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(48) against rotation to prevent further payout of the belt (40) after a predetermined length of the belt (40) has been withdrawn from the spool (28). A timing assembly (124) functions to determine when the predetermined length of the belt (40) has been withdrawn or retracted for controlling engagement and disengagement of a latch mechanism (110).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 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 clutch release mechanism includes an annular piston arranged to move an anti-friction bearing axially for operating a friction clutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The outer diametrical dimension of the anti-friction bearing is less than the internal profile dimension of the annular cylinder, whereby the bearing is movable into the space circumscribed by the cylinder when the piston is in its retracted position.

Abstract: A clutch release mechanism for absorbing misalignments might occur between an annular driven member such as a bearing carrier and a stationary guide element such as a quill over which the driven member axially slides. A resilient spacer member is arranged between inner and outer tubular sleeves forming parts of the driven member such that the outer sleeve can be misaligned with respect to the inner sleeve without adverse effect on performance of the driven member. By absorbing misalignment between the bearing carrier and quill, wear between these members is significantly reduced.