Abstract: A system for eliminating residual seat belt slack about a plurality of occupants of a vehicle, the system comprising a plurality of seat belt assemblies securable about a respective occupant, each seat belt assembly including a lap belt portion, a tongue, and a buckle, one end of the lap belt secured to a support member and an opposite end of the lap belt operatively joined to the tongue, the buckle matingly locking with the tongue, the buckle secured to one end of a connecting member, the connecting member having an opposite second end; a belt tightener is secured to the second end of each connecting member, for generally simultaneously tightening each seat belt assembly about a respective occupant.

Abstract: A safety system comprising: a buckle (22) secured to a pretensioner (20); the pretensioner (20) comprising: a stationary link (102) and stationary block (110); a housing slidably received upon the stationary link (102) and movable relative to the stationary block (110) and a pressure unit for causing the housing, and buckle operatively attached thereto, to move downwardly relative to the stationary block to thereby eliminate slack in a seat belt, and a second link (104) received through the housing for preventing rotation of the housing about the first link (102).