Abstract: A seat belt retractor having a web tension controlling mechanism (36) includes a spool (32) for holding seat belt webbing (11), a frame (30) supporting the spool (32) for rotation in winding and unwinding directions, and a pinion (78) supported for rotation with the spool (32). A gear (104) is rotated by the pinion (78) and stresses a coil spring (102) upon rotation of the spool (32) in the unwinding direction. The gear (104) has a spiral array of gear teeth (156) which moves the gear axis (106) radially relative to the pinion axis (60) and which thus changes the effective pitch diameter (d) of the gear (104) upon rotation of the gear (104) by the pinion (78). The gear axis (106) is further directed to move pivotally about a pivot axis (132) when the gear axis (106) moves radially relative to the pinion axis (60).

Abstract: A telescoping cover for a seat belt buckle anchor includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. A portion of the second tubular member is slidably received in the first tubular member. When the telescoping cover is extended to cover the seat belt buckle anchor, the parts interlock. In a first embodiment, when the cover is in the extended position, a plurality of projecting fingers on the first tubular member engage an end surface of the second tubular member to interlock the first and second tubular members in the extended position. In a second embodiment, a plurality of ribs are spaced longitudinally along one tubular member. The ribs are engageable with a projection on the other tubular member to lock the cover in a selected one of a plurality of extended positions.

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.

Abstract: A seat belt system includes a cable for attachment of a seat belt buckle to a vehicle structure. The cable transmits forces from the buckle to the vehicle structure. The buckle has a base plate with a pair of facing channels. The cable has a loop intermediate its ends and parallel extending end portions. Opposite portions of the loop are located in the channels in the base plate. A member is attached to the base plate and located in the loop and has surface portions engageable with the loop. The channels retain the opposite portions of the loop against the member, and the member transmits forces acting on the buckle to the cable. An attachment plate connects the cable to the vehicle structure. The attachment plate has a channel with a bottom wall for receiving the end portions of the cable. A plurality of projections on the attachment plate clamp the end portions of the cable against the channel bottom wall to secure the cable to the attachment plate.