Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a lap belt (60) including a first portion (74) and a second portion (85). A retractor (76) includes a spool (96) rotatable about an axis (160). The first and second lap belt portions (74, 85) are secured to the spool (96). The spool (96) is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction to wind the first and second portions (74, 85) onto the spool. The first and second portions (74, 85) when tensioned urge the spool (96) to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to unwind the first and second portions from the spool. A locking mechanism (170) is actuatable to lock the spool (96) against rotation in the second rotational direction. First and second web grabbing devices (180, 182) are actuatable to clamp onto the first and second portions (74, 85) when the locking mechanism (170) is in the locked condition.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a lap belt (60) including a first portion (74) and a second portion (85). A retractor (76) includes a spool (96) rotatable about an axis (160). The first and second lap belt portions (74, 85) are secured to the spool (96). The spool (96) is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction to wind the first and second portions (74, 85) onto the spool. The first and second portions (74, 85) when tensioned urge the spool (96) to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to unwind the first and second portions from the spool. A locking mechanism (170) is actuatable to lock the spool (96) against rotation in the second rotational direction. First and second web grabbing devices (180, 182) are actuatable to clamp onto the first and second portions (74, 85) when the locking mechanism (170) is in the locked condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (22) includes a webbing roller (32), a brake structure (80), and a support structure (62, 62). The roller (32) includes a spool (50) and a pair of axially opposite spindle structures (52) centered on an axis of rotation (53). A rotatable outer surface (54) of the spool (50) is configured to engage seat belt webbing (16). The support structure (62, 62) is configured to support the roller (32) in an ordinary operating position in which the outer surface (54) of the spool (50) is spaced radially from a braking surface (82) on the brake structure (80). The support structure (62, 62) is further configured to support the roller (32) for movement under the influence of tension in the seat belt webbing (16). Such movement of the roller (32) includes uniform movement radially from the ordinary operating position to a restrained position in which the outer surface (54) of the spool (50) engages the braking surface (82) on the brake structure (80).