Abstract: A seat belt load limiter employs a magnetostrictive sensor to detect the elastic loading and plastic deformation of a torsion rod forming part of a seat belt retractor. A magnet and a coil are placed about or adjacent to the torsion rod. When the torsion rod undergoes elastic or plastic strain, an electrical voltage is induced in the coil which is used to detect elastic or plastic strain of the torsion rod. A vehicle safety system uses the output of the magnetostrictive sensor to inform the vehicle operator when the seat belt load limiter is in need of replacement. The output of the magnetostrictive sensor as processed by the vehicle safety system can also be used to detect a situation where the seat occupant is not restrained by the seat belt and to make an airbag deployment decision.

Abstract: A system for eliminating residual seat belt slack about a plurality of occupants of a vehicle, the system comprising a plurality of seat belt assemblies securable about a respective occupant, each seat belt assembly including a lap belt portion, a tongue, and a buckle, one end of the lap belt secured to a support member and an opposite end of the lap belt operatively joined to the tongue, the buckle matingly locking with the tongue, the buckle secured to one end of a connecting member, the connecting member having an opposite second end; a belt tightener is secured to the second end of each connecting member, for generally simultaneously tightening each seat belt assembly about a respective occupant.

Abstract: An energy absorbing retractor having a frame, locking mechanisms to initially stop a spool from rotating in a belt protraction direction, the spool rotationally supported relative to the frame, a seat belt wound about the spool, and biasing device to retract the seat belt, a two-sided torsion bar for generating at least a first level of reaction torque on the spool permitting the spool to rotate in a controlled manner in a belt protracting direction including a torsion bar having a middle portion fixedly coupled to the spool to prevent relative rotation therebetween, a first torsion rod extending therefrom, the first torsion rod including a first end coupled to a first locking mechanism to prevent the first end from rotating upon such coupling, whereby upon locking of the first end, and the loading of the spool, the first torsion rod is twisted to generate a first level of control force.

Abstract: A right and left hand retractable wheel carriage for a removable vehicle bench seat opposite end latching mechanism. Each carriage includes mounting brackets, caster brackets interconnected by a link, associated casters, and a suitable spring for urging the casters apart and into engagement with the vehicle floor to prevent the casters from rattling during operation of the vehicle. Once the seat's latching mechanism is released, the spring forces the casters into a vertical orientation to thereby lift the bench seat to facilitate manually rolling it out of the vehicle, and then along the ground or floor.

Abstract: A vehicle recliner seat is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a seat bun frame, a seat back frame pivotally mounted with respect to the seat bun frame, an adjuster to selectively adjust the inclination of the seat back frame with respect to the seat bun frame, a strut pivotally mounted to the seat back along a first fixed pivotal axis and having a lost motion pivotal attachment with the seat bun frame, the strut having on an end adjacent to the seat bun frame a pin which is provided for translational movement with respect to the seat bun frame, and the seat bun frame having a pivotal latch and a pendulum to actuate the latch wherein, when the vehicle accelerates rearwardly over a predetermined level of rearward acceleration, the pendulum causes the latch to pivot upwardly to engage the pin, causing the strut to have a fixed pivotal axis with the seat bun frame and thereby tend to limit rearward motion of the seat back frame.

Abstract: A vehicle recliner seat is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a seat pan frame, a seat back pivotally mounted with respect to the seat pan frame, a rod having at least one end locationally fixed with respect to the seat pan frame, a first link with a first end pivotally connected with the seat back with a second end pivotally connected with the rod, and a second link with a first end pivotally connected with the seat back with a second end pivotally connected with the rod. The position of the second ends of the first and second links on the rod can be moved to selectively set the inclination of the seat back with respect to the seat pan frame.