Abstract: In a seat belt retractor, a torsion pipe is disposed inside an annular space between a spool and a torsion bar. One end portion of the torsion pipe is connected to pins, and the other portion engages an externally threaded shaft at a locking base to move axially relative to the externally threaded shaft. When the spool rotates relative to the locking base in the webbing withdrawal direction, the torsion bar and the torsion pipe are both twisted and deformed, so that impact energy is absorbed.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor, a torsion pipe is disposed inside an annular space between a spool and a torsion bar. One end portion of the torsion pipe is connected to pins, and the other portion engages an externally threaded shaft at a locking base to move axially relative to the externally threaded shaft. When the spool rotates relative to the locking base in the webbing withdrawal direction, the torsion bar and the torsion pipe are both twisted and deformed, so that impact energy is absorbed.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus includes a light transmission optical system for transmitting a light beam having intensity distribution with a pair of peaks, and a reception system for measuring a distance to an obstacle on the basis of reflected light from the obstacle. The light transmission optical system has a pair of light transmission units for transmitting two light beams, each having a Gaussian intensity distribution, and composition of the two light beams forms the light beam having the intensity distribution with the pair of peaks. The light transmission units are arranged at positions near both ends of a front portion of an automobile, to transmit the two light beams in parallel from the positions. An interval between the peaks is a distance corresponding to an area in which the degree of danger to life is high in a collision against the obstacle, i.e. about 1 m. And the feet of the light intensity distribution with the pair of peaks fall within the width of the automobile.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor capable of adjusting the degree of contact strength between the rotor and the stator. The ultrasonic motor for driving a reel of a seat belt retractor includes a stator, a rotor, and a spring. The pressing force by the spring is adjusted by moving a clutch shaft in a back-and-forth direction. The clutch shaft is moved by a clutch control ultrasonic motor.

Abstract: A container having an inflator is installed to an instrument panel in front of a seat. A rectangular sub bag is mounted to an opening of the container and has a partition panel inside thereof. The partition panel is attached to the sub bag to form first gas communicating paths between the sub bag and the partition panel. A cylindrical main bag has a base portion inserted inside the sub bag and connected to both the sub bag and the partition panel. The main bag has second gas communicating paths communicating to the sub bag disposed between the connection with the sub bag and the connection with the partition panel. Gases spouted from the inflator inflate the sub bag through the first gas communicating paths and then inflate the main bag through the second communicating paths.

Abstract: A protective device for protecting a vehicle occupant includes at least one air bag mounted along a compartment-side surface of a side member of the vehicle and being expandable toward a compartment of the vehicle by gas introduced therein, a gas supplying unit for supplying gas into the air bag in a lateral collision of the vehicle, and a trim sheet for the interior of the vehicle covering a compartment-side-side surface of the air bag. The trim sheet is made of stretchable material for allowing the expansion of the bag.

Abstract: An air bag device is formed of a first air bag accommodated in a steering pad and receiving an occupant by the inflation and deployment at a collision and a second air bag seamed with a portion of the first air bag and being inflatable in a ring shape to cover a surface of a steering wheel facing to the occupant. The first air bag and the second air bag have gas communicating holes at a seaming portion between them. The first air bag is inflated by introducing gas a gas generating device connected to a gas inlet of said first air bag and the second air bag is inflated at the same time by introducing gas through the gas communicating holes.

Abstract: An inflator with a starter for starting a gas generator of a side collision air bag device is formed of: a needle disposed in the side face of a vehicle and made movable from the outside to the inside of the vehicle; an elastic member for urging the needle in the opposite direction to the movement of the needle; and a priming powder disposed forward of the movement of the needle. When the priming powder is hit by the needle, the ignition agent of the gas generator ignites to inflate an air bag.

Abstract: A lateral collision detector is formed of a wire extended along the inner face of the outer plate of an automotive door; and a signal output device adapted to be pulled and actuated by the wire.

Abstract: A seat belt tongue retaining device which comprises a buckle unit having an insertion passage into which a tongue is inserted, and a latch pawl capable of getting into and out of the insertion passage. A tongue has a latch hole for allowing the latch pawl to engage therewith. Slots formed in the tongue extend in the inserting direction. Arms disposed turnably in the buckle unit have leading ends capable of protruding and moving in the tongue inserting direction. The arms engage with the slots of the tongue in the insertion passage and pull the tongue deep into the passage wherein the tongue is latched automatically.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle for securing a tongue of a seat belt comprises an insertion passage for inserting the tongue, a latch device for preventing the tongue from being pulled out from the insertion passage, and a magnetic biasing device for biasing magnetically the tongue in the direction of insertion.

Abstract: A buckle of a seat belt device, for securing a tongue of the seat belt device, comprises: an insertion path into which the tongue is inserted; and a latch unit, provided in the insertion path, for hindering a removal of the tongue. An engaging device which engages with the tongue is provided in the insertion path. Provided also is a drive unit for moving the engaging device in a tongue inserting direction.

Abstract: A seat belt tongue comprises a tongue projection to be inserted from a front end thereof into a buckle, a wrap portion provided at a rear end of the tongue projection for receiving the belt, and a cover, made of at least one of synthetic resin and rubber, covering at least a front end of the tongue projection, the cover being capable of taking a covering position covering the front end of the tongue projection and a retracted position exposing the front end of the tongue projection.