Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly (20) having: a locking assembly (22) and an integrally formed cover (26) to receive the locking assembly, the locking assembly and cover having a plurality of guiding and stabilizing members (160, 100, 110, 190, 109, 194, 150, 70a,c) configured to prevent specific relative motion between the cover and the locking assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly (20) comprising: a locking assembly (22) and an integrally formed cover (26) to receive the locking assembly, the locking assembly and cover having a plurality of guiding and stabilizing members (160, 100, 110, 190, 109, 194, 150, 70a) configured to prevent specific relative motion between the cover and the locking assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) comprising: a seat belt retractor (20) having a rotationally mounted spool and a quantity of seat belt wound thereabout; a belt tightener (210) comprising a hollow tube having a circular cross-section; a cylindrically shaped piston (230) moveable within the tube and including a plurality of annular, adjacent teeth.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly including a seat belt buckle, the buckle including: a frame (26) defining a tongue-receiving slot (40); a latch plate (34) operably positioned in relation to the tongue-receiving slot and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; a latch spring (64) for biasing the latch plate toward the locked position; an ejector mechanism (28) located behind the tongue-receiving slot and rearwardly movable in response to inward movement of a tongue; the ejector including a first portion engageable by the tongue and rearwardly movable to a position beyond the location of the latch plate and a second portion (80) slidably receiving and supporting the latch plate, the second portion remaining in contact with the latch plate, preventing the latch plate from moving to its locked position even when the first portion has moved beyond the latch plate.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly including a seat belt buckle, the buckle including: a frame (26) defining a tongue-receiving slot (40); a latch plate (34) operably positioned in relation to the tongue-receiving slot and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; a latch spring (64) for biasing the latch plate toward the locked position; an ejector mechanism (28) located behind the tongue-receiving slot and rearwardly movable in response to inward movement of a tongue; the ejector including a first portion engageable by the tongue and rearwardly movable to a position beyond the location of the latch plate and a second portion (80) slidably receiving and supporting the latch plate, the second portion remaining in contact with the latch plate, preventing the latch plate from moving to its locked position even when the first portion has moved beyond the latch plate.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (100) operable with a pretensioner (330) comprising: a frame (102) having a first latch opening (126a) therein, and opposing frame sides (108a,b), each side including a latch plate slot (110) arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of a tongue into the buckle and pivoted weight mechanism (112, 200, 220). The buckle additionally includes a latch plate (180), having portions (186) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first latch opening (126a), the latch plate moveable between a latched position within the latch opening (126a) in the frame and within the latch opening (173) of the tongue to an unlatched position out of the latch openings.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a seat belt system has first and second piston-cylinder arrangements arranged generally one on each side of a spool shaft so that in travelling along the respective cylinder, each piston engages the periphery of the spool shaft and causes it to rotate. A sensor is responsive to a crash situation to detonate a first piston drive means, and means for detonating a drive means for the second piston at the end of the stroke of the first piston. The spool shaft may be a component of a seat belt retractor. Alternatively, the spool shaft is wound with a cable that pulls on a seat belt or seat belt buckle.