Abstract: A torsion bar (50) and seat belt retractor (20). The torsion bar (50) has a circular cross section where the torsion bar is formed as a cold headed extruded part and wherein the grain structure of the metal is aligned along the axis (axial direction) of the bar generally in the center of the bar and the grain structure smoothly diverges from the axial direction near an end formation (52a,b). The torsion bar is later annealed and twisted about 180 degrees.The seat belt retractor (20) includes: a frame (22) to rotationally support the torsion bar and spool (30). The torsion bar (30) is characterized by an elastic deformation zone and a sharp onset into a plastic deformation zone. The spool is operatively connected to rotate with the torsion bar. The retractor also includes a locking device, activated during a vehicle accident and operatively linked to the torsion bar for preventing one side of the torsion bar from rotating while permitting the other side and the spool to rotate once loaded by the occupant.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor (10) having an energy management mechanism (12) capable of transferring a portion of the impact energy to the retractor (10) during one or more collisions and a mode shift mechanism (18) capable of determining the severity of the collision(s) as a function of the amount of energy absorbed by the energy management mechanism (12). In addition, the mode shift mechanism (18) is capable of disabling the retractor (10) following retraction of the belt (40) to its stowed position when the amount of energy absorbed by the energy management mechanism (12) exceeds a maximum allowable limit.

Abstract: A torsion bar (50) and seat belt retractor (20). The torsion bar (50) has a circular cross section where the torsion bar is formed as a cold headed extruded part and wherein the grain structure of the metal is aligned along the axis (axial direction) of the bar generally in the center of the bar and the grain structure smoothly diverges from the axial direction near an end formation (52a,b). The seat belt retractor (20) includes: a frame (22) to rotationally support the torsion bar and spool (30). The torsion bar (30) is characterized by an elastic deformation zone and a sharp onset into a plastic deformation zone. The spool is operatively connected to rotate with the torsion bar. The retractor also includes a locking device, activated during a vehicle accident and operatively linked to the torsion bar for preventing one side of the torsion bar from rotating while permitting the other side and the spool to rotate once loaded by the occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a retractor (18) with a spool (60), sections (26,28) of seat belt webbing (16) which define first and second shoulder belts (42,48), and a section (22) of seat belt webbing (16) which connects the shoulder belts (42,48) to the spool (60). The spool (60) is supported for unwinding rotation upon extraction of either of the shoulder belts (42,48), and for winding rotation upon retraction of either of the shoulder belts (42,48). A locking pawl (80) has a locking position blocking unwinding rotation of the spool (60). A cinch mechanism (100) moves the locking pawl (80) to the locking position in response to a predetermined amount of rotation of the spool (60).

Abstract: A wet flywheel housing is disclosed wherein a central web member separates the flywheel housing into first and second cavities in which a flywheel and a driven gear set are respectively rotatable. The web member supports a seal engageable with a hubbed gear forming part of the driven gear set and connected with the flywheel to permit the transfer of rotational power therebetween. A detachable lid member closes the second cavity in which the driven gear set is rotated to permit the introduction of an oil bath into the second cavity for lubrication of the driven gear set without permitting the migration of oil to the first cavity for engagement with the rotating flywheel.

Abstract: An automatic twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler. The mechanism comprises (1) a twine dispensing mechanism for dispensing twine into the bale-forming chamber of the baler, (2) a reversible hydrualic drive means for cycling a twine arm of the dispensing mechanism back and forth in front of the chamber, (3) a twine wrapping control mechanism (a) for initiating a twine wrapping cycle by sensing the growth of a bale to a predetemined diameter by automatically actuating a pump drive means for driving a hydraulic pump and by positioning a hydraulic control valve to condition the hydraulic drive means to cycle the twind arm and (b) for terminating a twine wrapping cycle by deactivating the hydraulic drive means following the wrapping of twine around the bale. The twine is automatically severed by a twine cutter responsive to the movement of the twine arm following completion of the wrapping of the twine around the bale.

Abstract: An automatic twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler. The mechanism comprises (1) a twine dispensing mechanism for dispensing twine into the bale-forming chamber of the baler, (2) a reversible hydraulic drive means for cycling a twine arm of the dispensing mechanism back and forth in front of the chamber, (3) a twine wrapping control mechanism (a) for initiating a twine wrapping cycle by sensing the growth of a bale to a predetermined diameter by automatically actuating a pump drive means for driving a hydraulic pump and by positioning a hydraulic control valve to condition the hydraulic drive means to cycle the twine arm and (b) for terminating a twine wrapping cycle by deactivating the hydraulic drive means following the wrapping of twine around the bale. The twine is automatically severed by a twine cutter responsive to the movement of the twine arm following completion of the wrapping of the twine around the bale.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for unplugging or freeing a cylindrical baler which has a slug of crop material caught in the crop inlet of the bale forming chamber. A cylindrical baler used in the practice of this method is comprised of a plurality of belts supported on a plurality of rolls and defining a bale forming chamber. A pair of rolls on a carrier respectively engage a pair of stretches of the belts and substantially close an upper portion of the chamber. The rolls and carrier are upwardly moveable as the chamber expands responsive to the bale growth. The method comprises steps of (1) disengaging a drive means for the belts; (2) moving the carrier and rolls supported thereon upwardly away from the bale being formed in the chamber thereby enlarging the chamber; (3) automatically tensioning the belts responsive to carrier movement to cause the stretches to rotatably engage the bale and (4) re-engaging the drive means for feeding the slug into the chamber and wrapping the slug around the bale.

Abstract: A round baler of typical construction has a novel belt and roll system arranged to provide a pair of lower rolls from which oppositely running stretches extend upwardly to a pair of closely spaced apart intermediate rolls which are journaled on a carrier means which in turn is movable upwardly as bale size increases between the oppositely running stretches. The bale is confined below the two intermediate rolls while other stretches of the belt are trained about additional rolls enabling deflecting of the chamber-forming stretches during bale formation. Control means is provided to act on the carrier to control upward movement of the carrier means and thus to control bale density in an improved and efficient manner. The control means further includes hydraulic means tied in with the hydraulic means that controls the bale-discharge gate.