Abstract: In a seat belt buckle comprising a housing, an opening in the housing adapted to receive a cooperating tongue having a locking portion, a locking member provided in the housing for locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue when the tongue is inserted into the opening, and releasing mechanism for releasing the locking member from locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue, the improvement comprising:the releasing mechanism being comprised of(a) an electrically energizable actuator; and(b) a connector in contact with the actuator and the locking member, the connector being movable upon energization and deenergization of the actuator;the locking member being movable in response to movement of the connector between a first position at which the locking member is in locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue and a second position at which the locking member is out of locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue.

Abstract: A safety belt retractor comprises a housing containing first and second tandem spools for storing, respectively, lap and shoulder belts in helical wrap. Each of the spools is secured to a ratchet wheel engageable by a pawl located in the housing between the spools. Pawl support openings formed in opposite sidewalls of the housing enable the pawl to float while pivoting. In an equilibrium position, clearance between one end of the floating pawl and the first ratchet wheel is less than the clearance between the opposite end of the pawl and the second ratchet wheel. In response to acceleration of the vehicle carrying the retractor housing, a pendulum-type inertia device pivots the pawl from equilibrium into engagement with the first ratchet wheel. During pay out of the belts, with one end pivoting on the first ratchet wheel, the floating pawl is guided into contact with the second ratchet wheel by a cam surface defining one of the sidewall openings to positively lock the two spools.

Abstract: A reel-type retractor for a vehicle safety belt designed for halting rotation of the reel in response to an inertial device, and having the added feature that the belt can be withdrawn from the retractor for buckling up without interference from the locking pawl. A clutch, rotating with the reel, is shaped to restrain a biased webbing follower, and to block the pawl from engaging a ratchet wheel serving as a flange for the reel, thus permitting any rate of withdrawal of the belt without locking the reel. When the user buckles up and the safety belt is retracted slightly as occurs in buckling, the clutch rotates to release the webbing follower which then moves toward the diminished roll of webbing and prevents the clutch from regaining its blocking position, thus allowing the pawl to engage the ratchet wheel in response to the inertial device.

Abstract: A ferrule is employed as a mounting means for attaching a buckle to a stiff member, such as a cable. The ferrule has an elongated shape, a buckle end and a mounting end. The ferrule has a means at the buckle end for attaching the ferrule to the buckle. The ferrule has a means at the mounting end of the ferrule for attaching the ferrule to the stiff member. The mounting end of the ferrule includes: a swagable material and a central bore for receiving the stiff member. Laminate plates of the buckle each have an interior opening adjacent to the mounting end of the plates. The buckle end of the ferrule includes a pair of flanges and planar surfaces which cooperate with the interior openings of the laminate plates for attaching the ferrule to the buckle.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle is provided with plural locking features that increase its holding strength and decrease fastening and release effort. The buckle has a housing containing means for receiving the tongue of a seat belt. A latching means engages the tongue and cooperates with a locking means to hold it within the housing. The buckle is small, light, strong, reliable, easy to fasten and unfasten, comfortable to wear and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle is provided with plural locking features that increase its holding strength and decrease fastening and release effort. The buckle has a housing containing means for receiving the tongue of a seat belt. A latching means engages the tongue and cooperates with a locking means to hold it within the housing. The buckle is small, light, strong, reliable, easy to fasten and unfasten, comfortable to wear and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A flexible flapper valve covering the opening between manifold and bag assembly in a safety restraint inflatable bag system.