Abstract: A seat belt retractor (40) associated with a seat (10) includes a spool (106) about which seat belt webbing (42) is wound. The spool (106) is supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction and in an opposite belt retraction direction. A vehicle sensitive sensor (190) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for preventing rotation of the spool (106) in the belt withdrawal direction. A first mechanism (206) is responsive to a first condition for disabling the vehicle sensitive sensor (190). A second mechanism (294) is responsive to a second, different condition for preventing rotation of the spool (106) in the belt withdrawal direction. The second condition is a condition of the associated seat (10).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an occupant protection device (14) and an inflation fluid source (12) that is actuatable for providing inflation fluid for inflating the occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a conduit (34) for directing a flow of inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (12) to the occupant protection device (14). The conduit (34) includes two rigid portions (40 and 42) and a flexible portion (70) that is interposed between the rigid portions (40 and 42). The flexible portion (70) of the conduit (34) directs the flow of inflation fluid from one rigid portion (40) to the other rigid portion (42) and permits the rigid portions (40 and 42) to be moved relative to one another while remaining connected through the flexible portion (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable volume (16) of the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a reaction plate (20) that includes at least one vent opening (40) and a retainer (60) that is connectable with the reaction plate (20). A vent part (80) has a first condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (40) and a second condition permitting inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The apparatus (10) further includes actuatable means (120) for moving the vent part (80) from one of the first and second conditions to the other of the first and second conditions. The vent part (80) has a portion (104) that maintains the vent part in the other of the first and second conditions when moved to the other of the first and second conditions.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (104) about which seat belt webbing (18) is wound. The spool (104) is supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction and in an opposite belt retraction direction. A vehicle sensitive sensor (180) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for preventing rotation of the spool (104) in the belt withdrawal direction. The retractor (10) also includes a mechanism (200) for controlling the vehicle sensitive sensor (180). The mechanism (200) includes a ring gear (212) and a control lever (246). The ring gear (212) has internal gear teeth (234) and an external surface (236) having a cam profile. The external surface (236) of the ring gear (212) actuates the control lever (246) to enable and disable the vehicle sensitive sensor (180).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10d) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (300), a support member (336) having a vent opening (364), and a vent member (440) that is associated with the vent opening (364). The vent member (440) has a first condition in which the vent member (440) closes the vent opening (364) and a second condition in which the vent member (440) is spaced apart from the vent opening (364) enabling fluid flow through the vent opening (364). A fastener (470) attaches the vent member (440) to the support member (336). The fastener (470) includes structure (482) for securing the vent member (440) in the first condition prior to initial inflation of the protection device (300) and for enabling the vent member (440) to move from the first condition to the second condition upon initial inflation of the protection device (300).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) and a method of controlling the protection device (30) are provided. The protection device (30) includes first and second seat belts (36 and 38) and first and second load limiters (86 and 88) that are associated with the first and second seat belts (36 and 38), respectively. The protection device (30) also includes at least one sensor for sensing a characteristic of at least one of the occupant (18) and of the vehicle (14). The protection device (30) further includes a controller (260) that is responsive to the at least one sensor for controlling the first and second load limiters (86 and 88).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes seat belt webbing (18) and a device (64) coupled to the seat belt webbing (18) for sensing tension in the seat belt webbing (18). The device (64) is decoupled from the seat belt webbing (18) in response to the tension in the seat belt webbing (18) exceeding a predetermined threshold.