Abstract: A safety restraint system having a seat belt (51) and an inflatable air bag (200), the air bag including first (220) and second (222) opposing panels, the first panel including one or more loops (234) and slots (232) to receive a seat belt (51), the air bag and/or seat belt configured to slide relatively to each other along the length of the seat belt.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a motor vehicle belt restraint system mounted to a structure of the vehicle. The pretensioner is connected to a belt restraint component that is also connected to the belt restraint system. The pretensioner includes a conduit made of tubing and having first and second ends. At least a portion of the conduit defines an elongated piston bore with a piston slideably positioned therein. A cable is attached to the piston and extends through the conduit for connection to the belt restraint component. A micro-gas generator is also located within the conduit and positioned generally opposite of the piston. Upon activation of the micro-gas generator, a gas is generated in the piston bore and drives the piston such that the piston exerts tension on the cable and thereby on the belt restrain component.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a motor vehicle belt restraint system mounted to a structure of the vehicle. The pretensioner is connected to a belt restraint component that is also connected to the belt restraint system. The pretensioner includes a conduit made of tubing and having first and second ends. At least a portion of the conduit defines an elongated piston bore with a piston slideably positioned therein. A cable is attached to the piston and extends through the conduit for connection to the belt restraint component. A micro-gas generator is also located within the conduit and positioned generally opposite of the piston. Upon activation of the micro-gas generator, a gas is generated in the piston bore and drives the piston such that the piston exerts tension on the cable and thereby on the belt restrain component.

Abstract: A safety restraint system having a seat belt (51) and an inflatable air bag (200), the air bag including first (220) and second (222) opposing panels, the first panel including one or more loops (234) and slots (232) to receive a seat belt (51), the air bag and/or seat belt configured to slide relatively to each other along the length of the seat belt.

Abstract: A height adjuster (200) for a vehicle safety restraint comprising: a rail (230) for providing a vertical path guide for a carrier (220); the carrier (220) configured to be vertically movable along the rail to one of a plurality of locations, the carrier also configured to rotationally support the web guide (210). The height adjuster also comprises a lock mechanism (240) movable between a locked and an unlocked condition, when in a locked condition the carrier is prohibited from moving down the rail and when in an unlocked condition the carrier is free to be moved; and a return spring mechanism (300) comprising a coiled return spring having an interior or coiled end (372) and a distal end (376), the interior end configured not to rotate as the carrier is moved and a distal end of the return spring secured to one of the carrier and release mechanism.

Abstract: An electromechanical seat belt retractor has a seat belt retractor assembly having a spool rotationally moveable about an axis of rotation for winding and unwinding a seat belt; a motor for selectively rotating the spool; a clutch including an over-clutch driven by the motor through one or more gears; the clutch being coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation of the spool and linearly spaced from the spool; and wherein upon a forward actuation of the motor a clutch plate of the clutch linearly moves to engage the spool coupling to the spool and thereafter rotating the spool about the axis to initiate a winding of the seat belt. After the clutch plate engages the spool a reversal of the motor linearly moves the clutch plate away from the spool disengaging the spool. Preferably the clutch means is a Bendix type clutch assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the clutch plate first engages an over-clutch is fixed in a locking engagement to the spool.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly (20) having: a locking assembly (22) and an integrally formed cover (26) to receive the locking assembly, the locking assembly and cover having a plurality of guiding and stabilizing members (160, 100, 110, 190, 109, 194, 150, 70a,c) configured to prevent specific relative motion between the cover and the locking assembly.

Abstract: A method of installing a seat belt system (100) into a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the system of the type including a seat belt retractor (501), a height adjuster (102) and a web guide (104), the method including the steps of: a) providing a height adjusting mechanism having a bar or track and a carrier; b) securing the web guide to the carrier so the height adjuster and web guide form a subassembly; c) locating and securing the retractor to a desired location within the vehicle and; d) lifting the subassembly and manipulating the height adjuster to a desired location in the vehicle and securing the height adjuster to the desired location, wherein the step of lifting the subassembly simultaneously locates the web guide to its desired location.

Abstract: A height adjuster (100) adapted for use with a seat belt system, the height adjuster including: a lock bar (110) having a lock side (116) with optional teeth (116a) and an opposing side (118); a lock lever (120) having an opening (122) therethrough, the lock bar receivable through the opening, a portion of the lock lever proximate the opening (122) configured as a lock edge (128) engagable with the lock side of the lock bar (110), the lock lever (120) movable between a disengaged position in which the lock edge is disengaged from the lock side and an engaged position in which the lock edge is engaged with the lock side of the lock bar; a clutch and actuator assembly (200) movably mounted to the lock bar and configured to move the lock lever between the disengaged position and the engaged position upon relative movement between the assembly (200) and the lock lever (120), the assembly (200) including a clutch portion (210) and an actuator portion (202).

Abstract: A height adjuster for a vehicle safety restraint has a web guide (38) and a track (84) for the web guide. The web guide (38) is vertically moveable along the track (84). A lock (76) has a lock condition for preventing vertical movement of the web guide (38) along the track (84) and an unlocked condition for allowing vertical movement of the web guide (38) along the track (84). A release mechanism (50, 80) is operatively connectable to said lock (76). The release mechanism (50, 80) has a release position for placing the lock (76) in the unlocked condition and an unreleased position from maintaining the lock (76) in the lock condition. A lift mechanism (66) at least partially assists vertical movement of the web guide (38) along the track (84) and biases the release mechanism (50, 80) toward the unreleased position.

Abstract: A safety system including a web guide comprising: a load-bearing member; a roller rotationally supported in relation to the load-bearing member; a one-way clutch for permitting the roller to rotate in a first direction and for prohibiting the roller from rotating in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: A safety system including a web guide comprising: a load-bearing member; a roller rotationally supported in relation to the load-bearing member; a one-way clutch for permitting the roller to rotate in a first direction and for prohibiting the roller from rotating in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: A system (20) comprising a buckle presenter (100) and/or a tongue presenter (200) and mechanism to activate and control each presenter. The buckle presenter and tongue presenter (200) are used to respectively move a seat belt buckle (26) and a corresponding tongue (24) from a stowed position to activated positions generally in front of the occupant to make the process of inserting the tongue into the buckle more convenient.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) operable with a pretensioner (330) comprising: a frame (102) having a first latch opening (126a) therein, and opposing frame sides (108a,b), each side including a latch plate slot (110) arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of a tongue into the buckle and pivoted weight mechanism (112, 200, 220). The buckle additionally includes a latch plate (180), having portions (186) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first latch opening (126a), the latch plate moveable between a latched position within the latch opening (126a) in the frame and within the latch opening (173) of the tongue to an unlatched position out of the latch openings.

Abstract: A latch mechanism latches a seat back (40), which is moveable relative to a seat base (20) between an upright position and a folded position. The latch mechanism comprises a pawl (60) connected with the seat back (40). The pawl (60) is moveable relative to the seat back (40) between an engaged position in which the pawl (60) is effective to prevent movement of the seat back (40) from the upright position and a disengaged position in which the pawl (60) is ineffective to prevent movement of the seat back (40) from the upright position. The latch mechanism further comprises a retaining member (100) connected with the seat back (40). The retaining member (100) is moveable from a first position to a second position upon movement of the seat back from the upright position. The retaining member (100) is effective to retain the pawl (60) against movement to the engaged position relative to the seat back (40) when the retaining member (100) is in the second position.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a mechanism for reducing the tension in the seat belt webbing. The retractor also includes a rewind spring which biases a retractor spool to wind the webbing onto the spool. The tension reducing mechanism comprises a comfort spring which is selectively engaged to counteract the biasing force of the rewind spring. The counteracting force of the comfort spring is applied throughout any range of movement of the vehicle occupant with the webbing fastened around the occupant. The amount of the counteracting force may be varied by the occupant. The comfort spring is engaged to oppose the rewind spring throughout winding up and unwinding of any length of webbing which is wound onto the retractor spool after the webbing is fastened around the occupant. The counteracting force of the comfort spring is proportional to the length of webbing wound onto the retractor spool while the webbing is fastened around the occupant.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor having a comfort mechanism, a spindle having belt webbing wound thereon is supported for rotation in belt retraction and belt withdrawal directions. A wind-up spring biases the spindle to rotate in the belt retraction direction. A rotatable member is rotatable relative to the spindle. Actuating means has a first condition in which the rotatable member is free to rotate and a second condition in which rotation of the rotatable member is blocked. An auxiliary wind-up spring has one end connected to the rotatable member and another end connected to the spindle.