Abstract: A seatbelt retractor inertial locking system for motor vehicle belt restraint systems. The inertial locking system incorporates features to reduce the influence of contaminants from causing unwanted locking of the associated retractor. The feature is in part provided by the positioning of a point contact between a ball mass and a locking lever. The inertia actuator forms the inertial ball mass nest surface which has a vented construction which permits the escape of contaminants and further contributes to reducing noise generated by contact between the ball mass and the nest surface.

Abstract: A dual-mode retractor for an automotive seat belt webbing is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being one of an ELR mode and an ALR mode, and the second mode being the other one of the ELR mode and the ALR mode. The retractor switches between the first mode and the second mode via a relative movement between a first part and a second part of the retractor. The magnetic field of a permanent magnet mounted on the first part is picked up by a Hall effect sensor. An interrupter plate is mounted on the second part in a position relative to the magnet, in which the interrupter plate, in which the interrupter plate exposes the HED to the original magnetic field in the first mode and to a modified magnetic field in the second mode.

Abstract: A fixing buckle assembly for use as part of a motor vehicle seatbelt restraint system of a type having webbing for positioning on an occupant and a lap pretensioner for pretensioning the seatbelt restraint system. The buckle assembly includes a tongue, preferably affixed to a pyrotechnic lap pretensioner (PLP). The buckle assembly includes a buckle plate featuring an aperture for connection to a loop of the webbing. A cover assembly encases the internal components of the buckle assembly and is formed of two cover halves which are preferably injection molded and snap together in a clam-shell construction. Each of the cover halves have sections which circumscribe a tongue passageway such that after they are assembled and the tongue is inserted in the buckle assembly, the cover halves become interlocked together. At the opposite end of the buckle assembly, the cover halves each include a section extending from the aperture which is retained from separation by being enclosed by the webbing loop.

Abstract: A fixing buckle assembly for use as part of a motor vehicle seatbelt restraint system of a type having webbing for positioning on an occupant and a lap pretensioner for pretensioning the seatbelt restraint system. The buckle assembly includes a tongue, preferably affixed to a pyrotechnic lap pretensioner (PLP). The buckle assembly includes a buckle plate featuring an aperture for connection to a loop of the webbing. A cover assembly encases the internal components of the buckle assembly and is formed of two cover halves which are preferably injection molded and snap together in a clam-shell construction. Each of the cover halves have sections which circumscribe a tongue passageway such that after they are assembled and the tongue is inserted in the buckle assembly, the cover halves become interlocked together. At the opposite end of the buckle assembly, the cover halves each include a section extending from the aperture which is retained from separation by being enclosed by the webbing loop.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor inertial locking system for motor vehicle belt restraint systems. The inertial locking system incorporates features to reduce the influence of contaminants from causing unwanted locking of the associated retractor. The feature is in part provided by the positioning of a point contact between a ball mass and a locking lever. The inertia actuator forms the inertial ball mass nest surface which has a vented construction which permits the escape of contaminants and further contributes to reducing noise generated by contact between the ball mass and the nest surface.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for providing extraction and retraction of seat belt webbing incorporating a belt tension sensing mechanism. The sensing mechanism includes a webbing guide which is moveable between positions and is biased toward a low tension position by a restoring spring force. The belt webbing is routed to deflected path through the web guide. Increasing tension on the webbing will cause the web guide to change its position as the webbing path straightens. The position of the web guide is detected through an electrical switch to provide a measure of webbing tension.

Abstract: A dual-mode retractor for an automotive seat belt webbing is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being one of an ELR mode and an ALR mode, and the second mode being the other one of the ELR mode and the ALR mode. The retractor switches between the first mode and the second mode via a relative movement between a first part and a second part of the retractor. The magnetic field of a permanent magnet mounted on the first part is picked up by a Hall effect sensor. An interrupter plate is mounted on the second part in a position relative to the magnet, in which the interrupter plate, in which the interrupter plate exposes the HED to the original magnetic field in the first mode and to a modified magnetic field in the second mode.

Abstract: A belt-tensioning device for an occupant restraint is provided, designed to tension a belt (101) about an occupant at the onset of a vehicle collision, and to provide a measure of controlled force dissipation as the occupant loads the belt during the collision. In a preferred form, a tensioning member (122) moves in one direction (124) to tighten a belt about a vehicle occupant at the onset of a collision, and a braking device (130a, 130b) is configured to apply a controlled braking force to movement of the tensioning member in the opposite direction after the tensioning member has tightened the belt about the vehicle occupant. An array of braking members (130a, 130b) applies different levels of braking force to movement of the tensioning member in the opposite direction, thereby providing controlled braking force to movement of the tensioning member in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A new and useful belt-tensioning device for an occupant restraint is provided, designed to tension a belt (102) about an occupant at the onset of a vehicle collision, and to provide a measure of controlled force dissipation as the occupant loads the belt during the collision. In a preferred form, a tensioning member (122) moves in one direction (124) to tighten a belt about a vehicle occupant at the onset of a collision, and a braking device (130a, 130b) is configured to apply a controlled braking force to movement of the tensioning member in the opposite direction after the tensioning member has tightened the belt about the vehicle occupant. An array of braking members (130a, 130b) applies different levels of braking force to movement of the tensioning member in the opposite direction, thereby providing controlled braking force to movement of the tensioning member in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A tongue (30) having multiple modes of operation comprising: a frame (60), a slide, or clamp (15) and manually adjustable knob (200). The tongue frame includes a locking feature (74) for locking engagement with a seat belt buckle (24), a seat belt receiving first aperture (66) positioned apart from the locking feature; the first aperture including a first belt clamping surface (72). The slide or clamp includes a second belt clamping surface (174) generally opposite the first belt engaging surface, the slide being arranged to slide upon the frame in the vicinity of the first aperture from a belt release position in which the seat belt is freely sliding to a belt clamping or cinching position in which the seat belt (32) is clamped or cinched between the first and second belt clamping surfaces, the slide further includes a first belt engaging surface (160) arranged to urge the slide toward its clamped position.

Abstract: A manually activated seat belt device comprising: a latch plate (20) and cooperating buckle (100).

Abstract: An automobile seatback subassembly for mutually securing an automobile seat and seat back, and comprising a complimentary pair of mutually interlocking members including an elongated member having a slide with a notched profile intermediate leading and trailing ends thereof, and a channel member comprising a wall arrangement defining an open ended channel for receiving a predetermined maximum length of the mounting member, in axial inter-fitting relation therein. The channel member includes a rotationally biased eccentric cam arranged on a pivot located adjacent the channel with a radially outermost extent of the cam normally biased into inter-fitting relation within the channel in transverse register with the notched profile of the elongated mounting member when the latter is inter-fittingly arranged within the channel. The cam is operably rotatable out of that interfering relation in order to permit the insertion and the withdrawal of the mounting member in the manner described below.

Abstract: A tongue assembly for use in a three-point continuous loop seat belt system is freely slidable along the belt to enable use of a light retractor spring. The tongue assembly includes a lock bar slidable along a base. The base has a flat leading end portion, a parallel offset trailing end position, and a connector section extending at an angle between the leading and trailing end portions. Whe the tongue assembly is engaged with the buckle, the belt wraps around the lock bar, and the lock bar is slid along the angled connector portion of the base toward the trailing end portion. The belt is clamped between the lock bar and the trailing end portion, to restrain the vehicle occupant. When the tongue assembly is disengaged from the buckle, the belt extends through the tongue assembly in such a manner that the belt may move freely through the tongue assembly.