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). In one embodiment, a third mechanism (400) is responsive to the first condition for allowing rotation of the spool (106) in the belt withdrawal direction.

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 an actuator (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 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.

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: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a vent opening (44) for directing flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device. A vent member (46) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. A tether (50), when tensioned, moves the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition. A latch (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for enabling the vent member to move away from the closed condition. A controller (102) is operative to actuate the latch (48). selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10c) has an inflatable occupant protection device (12c) and a support member (20c) having a vent opening (44c). A vent member (46c) is associated with the vent opening (44c). A tether (50c) extends between the protection device (12c) and the vent member (46c). The vent member (46c) is initially in a first condition closing the vent opening (44c). The vent member (46c) is moved to a second condition spaced apart from the vent opening (44c) and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening (44c) upon initial inflation of the protection device (12c). The vent member (46c) is moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether (50c) that results from inflation of the protection device (12c) away from the support member (20c) by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (30) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (30). An arm (106) is associated with the elongated member (30). The arm (106) receives a force from the elongated member (30) when tension in the seat belt webbing (24) increases. The force acts on the arm (106) through a moment arm creating a torsion force on the arm (106). At least a portion of the arm (106) moves in response to the torsion force. A device (102) is responsive to movement of the at least a portion of the arm (106) due to the torsion force to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).

Abstract: An apparatus (510) includes seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (520) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (520). A sensor of the apparatus 510 includes an arm (560) that is associated with the elongated member (520). The elongated member (520) moves at least a portion of the arm (560) in response to a change in tension in the seat belt webbing (24). The sensor also includes a device (558) that is responsive to movement of the arm (560) to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24). Structure (604) of the apparatus (510) reduces a variable moment acting on the arm as a result of off-axis loading of the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10c) has an inflatable occupant protection device (12c) and a support member (20c) having a vent opening (44c). A vent member (46c) is associated with the vent opening (44c). A tether (50c) extends between the protection device (12c) and the vent member (46c). The vent member (46c) is initially in a first condition closing the vent opening (44c). The vent member (46c) is moved to a second condition spaced apart from the vent opening (44c) and enabling fluid flow through the vent opening (44c) upon initial inflation of the protection device (12c). The vent member (46c) is moved from the second condition back toward the first condition by tension in the tether (50c) that results from inflation of the protection device (12c) away from the support member (20c) by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and a vent opening (44) for directing flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device. A vent member (46) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. A member (50) is operative to move the vent member (46) from the open condition to the closed condition in response to deployment of the protection device (12). Latching means (48) has a latched condition for maintaining the vent member (46) in the closed condition and an unlatched condition for preventing the vent member from remaining in the closed condition. Control means (102) is operative to actuate the latching means (48) selectively to the latched condition and the unlatched condition based on at least one sensed occupant condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (30) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (30). An arm (106) is associated with the elongated member (30). The arm (106) receives a force from the elongated member (30) when tension in the seat belt webbing (24) increases. The force acts on the arm (106) through a moment arm creating a torsion force on the arm (106). At least a portion of the arm (106) moves in response to the torsion force. A device (102) is responsive to movement of the at least a portion of the arm (106) due to the torsion force to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24).