Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing energy during a frontal collision of a vehicle, through the use of a front frame structure having main frame rails that include several deformable and non-deformable sections which are connected by selectively crushable junctures that are configured to predispose one or more of the junctures and sections to pivot selectively outward, rearward and upward, in a predetermined manner, during the collision. The front frame structure also includes an engine cradle, attached below the main frame rails, and having a pair of side rails that include forward and rear crushable junctures joined by non-deformable intermediate sections, with the crushable junctures of the main frame rails and engine cradle side rails being configured to predispose the intermediate sections of the engine cradle side rails to move downward and rearward during the collision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing energy during a frontal collision of a vehicle, through the use of a front frame structure having main frame rails that include several deformable and non-deformable sections which are connected by selectively crushable junctures that are configured to predispose one or more of the junctures and sections to pivot selectively outward, rearward and upward, in a predetermined manner, during the collision. The front frame structure also includes an engine cradle, attached below the main frame rails, and having a pair of side rails that include forward and rear crushable junctures joined by non-deformable intermediate sections, with the crushable junctures of the main frame rails and engine cradle side rails being configured to predispose the intermediate sections of the engine cradle side rails to move downward and rearward during the collision.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) operable with a pretensioner (330) comprising: a frame (102) having a first latch opening (126a) therein, and opposing frame sides (108a,b), each side including a latch plate slot (110) arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of a tongue into the buckle and pivoted weight mechanism (112, 200, 220). The buckle additionally includes a latch plate (180), having portions (186) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first latch opening (126a), the latch plate moveable between a latched position within the latch opening (126a) in the frame and within the latch opening (173) of the tongue to an unlatched position out of the latch openings.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) operable with a pretensioner (330) comprising: a frame (102) having a first latch opening (126a) therein, and opposing frame sides (108a,b), each side including a latch plate slot (110) arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of a tongue into the buckle and pivoted weight mechanism (112, 200, 220). The buckle additionally includes a latch plate (180), having portions (186) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first latch opening (126a), the latch plate moveable between a latched position within the latch opening (126a) in the frame and within the latch opening (173) of the tongue to an unlatched position out of the latch openings.

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, 400) comprising: first driven gear (402) operatively linked 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; flexible first driving member (430, 432) having a front end (435) initially maintained out of engagement with the driven gear and pushed into engagement with the first driving member to cause same to rotate; second driving member (420) operatively linked to a rear end of the first driving member for pushing the first driving member into engagement with the driven gear thereby causing the driven gear to rotate.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) comprising: a frame (102) having a tongue receiving opening (170) to receive a tongue (173) as the tongue is moved in a first direction, a latch member (180) arranged to move from a latched position to an unlatched position, an ejector to eject the tongue which the latch member is in its unlatched position, an electronic sensor assembly (400) located upon the frame (102) comprising a magnetic sensor and a spaced magnet, a metal bar (260) supported on one of the latch member (180), the ejector (131) or a pivot member (500) and movable into position between the sensor and the magnet.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprises a frame, a spool rotatably mounted relative to the frame for protracting and retracting a seat belt wound thereabout, and a driving member (e.g., a rotatable and slidable nut) operatively coupled to the spool. A deformable energy absorbing member is disposed within a bore of the spool and functions to receive a driving force supplied by the driving member responsive to an occupant load, and to deform when the driving force exceeds a predetermined threshold to thereby absorb energy and permit a controlled rotation of the spool and a corresponding controlled protraction of the belt as the belt is loaded by the occupant. At least one stop ring is disposed in proximity to the deformable member and functions to contact the deformable member in a deformed state and control further deformation thereof to thereby limit the protraction of the seat belt.

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 apparatus (20, 500) comprising: first driven gear (502) 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; a helically shaped first driving member (530) having a front end (536) initially maintained out of engagement with the driven gear and pushed into engagement with the first driving member to cause same to rotate; second driving member (520) operatively linked to a rear end of the first driving member for pushing the first driving member into engagement with the driven gear thereby causing the driven gear to rotate.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (20,20') comprising a frame (22), a locking element (30) movably disposed on the frame and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the frame including a locking element receiving opening (28) to receive the locking element when it is moved to its locked position in response to insertion of the tongue (52) having a mating portion (50) which interacts with the locking element, and non-contacting and direct sensing sensor such as a Hall effect sensor and magnet are provided to sense the presence of the locking element with the receiving opening (28).

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) operable with a pretensioner (330) connected thereto for moving the buckle a determinable distance to remove slack of the seat belt about an occupant, the buckle comprising: a frame (102), adapted to be connected to the pretensioner (330), defining a tongue receiving opening (170) to receive a tongue (173) as the tongue is moved in a first direction, the frame having a first opening (126a) therein, and opposing frame sides (108a,b), each side including a latch plate slot (110) arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction and an arcuate slot (112), the arcuate slot (112) including a first portion (112a) generally parallel to the latch plate slots (110) and a second portion (113b) angled thereto, a latch plate (180), having end portions (186) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first opening (136a), a weight assembly pivotally connected to the end portions of the latch plate to generate a