Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly (20) comprising: 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) 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 (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 internal 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: 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.