Abstract: An electrically-operable actuator 10 which includes a reversible direct current electric motor 16, a reduction gear train and a reciprocable member 96 adapted at one end to be coupled, for example with a locking lever of a motor vehicle door latch has, in the reversible direct current electric motor 16, a permanent magnet stator 18 in the form of a cylindrical ring, the internal diameter of which is at least twice the actual length thereof; a coil-wound armature 24 in the form of a salient pole rotor having a diameter of at least twice the actual thickness thereof; and a flat disc-shaped segmented commutator secured to said rotor concentric with, and adjacent, a pinion output gear 40 on said rotor.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle emergency release system is provided for installation in conjunction with a seat belt system in a motor vehicle so that, in the event of the motor vehicle sustaining an impact of sufficient magnitude as to warrant emergency release of the seat belt system, an electrically-operable actuator in a seat belt buckle of the seat belt system is actuated to release the seat belt system a short predetermined time interval after the vehicle has come to rest. The emergency release system includes two omni-directional sensors 108, 110, incorporated in an electronic timing and actuator operation circuit controlling the actuation of the electrically-operable actuator in the seat belt buckle. Sensor 108 is responsive only to a predetermined high acceleration indicative of vehicle impact, and sensor 110 is responsive to a predetermined acceleration substantially lower than said predetermined high acceleration and indicative of substantial vehicle movement.