency locking retractor, however, has advantages in terms of occupant comfort and convenience since they permit free movement of the occupants within the vehicle. In accordance with this invention, the retractor is converted to the automatic locking mode by first fully withdrawing the seat belt webbing therefrom. Such action causes a switching lever to force a leaf spring in a position against the retractor locking bar.