Abstract: An electric switch is disposed in a cavity of a buckle. The electric switch includes a stationary first contact member, a movable second contact member, a biasing means for the second contact member, and an actuating member. The biasing means biases the second contact member to the closed position of the electric switch. The electric switch has means by which the contact end portion of the second contact member makes a wiping, self-cleaning contact with the first contact member upon actuation by the actuating member. The actuating member, in turn, is actuated by a tongue of the buckle when the tongue is inserted into the buckle.

Abstract: A release means for a safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of a safety belt retractor includes: a sensing means, a locking means, an actuating means, and a baising means. The sensing means is located in a door-jam of a vehicle door for sensing a condition when the door is open and when the door is closed. The locking means is disposed on the retractor. The sensing means causes the locking means to move to its unlocking position when the door is open. The actuating means is mounted on the retractor adjacent to the locking means. The actuating means is mechanically coupled to a portion of the locking means and electrically coupled to the sensing means. The actuating means moves the locking means to its unlocking position, thereby allowing a rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened.

Abstract: The vehicle-sensitive retractor has an improved universal support assembly and pendulum assembly. The support is a gimbal assembly which includes: a pivot ring, a swivel axis for the pivot ring, a trunnion, a swivel axis for the trunnion, and a support member for the trunnion. The pivot ring has an aperture in its bottom central portion through which a pendulum rod extends and a circular support edge upon which a pendulum head is disposed for pivoting movement. The pivot ring is supported by the trunnion, which in turn is supported by the support member for the trunnion. The pivot ring is adapted to pivot in two directions upon its swivel axis with reference to the trunnion. The trunnion is adapted to pivot in two directions upon its swivel axis with reference to the support member for the trunnion. The swivel axis of the pivot ring is disposed approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis for the trunnion.

Abstract: The vehicle sensitive retractor has an inertia mechanism which includes a bell. A support post is provided upon which the bell rests. Prior to actuation, the bell has an infinite variety of operable static positions to which the bell is adjustable according to the position in which the retractor is oriented by virtue of installation in the vehicle. As a result, the retractor may be tilted for installation without having to redesign the inertia mechanism. An actuating means is disposed on top of the bell and is connected to a reel locking means. The actuating means is disposed in an unlocked position when the bell is in any one of its infinite variety of operable static positions. The actuating means is moved to a locked position by the bell during emergency situations to lock a reel and prevent further unwinding of a safety belt from the reel.

Abstract: The vehicle-sensitive retractor has an upper pendulum assembly and a lower pendulum assembly. The upper pendulum assembly includes a trunnion, a swivel axis for the trunnion, a support member for the trunnion, and a pendulum housing which is attached to the trunnion and is part of the upper pendulum assembly. The lower pendulum assembly includes a pendulum head, a pendulum rod and a pendulum weight. The trunnion of the upper pendulum assembly has an aperture in its bottom central portion through which the pendulum rod of the lower pendulum assembly extends. The trunnion has a circular support edge upon which the pendulum head of the lower pendulum assembly is disposed for pivoting movement. The trunnion is adapted to pivot in two directions upon its swivel axis with reference to the support member. The lower pendulum assembly and the upper pendulum assembly form a double pendulum mechanism.

Abstract: The vehicle-sensitive retractor has an improved universal support assembly and inertia mechanism. The inertia mechanism is a pendulum assembly which includes a pendulum head in contact with an actuating means. The support assembly for the pendulum assembly includes a flywheel, a pendulum support, an axle for the flywheel and a flywheel support. The pendulum support upon which the pendulum head is disposed is mounted on the flywheel. The flywheel and pendulum assembly are adapted to pivot to a variety of operable static positions to which the pendulum assembly is automatically adjustable according to the position in which the retractor is oriented by virtue of installation in the vehicle. The axle for the flywheel is adapted to allow the flywheel to pivot. The flywheel support is mounted on the retractor and is adapted to support the flywheel and the flywheel axle. The retractor may be tilted for installation without having to redesign the pendulum assembly and support assembly.