Abstract: A method for purging air in a goggle area on the interior of a face mask is provided. A mouthpiece is positioned in front of a mouth of a person. Positive purging of air in the goggle area on the interior of the face mask is assured by permitting air to flow from the goggle area on the interior of the face mask to the mouthpiece airway while substantially preventing air flow in the opposite direction to the goggle area. Air is purged through the mouthpiece by affirmative, breath-driven, passive ventilation while permitting a person to breathe freely and without distraction, obstruction, or deliberate action, by normal breathing with the lips in a natural position just behind the mouthpiece. Increased ventilation on the interior of the face mask is selectively forced by puckering the person's lips to engage the mouthpiece while not requiring support or retention of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: An improved dual tension retractor mechanism for emergency locking safety belt retractors which allows application of main spring rewind bias without the necessity of an initial low tension belt rewinding. Application of the main spring rewind bias for belt retraction from low tension use mode is controlled independently of retractor reel winding or unwinding movements. The improvement includes a ratchet ring which is selectively rotatable relative said housing to allow reapplication of main spring rewind bias to the belt when the belt reel is in the low tension mode. Retractive rotation of the ratchet ring applies power rewind bias to the belt reel even though a bias blocking pawl remains engaged with the ratchet ring.

Abstract: An adjustable emergency locking anchor is provided for mounting a safety restraint system buckle adjacent a seat occupant's hip during fore and aft adjustment of the seat. The adjustable emergency locking anchor includes a channeled floor anchor plate having one end secured to the vehicle floor and the other end slidably receiving a buckle plate which has the safety restraint buckle secured to its outer end. The buckle plate is secured to the seat via a seat anchor plate which is superposedly mounted on the buckle plate for movement relative to the buckle plate in one direction only, that direction being toward pawls which are mounted on the buckle plate so as to engage the floor anchor plate when they are pivoted into position.

Abstract: An inhibitor intended for the prevention of early reel lock-up during door opening for passive vehicle safety belt systems incorporating door-mounted reels. In such systems where a high inertia mass moves a pawl into engagement with the take-up reel during emergency conditions thereby allowing freedom of occupant movement during other periods of time, biasing means are provided for resisting the movement of the high inertia mass/pawl combination when the vehicle door is in the process of being opened and closed. Embodiments disclosed include the use of a selectively activatable electromagnet, a movable permanent magnet, gravitational biasing of the pawl, spring biasing of the pawl, and spring biasing of the high inertia mass.

Abstract: An inertia-responsive vehicle seat back latch mechanism for a vehicle seat assembly having a seat back pivotally supported for forwardly tilting movement, wherein said latch mechanism includes an unattached, inertia-responsive mass which moves in response to changes in vehicle velocity such that it is disposed in a position to engage a latch and thereby prevent forward tilting of the seat back. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the unattached, inertia-responsive mass is a roller contained within a roller guide.

Abstract: An inertia-responsive vehicle seat back latch mechanism for a vehicle seat assembly having a seat back pivotally supported for forwardly tilting movement, wherein said latch mechanism includes a seat back stud for moving with the seat back, a locking pawl pivotally attached to the seat cushion support which is adapted to engage the seat back stud, and a latching pawl pivotally attached to the seat cushion support for preventing the rotation of the locking pawl. The locking pawl is disposed to engage the seat back stud but is cammable free of the seat back stud thereby allowing forward tilting of the seat back; however, during a vehicle deceleration greater than a predetermined value, the latching pawl will prevent rotation of the locking pawl and thereby the locking pawl will lockingly engage the seat back stud thereby preventing forward tilting of the seat back.