Abstract: A tie down ratchet and strap includes, a ratchet shaft rotatably mounted in a ratchet body having a slot for receiving a wind-up strap therethough, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the ratchet shaft, a ratchet handle with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheels to rotate the ratchet shaft, a locking bar securing the ratchet wheels and ratchet shaft in position when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheels, an anchor strap with a connector for securing the ratchet assembly to a first anchor point, and a wind-up strap including a non-metallic fabric strap with a braided metal outer cover extending continuously over the length of the non-metallic fabric strap.

Abstract: A seat belt safety apparatus for a vehicle is provided and implements both of the functions of a retractor and a pretensioner in a structure with a seat belt disposed in a seat. The functions of a retractor and a pretensioner are separated in the seat belt safety apparatus to reduce the installation space.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt device that includes: a lap belt that restrains a waist portion of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a connection member that connects an end portion of the lap belt with an anchor provided at either a side of the vehicle seat or a location on a vehicle body; a retractor that is provided at a front side of a vehicle relative to the anchor, and that is actuated in a vehicle collision or in a case in which a vehicle collision has been predicted; and a load transmission member that is coupled with the connection member so as to be movable relative to the connection member, and that is retracted by the retractor in a case in which the retractor is actuated.

Abstract: A harness retractor (62) for a harness system (60) of a child safety harness, which has a tensioning web (80) and buckle connectors (70) coupled to straps of the safety harness. The tensioning device has a rotatable retractor mechanism (90) connected to the tensioning web (80) and biased to wind up the tensioning web in a wind up rotation direction. The tensioning device has a locking device (110) biased to a first position preventing rotation of the retractor mechanism in the wind up direction. The tensioning device has a buckle housing (64) coupled to the retractor mechanism. The buckle connectors (70) are releasably connectable to the buckle housing (64). A release mechanism is connected between the locking device (110) and the buckle housing (64) and can switch the locking device from the first position to a second position permitting rotation of the retractor mechanism in the wind up direction.

Abstract: A restraint harness assembly for a child safety seat includes a strap, an anchoring mechanism and a retractor mechanism. The anchoring mechanism includes a first release button operable to switch the anchoring mechanism from a locked to an unlocked state. The retractor mechanism includes a spool connected with the strap, and a second release button movable between a first and a second position for respectively unlocking and locking rotation of the spool in a direction for unwinding the strap. The first and second release buttons are engaged with each other when the anchoring mechanism is in the unlocked state and the second release button is in the first position. The first release button can disengage from the second release button when the anchoring mechanism is switched from the unlocked to the locked state, which allows the second release button to move from the first to the second position.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a retractor that is manufacturable at a much lower cost by making a pretensioner operate more effectively, by minimizing the length of a pipe so that a weight reduction is realized effectively, and by easing the restriction for the shape of a guide member. [Solution] A pipe 17 in which a plurality of balls as force transmitting members are provided includes an attaching portion 17c as a projection provided at one end portion 17a thereof. A guide member 18 having a guide surface 18c that guides the balls has attaching grooves 18 as recesses. The attaching portion 17c is fitted into the attaching grooves 18, whereby the pipe 17 is attached around the outer circumference thereof to the guide member 18 attached to a frame. Since the guide member 18 is provided on the outer circumference of the pipe 17, the pipe 17 can be shortened.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle that is reversible between a 3-point arrangement and a 4-point arrangement is provided. The seat and seat belt arrangement includes a seat having a centerline, a seat back and a seat base. The seat and seat belt arrangement further includes a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of moveable shoulder belt guides and associated moveable retractors. A pair of lap belts is also provided. A buckle assembly is also provided to which the shoulder belts and lap belts are attached. Lap belt retractors are provided. One of the retractors is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the buckle assembly is to one side of the centerline and non-retracted position in which the buckle assembly is generally on the centerline. In the retracted position the moveable guides are moved away from the centerline while in the non-retracted position the moveable guides are moved toward the centerline.

Abstract: A ring gear 15 of a pretensioner 8 includes a plurality of levers 17 and one arc-shaped stopper 16 to allow force transmission members to smoothly move in a pipe, to facilitate setting of a stopper for stopping rotation of a ring gear, and to reduce the cost with a simple structure. During operation of the pretensioner 8, the levers 17 are sequentially pressed by balls 12a to rotate a pinion 19 and a spool in a seatbelt retracting direction. When the ring gear 15 rotates by a predetermined rotation amount, an outer peripheral edge 16c of the stopper 16 contacts and presses the opposing ball 12a. Since the ball 12a is thereby clamped between the stopper 16 and an inner peripheral surface 10d1 of a pipe I0, the ring gear 15 is stopped.

Abstract: A seat belt includes: a lap strap stretchable around the waist of an operator, in other words, laterally stretchable across a seat surface; an AL retractor that is configured to wind the lap strap; a shoulder strap stretchable from the shoulder to the waist of the operator, in other words, stretchable from an upper portion on one side of the backrest to a lower portion on the other side thereof; and an EL retractor that is configured to wind the shoulder strap.

Abstract: A flat housing (1) holds a belt (4) which can be extended against the force of a spring, the belt being blocked to further extension as soon as the belt clasp (3) is situated in the belt buckle.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided that realizes the proper meshing between a plurality of internal teeth and external teeth with a simple movement of a spool. In the case of an emergency, external teeth of a pawl provided at a spool right side end mesh with internal teeth provided on a frame, and, with load acting on a seat belt, a spool left side end contacts a spool guide. Since the spool left side end tends to move further in the direction of seat belt load, the spool guide brings one external tooth at the spool left side end into contact with one target internal tooth provided on the frame. Hence, some of the spool external teeth are made to mesh properly with the respective internal teeth. Thus, some of the spool external teeth effectively mesh with the respective frame internal teeth with simple movement of the spool.

Abstract: During an emergency, in one form of a retractor having a spool, external teeth of a pawl provided at a spool right side end are made to mesh with some of internal teeth provided on a frame, and, with load acting on a seat belt, a spool left side end is brought into contact with a spool pushing portion. Since the spool left side end tends to be moved further in a direction of seat belt load with the load acting on the seat belt, the spool pushing portion pushes the spool left side end, whereby some of external teeth come into contact with internal teeth provided on the frame and fit deeply into gaps between adjacent ones of the internal teeth. Thus, some of the external teeth of the spool effectively come into mesh with the respective internal teeth of the frame with a simple movement of the spool.

Abstract: When an axis of rotation 9a2 of a spool rotates in the seatbelt retracting direction, a lock gear 13 rotates clockwise which is the same direction as the spool, and an eccentric gear 16 rotates counterclockwise. A cam 20 of the eccentric gear 16 comes into contact with a lever 36 of the control lever 35 to cause the control lever 35 to rotate counterclockwise to take an operating position. A pressed pin 42b of a lever 42 comes into contact with a lever 37, so that levers 42, 43 rotate counterclockwise. A holding portion 42c of the lever 42 opposes a flywheel 14. Accordingly, since the holding portion 42c presses a held portion 14d when the entire amount of a seatbelt 4 is retracted, a rocking movement of the flywheel 14 is prevented and hence end locking is prevented.

Abstract: A seatbelt device comprises a seatbelt including a shoulder belt to restrain a passenger's upper body and a lap belt to restrain a passenger's waist portion, a tongue fixed to the seatbelt and parting the seatbelt into the shoulder belt and the lap belt, a first retractor fixed to a pillar and coupled to a tip of the shoulder belt, a second D ring attached to a position of an inner panel of a side sill below the pillar and supporting the lap belt so as to let the lap belt slide therein, and a second retractor fixed to another position of the inner panel of the side sill located in front of the second D ring and below a seat slide rail, the second retractor being coupled to a tip of the lap belt.

Abstract: A method of limiting a load applied on a seat belt in an emergency, includes obtaining information, judging if the emergency situation is in a first situation wherein a predetermined condition for controlling one seat belt load limiting mechanism is not satisfied based on the information, or in a second situation wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied; and in the first situation, the method further performs actuating a driving member not to operate the one seat belt load limiting mechanism, winding the seat belt to remove a slack of the seat belt with actuating the driving member, and operating another seat belt load limiting mechanism to prevent withdrawing the seat belt; and in the second situation, the method further performs winding the seat belt without actuating the driving member, and operating the one and another seat belt load limiting mechanisms to prevent withdrawing the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a seat belt includes a spool for winding the seatbelt, a first seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting load applied on the seat belt in an emergency, a second seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting the load applied to the seat belt when a predetermined condition based on an emergency situation is satisfied in the emergency, a driving member for actuating the second seat belt load limiting mechanism, and a controller for controlling the driving member. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an operative state by not actuating the driving member. When the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an inoperative state by actuating the driving member.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tension in a seat belt.

Abstract: A component of a vehicle occupant restraint system, the vehicle occupant restraint system having a webbing with a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion contiguous with the lap belt portion, the component including a web engaging device adapted to toggle between an open and an engaged condition, wherein in the open condition the webbing is moveable relative to the web engaging device in two directions along the webbing, wherein in the engaged condition the webbing is moveable relative to the web engaging device in only one direction along the webbing, and wherein the web engaging device is lockable in the open condition. A vehicle occupant restraint system including a webbing with lap and shoulder belt portions, a component having a web engaging device adapted to toggle between an open and an engaged condition, and a tensioner configured to respond to at least one of the open and engaged conditions.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for retracting a seat belt includes a spool for retracting the seat belt, a locking mechanism for locking rotation of said spool, and an end-lock preventing mechanism for preventing an end-lock of the seat belt. The end-lock preventing mechanism includes a first speed-reduction portion for largely reducing a seat belt retracting speed of the spool when the spool retracts a substantially full length of the seat belt, and a second speed-reduction portion for reducing the seat belt retracting speed less than that of the first speed-reduction portion so as to provide a delay for the locking mechanism to be brought to a non-lock position at least when retraction of the seat belt is finished.

Abstract: A web adjuster device for securing and varying a length of a web. The web adjuster device comprising a connector portion and an adjuster portion. The adjuster portion comprising a gripping bar having a pair of ears mounted near each of its ends, a housing including a web stop, and one or more springs to normally urge the bar toward the web stop and against the web. The connector portion comprises a hook portion integrally attached to the web adjuster portion, the hook portion rising generally upwardly and away from the bottom surface of the web adjuster portion.

Abstract: A multi-mode belt retractor including an interlocked attachment mechanism. The belt retractor and attachment mechanism are physically integrated in a single unit. In one embodiment, the retractor is shifted between modes by the operation by the attachment mechanism such that securing the attachment mechanism to an anchor point shifts the belt retractor into a locked mode. Releasing the attachment mechanism from the anchor point shifts the belt retractor into a free-wheel mode. In one embodiment, only a single user-operable button is provided, thus minimizing the opportunity for improper operation. One embodiment of the attachment mechanism is symmetrical, making it operable by a user's left or right hand.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a seatbelt pretensioner is provided. The pretensioner comprises a cylinder having a proximal section which defines a gas chamber that forms at least a portion of an interior space defined by the cylinder. Extending distally from the proximal section is a guide section. Disposed within the interior space is a piston that is moveable toward a distal end of the guide section. The piston has a proximal portion and a distal portion that extends from the proximal portion. The proximal and distal portions are disposed respectively adjacent to the proximal and guide sections. The distal portion is configured for attaching to an anchor that is coupled to webbing of the seatbelt. In fluid communication with the gas chamber is a gas generator. The gas generator is configured for generating gas to move the piston, tensioning the seatbelt.

Abstract: A seat belt system for use in a vehicle, which includes a seat belt webbing for restraining an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the webbing includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the webbing is attached to a retractor for either retracting the webbing or permitting withdrawal of the webbing, and wherein the second end of the webbing is connected to an anchor; a tongue mechanism connected to the webbing and positioned to separate the webbing into a lap portion and a shoulder portion; and a buckle mechanism configured to detachably couple with the tongue mechanism. The tongue mechanism is configured so that the tongue mechanism is slideably coupled to the webbing when the tension in the webbing is less than a cinching load, and when the tension in the webbing is equal to or greater than the cinching load the tongue mechanism applies a cinching force on the webbing to prevent the webbing from changing position relative to the tongue mechanism.

Abstract: A webbing retractor is provided that reduces the amount of webbing that is pulled-out after operation of a pretensioner mechanism. In a webbing retractor 10, a lock pawl 78 is set in a non-meshable state in which it cannot mesh with a lock gear 26. At a time when a pretensioner mechanism 34 operates and a clutch plate 42 rotates in a take-up direction, a lock stopper 86 rotates together with the clutch plate 42 and releases engagement with the lock pawl 78. Therefore, the lock pawl 78 is rotated by a compression coil spring 70 and changed to a meshable state. In this way, immediately after rotational force in a pull-out direction is applied to the lock gear 26 due to load from a vehicle occupant after operation of the pretensioner mechanism 34, the lock pawl 78 meshes with the lock gear 26, and pulling-out of a webbing 20 is impeded. Therefore, an amount of the webbing 20 which is pulled-out can be reduced.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a seat belt includes a spool for winding the seatbelt, a first seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting load applied on the seat belt in an emergency, a second seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting the load applied to the seat belt when a predetermined condition based on an emergency situation is satisfied in the emergency, a driving member for actuating the second seat belt load limiting mechanism, and a controller for controlling the driving member. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an operative state by not actuating the driving member. When the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an inoperative state by actuating the driving member.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for retracting a seat belt includes a spool for retracting the seat belt, a locking mechanism for locking rotation of said spool, and an end-lock preventing mechanism for preventing an end-lock of the seat belt. The end-lock preventing mechanism includes a first speed-reduction portion for largely reducing a seat belt retracting speed of the spool when the spool retracts a substantially full length of the seat belt, and a second speed-reduction portion for reducing the seat belt retracting speed less than that of the first speed-reduction portion so as to provide a delay for the locking mechanism to be brought to a non-lock position at least when retraction of the seat belt is finished.

Abstract: An assembly having a retractor and a pretensioner whereby the pretensioner can be employed to provide load limitation features. The pretensioner may also be used without the load limitation features. The pretensioner has a drive mechanism including a plurality of pretensioner balls sized to engage a pinion, the pinion operatively connected to the seat belt through a force limiting element. The pretensioner defines a guide surface structured to guide the pretensioner balls along a ball path along the pinion. The guide surface includes features to engage a pretensioner ball and block the pinion.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (40) associated with a seat (10) includes a spool (106) about which seat belt webbing (42) is wound. The spool (106) is supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction and in an opposite belt retraction direction. A vehicle sensitive sensor (190) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for preventing rotation of the spool (106) in the belt withdrawal direction. A first mechanism (206) is responsive to a first condition for disabling the vehicle sensitive sensor (190). A second mechanism (294) is responsive to a second, different condition for preventing rotation of the spool (106) in the belt withdrawal direction. The second condition is a condition of the associated seat (10). In one embodiment, a third mechanism (400) is responsive to the first condition for allowing rotation of the spool (106) in the belt withdrawal direction.

Abstract: A restraint system for a motor vehicle includes a safety belt, an end of which can be attached by means of an end pre-load tensioning device to the vehicle body. The end pre-load tensioning device includes a seat belt retractor that takes up the end of the seat belt and a tensioning device connected thereto for the belt shaft of the seat belt retractor. The belt shaft is formed as a hollow shaft, and a blocking element blocks the belt shaft that is released in the event of an accident.

Abstract: A prisoner seat security device includes a retractable strap which attaches to a prisoner, preferably by a restraint device on the prisoner, such as hand-cuffs. As the prisoner sits in the seat, the strap retracts. The officer can then lock the retraction mechanism so that the strap will not extend and the prisoner is held in place. When it is desired for the prisoner to get out of the chair, the lock is released, allowing the prisoner to stand and the strap to be disconnected.

Abstract: The patron restraint system for amusement rides includes a locking receiver with a locking assembly for engaging a restraining strap. The engagement of the restraining strap in the locking receiver can be verified by a ride operator by visual or physical inspection, or by a sensor system indicating the locked or unlocked state of the locking receiver. A latching ratchet mechanism may be provided in the receiver to restrict movement of the restraining strap until it is released by the ride operator. The sensor system includes an acoustic sensor that detects alignment of an aperture with a piezoelectric acoustic emitter and an acoustic detector.

Abstract: A belt retractor having ELR and ALR modes of operation is disclosed. The retractor comprises a sensor pawl movable between a released and a locked position with one or more teeth of a ratchet wheel rotatable with a spool of the retractor; the sensor pawl forming part of both ELR and ALR locking mechanisms. A spring biased first lever is rotatable to a first position and when in the first position urges the sensor pawl toward engagement with the ratchet wheel. The lever is movable to a second position, which permits the sensor pawl to move away from the ratchet wheel teeth thereby preventing the retractor from entering into its ALR mode of operation. The lever, when in its second position, biases the sensor pawl into engagement with a cooperating inertial mass that is part of a vehicle sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt retractor.

Abstract: A seat belt system includes a retractor and a seat belt. The retractor includes a motor that drives a pressure rod into a seat belt such that the seat belt is nipped between the pressure rod and belt receiving portions. The driving force of the motor that controls the movement of the pressure rod is set based on the situation at the time of a collision. Thus, the load limit to be exerted on the seat belt is set flexibly and widely according to the situation in an emergency. Further, the motor and the pressure piston rod can be activated repeatedly and, therefore, can be reused.

Abstract: A strap-adjusting device includes a base frame, a cover member, a strap holder, and a biasing member. The cover member cooperates with the base frame to form a strap-operating space, and is formed with a strap hole unit. The strap holder is movable in the strap-operating space between a strap-retaining position and a strap-releasing position, is accessible via an opening in the base frame, and forms a strap passage unit in the strap-operating space. The biasing member is disposed in the strap-operating space to provide a biasing force for urging the strap holder to the strap-retaining position. A strap is extended into and out of the strap-operating space via the strap hole unit, and extends along the strap passage unit. The strap holder is able to clamp the strap when the strap holder is at the strap-retaining position.

Abstract: Vehicle seat includes a seat section with a seat section frame and a backrest with a backrest frame, which is connected to seat section by inclination adjustment fittings such that it is pivotable around a backrest pivoting axis. Vehicle seat includes a seat-integrated safety belt with a shoulder belt outlet provided in upper backrest area and with backrest/adjustment fitting overload protection. The backrest/adjustment fitting overload protection includes a shoulder belt deflection element provided in shoulder belt outlet, is fixed in the backrest frame, is capable of shifting against a level of prestress, and a locking device. Locking device is actively connected to deflection element via a coupler, which conducts dynamic load or force exerted by a passenger via shoulder belt onto deflection element during a front crash into seat section frame via locking device.

Abstract: A device for tightening a seat belt (1) such as, for example, a three-point seat belt comprising a lap belt part (2) and a diagonal belt part (3), where the seat belt is used to fix a child car seat in a passenger seat. A portion of the seat belt preferably the lap belt part (2) is arranged in connection with the child car seat's lower portion (4). The device is characterised in that the lower portion (4) is designed with an abutment portion (4a) for placing a portion of the seat belt, preferably the lap belt part (2). Furthermore, a tightening unit (5) is rotatably mounted in at least one mounting point (6) in connection with the child car seat's lower portion (4). The lap belt part (2) is arranged in such manner that it abuts against portions of the abutment portion (4a) and the tightening unit (5) when the tightening unit (5) is located in an initial position.

Abstract: An interlock system for stopping seat belt payout from a retractor when a seat is not secured is provided. The interlock system includes a connector between the seat latch and the retractor with the connector operating a retractor locking actuator which utilizes the vehicle inertia sensor to cause retractor locking. In one form, the actuator is shifted into engagement with the inertia member for retractor locking when the seat is released. In another form, the actuator is mounted to a module secured on one side of the one of the retractor frame plates to which the actuating mechanism for the vehicle sensor is secured on the other side thereof. The connector causes shifting of the actuator member from the one side to the other to operate the vehicle sensor actuating mechanism for retractor locking when the seat is released.

Abstract: A spring loaded pay out arrangement for a seat harness securable to a seat, the seat harness being releasably connectable to an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a belt reel axle with an external toothing, and a pawl. The belt retractor has a sliding clutch by means of which the pawl can be brought to engage in the external toothing, in order to rotate the belt reel.

Abstract: A web adjuster for varying a length of a web. The web adjuster has a gripping bar having a pair of ears mounted near each of its ends, a frame including a web stop, and one or more springs to normally urge the bar toward the web stop and against the web. The adjuster may include a coupling device, such as another web or a snap hook, to operatively anchor the coupling device.

Abstract: A seat latching assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback having first and second sides. A first latch is provided for latching the first side of the seatback to a portion of a vehicle, the first latch being operable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A second latch is provided for latching the second side of the seatback to another portion of the vehicle, the second latch being operable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A mechanism is operatively connected to the first and second latches, and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When one of the first and second latches is in the unlatched position, the mechanism is prevented from moving into the unlocked position, and when the first and second seat portions are both in their latched positions, the mechanism is permitted to be moved into the unlocked position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seat belt pretensioner for a vehicle wherein a spool is mounted in such a way that it cannot be further released at the onset of a car accident but can push itself downwardly in a fixed state along the length-wise direction of a retractor and thus can effectively rewind a seat belt with ease. To serve this purpose the seat belt pretensioner of the present invention comprises a retractor cover wherein sliding guides are mounted both on right and left sides, a spool mounted in such a manner that a seat belt is wound up with an elastic support and is able to slide along the sliding guide, and a piston structure, being mounted on the upper part of said cover, pushes said spool downwardly by the explosion force of explosives.

Abstract: A pretensioner for tightening an occupant restraint, such as a seatbelt, against an occupant on a vehicle. The pretensioner has a locking reel which is activated when a signal is sent by a crash sensing device. When such signal is sent, the pretensioner causes a rack to turn a pinion, which is attached to a reel which tightens the occupant restraint. The pinion is allowed to turn freely by holding the rack out of its sphere of movement until the piston, which controls the position of the rack, is caused to extend. The pinion turns a shaft which is connected to a locking reel through a connector which is movable between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration.

Abstract: A coupling for a belt retractor with a belt tensioner comprises a hub that can be driven by the belt tensioner and has several contact surfaces, and comprises several clamping rollers that are arranged in the hub in such a way that they can be urged radially inwards by the contact surfaces. The coupling further comprises a shaft that can be coupled to the hub by means of the clamping rollers. At least one return element is provided that urges the clamping rollers into a position out of engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A system and device for managing the restraints available for vehicle occupants that uses fluidic torque conversion to provide an adaptive variable load limiting for the primary occupant safety restraint. The fluidic torque conversion of this invention can be variably controlled through the use of an electro/mechanical flow control device. The flow control is preferably coupled to one or more sensors, including occupant weight, occupant position, seat position, low “g”, high “g”, and belt displacement/latching sensors. This invention is adapted to be responsive to the vehicles interior safety devices, including front air bags, side air bags, seat back pivots, head rests, collapsible steering wheel, and positioning of the dash board and/or vehicle instrumentation. This invention is a re-usable system.

Abstract: The seat belt module is electronically controlled using magneto-rheological fluid. A CPU delivers a signal to an electromagnetic coil within the module at the beginning of a crash to cause the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to increase sufficient to lock the spool on which the seat belt is wound against rotation. Thereafter, a subsequent signal is delivered by the CPU to the coil to reduce the magnetic field and the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid allowing the spool to be unwound in a programmed manner so as to reduce the forces imposed on an occupant by the seat belt. The CPU may be pre-programmed in response to signals from sensors throughout the vehicle that deliver signals corresponding to the characteristics of the occupant and may be programmed in response to signals from these sensors and from an air bag to respond in real time.

Abstract: A child seat includes a seating member, a base member, seating member lock and a connecting member. The seating member is designed to abut the body of a child. The base member has an outside surface that is designed to abut a seat of a vehicle. A connecting surface of the base member is designed to selectively abut the seating member. The seating member is pivotally coupled to the base member. The seating member lock is used for selectably securing the seating member to the base member. The seating member lock is coupled to an upper end of the base member and is selectably engaged to an upper end of the seating member. A connecting member is used for coupling the base member to a seatbelt of the vehicle. The connecting member is coupled to the base member. The connecting member is selectably coupled to the seat belt of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) comprises a spool (32) supported on a base (30) for rotation relative to the base about an axis (36) in a belt retraction direction and an opposite belt withdrawal direction. A length of belt webbing (16) wound on the spool (32) is extensible from the retractor (10) for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. The retractor (10) includes a spool locking mechanism (42) for blocking rotation of the spool (32) in the belt withdrawal direction. A sensor mechanism (44) is supported on the base (30). A cover (50) secured to the base (30) has a main body portion (52) covering the sensor mechanism (44). The cover (50) has a plurality of legs (70-76) projecting from the main body portion (52). The legs (70-76) are resiliently deformable to absorb energy of impact to the retractor (10).

Abstract: A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure and a movable piston disposed in the housing. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a gas generator operatively connected to the housing for expelling a gas to move the piston. The seat restraint tensioner further includes a plate member interconnecting the housing and a buckle assembly of the seat restraint system for pulling-down the buckle assembly of the seat restraint system in a linear manner.

Abstract: An emergency-lock type retractor includes an emergency lock part for stopping the rotation of said drum to restrict the pull-out of said belt when a belt wound around a drum is pulled suddenly at a predetermined speed or higher, and a hand-operated lock part capable of stopping the rotation of said drum by hand.