Abstract: A seat belt system of the conventional three point restraint type includes an electric motor which replaces the usual rewind spring on the belt retractor. When the seat belt is buckled up, the motor is set into operation and pulls the shoulder belt up into engagement with the body of the occupant in the seat, and then is pulsed backward to provide safe tensionless comfort in which the seat belt is located close to the body of the person being restrained but safely spaced away from the body of the occupant. The cycle of tightening of the belt and then releasing it by a predetermined short distance to provide the tensionless comfort position is repeated whenever the occupant either closes the seat belt buckle, shifts the position of the seat by operating the seat release or seat reclining levers, or leans forward beyond the tensionless range, thereby applying tension to the seat belt.

Abstract: An automobile retractor comprising: (a) a base (6); (b) a winding reel mounted for rotation on said base (6), said winding reel comprising a cylindrical hollow tube (12) having a slot (36) extending substantially along the length thereof, said slot having a first edge (34) and a second edge (35); (c) a locking dog (23) having teeth (39) and being mounted on the external peripheral surface of tube (12) for rotation relative thereto; (d) a locking ring (21) on base (6) disposed in potential mating relationship with locking dog (23); (e) locking dog (23) having an opening (28) therein and a projection (29) into opening (28), opening (28) fitting over one end of tube (12) with the projection (29) fitting into mating relationship with slot (36); (f) at least a significant portion (37) of the inner surface of said opening having a configuration that conforms with the outer peripheral surface of tube (12); (g) actuating ratchet wheel (43) rotatably mounted concentrically with respect to tube (12) and being connected