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: 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 safety system comprising: energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) and a pretensioner for initiating rewinding a retractor spool (24) and the seat belt (31) subsequent to an accident; the retractor (20) includes bushings for rotationally mounting the spool (24) so that it rotates relative to a frame (22) and an energy absorbing device (70, 90, 100, 102) for permitting the controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled protraction of the belt as the belt is loaded by an occupant, such controlled protraction of the belt being independent of the amount that the spool was caused to rewind in response to the operation of the pretensioner.