Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a belt pretensioner comprises a sensor mass which responds both on a head-on collision and on ramming of the vehicle from the rear. The sensor mass may be pivotally mounted and formed by functional parts of the pretensioner drive. In a belt pretensioner which is combined with a belt retractor (10) to an assembly and which has a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder drive, the sensor mass consists of a carrier block (40) pivotally mounted on a base (12) and having a guide cylinder (42) mounted therein and a piston accommodated therein. A striker lever (50) pivotally mounted in the base (12) is released for activating an impact igniter on a gas generator cartridge (44) when the carrier block (40) is pivoted in vehicle-sensitive manner in the one or other direction.

Abstract: The linear drive for a belt pretensioner in a vehicle safety belt system excels by its elongated slim configuration and is thus suitable for incorporating in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The gas generator (20) is provided with an impact fuse which interacts with a spring-loaded striker (32). The striker (32) is maintained in its rest position by locking means (48). By means of a slidable sensor inertial body (26) in a housing (12) the lock can be cancelled to release the striker (32). The housing which also accommodates the gas generator (20) is located in the elongation of the cylinder (10) to which it is rigidly connected. Sensor inertial body (26) and striker (32) are movable in parallel to the axis of the cylinder, thus achieving the slim configuration.

Abstract: In a driver restraining gas bag system for vehicles a compressed gas container is arranged clear of the steering wheel and connected by way of a gas duct with an inflation opening of the bag for filling the gas bag arranged on the steering wheel hub. At its entry into the steering wheel the gas duct means is sealed off by an annular sealing gap between a first gap defining surface formed on the steering wheel hub and an oppositely arranged second gap defining surface on a wall, which is stationary in relation to the vehicle's bodywork, of the gas duct means without contact between these gap defining surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an igniter mechanism for a pyrotechnical gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraining system in which either an impact member or the gas generator for actuating the belt tensioning action is pretensioned by at least one spring so that the spring loads the impact member in a first direction against a stop. In addition the spring counteracts movement of the impact member in a second direction as a result of the forces of inertia acting on acceleration of the vehicle by means of a force which grows until a center position is reached. Force conversion means are provided to convert a torque generated by said spring into an axial force applied to said impact member.

Abstract: A gas bag for vehicule occupant restraining systems comprises an envelope of several fabric sections, the gas permeability of which differs, despite which all fabric sections of the envelope can be fabricated of textile material having the same consistency, particularly having the same thread density (set) when the gas permeability of the fabric is defined with due regard to the tension condition between warp and weft threads of the inflated gas bag and taking into account the dynamic behaviour of the gas permeability as a function of the weave and crimp. Fabric sections having the same consistency can be stitched with no problem in series production and the seams are of high structural strength.

Abstract: In a belt pretensioner for safety belt systems in vehicles in which the belt buckle is disposed on a vehicle seat and the belt pretensioner engages said buckle, the problem is encountered that the vehicle-sensitive sensor mass mounted movably on the vehicle seat also responds to decelerations of the vehicle seat relatively to the vehicle bodywork. To prevent any erroneous activation caused thereby, the sensor mass is secured until occurrence of a first predetermined vehicle deceleration value which is lower than a second vehicle deceleration value at which the activation of the drive of the belt pretensioner by the movement of the sensor mass occurs. On the other hand, the securing of the sensor mass is cancelled on exceeding of the first vehicle deceleration value. The cancelling of the securing of the sensor mass is ensured by a separate deceleration sensor which is mounted directly on the vehicle bodywork, for example beneath the vehicle seat.

Abstract: For the sudden release of a gas from a container (10, 12; 60) adapted to store it for a long period of time under a high pressure for the inflation of a gas bag in vehicle occupant restraining system, an obstructing member (26), manufactured of pre-stressed glass, is arranged upstream from the outlet opening (66) of the container (60). On its end surface facing into the interior of the container the obstructing member (26) bears a sealing film (64). On its opposite end surface the obstructing member bears an rectangularly projecting, pin-shaped extension (26a). By fracturing this extension (26a) by a vehicle-sensitive mass (70) the structure of the obstructing member (26) is shattered with the result that the member spontaneously breaks up into small or powder-like particles and frees the outlet opening (66).

Abstract: In an energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants a particularly smooth profile of the force as a function of the travel is achieved in that only a few deformation members are provided which effect a plastic deformation of a tubular converter body (10). As deformation member at least one ball (18) is provided which rests on a ramp face of a piston element (14).

Abstract: In a linear drive for belt pretensioner in vehicle restraining systems a piston/cylinder unit (10) is used, the piston of which is subjected to pressure by the gases generated by a pyrotechnical gas generator (26). A pulling cable (12) is connected to the piston (24), said connection not being direct but with interposition of a damping means (32) which in the phase of the pressure rise of the gases limits the force exerted on the pulling cable (12) and allows said force to increase smoothly and is effective during a substantial fraction of the initial phase of the piston movement in which the gas pressure (D) generated by the generator (26) rises.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner for a safety belt system including a belt retractor (10) fitted with an automatic locking system, and a deflection fitting (12), from which the belt (14) extends in a straight line to the belt retractor (10), comprises a U-like frame (18) and a bracket (22), which in a neutral position is held perpendicularly to the path of the belt. The belt (14) is freely passed between a deflection member (20), which connects the side walls of the frame (18) and a roll (30) mounted for free rotation in the bracket (22). When the belt pretensioner is tripped, the bracket (22) is pulled though between the base of the frame (18) and the deflection member (20) in order to form a loop of belt webbing.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor is provided with a belt pretensioner device acting via a clamping roller coupling mechanism. A torsion rod (30) is arranged in the force flow path between the coupling mechanism and the belt drum (12) of the retractor, so that after tightening of the belt such torsion rod is twisted about its axis under the load transmitted by the belt with the consumption of energy. Owing to the plasitic deformation of the torsion rod (30), it is possible for the load peaks occurring following tightening of the belt in the belt system to be absorbed in order to increase the efficiency of the safety belt system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety belt restraining system for vehicles comprising a belt retractor 10 and a webbing clamping means 12 arranged downstream of the retractor 10 and having two clamping wedges 46, 48 which are arranged opposite each other in a housing on either side of the webbing 22. The belt retractor 10 blockable in vehicle-sensitive and/or webbing-sensitive manner and the webbing clamping means 12 are connected together by connecting means 60, 62. With plastic deformation they yield and permit a limited moving of the webbing clamping means 12 away from the belt retractor 10 when the force exerted on the webbing 22 exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety belt system having a belt retractor (10) featuring an automatic blocking mechanism, the belt (14) running in a straight line from the belt retractor to a deflector fitting (12), comprises a U-shaped deflector fitting (18) mounting a pivotal bracket (22) perpendicular to the run of the belt in the rest condition. When the belt tensioner is activated the pivotal bracket (22) is pulled through between the base of a deflector fitting (18) and a supporting member (20) secured thereto to form a belt loop. An uncoupling/force limiter assembly (36) is arranged in the path of the cable (34, 38) connected to the pivotal bracket. This assembly comprises a guide tube (50) supported by the vehicle body and a converter tube (52) accommodated therein telescopically which is shiftable up to a stop at the base of the guide tube (50) and which permits force limitation and conversion of energy due to plastic material deformation when the belt is tensioned.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety belt system a gripping mechanism (16) is arranged at a webbing section (10) extending between a deflection fitting (12) and the belt retractor (14). In the rest condition the webbing is led freely between the oppositely disposed clamping elements of the gripping mechanism (16). The gripping mechanism (16) is connected via a pulling cable (38) to a pyrotechnic or mechanical belt tightener drive. The clamping elements are biased by springs against the webbing whereby a uniform contact on the latter is ensured.

Abstract: A vehicle-sensitive mechanical contactor for activating a restraining system in vehicles is provided with an inertial mass ball (12) movably accommodated in a housing (10). A first contact spring (14) bears on the surface of the ball (12) under predetermined bias. In the rest position of the ball (12) the first contact spring (14) is at a predetermined distance (s) from a second contact spring (16). The second contact spring (16) is deflectable for dampening the impact exerted by the ball (12). Furthermore, a spring blade (18) is in frictional engagement with the upper side of the ball (12) to additionally dampen the movements thereof. With extremely small dimensions and very simple construction the contactor ensures a reliable bounce-free contacting and is suitable for restraining systems in vehicles, such as belt pretensioners or airbag impact protection systems.

Abstract: In a gas bag restraining system for a vehicle a gas (12) is folded up in the inactivated state in a housing (10) on the frame of a vehicle side window (4). The gas bag is adapted, when there is a collision, to be automatically inflated to unfold over at least a part of the area of the side window to afford lateral protection against impact for a vehicle occupant. The housing (10) of the gas bag (12) is located at one corner of the lateral window, which is constituted by two frame sections (6, 8), converging together at an angle, of the lateral window (4). Two elongated guide elements (16, 18) fixed to the vehicle extend respectively along the said frame sections (6, 8). A number of holding elements (20) for the gas bag (12) are adapted to run on each guide element (16, 18) for longitudinal sliding movement. The holding elements (20) are secured to the gas bag (12) along two lateral edges of the gas bag corresponding to the frame sections (6, 8).

Abstract: An inflatable gas bag for restraining systems in vehicles consists of a jacket portion and two side portions sewn thereto. A fold is arranged on the one side portion. The fold is separated from the remaining part of the gas bag by a seam along a separating line extending transversely of the ejection direction. The seam is so dimensioned in its tearing strength that on reaching a predetermined value of the gas bag internal pressure the fold tears. By the fold the expansion direction of the gas bag can be controlled within a relatively wide range. At the same time in desired manner the ejection width and ejection velocity are reduced. Finally, the fold also controls a relief opening which is formed in one of the superimposed wall portions of the fold.

Abstract: In an electrical plug connection on a pyrotechnical gas generator (10) provided with an electrical igniter for restraining systems in vehicles the two contact members (14, 16), one (14) of which is formed as a contact spring, engage each other as long as the plug connector (12) is not attached. The igniter is therefore safeguarded. On attachment of the plug connector the contact member (14) formed as a contact spring is spread radially away from the other contact member (16) so that the short-circuit between the contact members is removed. There is no longer any need to pay special attention to the safeguarding and removing of the safeguarding of the igniter.

Abstract: An actuator for a buckle in a vehicle safety belt system is disclosed. A belt tightener engages on the buckle. In operation, the belt tightener moves the buckle towards the vehicle floor to tighten the webbing. An actuating member is arranged at a stationary location so that relative movement occurs between the buckle and the actuating member when the former is moved towards the vehicle bottom. A force transmitting connection permitting such relative movement is provided between the buckle and the actuating member. This connection can be embodied by a flexible cable or by a rack bar and a tooth member cooperating therewith.

Abstract: The safety belt retractor includes an automatic blocking mechanism for securing a child's seat in the vehicle. A reduction gearing (24, 28, 30, 34, 38; 74, 78, 88) having a worm wheel (28, 78) reduces the belt reel rotation on transmission to a cam gear wheel (38; 88) rotatably mounted in the retractor frame (10) remote from the belt reel. On rotation of the belt reel, the cam gear wheel performs at the most one revolution. On further withdrawal of webbing, the cam member (42; 92) of the cam gear wheel (38; 88) tips a rocking lever (46; 96) which thereupon initiates a blocking of the belt reel against rotation in the direction of the webbing withdrawal. After a substantially complete winding back on of the webbing, the blocking is released again. The system is compact, easy to mount and can be set to various switch-over points by replacing only one component, i.e. the cam gear wheel.