Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) for mounting on a vehicle seat back (22) includes a spool (110) on which seat belt webbing (32) is wound. The retractor (10) includes inertia sensing means (40) for blocking rotation of the spool (110) in a belt withdrawal direction (124) in response to vehicle deceleration above a predetermined deceleration. The inertia sensing means (40) comprises a first inertia member (222) movable from an unactuated position to an actuated position in response to vehicle deceleration above a predetermined deceleration, and sensor means (230) operable to block rotation of the spool (110) in the belt withdrawal direction (124) in response to movement of the first inertia member (222) from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

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).