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: 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 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 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: For loss-free deflection of the gases generated by a gass generator (22) in a drive unit for a restraining system for vehicle occupants, the connecting passage comprising a deflection is formed between the outlet (24) of the gas generator (22) and a space (26) beneath the piston (16) of a Piston/cylinder drive free from discontinuities at which reflections of the pressure wave generated could occur. The connecting passage consists of two straight passage portion (30, 32) extending inclined to the axis of the gas generator (22) and a curved portion which connects said portions and which is formed by a concave recess (34) in the bottom of the bore (20) into which the gas generator (22) is inserted.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety belt system a gripping means (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 means (16). The gripping means (16) is connected via a pulling cable (38) to a pyrotechnic or mechanical belt tightener drive. Return blocking means are formed by a cylinder (44) attached to the vehicle bodywork and a piston (42) displaceable therein, whereby the cylinder wall is deformed plastically for absorbing load peaks.

Abstract: In a pretensioner for safety belt systems in vehicles a mechanical drive having a pretensioned spring is provided. The spring is held by a trigger mechanism in its pretensioned state. For initiating a tightening operation the spring is released by the trigger mechanism. The vehicle-sensitive sensor mass of said trigger mechanism is formed substantially by the mass of the spring itself, that of a piston and a detent lever and the smaller mass of a guide tube which receives the spring and is guided translationally displaceably relatively to a common support structure of the pretensioner drive and of a fitting of the safety belt system.

Abstract: In a pretensioner for safety belt systems in vehicles a mechanical drive having a pretensioned spring is provided. The spring is held in its pretensioned state by a trigger mechanism. For initiating a pretensioning operation the spring is released by the trigger mechanism. The vehicle-sensitive sensor mass of said trigger mechanism is provided substantially by the mass of the spring itself and the smaller mass of a guide tube which receives the spring and is pivotal relatively to the bearing housing of the belt retractor against the force of a spring.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner in a safety belt system for vehicles is equipped with a piston/cylinder linear drive which is activatable by a pyrotechnical gas generator and which is arranged in a support housing pivotally between a rest position and a triggering position. The piston/cylinder linear drive forms a vehicle-sensitive inertial mass which is loaded by spring bias in the direction of the rest position and movable by deceleration-induced inertial forces into the triggering position. The gas generator is provided with a percussion ignitor. Mounted on the support housing is a spring-loaded striking member which has an anvil for striking against the percussion ignitor and is held in a readiness position by engagement on a holding surface of the piston/cylinder linear drive.

Abstract: The safety belt restraining system for vehicles is provided with a vehicle-sensitive and/or webbing-sensitive locking belt retractor and a webbing clamping means following said retractor. To achieve fast activation of the webbing clamping means with minimum webbing withdrawal but nevertheless to protect the webbing from damage by the clamping operation, the inhibiting force exerted by the webbing clamping means on the webbing is limited by dimensioning and configuration of the system to a predetermined value at which the webbing clamping means does not cause any appreciable weakening of the webbing. The belt retractor is in turn dimensioned at least for absorbing the forces which are to be expected in the evolution of an accident and are introduced via the webbing after the predetermined value is exceeded. When said value is exceeded and, e.g. the webbing slips between the webbing clamping means, the retractor can absorb the remaining blocking load.

Abstract: A percussion igniter for a pyrotechnical gas generator in a safety belt pretensioner is provided. The gas generator has a housing with a guide opening. An impact transmission member such as a ball or pin is received in the guide opening and has an inner end facing an impact face of a priming cap in said gas generator and an outer end projecting from the guide opening.

Abstract: In a buckle for safety belt systems in vehicles which are provided with a belt pretensioner acting on the bucket an unintentional release of the insert tongue is prevented by a two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted on the loadbearing housing. On each actuation of the release button the lever is pivoted out of its rest position into a deflected position. At the end of a pretensioning stroke one of the arms of the lever projects into the path of movement of the release button to prevent the further movement thereof in the actuating direction.

Abstract: For triggering of a pretensioner or a gas-bag restraining system in vehicles a vehicle-sensitive inertia mass pivotally mounted in a housing is provided. A strike piece pivotally mounted in the housing and spring-loaded in the direction of a firing pin bears via a roller on a cam face of the inertia mass. The configuration of the cam face, the path of movement of the roller on a pivot movement of the spring-loaded strike piece and the direction of movement of the inertia mass are adapted to each other in such a manner that the triggering criteria of an electronic trigger circuit integrating the deceleration values above a predetermined threshold with respect to time are simulated.