Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70, 70′) having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.

Abstract: The helmet restraint system of the invention secures the helmet of a driver or passenger occupant of a vehicle, such as a race car, to the structural chassis, body, or frame of the vehicle, independent of the shoulder harness or seatbelt. The system provides a head restraint system which reduces the potentially injurious forces to the neck and head during a high-deceleration event, particularly a frontal collision. The helmet restraint belt system comprises a restraint belt assembly which spans between an anchor point on the vehicle chassis/body and a belt receiving latch mounted to the driver's helmet. The belt is preferably retractable and pre-tensioned by means of a collision or inertially-lockable belt tensioner. The helmet restraint system allows the driver to have unrestricted head movement during normal driving, but restrains the helmet and head during the impact of a collision by locking the belt against further extension.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70,70') having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.

Abstract: A buckle tensioner for a safety belt system has a buckle head, a drive device for displacing the buckle head, the drive device having an element which is driven in the case of restraint, a tension transfer means connecting the driven element to the buckle head, and an intermediate space between the buckle head and the drive device extending along the tension transfer means. The buckle tensioner further has a housing covering the intermediate space between the buckle head and the drive device and surrounding the tension transfer means. The housing is displaced relative to at least one of the buckle head and the drive device during the tensioning process.

Abstract: A belt retractor is provided for incorporation in a fold-down type backrest which can be latched to a vehicle body in an upright position by a lock. The retractor has a frame and a belt, a reel rotatably mounted in the frame. A blocking mechanism is provided which blocks the belt reel non-rotatably to the frame as long as the backrest is not locked by latching action of the lock.

Abstract: A belt retractor for incorporation in a fold-down type backrest of a vehicle seat is disclosed. The backrest of the seat is able of being latched to a vehicle body in an upright seating position by a lock. The retractor has a frame and a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame. A blocking mechanism is provided for selectively blocking rotation of the belt reel on the frame. The blocking mechanism is activated as long as the backrest is not locked in place by latching action of the lock. The blocking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded actuating element coupled to the lock by a traction cable.

Abstract: A pretensioner clutch housing for a vehicle seat belt arrangement has a housing made of a first housing part arranged to mount a clutch, and a second housing part arranged to mount a pre-tensioning device. The first and second housing parts have cooperating members for connecting the parts together. The cooperating members preferably are a flange on one part and a slot on the other. The clutch housing part is thus universal and only the pretensioner housing part needs to be changed to alter the angle of extension of a tube containing a pretensioner's piston to facilitate different models of cars.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system with a housing for a seat belt retractor, the housing having a rotatable escutcheon with an exit slot for the seat belt webbing. The escutcheon is preferably mounted to a bearing attached to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a safety belt (24) having three anchoring points borne by the seat (10). The belt (24) has two straps--a diagonal strap (26) and a lap strap (28)--which are connected to the anchoring points. The diagonal strap (26) has an upper end (E1) and a lower end (E2) which is common to the lap strap (28). This upper end (E1) and this lower end (E2) are placed on opposite sides--left and right--of the seat, so that the diagonal strap (26) extends obliquely from top to bottom of the seat. The upper end (E1) and lower end (E2) of the diagonal strap (26) can be switched over between the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the seat. The seat (10) preferably comprises two upper belt turn fixtures--a left-hand one (40) and a right-hand one (42)--and the belt (24) has two catches (36,38) which are intended to be fastened into two buckles--a left-hand one (32) and a right-hand one (34)--borne by the seat.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioning device and a system for tightly positioning a child safety seat within the confines of a vehicle, comprising a belt receiver member and a tensioning means for engaging the belt receiver member and tensioning a seat belt. Operation of the tensioning means causes the seat belt to be tensioned until the child safety seat is embedded and firmly secured within the confines of the vehicle.

Abstract: A spool sleeve (78) is rotatable in webbing withdrawal and webbing retraction directions (A, B). A lock pawl (122) engageable with a ratchet wheel (114), stops rotation of the spool sleeve (78) in the webbing withdrawal direction (A). The spool sleeve (78) is rotatable relative to the ratchet wheel (114) upon the occurrence of tension in webbing (16) above a predetermined amount. A cutter (94) is located radially within the spool sleeve (78) for cutting the spool sleeve (78) when the spool sleeve (78) rotates relative to the stopped ratchet wheel (114). In one preferred embodiment, the cutter (220) includes a portion (226) which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis (164) of the spool sleeve (192) to cause the cutter (220) to move axially relative to the spool sleeve. In another preferred embodiment, the spool sleeve (284, 286) is comprised of a plurality of pieces fitted together to extend around the axis (164).

Abstract: Child seat intended to be fastened to a vehicle seat by means of a safety beltChild seat comprising a sitting part 5 and a back part 6 and intended to be placed on and fastened to an automobile seat 4 equipped with a three-point rewinding safety belt 26 comprising a lap portion 26b and a chest portion 26a, the back part comprising, on its rear face, a means 25a for guiding the chest portion 26a of the safety belt, characterized in that said seat comprises a rotary element 33 equipped with an open loop 32 allowing the passage of the chest portion 26a of the safety belt and a means 35 for driving the rotary element 33 in rotation in a single direction, so as to tension the safety belt counter to the inertia system of the rewinder 28.

Abstract: A retractor for controlling the withdrawal of a belt therefrom actuated by movement of a locking bar extension. The retractor frame having a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receives one end of the belt harness, the opposite end of the belt harness having fixed thereto either a buckle or a buckle tongue. Attached to a seat is a pivoting crotch stalk including either a buckle or a buckle tongue that receives the corresponding mating part of the buckle tongue combination which is attached to the buckle harness. A locking bar with attached extension is engageable with the ratchet shaped end plates of the spool to prevent further withdrawal of the belt harness. The pivoting crotch stalk engages the extension causing movement of the locking bar into contact with the ratchet shaped end placed, thereby preventing the spool from rotating to allow any further withdrawal of the belt harness.

Abstract: For a sensor for the vehicle-sensitive triggering of the locking mechanism of a safety belt retractor in the back of a vehicle seat, with a ball seat (17) which has a trough (16) for accepting a sensor ball (15), and a pivotally mounted sensor lever (20) resting on the sensor ball (15), the amount of space required for pivoting the sensor in order to maintain the orientation of the sensor irrespective of the inclination of the seat back is to be reduced, without the distance between the tip at the free end of the sensor lever and the circumference of the control disk changing while the sensor is being pivoted. To this end, the sensor (10) is characterised by the ball seat (17) being pivotally mounted around an axis running through the center (C) of the sensor ball (15).

Abstract: A retractor (24) for seat belt webbing (22) includes a first spool (60) for a first wound length of seat belt webbing (30) and a second spool (62) for a second wound length of seat belt webbing (32). The first and second spools (60, 62) are supported for winding and unwinding rotation. The retractor (24) further includes a cinch mechanism (110). The cinch mechanism (110) blocks unwinding rotation of the first spool (60) in response to a first amount of rotation of the spools (60, 62) which includes a predetermined amount of unwinding rotation of the second spool (62). The cinch mechanism (110) blocks unwinding rotation of the second spool (62) in response to a second amount of rotation of the spools (60, 62) which includes a predetermined amount of unwinding rotation of the first spool (60).

Abstract: A dual spool retractor. A pair of belt spools are rotatably mounted to a frame having the same axis of rotation. Springs urge the spools to retract each belt. A single pawl is engageable with teeth of each spool to limit spool rotation and belt extension. The pawl is spaced apart from the teeth by belt followers until both belts are extended from each spool. The retractor is combined with a vehicle child seat.

Abstract: An anti-cinch automatic locking retractor. A web spool is rotatably mounted between a pair of upstanding walls. The spool includes a pair of flanges each having a plurality of locking teeth with the teeth spaced apart by an included angle. A pawl is pivotally mounted to the walls and is lockingly engagable with the teeth. A cam plate mounted adjacent the spool and rotatable therewith includes a cam surface extending through an angle greater than the teeth included angle to limit cinching of the web spool as the spool rotates to and from the locking position and through the included angle. An additional slack reducing mechanism is mounted to the seat frame opposite from the side of the retractor and includes a pivot member for automatically aligning the attached locking device when not in use.

Abstract: A retractor for controlling the withdrawal of a belt therefrom operated by the locking engagement of a buckle and buckle tongue. A retractor frame having a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receives one end of a belt harness, with the opposite end of the belt harness having fixed thereto either a buckle or a buckle tongue. Attached to a seat is either a buckle or a buckle tongue that receives the corresponding mating part of the buckle tongue combination which is attached to the belt harness. A locking bar is engagable with the ratchet shaped end plates of the spool to prevent further withdrawal of the belt harness. The locking engagement of the buckle and tongue causes movement of the locking bar into contact with the ratchet shaped end plates, which prevents the spool from rotating to allow any further withdrawal of the belt harness.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (18) includes a frame (110), a spool (112), and a locking pawl (126). The spool (112) has ratchet teeth (122) and is supported on the frame (110) for rotation in a seat belt winding direction and a seat belt unwinding direction. The pawl (126) is movable into a locking position in which it extends into the path of movement of the ratchet teeth (122) to block rotation of the spool (112) in the unwinding direction. The retractor (18) further includes an actuator assembly (150) for moving the pawl (126) into the locking position. The actuator assembly (150) includes a first actuator member (152), a second actuator member (154) and a spring (156). The first actuator member (152) is supported for movement into an actuated position against the bias of the spring (156). The second actuator member (154) is supported for movement with the first actuator member (152).

Abstract: A safety belt restraint system is disclosed which greatly reduces the loading exerted by the shoulder belt on both the seat belt retractor and the shoulder belt guide loop. In this regard, an improved guide loop assembly is mounted to the support pillar and includes a unique belt clamping mechanism that is operable in a first mode to permit movement of the belt webbing through a guideway during normal vehicle operating conditions, and in a second mode to clamp the belt webbing for restricting movement thereof through the guideway during a collision or a hard braking situation. The guide loop assembly of the present invention is preferably applicable for use in safety belt restraint systems of the type equipped with an emergency locking mechanism.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a retractor (18), a first locking tongue (40), a second locking tongue (46) and a buckle (20). The retractor (18) includes a spool (60) which is rotatable in a webbing winding direction and a webbing unwinding direction. The retractor (18) further includes a lock bar (70) which blocks rotation of the spool (60) in the webbing unwinding direction when the lock bar (70) is in a locking position. The first locking tongue (40) is connected with one length (26) of seat belt webbing (16). The second locking tongue (46) is connected with another length (28) of seat belt webbing (16). The buckle (20) has a locking mechanism (82, 90) for locking the first and second tongues (40) and (46) in a buckle (20). The seat belt system (10) further includes an actuator (130) for moving the lock bar (70 ) in the retractor (20) into the locking position in response to locking of the first and second tongues (40) and (46) in the buckle (20).

Abstract: A retractor having means for controlling the withdrawal of a belt therefrom operated by a push button. A retractor frame has a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receiving one end of a belt harness with the belt harness having an opposite end with buckle members fixed thereto to receive a buckle tongue. A locking bar is engageable with ratchet shaped end plates of the spool. The locking bar is pivotable into the ratchet shaped end plates to prevent further withdrawal of the belt harness. A manual push button control causes movement of the locking bar away from the ratchet shaped end plates to allow withdrawal of the belt harness until the push button is released and the locking bar pivots into its normal position in contact with the ratchet shaped end plates.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt retractor (10) includes a spindle (22), a ratchet wheel (30) and a locking pawl (44). The locking pawl (44) is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which it blocks rotation of the ratchet wheel (30) and the spindle (22) in an unwinding direction. The locking pawl (44) is moved into its engaged position in response to a predetermined amount of rotation of the spindle (22) in the unwinding direction. The locking pawl (44) moves back to its disengaged position in response to rotation of the spindle (22) in an unwinding direction. The retractor (10) further includes a torsion spring (210) and a leaf spring (250) acting in series between the spindle (22) and the locking pawl (44).

Abstract: A retractor shaft-rotating type seat belt pretensioner for imparting pretension to a seat belt by rotating the take-up shaft of a belt retractor comprises a driving member engageable with a driven member on the take-up shaft and a power source coupled to the driving member and adapted to rotate the driving member by applying an operating force to it at an operating point. A guide surface supports the driving member at a reaction support point against the reaction force due to a rotary moment applied to the driving member at an engaging point where the driving member engages the take-up reel, the reaction support point being on the opposite side of the engaging point from the operating point where the operating force of the power source acts on the driving member.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly includes a tongue, a buckle, a frame mountable to a vehicle seat, linking articles for linking the tongue and buckle to the frame, a retractor assembly operable to pay out and retract linking articles connected with said tongue, the tongue thereby extendable from a retracted position to an extended position lockingly engaged with said buckle. The tongue, buckle, linking articles and retractor assembly are all mounted in operable combination to the frame, the resulting frame means combination being mountable as a unit to a vehicle seat. The seat belt assembly also includes tongue and buckle sleeve assemblies which are mountable to the frame and which cover the linking articles in the retracted position, and which support the tongue and the buckle in a desired user access position.

Abstract: The safety belt restraining system for vehicles is provided with a vehicle-sensitive and/or webbing-sensitive locking belt retractor and a webbing clamping means following said retractor. To achieve fast activation of the webbing clamping means with minimum webbing withdrawal but nevertheless to protect the webbing from damage by the clamping operation, the inhibiting force exerted by the webbing clamping means on the webbing is limited by dimensioning and configuration of the system to a predetermined value at which the webbing clamping means does not cause any appreciable weakening of the webbing. The belt retractor is in turn dimensioned at least for absorbing the forces which are to be expected in the evolution of an accident and are introduced via the webbing after the predetermined value is exceeded. When said value is exceeded and, e.g. the webbing slips between the webbing clamping means, the retractor can absorb the remaining blocking load.

Abstract: A low profile web adjuster for securing a web. A seat includes a harness, one end of which extends through a web adjuster mounted to the seat. A pivot cam on the adjuster is operable to lockingly engage one end of the harness. In the preferred embodiment, the cam is moved by pulling a control member having a pair of arms pivotally mounted to the cam member at a location to force the cam member apart from the web. Under normal loading, the cam member contacts and holds the web against the base wall of the adjuster and under high loading also holds the web against an upraised rib on the base wall.

Abstract: A tongue assembly for use in a safety apparatus in which belt webbing restrains movement of an occupant of a vehicle includes a base, a cover, and a cam. The cover is mounted for sliding movement on the base. The cover has an actuator portion engageable by the belt webbing to slide the cover along the base between a first portion and a second position. The cover engages and pivots a cam when the cover slides from its first position to its second position. The cam has a clamping surface disposed adjacent a clamping surface on the base. A portion of the belt webbing passes between the clamping surfaces on the base and the cam member. The cam is pivoted by sliding movement of the base into a clamping position in which the cam clamps the belt webbing against the base to block movement of the belt webbing through the tongue assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt system for use with a seat in a motor vehicle comprises a combination belt including a lap belt part and a shoulder belt part, the lap belt part and the shoulder belt part restraining respectively the lap and shoulder portions of a seat occupant when in use; a first mechanism for applying, upon a vehicle collision, the lap belt part with a certain tension thereby increasing the restraining force of the lap belt part; a thigh belt positioned in front of the lap belt part with respect to the seat, the thigh belt restraining the thigh portion of the seat occupant when in use; and a second mechanism for applying, upon the vehicle collision, the thigh belt with a certain tension thereby increasing the restraining force of the thigh belt.

Abstract: A child's car seat has a restraining harness extending over the child's shoulder and fastenable to the car seat in front of the child. A manually operable reel assembly allows the harness to be selectively loosened or tightened by winding or unwinding the free end of the harness to or from an axle positioned beneath the car seat.

Abstract: In the deflection clamping device according to the invention, a control lever (30) acts via a sloped active surface (56) on a movable clamping member represented by a clamping wedge (48) in such a way, that when activation takes place in the direction of motion of the belt, the clamping wedge has a velocity component that is equal to the belt speed at that moment, so that no relative movement in the vertical direction of motion results between the movable clamping wedge and the belt. This is achieved by having a deflection clamping device with a small structural depth and by having low loading forces on the control lever.

Abstract: Clamping member for a strap of the kind adapted to be located between a strap storage location and a strap utilization location, comprises a reaction member pivotally mounted on a base member for angular movement about a reaction member pivot axis, a guide member mounted for movement relative to the base member, and retention member for retaining the guide member and the reaction member in respective rest positions in which the strap is freely movable between the guide member and reaction member until the tension applied to the strap exceeds a predetermined level. Coupling member interconnects the reaction member and the guide member so that, when the tension in the belt exceeds the predetermined level, movement of the guide member causes corresponding movement of the reaction member, thereby wrapping the strap round both the reaction member and the guide member so that one layer of the strap is clamped against the reaction member by another layer of the strap.

Abstract: A gas generator for a tightener in a safety-belt retractor comprises a cylindrical housing secured at one of its ends to a transition member between the housing of the retractor and a piston/cylinder drive of the tightener. At its other end the housing has a radial collar. The housing accommodates a propellant charge with a detonator. A hollow sleeve is inserted into the housing and has an outer diameter adapted to the inner diameter of the housing and an inner diameter adapted to a cylindrical capsule housing. The capsule housing has a bottom enclosing the propellant charge and is connected to a cylindrical base member which is inserted into the housing. The base member has a radial face bearing on the radial collar of the housing. The sleeve has a radially inwardly directed collar on the inner surface of which the bottom of the capsule housing bears.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with a knee bolster for restraining an adult passenger's lower torso within a seat during emergency conditions, and a chest belt having one end wound onto an acceleration-sensitive retractor located at the lower, inward side of the seat and a second end releasably-secured to first quick-release means attached to a door or door frame of the vehicle adjacent to the seat for restraining the passenger's upper torso within the seat. A dual mode retractor having both an acceleration-sensitive mode and an automatic-locking mode is providing along with control means for engaging the automatic-locking mode. A second quick-release means is provided at the lower, outward side of the seat for alternative releasably receiving the chest belt lower end. The second quick-release means is provided with switch means for switching the replacement retractor to the automatic-locking mode when the second end of the belt is engaged therewith.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spool with seat belt webbing wound thereon. A frame supports the spool for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction or a belt retraction direction. A pawl engages ratchet teeth formed on end portions of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction when a predetermined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn from the spool. A cam which has a multi-loop cam groove is rotatably driven by a gear train in response to spool rotation. A lever with a cam follower portion in the cam groove is pivoted by the cam to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A retractor having means for controlling the withdrawal of belt therefrom being operated by insertion of a tongue into a buckle. A retractor frame has a spring biased rotatably mounted spool wrappingly receiving one end of a belt harness with the belt harness having an opposite end with buckle fixed thereto to receive a tongue mounted adjacent the retractor frame. A spring biased locking bar is engageable with ratchet shaped end plates of the spool. A cam plate pivotally mounted adjacent the spool is contactable against the locking bar. Insertion of the tongue into the buckle causes movement of the cam plate allowing the cam plate to rotate away from the locking bar. The locking bar is then pivotable into the ratchet shaped spool end plate preventing further withdrawal of the belt harness.

Abstract: Clamping means for a strap, adapted to be located between a strap storage location and a strap utilization location, comprises reaction member pivotally mounted on a base member for angular movement about a first axis, a guide member pivotally mounted on a support member fast with the reaction member for angular movement about a second axis positioned between the reaction member and the first pivot axis. Resilient means retains the guide member and the reaction member in respective rest positions in which the strap is freely movable between the guide member and reaction member until the tension applied to the strap exceeds a predetermined level. When the tension in the strap exceeds said predetermined level, angular movement of the guide member causes corresponding angular movement of the reaction member, thereby wrapping the strap round both the reaction member and the guide member so that one layer of the strap is clamped against the reaction member by another layer of the strap.

Abstract: An improved tip assembly which includes a tongue plate insertable into a buckle is provided for a safety belt apparatus in which a continuous retractable belt length provides both a lap portion and a shoulder portion. The tip assembly through which the belt passes has a snubber slide engaged with the tongue plate and slidable relative thereto. When the belt is drawn by the passenger over his body, the belt shifts the snubber slide rearward on the tongue plate to where the belt is firmly gripped at normal loads between a surface of the tongue plate and a surface of the snubber slide, whereby that portion of the belt which extends across the passenger's lap cannot expand. At heavy deceleration loads, e.g. 150 lbs on the lap belt, a portion of the snubber slide deflects to decrease the gripping action to allow transfer of belt from the shoulder belt into the lap belt.

Abstract: Many seat belt configurations have incorporated a belt retraction device into the design of the seat belt apparatus. When the retraction device includes a recoil spool that is housed within the buckle member the function of the buckle member becomes compounded. In order to release the seat belt buckle the operator is often required to move the release handle in a manner that necessitates the use of both his hands. The seat belt apparatus of the present invention provides a buckle member that is moved toward a tongue member to achieve a latching engagement between the two. A latch release member is provided within the buckle housing and is movable in a direction away from the tongue member to release the connection therebetween. This direction of movement is the same as the direction of separation between the buckle member and the tongue. Both operations may be accomplished in one motion and require the use of only one hand.

Abstract: A seatbelt clamp for locking a seatbelt to restrain a vehicle occupant and prevent elongation of the seatbelt due to tightening of loops remaining on a seatbelt retractor is provided. The clamp comprises two operation plates, adjustable relative to each other, which are slidably mounted on a base plate. The base plate has a case on its lower end housing a fixed clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw, the latter being biased by a spring into a non-clamping position. The two plates also are normally biased by a spring into a non-clamping position. If an emergency results, which throws the passenger against the seatbelt, causing the tension in the seatbelt to exceed a predetermined level of force, the two plates are urged against the biasing force, and a cam provided on the lower end of the lower operation plate drives the movable clamping jaw into the fixed jaw to clamp the seatbelt therebetween.

Abstract: A strap retractor assembly of a seat belt arrangement including a retaining strap to be fitted to an occupant of a seat in a vehicle, comprising a reel shaft having the retaining strap anchored thereto; a drive motor for driving the reel shaft for rotation in direction to have the retaining strap unwound from and re-wound on the reel shaft; pulse generators to produce first pulses in response to rotation of the reel shaft in one direction and second pulses in response to rotation of the reel shaft in the other direction; a pulse counter to count the first pulses forwardly and the second pulses backwardly for producing an information signal representative of the number of the pulses counted; a reference signal generator to produce a reference signal variable with a preselected parameter and representative of a number of pulses corresponding to a desired degree of slackness of the strap; comparators to produce a signal when the number of the pulses represented by the information signal is in a predetermined rel

Abstract: This invention provides a universally applicable additional attachment capable of being adapted without any problems to all safety belt systems known to date. Such an attachment is provided with an additional brace, which permits connecting the base plate with the belt reverser arranged in the belt duct provided in the body of the vehicle. Said additional brace has two clamping elements, of which the second clamping element serves for resiliently connecting it with the base plate (10).

Abstract: An improved tip assembly which includes a tongue plate insertable into a buckle is provided for a safety belt apparatus in which a continuous retractable belt length provides both a lap portion and a shoulder portion. The tip assembly through which the belt passes has a snubber slide engaged with the tongue plate and slidable relative thereto. When the belt is drawn by the passenger over his body, the belt shifts the snubber slide rearward on the tongue plate to where the belt is firmly gripped between a surface of the tongue plate and a surface of the snubber slide, whereby that portion of the belt which extends across the passenger's lap cannot expand. When the belt is retracted so that a run of the belt is substantially vertical, the weight of the tip assembly causes its front end to tip downward causing the slide to fall forward along the tongue plate releasing its grip on the belt, whereby the tip assembly freely falls to a lower position along the vertical belt run.

Abstract: An automatic seat belt device for a vehicle, which has a switch inserted into a driving circuit for opening the driving circuit upon releasing of an emergency buckle. Thus, this device can disable the guide arm driving device when an adult's seat belt attached to a seat is not used like when a children's seat belt is used.

Abstract: A junction ring adapted for use in a seat belt system wherein a continuous-loop belt is slidable through the junction ring to define shoulder belt and lap belt portions includes a housing having slots mounting a pin for movement toward and away from the buckle. The belt passes around the pin. A buckle is selectively engageable with the junction ring to establish the lap belt and shoulder belt in occupant restraining positions across the seat. The shoulder belt is wound by a seat belt retractor having a tension reliever permitting introduction of slack into the shoulder belt. A spring urges the pin in the direction toward the buckle so that the belt is carried into frictional engagement with a friction member to provide a one-way friction detent which prevents transference of the shoulder belt slack into the lap belt so that the lap belt remains taut about the occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt connecting device for connecting an outer belt composed of a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion to an inner belt, comprises a frame member, to which the inner belt is fastened, an outer belt supporting member which is rotatably and slidably supported by the frame member, an elastic member which is provided between the frame member and the outer belt supporting member and a locking member which is formed in the frame member for locking the outer belt supporting member. When the outer belt is tensioned due to the load applied by the occupant at an emergency time, the outer belt supporting member slides while being rotated, overcoming a pushing force of the elastic member until the outer belt supporting member is locked by the locking member. Consequently, the outer belt is stopped from being shifted with respect to the seat belt connecting device.

Abstract: A belt clamping mechanism for a seat belt retractor having a belt reel rotatably journaled on a frame and a locking means for locking the reel against unwinding rotation. The retractor frame is mounted on the vehicle body for limited movement in the direction of belt pull. A yieldable device such as a frangible member acts between the frame and the vehicle body to establish the frame at a normal position in which a belt clamping member carried by the retractor frame is spaced from a clamping abutment mounted on the vehicle body. When the reel is locked and an occupant restraint load is imposed on the belt, the yieldable device permits movement of the reel and the frame in the direction of belt pull so that the belt is clamped between the clamping member carried by the frame and the clamping abutment mounted on the vehicle body to fix the belt length against spooling down on the reel.

Abstract: The intermediate portion of an outer webbing is secured to the forward end of an inner webbing through a holder, and opposite ends of the outer webbing are secured to a door, whereby the webbings are automatically fastened to or unfastened from an occupant in accordance with the closing or opening action of the door.A lock bar provided in the holder functions such that, during normal running condition of a vehicle, the outer webbing and the holder are made movable relative to each other to bring any one of the occupants, having various physical builds into a proper webbing fastened condition, while, in an emergency of the vehicle, the lock bar subjected to a tension in the webbing clampingly holds the webbing between the outer webbing contact portion and itself, thereby securing the occupant in a reliably restrained condition.

Abstract: A belt guide for use in a vehicle occupant restraint belt system of the type which has a belt retractor that exerts a generally constant retracting force on the belt. The belt guide includes a frame having a passage for the belt, a guide roller located on the frame at a point adjacent to the passage and a belt clamping member mounted on the frame for movement between a release position out of engagement with the belt and a stop position in which the belt is clamped between the clamping member and either the belt guide roller or a portion of the passage in the frame. When the clamping member engages the belt in the stop position, the belt is prevented from being retracted.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt system with a retractor lock device which includes a retractor (40), a belt (50) terminating in a male buckle member (52), a female buckle member (60), and a retractor lock device (20). The retractor lock device (20) includes a lock member (30), a base member (21) having an anchor bolt (22) attached thereto, a spring (23) and a guide bolt (24). The lock member (30) is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the spring (23) normally urging the lock member (30) into the disengaged position. When the male buckle member is inserted into the female buckle member, it moves the lock member (30) into engagement with the retractor (40), thereby preventing rotation of the retractor.