Abstract: A buckle release apparatus (42) includes a seat belt buckle (36) which may be mounted in a vehicle. The buckle (36) is operable to receive and retain a buckle tongue (28) within the buckle (36). A sensor (56), which senses a vehicle emergency condition, is electrically connected with a pyrotechnic device (58). The sensor (56) is operable to effect actuation of the pyrotechnic device (58). The pyrotechnic device (58), when actuated, effects operation of the buckle (36) to release the buckle tongue (28) retained within the buckle (36).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) comprises a length of seat belt webbing (16) extensible about a vehicle occupant and a mechanism (80) associated with the length of seat belt webbing. The mechanism (80) includes at least one movable component (82, 84) and a one-piece cover member (90) defining a chamber (88) in which the at least one movable component is located. The cover member (90) encloses the at least one movable component (82, 84) and damps audible noise generated by vibration of the at least one movable component. The one-piece cover member (90) comprises at least two layers (92, 94) of dissimilar polymeric material bonded together. The layer includes a base layer (92) and an outer layer (94). One of the layers (92, 94) is made of an impact resistant material and the other of the layers (92, 94) of a noise absorbing material bonded to the one layer.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) for mounting on a vehicle seat back (22) includes a spool (110) on which seat belt webbing (32) is wound. The retractor (10) includes inertia sensing means (40) for blocking rotation of the spool (110) in a belt withdrawal direction (124) in response to vehicle deceleration above a predetermined deceleration. The inertia sensing means (40) comprises a first inertia member (222) movable from an unactuated position to an actuated position in response to vehicle deceleration above a predetermined deceleration, and sensor means (230) operable to block rotation of the spool (110) in the belt withdrawal direction (124) in response to movement of the first inertia member (222) from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a rotatable structure (40) having an axis of rotation (41). The rotatable structure (40) includes a spool (16), a ratchet wheel (44), and a deflectable part (42) which deflects upon rotation of the spool (16) about the axis (41) relative to the ratchet wheel (44). An alarm apparatus (60) responds to deflection of the deflectable part (42) by providing an audible alarm upon subsequent rotation of the rotatable structure (40).

Abstract: A seat (20) includes a frame (22) with a first frame portion (26) supporting a seat bottom (40) and a second frame portion (24) supporting a seat back (42) and attached at two places (28) to the first frame portion to define a reference axis (A). Seat belt webbing (62) carries a tongue (64) and has an end (82) fixed to the first frame portion (24). A retractor (84) is fixed to the frame (22) and another end of the seat belt webbing is operably connected with the retractor. A buckle (80) is fixed to the first frame portion (26) of the seat (20) to receive the tongue (64). A guide (100) extends through the seat back for guiding movement of the seat belt webbing (62) through the seat back (42). A turning mechanism (120, 120a) directs the seat belt webbing (62) and comprises a housing (122, 122a) fixed to a part (118, 118a) of the second frame portion (24). A support portion (182) includes a support surface (225) and has a snap attachment for attaching to the housing (122, 122a).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a vehicle deceleration sensing assembly (40) which is operable at a plurality of different inclined orientations to block withdrawal of belt webbing (32) from a spool (110). The spool (110) is rotatable about a first axis (62) of the retractor. The sensing assembly (40) includes a first inertia member (222) supported for movement on a second inertia member (224). The second inertia member is supported for pivotal movement about an axis (260) which extends parallel to an adjustment axis (30) of a vehicle seat back (22) in which the retractor (10) is mounted. The first inertia member (222) is movable to move a pawl (180, 200) into engagement with a ratchet (114-116, 130) rotatable about the first axis (62) to block rotation of the spool (110) in a belt withdrawal direction (124).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes a seat (12) for an occupant of a vehicle. A length of belt webbing (42) is extensible about the occupant of the vehicle seat to restrain the occupant. The length of belt webbing has a portion (48) extending from an upper portion (24) of the seat back (20). A belt webbing engaging member (76) is mounted on the seat back (20) for guiding movement of the belt webbing (48) from the seat back. The safety apparatus includes means (120) for mounting the belt webbing engaging member (76) on the seat back (20) for movement relative to the seat back in a direction between the seat back inboard side (28) and the seat back outboard side (26). In a preferred embodiment, the belt webbing engaging member is a seat belt retractor spool (76). The retractor spool (76) is mounted in the frame (62) of a retractor (60) for rotation about an axis (82). Shoulder belt webbing (48) is wound on the spool (76).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for adjusting the position of a D-ring (12) for seat belt webbing (14) comprises a track (40) and a slider (18). The slider (18) is supported for movement along the track (40) and has a thread passage (58) for connection with the D-ring (12) to move the D-ring (12) along the track (40) with the slider (18). The apparatus (10) also includes a rotatable member (140), an elongate driving member (84) and a rotating motor assembly (86) for rotating the rotatable member (140). The rotatable member (140) is spaced from the slider (18). The driving member (84) extends longitudinally from the rotatable member (140) to the slider (18), and is engaged with the rotatable member (140) to move longitudinally upon rotation of the rotatable member (140). The driving member (84) is also engaged with the slider (18) to move the slider (18) along the track (40) relative to the rotatable member (140) when the driving member (84) moves upon rotation of the rotatable member (140).

Abstract: A safety belt system has an elongated flexible drive element or tape which pulls a carrier connected with the safety belt along a track. Opposite ends of the tape are connected to a dual channel spool having inner and outer spool portions. A single reversible electric motor is operable to rotate the dual channel spool in one direction to pull the safety belt away from the occupant of a vehicle and in the opposite direction to pull the safety belt toward the occupant of the vehicle. As the spool is rotated in one direction, the tape is wound around one of the spool portions to pull the carrier rearwardly along the track. When the spool is rotated in the opposite direction, the tape is wound around the other spool portion to pull the carrier forwardly along the track.