Abstract: A trunk shade for an automotive luggage compartment having a central torque tube removably installed and held against rotation in fixed mounting brackets in which a torsional windup spring accommodating shade extraction and retraction has a prewind retention feature provided by an axial lead screw for a clutch dog which reaches a limit stop at a prewound retracted condition unaffected when the shade is removed from the mounting brackets. Optionally, a stop may also be provided at the other end of its travel to limit extraction of the shade. Helical torsional windup springs, of either compression or extension type, are adapted to take up mounting end clearance and in other respects eliminate shade rattle.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle wherein a conventional latch for engaging an apertured tongue of a conventional connector is pivotally seated within the base loop of an inverse clevis having an opening for insertion of the tongue and a solid transverse interior surface confining the engaged end of the latch against pivotal displacement incident to latch angularity under ultimate tensile belt loads sufficient to deflect the channel sides of conventional stamped frames characteristic of prior art seat belt buckles.

Abstract: A high strength safety belt buckle characterized by a clevis attached to one belt end, a connector attached to another belt end releasably held within the clevis by a latch passing through the connector and engaging both sides of the clevis. A first embodiment is suitable for use as a safety release buckle in a passive restraint system which need be disconnected only under emergency conditions. A second embodiment is suitable for normal safety belt buckle use where maximum convenience of connection and disconnection is essential.

Abstract: An automatic comfort lock release for an automotive vehicle retractable shoulder belt assuring complete retraction of the shoulder belt upon occupant departure from the vehicle seat. Sensing of automatic lap belt retraction having no comfort lock feature is employed to release the comfort lock and, in dual spool installations, a lever adjacent the lap belt spool sensing lap belt windup releases the comfort lock.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt system including a retractor with a static loop snubber operative to normally freely pass webbing and to lock under predetermined belt load thereby eliminating occupant excursion incident to belt tension on the retractor side of the static loop snubber.

Abstract: A switch assembly is provided for use in sensing a seat belt spool condition in a seat belt retractor assembly. Features of the switch assembly are a switch housing in which is mounted a conductive member which forms both a fixed contact and a male terminal at its respective ends, a movable contact element which is supported for selective wiping contact with the fixed contact end of the conductive member, and actuating means which moves the movable contact element into wiping contact with the fixed contact end of the conductive member in response to a predetermined amount of seat belt webbing being stored on the spool of the seat belt retractor and which permits the movable contact element to move out of wiping contact in response to a predetermined amount of seat belt webbing being removed from the retractor.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor comprises a housing containing first and second tandem spools for storing, respectively, lap and shoulder belts in helical wrap. Each of the spools is secured to a ratchet wheel engageable by a pawl located in the housing between the spools. Pawl support openings formed in opposite sidewalls of the housing enable the pawl to float while pivoting. In an equilibrium position, clearance between one end of the floating pawl and the first ratchet wheel is less than the clearance between the opposite end of the pawl and the second ratchet wheel. In response to acceleration of the vehicle carrying the retractor housing, a pendulum-type inertia device pivots the pawl from equilibrium into engagement with the first ratchet wheel. During pay out of the belts, with one end pivoting on the first ratchet wheel, the floating pawl is guided into contact with the second ratchet wheel by a cam surface defining one of the sidewall openings to positively lock the two spools.

Abstract: A self-sufficient three-piece structure constituting an open top metal housing within which there is mounted a pushbutton lever and a V-shaped leaf-type spring between lever and base of housing. A single plastic insert providing a crush resistent wall between base of housing and plastic cover also holds an electrical switching arrangement. The electrical switching arrangement includes a rotatable shaft and a radially outward extending finger which is actuated by insertion of the mating clip.

Abstract: A self-sufficient three-piece structure constituting an open top metal housing within which there is mounted a pushbutton lever and a V-shaped leaf-type spring between lever and base of housing. A single plastic insert providing a crush resistent wall between base of housing and plastic cover also holds an electrical switching arrangement. The electrical switching arrangement includes a rotatable shaft and a radially outward extending finger which is actuated by insertion of the mating clip.