Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) comprises a spool (32) supported on a base (30) for rotation relative to the base about an axis (36) in a belt retraction direction and an opposite belt withdrawal direction. A length of belt webbing (16) wound on the spool (32) is extensible from the retractor (10) for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. The retractor (10) includes a spool locking mechanism (42) for blocking rotation of the spool (32) in the belt withdrawal direction. A sensor mechanism (44) is supported on the base (30). A cover (50) secured to the base (30) has a main body portion (52) covering the sensor mechanism (44). The cover (50) has a plurality of legs (70-76) projecting from the main body portion (52). The legs (70-76) are resiliently deformable to absorb energy of impact to the retractor (10).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (100) on which belt webbing (16) is wound. The spool (100) is fixed for rotation with a shaft (110). The shaft (110) is acted upon by gravity with a first force. The seat belt webbing (16) provides a second force on the shaft acting counter to the first force. A means, such as a pair of M-shaped springs (130, 140), provides a biasing force on the shaft acting counter to the first force. The springs (130, 140) may also bias the spool (100) axially away from side walls (34, 36) of the retractor frame (30).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor spool (14) has a seat belt (16) wound on the spool. Ratchet wheels (22) are fixed for rotation with the spool (14). A pawl (30) is movable into a position for blocking rotation of the ratchet wheels (22) and the spool (14) in a belt withdrawal direction (A). A lever (50) is pivotable to move the pawl (30) to the blocking position. A control ring gear assembly (94) is driven upon rotation of the spool (14) to cause the lever (50) to pivot after a predetermined length of the seat belt (16) is withdrawn from the spool (14). The control ring gear assembly (94) includes two members (96 and 118) which are mounted together, and which have projections (114, 122L), respectively, for engaging and pivoting the lever (50). The members (96 and 118) have interlocking portions (104 and 122) which are locked during mounting of the members (96 and 118) for preventing relative movement between the members.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (14) on which a seat belt (16) is wound. Ratchet wheels (22) are fixed for rotation with the spool (14). A pawl (30) is movable into a blocking position for blocking rotation of the ratchet wheels (22) and the spool (14) in a belt withdrawal direction (A). A lever (50) is pivotable to move the pawl (30) to the blocking position after a predetermined length of the seat belt (16) is withdrawn from the spool 14. A control ring gear assembly (94) causes the lever (50) to pivot. The control ring gear assembly (94) includes two members (96 and 108), which have projections (104, 116), respectively, for engaging and pivoting the lever (50). The member (108) is movable relative to the member (96) for changing the amount of rotation of the ring gear assembly (94) required prior to the projection (116) moving the lever ( 50) to cause a lock-up of the retractor.

Abstract: A reel is rotatably mounted on a reel frame and has a length of belt attached thereto. A track is mounted on the vehicle body and has the reel frame mounted thereon for translation along the track from a retracted position to an extended position. A high effort spring acts between the reel frame and the track to provide high effort retraction of the reel frame and the reel to the retracted position. A low effort spring acts between the reel frame and the reel to provide low effort retraction of the belt toward a wound condition on the reel and permit extension of the belt therefrom. A latch acts between the reel frame and the track to latch the reel frame at the extended position in response to the full unwinding of the belt from the reel and full travel of the reel frame along the track to the extended position. Accordingly, when the latch latches the reel frame to the track, the belt is subjected to only the effort of the low effort spring.

Abstract: A belt reel has a reel shaft journaled on the side walls of a retractor frame and a belt spool attached to the reel shaft in radially spaced relation therefrom by round plates which define an annular space between the reel shaft and the spool and opening outwardly toward the frame side walls. An actuator is pivotally mounted on the end of the reel shaft between the sprocket and frame side wall and depends into proximity with a lock bar to move the lock bar into engagement with a reel sprocket upon rotary movement of the actuator. An acceleration sensing mechanism situated within the annular space is cammed axially to drive couple the reel with the actuator in response to a sensed condition of acceleration so that the actuator is rotated and engages the lock bar with the sprocket.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a housing having laterally spaced first and second housing walls and a belt reel journaled for rotation by a reel shaft extending between the housing walls. A ratchet plate is attached to each end of the reel. A lock bar extends between the housing side walls and has locking teeth at the ends thereof adapted for selective engagement with the ratchet plates upon pivotal movement of the lock bar toward the ratchet plate. A release member is provided to forcibly disengage the lock bar from engagement with the ratchet plates and includes laterally spaced first and second abutment portions which respectively extend between the ratchet plate and the adjacent housing wall to overlie the locking teeth of the lock bar in spaced relation therefrom.

Abstract: The drawings illustrate an angularly adjustable head restraint assembly for use with the backrest of a vehicle seat. The assembly includes a post carried by the backrest, a headrest pivotally connected to the post and adapted to being manually pivotally moved from a horizontally oriented reclined attitude to a vertically oriented head support attitude, locking means for locking the headrest in the vertically oriented head support attitude, a cam with cooperating overcenter spring means for causing the cam to snap overcenter once it is provided forwardly from the head support attitude by the headrest to urge the locking means out of its locked relationship with the headrest and permit the headrest to be lowered toward the reclined attitude, and a projection formed on the locking means for contacting the cam and causing it to snap overcenter in the other direction just prior to the headrest attaining the reclined attitude into position for the next sequence.