Abstract: An improved method of using multiple point crash sensing and multiple sensor occupant position sensing for classifying a crash event and determining which restraints should be deployed. A central controller collects crash data from multiple crash sensors and combines severity characterization data from each of the multiple sensors to construct a characterization table or matrix for the entire system. Each possible crash event classification is represented by a characterization value mask, and the various masks are sequentially applied to the system characterization table until a match is found, with a match identifying the appropriate crash event classification. The classification decision, in turn, is used to determine which, if any, of the restraint devices should be deployed based upon the crash severity. Similarly, the controller collects data from various occupant position sensors to construct a characterization table or matrix for the occupant position detection system.

Abstract: Provided is a method and control system for a plurality of passenger seat belt mechanisms for appropriately securing and protecting passengers. The control system enables the flight crew to monitor and remotely control the locking and unlocking of passenger seat restraint mechanisms, thereby controlling the number of passengers, at any given time, having access to the aircraft cabin during flight. This control system is provided with a mechanism for collectively and selectively locking and unlocking the seat restraint mechanisms. The control system is capable of detecting and signaling the current state of a seat restraint mechanism.

Abstract: An inflator assembly that has a shorter entire length and can be manufactured easily. The inflator assembly includes a pipe, a piston holder, first and second pipe holding plates, a bracket, and an inflator casing. The pipe is inserted through a pipe through hole in the base of the piston holder, through pipe through holes in the pipe holding plates, and through a spacer ring. The base of the piston holder, the spacer ring, and the pipe holding plates are clamped together between first and second flanges of the pipe. The inflator casing is fitted around the outer periphery of a rear end portions of the pipe and has an inward flange that is clamped and fixed between the first and second flanges of the pipe. Second and third flanges are formed by deforming portions of the pipe to have a larger diameter.

Abstract: A fastening device for a belt roller in a motor vehicle is inserted in a cutout of a vehicle body part and is connected on an edge side with the vehicle body part. In order to create a fastening device for a belt roller which permits improved fastening, the cutout can be constructed in the vehicle body part such that the cutout is closed in a surrounding manner.

Abstract: A seat-belt-restraint-system (40) for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32). Seat-belt-restraint-system (40) includes two shoulder belts (42) and (46), a middle portion belt (52), a seat belt buckle (60), a seat belt latch (58), a connect mechanism (50), and a lap belt (54). The upper end of shoulder belt (42) is extendable and retractable to the upper portion of the vehicle adjacent the occupant's shoulder. The upper end of shoulder belt (46) is extendable and retractable to the upper portion of seatback (34) adjacent the occupant's shoulder. The lower ends of both shoulder belts (42) and (46) lead to connect mechanism (50). The first end of middle portion belt (52) leads to connect mechanism (50). The second end of middle portion belt (52) is connected to the first end of lap belt (54). The second end of lap belt (54) is anchored to the vehicle and disposed on the outboard side of occupant (30).

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: A D-ring assembly comprising a D-ring and a load limiting device. The D-ring has a slot therethrough for receiving a seatbelt webbing and for guiding the webbing from the retractor to the torso of a vehicle occupant. The load limiting device functions by absorbing kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant during a crash to control the deceleration forces experienced by the vehicle occupant. The load limiting device has a deforming member partially embedded in a swivel ball. When a predetermined amount of force is applied on the D-ring assembly, the swivel ball rotates causing the deforming member to create a channel in the load-limiting device.

Abstract: There is provided a storage construction for a seat belt connecting member in a seat belt system in which a seat belt pulled out of a retractor provided on a vehicle body is pulled out in a slantwise downward direction via a sash guide mounted in a roof portion, a first connecting member mounted at the tip end of the seat belt is fixed to a first fixing member provided on the seat side, and a second connecting member provided in an intermediate portion of the seat belt is fixed to a second fixing member provided on the seat side, whereby a seat belt user is restrained by the seat belt set at three points. A connecting member attaching cover 12 is provided in a sash guide attaching portion in the roof portion 4, and the connecting member attaching cover 12 is provided with holding means 18 and 15 for holding the first and second connecting members 7 and 10 separately when the seat belt is not in use.

Abstract: A securement arrangement for a seat belt closure of a three-point seat belt system in a vehicle comprises an anchor piece secured to the vehicle, a closure body, and a generally U-shaped closure body retaining assembly for mounting the closure body on the anchor piece. A spring disposed between a pair of U-forming legs of the closure body retaining assembly biases the closure body into its home position. A contact element emits a signal to be processed by an onboard signal processing unit when the closure body, due to the application thereto of a load imposed by the seat belt, is displaced so as to overcome the biasing force of the spring. The contact element correspondingly moves out of contact and emits a signal in response to its movement out of contact.

Abstract: A belt lock (8) for receiving an attachment element (2) of a safety belt (1) has an insertion opening (10) for the attachment element (2). In the belt lock (8), a connection element (20) is provided, which penetrates a locking opening (3) on the attachment element (2). The connection element (20) is disposed on a flat spring-type carrier (17), via which an insertion movement (24) of the connection element (20) into the locking opening (3) of the attachment element (2) takes place, when the attachment element operates a locking lever (12) by its insertion movement. The insertion movement (24) of the connection element (20) is monitored via a magnetic circuit containing a magnetic field-sensing sensor (31). A component (11, 20) of the belt lock (8) that fixes the attachment element (2) of the safety belt (1) is associated with a measuring element (20), with which a force operating on the belt lock can be determined via the magnetic circuit (16, 31).

Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32), more specifically for both an adult and a child or a person of small stature. The seat belt restraint system includes a conventional three-point seat belt restraint system (40) for an occupant of normal size and an adjusting mechanism (56) adapted to provide additional fixation points on seat belt webbing (46), more specifically on shoulder belt (54), and adapted to adjust the departure angle at which shoulder belt (54) extends across the body of a child or a person of small stature.

Abstract: An end of a seat belt is connected to an actuator that can selectively remove a slack from the seat belt. The actuator includes a main actuator unit, and a cushioning member for decelerating a movement of the moveable end of the seat belt following a certain initial travel of the moveable end. The main actuator unit includes a cylinder integrally attached to a part of the vehicle body, a piston member slidably received in the cylinder and connected to the moveable end, a pyrotechnic gas generator provided on one end of the cylinder, and an accumulator chamber defining a prescribed volume and communicating with an output end of the pyrotechnic gas generator. The main actuator unit produces an early rise in the vehicle occupant deceleration, and the cushioning member smoothly connects the time history of the vehicle occupant deceleration to a ride-down condition whereby the deceleration acting on the vehicle occupant is favorably spread over time, and the maximum level of the deceleration can be minimized.

Abstract: An improved latch plate for a seat belt attached to a vehicle C-pillar. The latch plate is produced from a plated metal stamping that has a portion over molded with a hard polypropylene coating. This portion has a slot for pass through of the seat belt webbing that allows free travel of the latch plate in order for the seat occupant to fasten and wear the belt. A surround of soft Santoprene® 221-55 is over molded over the polypropylene coating for sound reduction.

Abstract: A rotation device of a buckle for use in an automobile seat belt is provided with a base having a plate-like shape to be mounted on a bottom surface of a main body and provided with a circular plate portion at its one end, the circular plate portion provided with a through hole formed therethrough, and a pair of side walls bent upwardly each of which has a lug bent inwardly to be integrally formed with the circular plate portion as well as the pair of side walls, a stalk whose one end is rotatably mounted on an upper surface of the circular plate portion of the base has a hole formed therethrough and a stopper portion formed around the end of the stalk and provided with a protrusion for being contacted with an inner surface of the side wall of the base and an abutment for limiting a rotation angle of the main body, the stalk having a protrusion for stopping a rotational movement, an elastic member whose one end is contacted to the protrusion for stopping a rotational movement and having an elasticity and a th

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes at least one anchor for operative connection to vehicle structure. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable mechanism for operative connection to a buckle assembly of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly includes at least one magnet operatively supported by the movable mechanism and a Hall effect sensor operatively supported by the at least one anchor and cooperable with the at least one magnet. The tension sensing assembly further includes at least one tension spring extending between the at least one anchor and the movable mechanism. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to change an output of the Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the at least one tension spring is stretched.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat belt including a function for ensuring a minimum tension, a function for taking up superfluous seat belt slack during a crash and a function for limiting a user friendly seat belt force that has an optimum effect on the person to be secured. The invention is characterized by an electric multifunction seat belt retractor including an electric drive device that is controlled in accordance with a control unit.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint system that is easy to use in a vehicle is provided. The user of the system is prevented from the damaging effects of being restrained by a shoulder seat belt combination that provides inadequate support to most of the body and can produce injury at the point of contact with the body during an accident. Further, the supplemental restraint system of the present invention provides the user with a harness to better hold the user to the seat and restraint system of the vehicle. The present invention provides a means of dressing an adult or a child in a restraint harness that may be easily attached within a vehicle and provides the user with restraints that fit the user's height and weight requirements.

Abstract: In a through anchor, a configuration of first grooves (or second grooves) of a region on a surface of a piece, which region is where a webbing is particularly strongly fit tightly to and slides when a vehicle rapidly decelerates (i.e., a region at a vehicle front side and a vehicle compartment inner side), runs along a direction of application of the webbing to a vehicle occupant, and is formed so as to smoothly curve toward a rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the webbing, which slides in a state of being strongly fit tightly to the first grooves (or the second grooves) on the surface of the piece, slides while a direction of sliding thereof is pulled back (corrected) toward the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: An alarm device which automatically activates a patrol car horn, siren, emergency lights, and/or voice annunciator on a public address loud speaker upon the unauthorized release of a seat belt by a detainee. A relay and control switch are installed in conjunction with the existing seat belt switch circuit underneath a patrol car seat such that they are undetectable by an occupant. After the seat belt is engaged by an officer, the officer may activate a control switch to arm the alarm. Subsequently, if the detainee releases the seat belt, the relay is activated which provides power to the patrol car horn, siren, or lights. This not only warns the officer, who may be outside and far away from the patrol car, but also may startle the would-be escapee. The alarm may be employed in a front passenger seat, as well as in either rear passenger seat.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).

Abstract: A composition comprises a solid-stated block copolymer of an aromatic polyester and a caprolactone, wherein the copolymer has been solid state polymerized such that intrinsic viscosity increases at least 20%, the caprolactone content decreases no more than 1.2% absolute and the transesterification increases no more than 3.5% absolute, and wherein the solid-stated copolymer has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.82. Particularly preferred chain extension reactions are performed at a temperature of less than 175° C., and even more preferably at less than 165° C. In further aspects of the inventive subject matter, yarns and methods of producing a fiber include contemplated solid-stated block copolymers.

Abstract: To enable effectively binding the front, the head and the neck of an occupant in a vehicular passive safety device that binds the occupant by inflating the webbing. As an upper portion of an inflated portion of webbing of an air belt system is located in a position in which each side of the head H and the neck N of an occupant can be protected, it is needless to say that the front B of the occupant can be softly bound with the inflated portion in a head-on collision. The head H and the neck N of the occupant are softly bound in a side impact and the air belt system can also function as a side air bag system and an air curtain system. In addition, as the thickness of the portion to be inflated becomes thinner downwardly from the upper portion, the required capacity of an inflator can be reduced by reducing the volume of a lower portion of the inflated portion in which required binding force can be easily acquired even if the lower portion is thinned.

Abstract: A control device stores a value as a function of a signal from a belt-latch sensor and a usage of a vehicle and transmits this first value via an interface as a function of call-up signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for height adjustment of the upper attachment point of a safety belt, arranged in a vehicle with a vehicle seat which is spring-mounted in the vertical direction, where the upper attachment point is arranged displaceably in the vertical direction on the body of the vehicle. Said height adjustment takes place as a function of the springing movement of the vehicle seat, which results in the upper attachment point always remaining correctly positioned in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A child car seat restraint assembly for providing a safety restraint system for children especially between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an unbalanced twill weave fabric having fill yarns at least about three times larger than the warp yarns. Such a fabric thus has increased strength provided by the fill direction. The present invention further relates to an airbag restraint device for vehicles, where the airbag is constructed of the unbalanced twill weave fabric and has the fill yarns oriented substantially parallel to the longest direction of the airbag.

Abstract: A seat mat comprises a seat base set on a bench sheet of a car and laid under buttocks of a sitting person, a pair of loop parts extending upward from forward both side edges of the seat base along both sides of the buttocks of the sitting person and passing a waist belt part of a car seat belt, and a pair of slanted connecting members connecting the upper ends of the loop parts to backward both side edges of the seat base.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable member operatively supported by the rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure. The movable member is movable relative to the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly includes a strain member operatively supported by the moveable member and the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly further includes a strain gage sensor operatively supported by the strain member to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the strain member is displaced by the movable member.

Abstract: An add-on safety harness for a vehicle seat having a lap belt. An elongated anchor strap for attaching vertically around a seat back has an adjustable buckle. A first pair of shoulder straps extends at an acute angle from each side of the anchor strap, and ending in a loop. A second pair of leg straps with looped ends extends similarly from each side of the anchor strap. Each shoulder strap has a roll-type adjuster device at a median position. A piece of soft material, such as synthetic cloth or lambs' wool is attached to each adjuster device for wrapping around the adjuster device, being fastened by hook and loop fastening material. In simplified arrangement, the harness has an inverted Y-shape formed from only an anchor strap and a pair of harness shoulder straps. The lap belt of the vehicle seat is threaded through the loops of the shoulder and leg straps.

Abstract: A bib and method for constructing a bib designed for attachment to a vehicular seat belt is disclosed. The embodiments disclosed and illustrated protect the clothing of a driver or passenger of a motorized vehicle from any spilled food and/or beverage while in a vehicle.

Abstract: A four-point seat belt system is provided which includes a seat mountable within the vehicle, the seat has upper and lower medial locations. A first seat belt is disclosed having a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end coupled to the upper medial location. The seat belt further has a first tongue disposed between the first and second ends. A second seat belt is provided which has a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end having a second tongue. A first track located on the vehicle's door is provided which has a first seat belt buckle and a first drive mechanism. A second track is provided on the vehicle's door frame which has a second seat belt buckle. The first drive mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A detachable three point seat belt assembly is provided. The seat belt assembly may have a belt extending downward along a seat from a retractor. In an anchored configuration, the distal end of the belt is attached to a static attachment feature by an interlocking buckle. A movable attachment feature coupled to the belt is engaged within a static buckle to buckle a vehicle occupant into the seat. In a free configuration, the interlocking buckle is disengaged from the static attachment feature so that the belt can be retracted along the seat. The interlocking buckle contains a latching lever and a pair of ejectors that operate in such a manner that insertion of the movable attachment feature enables withdrawal of the static attachment feature, and vice versa.

Abstract: A four-point seat belt restraint system having a lap belt movable between a comfort position wherein the portions of the belt extending over the outsides of the occupant's thighs are generally vertical, and a crash restraint position wherein the same portions extend at an angle downward and to the rear. Belt guides disposed adjacent opposite sides of the seat engage the lap belt as it extends from the anchor points toward the seat cushion. During normal vehicle operations, the belt guide is located in a comfort position that causes the portion of the lap belt passing over and around the outsides of the occupant's thighs to have a relatively vertical orientation. In the event of an actual or impending crash or other rapid vehicle deceleration, a restraints control module commands an actuation mechanism to move the belt guides rearward with respect to the comfort position, allowing the lap belt to extend in a substantially straight line to the rear-located anchor point.

Abstract: A seat belt device allowing easy connection of a lap anchor fixed to one end of a seat belt relative to a vehicle body or the like even when a seat weight sensor is installed below a vehicle seat. The seat weight sensor and the vehicle seat are fixed to a vehicle body floor. A hitch member is attached to the seat weight sensor via a mounting bracket by a bolt. A lap anchor is fixed to one end of a seat belt. By locking the lap anchor to the hitch member, the seat belt is connected to the seat weight sensor. In this manner, the seat belt can be easily connected to the vehicle body just by locking the lap anchor to the hitch member.

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: A seat-belt-restraint-system for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32), more specifically for an adult, or a child or an adult of small stature, or an infant in a car seat. The seat-belt-restraint-system includes a conventional three-point seat-belt-restraint-system (40) for an occupant of normal size and a lap-belt-adjustment-device (64) adapted to provide an additional fixation point on lap belt (52) to seat portion (36), such that the distance between the occupant's hip and the additional fixation point is minimized. In another embodiment, a bolster pad (82) is inserted in between seatback (34) and seat portion (36) at around the hinge of vehicle seat (32) to fill up the space between the occupant's hip and lap belt (52).

Abstract: A seat belt device including an anchor connecting member configured to be connected to the vehicle body, a webbing connecting member connected to the seat belt, and a webbing passing through an opening the webbing connecting member. The webbing located in the opening is folded and constrained from unfolding by stitching extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the webbing. The device includes a sensor mechanism that detects a force acting between the anchor connecting member and the webbing connecting member.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system for a motor vehicle includes a firing circuit, a control unit, a lockable latching device, and a sensor device. The firing circuit includes a firing cap for an airbag unit. The control unit activates the firing cap. The lockable latching device attaches a child seat. The sensor device has a switch and an electrical element connected in parallel to one another. The switch is open when the latching device is locked to prevent the firing cap from being activated. Preferably, the electrical element is a resistor. The control unit can determine an electrical resistance of the firing circuit. This is very useful when the vehicle occupant protection system includes a series of switches, each with a respective resistor connected in parallel to said second switch, because by judging the overall resistance the control unit can determine if all of the switches have been activated. The switch can include a Reed contact.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure and at least one spring disposed in the housing. The tension sensing assembly also includes at least one magnet disposed in the housing and a Hall effect sensor disposed in the housing and cooperable with the at least one magnet. The tension sensing assembly further includes a movable mechanism at least partially disposed in the housing and cooperable with belt webbing of the seat restraint system and the at least one spring to move the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to change an output of the Hall effect sensor to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when the at least one spring is deflected.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle seat belt anchor. Two energy-absorbing members are carried on a seat belt anchor mounting bolt that connects an adjusting rail to a body pillar. One energy-absorbing member, upon contact with an object that is suddenly moving toward the bolt is initially crushed until the object contacts the adjusting rail. A second shock-absorbing member is disposed between the adjusting rail and the body pillar to absorb a continued motion of the object toward the body pillar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encouraging and ensuring that a seat belt is properly secured about a passenger is disclosed. The invention comprises a sensor means for sensing when a seat belt is snug against a person secured by the seat belt, not simply when the seat belt has been engaged. Sensor means may comprise a means for sensing pressure that senses when the seat belt is being pressed against a passenger or it may comprise a means for sensing tension in the seat belt when the seat belt is snug against the passenger. Other means may also be suitable, including a thermal sensor or a proximity sensor. Although means for sensing whether the seat belt is engaged can also be used, it does not sense whether a seat belt is snug and is therefore not as advantageous. The invention further comprises an incentive or amusement device and control means for preventing the incentive device from operating properly unless the sensor means senses that the seat belt is snug against the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt guide includes a main portion formed of a lower cover and an upper cover, a slide portion of a hanger is inserted into a hanger guide portion to slide in the front and rear directions of the hanger guide portion. Thus, guide positions of a seat belt can be changed. In the main portion, there is provided a spacer with upper flange and lower flanges, which is inserted into a slide hole of the slide portion, so that the slide portion is disposed between the upper and the lower flanges, and the hanger can be slid.

Abstract: A plate spring urges a base of a buckle device toward an anchor insertion opening side with respect to an anchor plate. Provided that urging force of the plate spring exceeds urging force of a spiral spring, the base is held, by the urging force of the plate spring, at a position at which a rivet contacts an insertion direction side end portion of a long hole. However, when the urging force of the spiral spring exceeds the urging force of the plate spring due to, in order to attach a child seat, pulling out of a webbing belt more than at a time when a body is to be restrained, the base moves against the urging force of the plate spring, and the plate spring pushes a transfer rod. Due to this pushing force being detected by a semiconductor diffusion strain gauge, it can be detected that the child seat is attached on a seat.

Abstract: An adjustable seat belt device for positioning a shoulder belt relative to a lap belt of a passenger restraint system includes an elongated strap. A first fastening element is attached to the first end of the elongated strap where the first fastening element is removably engageable with the lap belt of a passenger restraint system. A second fastening element is adjustably attached to the second end of the elongated strap where the second fastening element is removably engageable with the shoulder belt of a passenger restraint system. A length of loop material is provided in the gap between the leading edge of the flap and the plate to prevent the exposed fasteners from catching on clothing, and the like.

Abstract: A buckle device in which it can be detected whether or not a tongue plate inserted into a case is locked, and in which reliability of such detection is high. In the buckle device, a magnetic plate is provided at a leg portion which moves together with the tongue plate which is inserted into an interior of the case. Changes in orientation of a magnetic field of a magnet of a sensing section, which orientation varies due to the magnetic plate approaching and moving away from the magnet, are detected at an MRE sensor.

Abstract: A seat-belt guide anchor for guiding a seat belt in a vehicle includes an elongated guide hole through which the seat belt slides and a sliding portion disposed adjacent to the guide hole contacting the seat belt. The seat belt extends with an angle relative to a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the guide hole. The sliding portion has a projection or a recess. An end portion of the projection or recess extends and is inclined with an angle larger than the seat belt extension angle.

Abstract: A motor retractor system includes a first winding device having a motor for driving a shoulder belt in a winding direction, and a second winding device having a tension-applying device for always applying a tension in a winding direction to a lap belt extending from the shoulder belt through a through-tongue. A control unit controls the motor to drive when the through-tongue coupled to the buckle is released from the buckle. Therefore, the shoulder belt can be smoothly pulled out. When the through-tongue is buckled up, an occupant can be restrained by the seat belt with a comfortable force and no slack. When the through-tongue is released from the buckle, the seat belt can be promptly withdrawn to the first winding device.

Abstract: A device for detecting a tensile force of a seat belt composed of an elastic plate having a strain gauge mounted thereon and a protecting plate overlapped on the elastic plate is installed in a seat belt. Under a normal situation, seat belt tensile force is applied only to the elastic plate which is deformable according to the tensile force. The elastic plate is broken when a high tensile force exceeding a predetermined level is applied thereto, while the protecting plate remains unbroken by such a high tensile force. The seat belt tensile force under the normal situation is precisely detected by the strain gauge mounted on the elastic plate, and the seat belt function to protect a passenger is maintained by the protecting plate when the high tensile force is generated by an accidental collision or the like.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus prevents damage to a seatbelt. An electric retractor having a motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt includes the automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus. The motor is controlled by a CPU. The CPU detects whether the seatbelt is attached to, or disconnected from, the occupant, and whether the seatbelt has been retracted to a limit thereof. The motor is controlled by the CPU such that when the CPU detects that the seatbelt is retracted and when the CPU subsequently detects that the seatbelt has been fully retracted to the limit thereof, the seatbelt is prevented from being further retracted.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).