Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spool with seat belt webbing wound thereon. A frame supports the spool for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction or a belt retraction direction. A pawl engages ratchet teeth formed on end portions of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction when a predetermined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn from the spool. A cam which has a multi-loop cam groove is rotatably driven by a gear train in response to spool rotation. A lever with a cam follower portion in the cam groove is pivoted by the cam to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: An end release type of buckle for safety belt harness in vehicles and a method of assembly wherein a channel shaped elongate chassis transversely supports a latch and a latch blocking element, the latter pivotal at one end and biased toward blocking the latch. A closure plate biased to follow insertion and removal of a buckle tongue is reciprocably mounted for longitudinal movement to the web of the chassis. A release slider is provided which reciprocates to remove the blocker against its bias and to depress or open the latch. A tubular case encloses and detentably assembles the chassis and operably guides the release slider while supporting the operating bias applying elements. A cup-like cover is pressed longitudinally over the case and is detentably located and secured to said case. When not in use the latch is held open by the closure plate. When a tongue is pressed into the buckle the closure plate retreats from blocking the entry slot and the latch obeys the bias to lock.

Abstract: A journalling structure for seat belt retractors and especially pawl bars thereof and comprising sockets in which raised arcuate portions are provided in thrust relation to the ends of stub shafts in minimization of friction under end thrust circumstances and where similar radial load bearing surfaces engage the flat surfaces of the stub shafts providing axial poising of the shafts and minimization of friction. The sockets are molded plastic and may be integrally formed in frame and saddle construction.