Abstract: A side plate according to the invention includes a main body, a first cup-shaped feature formed of the main body, and a second cup-shaped feature formed of the first cup-shaped feature, wherein the second cup-shaped feature has a diameter smaller than the first cup-shaped feature and is oriented in the direction opposite the first cup-shaped feature. The first and second cup-shaped features form a frustum-conical segment extending generally outward from the main body. The frustum-conical segment includes a plurality of threads located about a length of a hole formed therethrough. A contact surface is disposed about the hole.

Abstract: A side plate according to the invention includes a main body, a first cup-shaped feature formed of the main body, and a second cup-shaped feature formed of the first cup-shaped feature, wherein the second cup-shaped feature has a diameter smaller than the first cup-shaped feature and is oriented in the direction opposite the first cup-shaped feature. The first and second cup-shaped features form a frustum-conical segment extending generally outward from the main body. The frustum-conical segment includes a plurality of threads located about a length of a hole formed therethrough. A contact surface is disposed about the hole.

Abstract: A seatback latch release mechanism includes a latch plate fixed for rotation with a rotatable member, a first pin extending from the latch plate, a cam plate pivotally supported by a support plate and including a cam edge in selective sliding contact with the first pin and a second pin extending from the cam plate and in selective sliding contact with an edge of the latch plate. The cam plate is rotatable through a first range in which the first pin slidably engages the cam edge to provide a first torque for rotating the latch plate and the member from a first position. Further rotation of the cam plate transitions to a second range in which the first pin disengages the cam edge and the second pin slidably engages the edge of the latch plate to provide a second torque for rotating the latch plate and the member to a second position.

Abstract: A side plate for operatively connecting a recliner assembly to a frame structure has an integrally formed boss including frustum conical wall segment, a wall segment connecting the upper edge of the frustum conical wall segment, and a collar extending inwardly from the wall segment. A method of manufacturing the side plate having an integrally formed boss includes providing a continuous sheet of predetermined width, drawing a portion of the sheet into a first cup-shaped feature, reducing the diameter of the first cup-shaped feature, drawing a portion of the first cup-shaped feature into a second cup-shaped feature, reducing the diameter of the second cup-shaped feature, reverse drawing the first cup-shaped feature in the direction opposite the prior drawing step of the first cup-shaped feature, and forming a hole through the second cup-shaped feature.

Abstract: A seat recliner for use in a seat assembly having a seatback supported for pivotal movement relative to a seat bottom. The seat recliner includes a housing secured to the seat bottom and a recliner rod having a first end secured to the seatback and a second end supported for sliding movement relative to the housing. The seat recliner also includes a recline latch assembly having a locking pawl which is releasably latched to a stop pin extending from the housing for pivotal movement between a locked position engaging the recliner rod and a released position displaced from the recliner rod. A biasing arrangement normally biases the locking pawl toward its locked position, and a recline actuator can be selectively actuated for moving the locking pawl from its locked position to its released position.

Abstract: A pivot arm assembly for a structured vehicle seat assembly accommodates loads applied to the seatback through a safety belt restraint system carried by the seat assembly. The pivot arm assembly includes a pair of C-shaped plates interconnected to define a clam-shell assembly. An arm segment of the pivot arm assembly extends into a hollow channel defined by the seatback frame and is fixedly attached thereto. The pivot arm assembly is pivotally mounted to a portion of the lower seat structure to permit the seatback to rotate relative thereto about a pivot axis. A drive arrangement is provided for rotating the pivot arm assembly about the pivot axis. The pivot arm assembly functions to efficiently and effectively transfer loads from the seatback to the lower seat structure, and in turn, to the vehicle structure.

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: The present invention is directed to an end release belt buckle that is operable for releasable latching a tongue plate of a vehicular safety belt restraint system. The end release belt buckle of the present invention includes a base having a latch portion adapted to lockingly engage the tongue plate. The end release belt buckle further includes a release mechanism for permitting the seat occupant to intentionally release the tongue plate from locked engagement with the latch portion of the base in response to movement of a push-button actuator from a "latched" position to a "released" position. The push-button actuator is normally biased to the "latched" position by a spring-biasing mechanism. In addition, the end release belt buckle further includes a locking mechanism for inhibiting unintentional movement of the push-button actuator from the "latched" position to the "released" position when the vehicle is subjected to a deceleration force exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An end release type belt buckle for releasably latching a tongue plate of a safety belt system in a latched position. The belt buckle has a base, a release mechanism and an actuator supported for sliding movement on the base. The base has a stationary latch portion adapted to releasably lock the tongue plate in the latched position. The actuator includes a first surface for urging the tongue plate into the latched position, a second surface for retaining the tongue plate in the latched position, and a third surface for actuating the release mechanism to urge the tongue plate from the latched position into a released position. In addition, the end release belt buckle includes an illumination device affixed to the actuator for illuminating selected portions thereof, and an electrically conductive coupling arrangement for maintaining an electrical circuit during sliding movement of the actuator.

Abstract: An end release type belt buckle for releasably latching a tongue plate of a safety belt system in a latched position. The belt buckle has a base, a release mechanism and an actuator supported for movement on the base. The base has a stationary latch portion adapted to releasably lock the tongue plate in the latched position. The actuator includes a first surface for urging the tongue plate into the latched position, a second surface for retaining the tongue plate in the latched position, and a third surface for actuating the release mechanism to urge the tongue plate from the latched position into a released position.

Abstract: A safety belt restraint system is disclosed which greatly reduces the loading exerted by the shoulder belt on both the seat belt retractor and the shoulder belt guide loop. In this regard, an improved guide loop assembly is mounted to the support pillar and includes a unique belt clamping mechanism that is operable in a first mode to permit movement of the belt webbing through a guideway during normal vehicle operating conditions, and in a second mode to clamp the belt webbing for restricting movement thereof through the guideway during a collision or a hard braking situation. The guide loop assembly of the present invention is preferably applicable for use in safety belt restraint systems of the type equipped with an emergency locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tension relief mechanism for a safety belt retractor that can be selectively actuated for adjusting the tension exerted on the safety belt. The tension relief mechanism is operable for permitting the seat occupant to selectively vary the loading exerted on a counterspring for counteracting the retractive biasing exerted on the safety belt by the retractor rewind spring. The tension relief mechanism is actuated in response to withdrawal of a predetermined length of the safety belt. Thereafter, the withdrawal and subsequent retraction of an additional incremental length of the safety belt causes loading to be exerted on the counterspring. Thus, the residual tension exerted on the safety belt by the retractor is proportional to the magnitude of the loading applied to the counterspring which, in turn, is proportional to the incremental length of additional safety belt withdrawn following actuation of the tension relief mechanism.

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 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 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: An improved safety belt tension eliminator which allows the wearer to ease the belt pressure on his body after the belt is attached. The control mechanism for the tension eliminator has an improved stop-follower mechanism which is uniquely spring mounted, adjusted and actuated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanical release for the comfort mechanism of a safety belt retractor. The release precludes inadvertent lockup of the retractor system when the safety belt is substantially fully extended.