Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a primary (40) and secondary (60) locking mechanism and deactivation mechanism (74) for mechanically deactivating the second locking mechanism (60) when the retractor is used by occupants not in a designated class; the retractor including at least two load limiting mechanisms including for example, a torsion bar and variable elongation webbing or a torsion bar and a friction brake (or clutch) configured to be selectively employed depending on the size of the occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising: a first and a second energy absorption mechanism each of which is selectively activatable and respectively configured to generate first and second levels of energy absorption and when activated define an output characteristic of the retractor; a switch mechanism for operatively selecting one or the other energy level and a mode shifter for shifting between the first energy absorption level and the second energy absorption level as a function of the rotation of a spool of the retractor.

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 retractor comprising: a first and a second energy absorption mechanism each of which is selectively activatable and respectively configured to generate first and second levels of energy absorption and when activated define an output characteristic of the retractor; a switch mechanism for operatively selecting one or the other energy level and a mode shifter for shifting between the first energy absorption level and the second energy absorption level as a function of the rotation of a spool of the retractor.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a primary (40) and secondary (60) locking mechanism and deactivation mechanism (74) for mechanically deactivating the second locking mechanism (60) when the retractor is used by occupants not in a designated class; the retractor including at least two load limiting mechanisms including for example, a torsion bar and variable elongation webbing or a torsion bar and a friction brake (or clutch) configured to be selectively employed depending on the size of the occupant.

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 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 belt tightening device (100/100') for use with a safety device such as a seat belt buckle: a flexible member (12), such as an anchoring length of seat belt webbing, operatively connected to the safety device (34); a housing (102) including a first opening (110) through which the flexible member loosely extends; first and second relatively movable clamping members (160, 162) for causing a portion of the flexible member extending from the housing to be drawn into the housing thereby shortening the remaining length of the flexible member causing a safety belt operatively attached to or part of the flexible member to become more tightly disposed about a user thereof.

Abstract: A restraint system having a seat (20) and a seat suspension mechanism (40) for supporting the seat and permitting the seat to move relative to a vehicle floor, the seat suspension mechanism including two movable members (52,54) which move apart as the seat is moved closer to the floor. A seat lowering activator (100) is connected to the seat suspension mechanism for urging the movable members apart thereby forcibly urging the seat to a lower position relative to the floor during an emergency.

Abstract: A pretensioner (22) comprising: a housing (20) with a bore (26); a piston (50) slidably received within the bore (26), the piston further including a pulley surface (58, 60) at one end thereof; a flexible link (92) having a first end (94) fixedly connected to the housing (22), a medial portion slidably positioned about the pulley surface and an opposite end (93) adapted to be connected to a buckle (90); a pyrotechnic device (80) for propelling the piston from a first, static position to a second position to affect a mechanical advantage in the movement of the buckle (90).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a hollow spool (30) for carrying a length of a seat belt (32), the spool rotationally supported upon the frame (22); a torsion bar (70), which when stressed can twist or rotate, having a first end (74) secured to a first end (48) of the spool (30) and a second end (76); a locking mechanism (200, 202, 210, 220, 222) for preventing the second end of the torsion bar (70) from rotating during an emergency; and a stopping mechanism (90, 110) located interior to the spool (30) for limiting the twisting of the torsion bar to a predetermined number of revolutions.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor adapted to be secured about a seated occupant comprising: a spool (54) having a length of seat belt (36) wound thereon for securement of the occupant, a portion of the seat belt forming a shoulder belt portion, the spool rotationally supported upon a frame (52); a tension reducing mechanism for controlling the amount of spring force transmitted from a rewind spring to the spool and hence the force applied to the shoulder of the occupant via the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt, the mechanism comprising: a cylindrical first spool (80) having an ungrooved, smooth body (81) operatively connected to the spool to rotate with the spool; a second reel (100) positioned remote from the first reel (80) having a tapered peripheral surface having a continuous spiral groove of varying diameter thereon, a rewind spring (160) operatively connected to the second reel for providing a rewind force to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; a flexible link (88) joining the first and second reel and for

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 child seat (10) for a vehicle has a seat belt system (12) for restraining a seated child. The seat belt system (12) includes seat belt webbing (16), a pair of webbing anchors (150, 160), and a retractor assembly (18). The webbing (16) has a plurality of sections including first and second shoulder belt sections (64, 74), each which has an upper end and a lower end. The webbing anchors (150, 160) permanently attach the upper ends (154, 164) of the shoulder belt sections (64, 74) to the seat back (24). The retractor assembly (18) takes up slack in the webbing (16) by pulling the lower ends (170, 172) of the shoulder belt sections (64, 74) toward the seat cushion (22).

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 retractor (24) for seat belt webbing (22) includes a first spool (60) for a first wound length of seat belt webbing (30) and a second spool (62) for a second wound length of seat belt webbing (32). The first and second spools (60, 62) are supported for winding and unwinding rotation. The retractor (24) further includes a cinch mechanism (110). The cinch mechanism (110) blocks unwinding rotation of the first spool (60) in response to a first amount of rotation of the spools (60, 62) which includes a predetermined amount of unwinding rotation of the second spool (62). The cinch mechanism (110) blocks unwinding rotation of the second spool (62) in response to a second amount of rotation of the spools (60, 62) which includes a predetermined amount of unwinding rotation of the first spool (60).

Abstract: A buckle (20) for a vehicle seat belt system (22) comprises a base (102) at least partially defining a cavity (100) for receiving first and second tongues (64, 66) of the seat belt system along respective first and second insertion paths (P1, P2). A first latch plate (106) supported by the base (102) is movable between a latched position connecting the first tongue (64) with the base when the first tongue moves a fully inserted distance into the cavity (100) and a release position in which the first tongue is disconnected from the base. A second latch plate (128) supported by the base (102) is movable between a latched position connecting the second tongue (66) with the base when the second tongue moves a fully inserted distance into the cavity (100) and a release position in which the second tongue is disconnected from the base.

Abstract: A child restraint system (24) includes shoulder belts (26) and 28 which engage the shoulders of a child (12) seated in a vehicle. The shoulder belts (26) and (28) are connected with an abdomen shield (32). A buckle (38) connects the shield (32) with a base (16) of a seat (14). A pair of retractor assemblies (50) and (52) are mounted in the abdomen shield (32) to enable the shoulder belts (26) and (28) to be extended upon movement of the abdomen shield (32) away from the child (12) seated in the vehicle. Upon movement of the abdomen shield (32) toward the child (12) seated in the vehicle, the retractor assemblies (50) and (52) retract the shoulder belts (26) and (28). The retractor assemblies (50) and (52) include spools (60) and (70) upon which the shoulder belts (26) and (28) are wound during retraction of the shoulder belts and unwound during extension of the shoulder belts.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (14) includes a spool (16) supported for winding and unwinding rotation. A locking pawl (60) has a locking position in which it extends into the path of movement of ratchet teeth (58) on the spool (16) so as to block unwinding rotation of the spool (16). The retractor (14) further includes a cycloidal gear (90) which rotates in an opposite direction and at a slower speed relative to the spool (16) in response to rotation of the spool (16). An actuator spring (140) has a first over-center condition in which it biases a lever (120) to pivot in a first direction, and has a second over-center condition in which it biases the lever (120) to pivot in a second direction. A pawl spring (124) moves the pawl (60) to the locking position in response to pivotal movement of the lever (120) in the second direction. The actuator spring (140) is switched between the first and second over-center conditions in response to rotation of the cycloidal gear (90).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a rotatable spool around which a seat belt is wound for storage and from which the seat belt is unwound for use. A ratchet wheel is fixed to the spool. A locking pawl is movable between a disengaged position spaced from the ratchet wheel to an engaged position engaging the ratchet wheel to prevent rotation of the spool in a belt unwinding direction. A cinch mechanism includes an actuator member which is movable from a retracted position to an extended position to move the locking pawl from the disengaged position to the engaged position. A web follower or sensor member is engageable with the seat belt and is movable in response to winding and unwinding of the seat belt. As the seat belt is unwound, the web follower pivots from a first position to a second position. As this occurs, an overcenter spring pivots the actuator member from the retracted position to the extended position, with a snap action, to move the locking pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.