Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for simulating impact conditions which has a test sled 10, simulated occupant (14), and a pre-impact force-generating device. The pre-impact force-generating device can apply force directly to the simulated occupant being (14), thereby overcoming many of the cost problems associated with applying a low and long duration force directly to a test sled (10). The pre-impact force-generating device can be designed such that instead of providing a low and long duration force to a simulated occupant (14), it provides a short and high impact force to the simulated occupant (14). An impact force-generating device provides impact force directly to the sled (10) which simulates impact conditions.

Abstract: A multi-point seat belt system (20′) for protecting an occupant seated upon a vehicle seat, the system comprising: a shoulder belt (42) and a lap belt (44) securable, with some amount of slack, about the occupant, a seat belt buckle (48) attached to one end of the lap belt (44) at an inboard location and a belt tightener secured to an opposite end (44b) of the lap belt for eliminating any slack in the lap belt, the belt tightener located at an outboard location.

Abstract: An occupant safety protection system (8) capable of sensing the misuse of a safety belt system (10). The invention includes: a shoulder belt portion (13), a field generator means (243) for generating a detection field (202), a disturbance tag means (250) attached to the shoulder belt portion (13) and a tag detection circuit means (19) which determines seat belt misuse and sends an output indicative thereof. When the seat belt system is being properly used the disturbance tag (250) does not disturb the detection field. Conversely, when the seat belt system is being improperly used the disturbance tag disturbs the detection field. The tag detection circuit sends an output indication (245) corresponding to the state of the seat belt system use.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic piston and cylinder assembly raises a belt guide, pulling two segments of a safety belt upwardly away from a vehicle seat. The extension of the two segments removes slack from the safety belt. After the piston is fully extended, a pair of wedges jam an inner wall of the cylinder, providing resistance to the retraction of the shaft into the cylinder. As the belt forces overcome the resistance from the wedges, the piston is pushed back into the cylinder and a portion of belt is permitted to extend, relieving tension in the safety belt. The wedges plastically deform the inner wall of the cylinder, thereby absorbing a portion of the energy of the collision.

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 safety system comprising: a buckle (22) secured to a pretensioner (20); the pretensioner (20) comprising: a stationary link (102) and stationary block (110); a housing slidably received upon the stationary link (102) and movable relative to the stationary block (110) and a pressure unit for causing the housing, and buckle operatively attached thereto, to move downwardly relative to the stationary block to thereby eliminate slack in a seat belt, and a second link (104) received through the housing for preventing rotation of the housing about the first link (102).

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor having a frame; a spool on which the seat belt is wound, the spool rotationally supported relative to the frame; a first locking mechanism for initially stopping the spool from rotating in a belt protraction direction; a bias or rewind spring to retract the seat belt, and a first energy absorbing or dissipating member, associated with the first locking mechanism, for permitting the spool to rotate in the belt protracting direction subsequent to activation of the first locking mechanism for generating a reaction force to control the manner in which the spool rotates; wherein the first locking mechanism includes a mechanical inertial sensor for initiating the locking up of the first locking mechanism and wherein the retractor further includes a first non-inertial sensor (100, 200) for preventing the initiation caused by the inertial sensor.

Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for a vehicular safety restraint, which includes a housing; a tube extending from the housing and defining an inner surface; a piston disposed within the tube in close proximity to the inner surface of the tube; a linkage connected at a first end to the piston and having a second end which is adapted for connection to a safety restraint; and a lock member having at least a portion thereof disposed between the piston and the inner surface of the tube, the lock member being configured and dimensioned such that upon application of a force to the piston in a first direction, the lock member permits free movement of the piston in the first direction and upon application of a force to the piston in a second direction being reverse to the first direction, the lock member biases against the inner wall of the tube to prevent movement of the piston in the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 100) comprising: a driven gear (102) operatively linked to a spool of a retractor (20) to rotate the spool (24) in a direction of retraction to cause a seat belt (31) wound thereabout to retract; an arcuate tube (108) having a flat exit end (302) proximate the gear; a flexible chain (130), moveable within the tube, having a front end (134a) initially maintained out of engagement with the first gear and pushed into engagement with the first gear to cause same to rotate; a piston (600) for pushing the chain (130) into engagement with the gear thereby causing the gear to rotate and catching mechanism for retaining the chain after it has exited the exit end of the tube.

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 bias means 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: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor having a frame, a locking mechanism 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 bias means to retract the seat belt, a mechanism means for permitting the spool to rotate in the belt protraction direction subsequent to being locked including a wire pulling device which pulls a formed wire member through a tortuous path and in so doing generates a reaction force to control the manner in which the spool rotates.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (10) for controlling protraction of seat belt webbing (24) during a collision is provided. The seat belt retractor (10) includes a frame (12), a spool (20) rotatably supported on the frame (12) having webbing (24) wound thereabout, a bifurcated spool shaft (22) having a first portion (52) and a second independently rotatable portion (54), a locking mechanism (90, 91) associated with each portion of the spool shaft (22), and a load limiting mechanism (41, 43) interconnecting each shaft portion to the spool (20). The locking mechanisms (90, 91) are independently and simultaneously actuable by vehicle sensors (86, 87) to selectively engage and prevent rotation of either one or both of the first and second shaft portions (52, 54) to initiate operation of either one or both of the load limiting mechanisms (41, 43) to effectively control the threshold input force level required to permit controlled protraction of the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: An occupant protection system for protecting a seated occupant comprising: seat (20) having a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (24), frame means (26, 30) to support the seat back, a headrest extending above the seat back, cushion material (32) for providing resiliency to the seat and a protective cover material (34) covering the cushion material; an air bag (50,50'), having a first portion extending generally along the length of the seat back and a second portion which when inflated extends above the seat back to be positioned generally in front of the headrest, whereby upon inflation of the first portion of the air bag a portion of the seat back is gently urged against the spine of the occupant and the second portion expands upwardly to provide a protective layer between the headrest and the occupant's head.

Abstract: A safety restraint system comprising a safety belt system for restraining an occupant comprising safety belt; a retractor for protracting and retracting the safety belt, a shoulder belt support for supporting the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt; a pretensioner for providing, subsequent to activation, a preload tensile force in the shoulder belt portion in excess of a first low limit value of about 50 pounds; a load limiter for limiting the loads imparted by the shoulder belt portion to an occupant, operative after the preload acts on the shoulder belt portion, including first means for introducing a predetermined amount of slack in the shoulder belt when the belt tension is above a second low limit value and for preventing such slack introduction when belt tension is lower than such second low limit value.