Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat (12) with an upper frame (28) supported to tilt on a lower frame (18). An emergency locking mechanism (60) is supported on the upper frame (28). The apparatus (10) further includes an orientation mechanism (106) including an elongated flexible driving member (114). The orientation mechanism (106) moves the driving member (114) longitudinally in one direction upon tilting of the upper frame (28), and moves the driving member (114) longitudinally in an opposite direction upon opposite tilting of the upper frame (28). The orientation mechanism (106) tilts the emergency locking mechanism (60) a controlled amount relative to the upper frame (28) in response to longitudinal movement of the driving member (114).

Abstract: A seat belt webbing retractor (10) includes a belt webbing spool (50) and a length of belt webbing (16) wound on the belt webbing spool. A spring (82) biases the belt webbing spool (50) for rotation in a belt retraction direction. A pair of rotatable cable spools (90, 100) and a cable (110) transmit the biasing force of the spring (82) to the belt webbing spool (50) to apply a retraction force to the belt webbing (116). Each of the cable spools (90, 100) has a predetermined configuration to provide a desired retraction force curve (230).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a vehicle deceleration sensing assembly (40) which is operable at a plurality of different inclined orientations to block withdrawal of belt webbing (32) from a spool (110). The spool (110) is rotatable about a first axis (62) of the retractor. The sensing assembly (40) includes a first inertia member (222) supported for movement on a second inertia member (224). The second inertia member is supported for pivotal movement about an axis (260) which extends parallel to an adjustment axis (30) of a vehicle seat back (22) in which the retractor (10) is mounted. The first inertia member (222) is movable to move a pawl (180, 200) into engagement with a ratchet (114-116, 130) rotatable about the first axis (62) to block rotation of the spool (110) in a belt withdrawal direction (124).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a seat belt webbing storage spool (14) that is rotatable in winding (retraction) and unwinding (withdrawal) directions. First and second springs (50 and 52) bias the spool (14) in the retraction direction and are stressed upon rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction. A connector (54) interconnects the first and second springs (50 and 52). The connector has first and second portions (66 and 64) which are movable relative to each other. The first portion (66) is connected to the first spring (50), and the second portion (64) is connected to the second spring (52). An actuatable mechanism (56), when actuated, blocks rotation of the second portion (64) of the connector (54) in the belt retraction direction to block the spring force of the first spring (50) from acting through the second spring (52) and on the spool (14).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) stores belt webbing (16) which is used as a restraint for a vehicle occupant. The retractor (10) includes a rotatable webbing storage spool (14) and two springs (50, 52) for biasing rotation of the spool (14). A rotatable ratchet wheel (54) is connected between the springs (50, 52) to permit the spring force from one spring (50) to be blocked from acting on the spool (14) when the ratchet wheel (54) is prevented from rotating. A movable pawl (56) selectively engages the ratchet wheel (54) to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheel (54) in a belt retraction direction (A). The pawl (56) is both pivotable and movable transversely relative to a pawl axis (90). An actuator (60) selectively pivots the pawl (56) towards engagement with the ratchet wheel (54).

Abstract: A height adjuster (10) for a shoulder belt (26) includes a base (20) which is mountable on a vehicle body and has a plurality of apertures (58). A carriage mechanism (80) is slidable along the base (20) and carries a belt guide (82). A latch mechanism (84) also is carried on the carriage mechanism (80). The latch mechanism (84) includes a latch member (190) which is pivotable about a first axis (210) relative to the carriage mechanism (80). The latch member (190) has an end portion (196) receivable in one of the apertures (58) for blocking movement of the carriage mechanism (80) relative to the base (20). At least one manually engageable release lever (240) is carried on the carriage mechanism (80) and is pivotable about a second axis (264) transverse to the first axis (210).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for adjusting the position of a D-ring (12) for seat belt webbing (14) comprises a track (40) and a slider (18). The slider (18) is supported for movement along the track (40) and has a thread passage (58) for connection with the D-ring (12) to move the D-ring (12) along the track (40) with the slider (18). The apparatus (10) also includes a rotatable member (140), an elongate driving member (84) and a rotating motor assembly (86) for rotating the rotatable member (140). The rotatable member (140) is spaced from the slider (18). The driving member (84) extends longitudinally from the rotatable member (140) to the slider (18), and is engaged with the rotatable member (140) to move longitudinally upon rotation of the rotatable member (140). The driving member (84) is also engaged with the slider (18) to move the slider (18) along the track (40) relative to the rotatable member (140) when the driving member (84) moves upon rotation of the rotatable member (140).