Abstract: A seat belt system for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle includes a seat belt and a member having an opening through which the seat belt extends. A first inflatable portion of the seat belt extends in a first direction from the member. A second inflatable portion of the seat belt extends in a second direction from the member. A source of inflation fluid is connected in fluid communication with one of the first and second inflatable portions of the seat belt and connected in fluid communication with another of the first and second inflatable portions of the seat belt through the member. The one inflatable portion of the seat belt enables inflation fluid to flow from the source of inflation fluid into the one inflatable portion of the seat belt and to flow from the one inflatable portion of the seat belt through the member into the another inflatable portion of the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt system for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle includes a seat belt and a member having an opening through which the seat belt extends. A first inflatable portion of the seat belt extends in a first direction from the member. A second inflatable portion of the seat belt extends in a second direction from the member. A source of inflation fluid is connected in fluid communication with one of the first and second inflatable portions of the seat belt and connected in fluid communication with another of the first and second inflatable portions of the seat belt through the member. The one inflatable portion of the seat belt enables inflation fluid to flow from the source of inflation fluid into the one inflatable portion of the seat belt and to flow from the one inflatable portion through the member into the other inflatable portion.

Abstract: A locking tongue has a base part, a webbing slot in the base part and a locking cam. The locking cam is movable between a rest position and a clamping position. A biasing means biases the locking cam towards the rest position. The locking cam can assume the rest position in which the belt webbing can pass freely through the webbing slot, a clamping position in which the locking cam presses the belt webbing against the clamping edge of the webbing slot, the biasing means being able to return the locking cam from the clamping position into the rest position, and a locking position in which the locking cam locks the belt webbing in the webbing slot, the biasing means not being able to return the locking cam from the locking position towards the rest position.

Abstract: A head restraint (14) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle seat (20) includes a base frame (150) connected to the vehicle seat. A cushion carrier (350) is supported on the base frame (150) by a track assembly (440) that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier (350) relative to the base frame (150) along a deployment axis (18) from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition. The track assembly (440) includes a fixed track member (182) that forms a portion of the base frame (150). The fixed track member (182) includes spaced axially extending beam portions (190) with opposing surfaces (200) that define a channel (184) between the beam portions (190). The track assembly (440) also includes a sliding track member (370) that forms a portion of the cushion carrier (350).

Abstract: A locking tongue has a base part, a webbing slot in the base part and a locking cam. The locking cam is movable between a rest position and a clamping position. A biasing means biases the locking cam towards the rest position. The locking cam can assume the rest position in which the belt webbing can pass freely through the webbing slot, a clamping position in which the locking cam presses the belt webbing against the clamping edge of the webbing slot, the biasing means being able to return the locking cam from the clamping position into the rest position, and a locking position in which the locking cam locks the belt webbing in the webbing slot, the biasing means not being able to return the locking cam from the locking position towards the rest position.

Abstract: A head restraint (14) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle seat (20) includes a base frame (150) connected to the vehicle seat. A cushion carrier (350) is supported on the base frame (150) by a track assembly (440) that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier (350) relative to the base frame (150) along a deployment axis (18) from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition. The track assembly (440) includes a fixed track member (182) that forms a portion of the base frame (150). The fixed track member (182) includes spaced axially extending beam portions (190) with opposing surfaces (200) that define a channel (184) between the beam portions (190). The track assembly (440) also includes a sliding track member (370) that forms a portion of the cushion carrier (350).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes seat belt webbing (18) and a device (64) coupled to the seat belt webbing (18) for sensing tension in the seat belt webbing (18). The device (64) is decoupled from the seat belt webbing (18) in response to the tension in the seat belt webbing (18) exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster (10) includes a base (50) having a column (80) of openings (84, 86, 88) spaced along an axis (61). A carriage (120) is supported on the base (50) for movement along the axis (61) relative to the base. A seat belt webbing guide (24) is supported on the carriage (120). First and second latch parts (160, 180) on the carriage (120) are independently movable between a first condition not located in any one of the openings (84-88) and a second condition located in one of the openings to block axial movement of the carriage relative to the base (50). The first and second latch parts (160, 180) are configured and disposed on the carriage (120) so as to be capable of locating in the same opening (84-88) simultaneously. The height adjuster (10) also includes biasing means (210) for biasing the first and second latch parts (160, 180) into the second condition, and actuatable release means (200) for moving the first and second latch parts to the first condition.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster (10) includes a base (50) having first and second columns of openings (84, 86, 104, 106) disposed in a staggered relationship on opposite sides of an axis (61). A carriage (140) is supported on the base (50) for axial movement relative to the base. A seat belt webbing guide (24) is disposed on the carriage (140). A first latch part (200) on the carriage (140) is movable between a first condition in which the first latch part is movable axially past the first openings (84, 86) and a second condition in which the first latch part is located in one of the first openings to block axial movement of the first latch part and the carriage relative to the base (50).

Abstract: A tongue assembly (10) is movable along seat belt webbing (16) and includes a latch plate sub-assembly (74) for engaging a buckle (26). A cinch bar (130) is carried by the latch plate sub-assembly (74) for pivotal movement relative to the latch plate sub-assembly between a disengaged position enabling the seat belt webbing and the latch plate sub-assembly to move relative to one another and an engaged position clamping the seat belt webbing against the latch plate sub-assembly. A method of assembling the tongue assembly (10) comprises the step of inserting a first end (138) of the cinch bar (130) into a first opening (128) in the latch plate sub-assembly (74) by movement of the cinch bar in a first direction (C). A second end (139) of the cinch bar (130) is inserted into a second opening (129) spaced away from the first opening (128) in the latch plate sub-assembly (74) by movement of the cinch bar in a second direction (E) opposite the first direction (C).

Abstract: A latch member for a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus has an anchor portion, a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion. The anchor portion connects the latch member to a lap belt. The first tongue portion of the latch member is movable into a passage in a seat belt buckle, and has a first opening for receiving a locking element in the seat belt buckle to lock the first tongue portion in the buckle. The second tongue portion of the latch member is movable into a passage in another seat belt buckle, and has a second opening for receiving a locking element in the other seat belt buckle to lock the second tongue portion in the other buckle.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a retractor (18), a first locking tongue (40), a second locking tongue (46) and a buckle (20). The retractor (18) includes a spool (60) which is rotatable in a webbing winding direction and a webbing unwinding direction. The retractor (18) further includes a lock bar (70) which blocks rotation of the spool (60) in the webbing unwinding direction when the lock bar (70) is in a locking position. The first locking tongue (40) is connected with one length (26) of seat belt webbing (16). The second locking tongue (46) is connected with another length (28) of seat belt webbing (16). The buckle (20) has a locking mechanism (82, 90) for locking the first and second tongues (40) and (46) in a buckle (20). The seat belt system (10) further includes an actuator (130) for moving the lock bar (70 ) in the retractor (20) into the locking position in response to locking of the first and second tongues (40) and (46) in the buckle (20).

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a buckle member (46) which interconnects with a tongue member (48) to position shoulder belts relative to a child in a vehicle. An indicator (72) connected to the tongue member has a first portion (74) of red color and a second portion (76) of green color. The buckle member has an opening (100) through which the first and second portions of the indicator are exposed to view as the buckle and tongue members are interconnected. As the buckle and tongue members (46, 48) are interconnected, the first portion (74) of red color is initially exposed through the opening (100) and then the second portion (76) of green color is exposed through the opening to indicate that the buckle and tongue members are securely interconnected.

Abstract: A buckle assembly (36, 36A) for use in a safety belt system (10) has a first insertion path for receiving a first tongue (38) and a second insertion path spaced from the first insertion path for receiving a second tongue (40). A latch (50) mounted on a base (44) is movable between an engaged position blocking movement of the tongues out of the buckle assembly and a release position allowing movement of the tongues out of the buckle assembly. The latch has a tab portion (108) disposed intermediate the first and second tongue insertion paths which maintains the tongues in engagement with the latch when the tongues are inserted in the buckle assembly. The latch may include first and second latch members (50A, 50B) mounted on the base, for independently controlling latching of the first and second tongues in the buckle assembly. A pushbutton (88) is pivotally mounted on the base.

Abstract: A buckle assembly (36) includes a latch member (50) which is movable between an engaged position and a release position. A pushbutton (88) is manually actuatable from a first position to a second position to move the latch member from the engaged position to the release position. The latch member is movable from the engaged position to the release position against force provided by only a latch spring (64) upon insertion of a tongue (38, 40) into the buckle assembly. The pushbutton is manually actuatable from the first position to the second position against a combined force provided by the latch spring and a coil spring (92). A one-piece plastic locator member (112) is mounted on a base (44) of the buckle assembly. The locator member extends into a belt receiving opening (46) in the base to protect the belt (32) against abrasion by the metal base.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for interconnecting safety belts includes a buckle member which receives a tongue member to interconnect the safety belts. An indicator and ejector assembly has a visually readable indicia which changes from red to green as the tongue and buckle members are interconnected. As the tongue and buckle members are disconnected, the indicia changes from green back to red. The indicia is disposed on an indicator member which transmits force to eject the tongue member at least partially from the buckle member as the tongue and buckle members are disconnected.

Abstract: A buckle for receiving a locking tongue connected to a seat belt has a passage into which the tongue is movable and a locking member movable in the passage. The locking member is movable into and out of locking engagement with the tongue when the tongue is received in the passage. The buckle also has an unlocking member and a lever arm. The unlocking member is movable relative to the locking member, and moves the locking member out of engagement with the tongue when the unlocking member is moving relative to the locking member. The lever are has a handle portion and a cam surface. The cam surface is pivotally movable in sliding contact with the unlocking member to move the unlocking member relative to the locking member upon pivotal movement of the handle portion in a first direction away from the passage.

Abstract: A recliner for an automotive vehicle seat comprising a seat mount, an adjustable seat back bracket pivoted to said seat mount and having a substantially flat end portion provided with a sector having an arcuate series of straight spur teeth concentric to the pivot axis between said mount and bracket, and a tilted worm carried by said mount having a helically threaded portion in mesh with the teeth of said sector, the worm being tilted an angle to correspond to the helix angle of its thread.

Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat having means providing for fore and aft adjustment, vertical adjustment with tilting, and a recliner back with full adjustment.