Abstract: A control console assembly includes a diffusion layer and an electrode of a capacitive sensor. The diffusion layer has an outer surface and an inner surface substantially opposite the outer surface. The electrode of the capacitive sensor is mated to at least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the diffusion layer.

Abstract: An assembly includes a substrate, a flexible layer, and an adhesive mating the substrate and the flexible layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The flexible layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The flexible layer has a thickness such that light passes through the flexible layer without substantial change to a color or an intensity of the light and such that the flexible layer substantially conforms to a shape of the substrate. The adhesive mates the second surface of the substrate and the first surface of the flexible layer and has a viscosity that substantially fills in a texture of at least one of the second surface of the substrate and the first surface of the flexible layer. The adhesive also forms substantially no air gaps.

Abstract: A control console assembly includes a diffusion layer and an electrode of a capacitive sensor. The diffusion layer has an outer surface and an inner surface substantially opposite the outer surface. The electrode of the capacitive sensor is mated to at least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the diffusion layer.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor has a spool. An energy absorption mechanism absorbs energy from the spool during seatbelt protraction. The energy absorption mechanism has at least a first portion for a relatively high rate of energy absorption and preferably a second portion for a relatively low rate of energy absorption. The seatbelt retractor has an outer sheath cast, molded, coated or otherwise bonded to and encircling a portion of the external surface of the first portion or the second portion which upon a sufficient exposure to rotational energy breaks the bond between the first portion or the second portion and the outer sheath.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (100) having a rotationally mounted spool (120) with a seat belt windable thereon and a pretensioner (300) for winding the spool in a belt winding direction to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; the pretensioner comprising a rack and pinion mechanism (350) activated by a pyrotechnic element (400) for causing a clutch assembly (200) to change state from a disengaged mode to an engaged mode in which the clutch assembly drivingly engages the spool.

Abstract: A pretensioner (20) for use with a seat belt system, the pretensioner comprising: a straight first tube (22) having a cylindrical wall (22a), a first end (24) and a second end (26), at least one of the first end (24) or the second end (26) having an opening (32); the first tube includes a first opening (38) in the wall (22a) to receive a second tube (50), the second tube (50) having a first end portion (52), a second end portion (56) and a medial portion (54), the medial portion configured to have a circular curvature of radius R1; the second end portion is situated so that its center is collinear with a central axis (64) extending through the center of the first tube (22) and wherein an axis extending through the center of the first end portion is arranged at an acute angle relative to the central axis (64); a pyrotechnic element (40) is provided at one end of the first tube to provide products of combustion to drive a piston (100) down the first tube, the motion of the piston moving a cable (80) in a direct

Abstract: A quick connect anchor 20 for attachment to a cooperating fastener 110, the anchor including: a plate 30 configured to be placed over the fastener and configured to be moved in a first direction from a free position to a locked position; and a resilient blocking member 50 movable with the plate from a first position, in which the resilient member is free from the fastener, to an engaged position in engagement with a portion of the fastener, to resiliently connect the plate with the fastener when the plate is in its locked position.

Abstract: A belt retractor having ELR and ALR modes of operation is disclosed. The retractor comprises a sensor pawl movable between a released and a locked position with one or more teeth of a ratchet wheel rotatable with a spool of the retractor; the sensor pawl forming part of both ELR and ALR locking mechanisms. A spring biased first lever is rotatable to a first position and when in the first position urges the sensor pawl toward engagement with the ratchet wheel. The lever is movable to a second position, which permits the sensor pawl to move away from the ratchet wheel teeth thereby preventing the retractor from entering into its ALR mode of operation. The lever, when in its second position, biases the sensor pawl into engagement with a cooperating inertial mass that is part of a vehicle sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt retractor.

Abstract: A pretensioner (20) for use with a seat belt system, the pretensioner comprising: a straight first tube (22) having a cylindrical wall (22a), a first end (24) and a second end (26), at least one of the first end (24) or the second end (26) having an opening (32); the first tube includes a first opening (38) in the wall (22a) to receive a second tube (50), the second tube (50) having a first end portion (52), a second end portion (56) and a medial portion (54), the medial portion configured to have a circular curvature of radius R1; the second end portion is situated so that its center is collinear with a central axis (64) extending through the center of the first tube (22) and wherein an axis extending through the center of the first end portion is arranged at an acute angle relative to the central axis (64); a pyrotechnic element (40) is provided at one end of the first tube to provide products of combustion to drive a piston (100) down the first tube, the motion of the piston moving a cable (80) in a direct

Abstract: A height adjuster (100) adapted for use with a seat belt system, the height adjuster including: a lock bar (110) having a lock side (116) with optional teeth (116a) and an opposing side (118); a lock lever (120) having an opening (122) therethrough, the lock bar receivable through the opening, a portion of the lock lever proximate the opening (122) configured as a lock edge (128) engagable with the lock side of the lock bar (110), the lock lever (120) movable between a disengaged position in which the lock edge is disengaged from the lock side and an engaged position in which the lock edge is engaged with the lock side of the lock bar; a clutch and actuator assembly (200) movably mounted to the lock bar and configured to move the lock lever between the disengaged position and the engaged position upon relative movement between the assembly (200) and the lock lever (120), the assembly (200) including a clutch portion (210) and an actuator portion (202).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (100) having a rotationally mounted spool (120) with a seat belt windable thereon and a pretensioner (300) for winding the spool in a belt winding direction to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; the pretensioner comprising a rack and pinion mechanism (350) activated by a pyrotechnic element (400) for causing a clutch assembly (200) to change state from a disengaged mode to an engaged mode in which the clutch assembly drivingly engages the spool.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor has a spool. An energy absorption mechanism absorbs energy from the spool during seatbelt protraction. The energy absorption mechanism has at least a first portion for a relatively high rate of energy absorption and preferably a second portion for a relatively low rate of energy absorption. The seatbelt retractor has an outer sheath cast, molded, coated or otherwise bonded to and encircling a portion of the external surface of the first portion or the second portion which upon a sufficient exposure to rotational energy breaks the bond between the first portion or the second portion and the outer sheath.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) including a spool (100) and a web sensor configured to activate at a desired angular acceleration of the spool (web pullout), the web sensor (200) including an inertia wheel (202) rotatable relative to the spool, a sensor (210) having one or more lock teeth thereon, the sensor pawl (210) being rotationally supported relative to the spool, the web sensor (210) further including a torsion spring having a center coil and a first and second spring leg (206a) and (206b) respectively, the inertia wheel including a plurality of pins (308a-e), the placement of each pin configured to correspond to a set level of annular acceleration, the center coil centrally disposed on the inertia wheel and the first spring leg secured to the spool or pilot wheel and the second spring leg secured to a select one of the pins, the inner wheel configured to cause a relative rotation relative to the spool as the spool is rapidly moved, such relative rotation causing the movement of the sensor from a rest posit

Abstract: A belt retractor having ELR and ALR modes of operation is disclosed. The retractor comprises a sensor pawl movable between a released and a locked position with one or more teeth of a ratchet wheel rotatable with a spool of the retractor; the sensor pawl forming part of both ELR and ALR locking mechanisms. A spring biased first lever is rotatable to a first position and when in the first position urges the sensor pawl toward engagement with the ratchet wheel. The lever is movable to a second position, which permits the sensor pawl to move away from the ratchet wheel teeth thereby preventing the retractor from entering into its ALR mode of operation. The lever, when in its second position, biases the sensor pawl into engagement with a cooperating inertial mass that is part of a vehicle sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt retractor.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint adjuster has a vehicle safety restraint support and a guide for the support. The support is moveable along the guide. The adjuster further has a lock which secures the safety restraint support at a position on the guide in the locked state and allows the support to move in the unlocked state. A magnetic actuator selectively places the lock in the locked state and the unlocked state.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint adjuster has a guide and a support for a vehicle restraint. The support is moveable along the guide. A securing member is provided to secure the guide to a vehicle body. The securing member is selectively actuable between a first position interfering with movement of the support past a predetermined point on the guide and a second position permitting movement of the support through the predetermined point.

Abstract: An adjustable turning loop for a vehicle comprises a rail and a slide for a web guide. The slide is slideably received on the rail. A lock maintains a slide at a position on the rail. The lock has a locked condition limiting movement of the slide on the rail and an unlocked condition allowing movement of the slide on the rail. The lock comprises a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member pivot relative to the rail. The first member and the second member engage the rail in the locked condition and disengage from the rail in the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion (24). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

Abstract: An adjustable turning loop for a vehicle comprises a rail and a slide for a web guide. The slide is slideably received on the rail. A lock maintains a slide at a position on the rail. The lock has a locked condition limiting movement of the slide on the rail and an unlocked condition allowing movement of the slide on the rail. The lock comprises a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member pivot relative to the rail. The first member and the second member engage the rail in the locked condition and disengage from the rail in the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint adjuster has a vehicle safety restraint support and a guide for the support. The support is moveable along the guide. The adjuster further has a lock which secures the safety restraint support at a position on the guide in the locked state and allows the support to move in the unlocked state. A magnetic actuator selectively places the lock in the locked state and the unlocked state.