Abstract: A safety belt retractor (10) comprised of a spool (28), a belt (40) wound on the spool (28), a ratchet wheel (48), and a torsion bar (44) interconnecting the spool (28) to the ratchet wheel (48) and capable of yielding in response to loading exerted on the belt (40) when the ratchet wheel (48) is locked against rotation. The safety belt retractor (10) also includes a holdout mechanism (18) which is normally operable in an ELR mode to permit operation of an emergency locking mechanism (16) and which can be selectively shifted into an ALR mode for locking the ratchet wheel (48) against rotation to prevent further payout of the belt (40) after a predetermined length of the belt (40) has been withdrawn from the spool (28). A timing assembly (124) functions to determine when the predetermined length of the belt (40) has been withdrawn or retracted for controlling engagement and disengagement of a latch mechanism (110).

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a retractor (18) with a spool (60), sections (26,28) of seat belt webbing (16) which define first and second shoulder belts (42,48), and a section (22) of seat belt webbing (16) which connects the shoulder belts (42,48) to the spool (60). The spool (60) is supported for unwinding rotation upon extraction of either of the shoulder belts (42,48), and for winding rotation upon retraction of either of the shoulder belts (42,48). A locking pawl (80) has a locking position blocking unwinding rotation of the spool (60). A cinch mechanism (100) moves the locking pawl (80) to the locking position in response to a predetermined amount of rotation of the spool (60).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (14) includes a spool (16) supported for winding and unwinding rotation, and an emergency locking mechanism (60) which, when actuated, blocks unwinding rotation of the spool (16). The emergency locking mechanism (60) is actuated upon movement of a locking member (72) from a first position to a second position. A collision indicator (74) applies a predetermined force to the locking member (72) to move the locking member (72) toward the second position in response to a predetermined condition indicative of a vehicle collision. A movable spring (100) has a blocking position in which it suppresses noise by resisting movement of the locking member (72) toward the second position. The spring (100) is movable into and out of the blocking position in response to rotation of the spool (16).