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 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.

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.