Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relative to the spool including a lock wheel (71) having a plurality of lock teeth associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (77) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90) located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt after the input force exceeds the threshold level to permit a controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled pay-out of the seat belt from the spool during a first and subsequent accidents.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relatively to the spool including a lock wheel (71) having a plurality of lock teeth associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (77) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90)located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt after the input force exceeds the threshold level to permit a controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled pay out of the seat belt from the spool.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising seat belt webbing; a spool for storing webbing thereon, the spool rotationally mounted on a frame; a rewind spring for rewinding or retracting the webbing; at least one drive gear having gear teeth mounted for rotation with the spool; an auxiliary shaft rotationally mounted on the frame including a least one driven gear thereon in meshing engagement with the at least one drive gear; a ratchet nut mounted to rotate with and slide along the auxiliary shaft; a first lock bar for preventing the rotation of the ratchet nut while permitting the nut to slide relative to the auxiliary shaft; a first energy absorbing bushing mounted about the auxiliary shaft and in selective contact with the ratchet nut for generating when deformed by the ratchet nut a relatively constant reaction force on the spool to oppose any protraction of the webbing during an emergency.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relative to the spool including a lock wheel (212) having a plurality of lock teeth (214) associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (224) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90)located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating in cooperation with a deformable bushing (100) having known deformation characteristics, the characteristics of which are controlled by a movable sleeve (242) moved about the bushing, to generate a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt.

Abstract: A load absorbing retractor comprising: a rotating spool or reel, seat belt webbing secured to the reel; at least one movable bushing, responsive to loads generated during an emergency situation, for deforming a portion of the reel and in so doing dissipating a determinable amount of the energy.

Abstract: A safety restraint system comprising: a safety belt system for restraining an occupant comprising: a 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.

Abstract: A safety device comprising: a retractor (22) for protracting and rewinding a safety belt to be worn about an occupant, having a lock wheel (42) and an associated lock pawl (74) movable into engagement therewith upon sensing an emergency condition by a sensing mechanism (50); a pretensioner for rotating the spool in a belt winding direction and a rotary element (80) for converting pretensioner motion to rotary motion and a spring loaded mechanism for providing for locking readiness of the lock pawl and operable after activation of and during rotation of the spool in the belt winding direction. Each of the frame sides includes a positioning hole or opening 70a and 70b through which the tie bar 72 of the present invention extends. If the retractor uses two lock wheels, two such lock pawls would be used.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relatively to the spool including a lock wheel (71) having a plurality of lock teeth associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (77) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90) located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt after the input force exceeds the threshold level to permit a controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled pay out of the seat belt from the spool.