Abstract: An automotive seat belt buckle pretensioner assembly includes a special mounting bracket for supporting the operating components of a pyrotechnic-powered cable extending from the seat belt buckle around a cable-redirection pulley. The mounting bracket includes a flat major wall that is parallel to a major wall on the pulley support structure, so that the pulley is located within the space defined by the parallel walls. A bolt, or rivet, extending between the parallel walls provides shaft support for the pulley, while acting as a connector mechanism between the pulley support structure and mounting bracket.

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: A belt tensioner for a vehicular seat belt, comprises a linear drive formed of a piston and a cylinder tube, and a belt engaging part connected to the piston by a deflected traction element. To provide a belt tensioner which can be more easily integrated in existing vehicle concepts, the belt engaging part is shiftingly guided in a guide fitting to be affixed flatly located to the vehicle body and the cylinder tube is affixed on or alongside the guide fitting.

Abstract: A buckle tensioner for a belt buckle arranged adjacent to a vehicle seat includes a piston/cylinder unit with a cylinder having an interior and with a piston arranged in the interior, and an elastically deflectable traction transfer device connecting the piston and the belt buckle. The traction transfer device offers a smaller resistance to a deflection of the belt buckle towards the vehicle seat than to a deflection away from the vehicle seat.

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 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 vehicle seat assembly has first and second fore-and-aft extending lower track sub-assemblies for mounting to a vehicle, typically to the floor pan of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. First and second upper track sub-assemblies are carried by the lower track sub-assemblies. More specifically, the upper track sub-assemblies each include a track slidingly coupled with a corresponding lower track. One or both of the upper track sub-assemblies further includes a structurally robust J-hook which receives a downward flange of the corresponding lower track sub-assembly. The overlapping flange and J-hook arrangement limits vertical dislocation of the upper track sub-assembly, and, therefore, also limits vertical dislocation of the vehicle seat, relative the lower track sub-assembly. In the normal condition, the flange and J-hook arrangement permits free fore-and-aft travel. That is, the sliding tracks can be moved relative each other for adjustment of the fore-and-aft position of the vehicle seat.

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 linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint system is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor also includes a biasing member for urging the latch assembly into locked engagement with the lock plate for inhibiting movement thereof in the first direction, and an actuation mechanism for selectively releasing the latch assembly for such movement.

Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor is operable in a first mode for permitting movement of latch assembly on the lock plate in both directions, and in a second mode for inhibiting movement of the latch assembly in the first direction. A remote actuation mechanism is provided for automatically shifting the belt retractor into the second mode in response to fastening of a tongue plate of the safety belt restraint to a belt buckle member.

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 safety belt set having backstop effect for use in a car. The safety belt set mainly includes two auto-lock sets separately connecting with two hanging members mounted on two center pillars of the car. A back-extending safety belt extends behind two front seats of the car with its two ends separately attaching to a damped fastening member of the auto-lock sets. The auto-lock set also allows a front-extending safety belt to pass therethrough so that when the car is impacted by a sudden violent back-coming force, the backward inclined front seats exert a back pull on the back-extending safety belt which causes the damped fastening member to tightly clamp the back-extending safety belt and the auto-lock sets to lock up the front-extending safety belt. Thus, the back and the front extending safety belts together secure the passenger and/or the driver to the front seats without becoming overly backward inclined and being hurt due to the broken front seat backs.

Abstract: One end of the strap forming the safety belt is rigidly connected to a rear lower portion of the armature of the seating portion of the seat by a blockage mechanism. A shoulder keeper situated frontwardly with respect to the upper portion of the front face of the seat back provides for a sliding and guiding of a run of the safety belt passing above the passenger shoulder. An other end of the run of the safety belt is secured to an iron fitting fixed with one of the side flanges of the seating portion armature and forming a second fixation point. A keeper cooperating with a lock forms a third lower fixation point of the safety belt and is connected to the side flange opposite the second fixation point on the armature of the seating portion of the seat.

Abstract: A three-point safety belt system is provided which the upper deflection and fastening point for the belt strap cannot be arranged on the B-column of a vehicle body. So as not to interfere with the appearance of the vehicle body or with its lines but, yet obtain an optimal course of the belt strap in the event of a crash, the safety belt system has a displaceable belt point. This belt point is normally kept downward and will then be situated in the area of the window ledge or lower and can thus not be seen from the outside. In the event of a crash, the belt point displaces upward and thereby provides a belt strap course which ensures an optimal protection of the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An improved safety apparatus (10) is used in association with a belt (16) which restrains movement of an occupant of a vehicle. The belt (16) is taken up by and paid out from a retractor assembly (22). Upon the occurrence of vehicle deceleration greater than a predetermined deceleration, a solenoid assembly (132) operates a clamp assembly (28) to grip the belt (16) and prevent paying out of the belt. In one embodiment of the invention, the retractor assembly (22) includes a sensor assembly (54) which operates a retainer assembly (56) to prevent withdrawal of the belt from the retractor assembly when the deceleration of the vehicle is in excess of a predetermined deceleration. The sensor assembly (54) is mounted on a movable carriage (32) in the retractor assembly (22). Although the clamp assembly (28) and the retractor assembly (22) may be used in many different locations in a vehicle, they are advantageously located on the back (24) of a vehicle seat (12).

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 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 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 linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint system is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor also includes a biasing member for urging the latch assembly into locked engagement with the lock plate for inhibiting movement thereof in the first direction, and an actuation mechanism for selectively releasing the latch assembly for such movement.

Abstract: A seat belt for a pilot seat or flight attendant seat in an aircraft includes a belt tightener with a reversible energy storage member in the form of a helical compression spring and a rod-shaped energy converter coupled to the energy storage member. The energy converter is at least indirectly connected to a belt member of the seat belt. After the belt member has been tightened and the energy converter has been displaced as a result with an at least partial regeneration of the energy storage member, a cutting chisel penetrates the surface of the energy converter and dampens the movement of the belt member. A renewed activation of the energy storage member after the deceleration phase is prevented by the penetration of a clamping edge of a clamping member in the surface of the energy converter.

Abstract: A pretensioner latching mechanism having a main anchorage member (45) to be fixed to a frame (60) of a slideably adjustable vehicle seat, a further member (52) slideable along the first member under the action of a remote vehicle body mounted pretensioner through a bowden cable (49; 50) to shorten and latch an anchorage assembly (41, 42, 43, 45) by virtue of abutment of a spring loaded latch member (56) with one of a succession of abutments provided by apertures (46) of the main anchorage member.

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: The tightening means for safety belt restraining systems is equipped with a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder tightening drive which is inserted via fitting parts engaging the piston on the one hand and the cylinder on the other hand into the force flow path of the safety belt system. The cylinder is formed in a cylinder block which is guided displaceably parallel to the axis of the cylinder on a bodywork-fixed or vehicle-seat-fixed guide member. The piston is formed at the one end of a shear-stressable piston rod and in the readiness position of the tightening means is inserted with the piston rod into the cylinder. At its other end the piston rod is supported at the guide part. The release is by means of a vehicle-sensitive mechanical trigger mechanism. Instead of a return blocking mechanism is return brake is provided which reduces the stress peaks in the belt system.

Abstract: A restraint system is provided for restraining a pilot in a safe position during high-acceleration conditions. A stationary harness portion is attached to the pilot's body and haulback straps are connected in a slidable manner to the stationary harness. Under normal conditions, the pilot has some freedom of movement to lean forward or move from side to side. In the event of high acceleration or other emergency conditions, a pair of haulback straps that are slidably attached at the mid-torso position of the pilot are retracted to bring the entire back of the pilot against the back support of his seat. Lateral support pads positioned at the back and side of the pilot are moved to provide support to the sides, ribs and lumbar regions of the mid-torso and to restrain side-to-side movement of the pilot. The position of the lateral support pads is automatically adjusted according to the size of the pilot.

Abstract: An adjustable lock infant seat. An infant seat positionable atop an automobile seat, includes a seat belt buckle mounted to the bottom or seat portion of the infant seat. The buckle is lockingly engageable with a tongue slidably mounted to a belt having opposite ends extending through a lower pair of slots or an upper pair of slots extending through the back support of the infant seat. One belt end is fastened to a buckle located on the rearward surface of the back support whereas the opposite belt end extends through a releasably lockable adjuster mounted to the back support. By extending the belt either through the upper or lower slots and by operation of the adjuster, the belt may be sized to fit the infant.

Abstract: A low profile web adjuster for securing a web. An infant 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 pushing 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. In an alternate embodiment, a fabric strap attached to a pull control in turn has a pair of arms pivotally mounted to the cam at a location to force the cam apart from the web when the strap is pulled.

Abstract: A clamping device for the seat belt of a motor vehicle has a housing which is provided with a tapered passage bounded by mutually inclined first and second surfaces. The belt extends from a take-up reel, which automatically locks in response to high deceleration, into and through the passage adjacent to the first surface. A wedge-shaped clamping element is disposed in the housing between the belt and the second surface, and the side of the clamping element which faces the belt is provided with sawteeth. The clamping element is slidable along the second surface between a clamping position in which the toothed side thereof presses the belt against the first surface and a released position in which the clamping element is out of contact with the belt. The clamping element is connected with the take-up reel in such a manner that it moves from the released position to the clamping position in response to locking of the take-up reel.

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: A seat belt device has a belt retractor mounted on a vehicular seat from. The belt retractor employs an ELR mechanism for locking a seat belt upon emergency condition. The seat belt device employs and electrically operable actuator in cooperation with the ELR mechanism. The actuator is operable in response to a switch which is turned ON by manual seat slide lock release operation. This allows seat position adjusting operation without causing locking of the seat belt.

Abstract: A very safe buckle, formed of plastic, is provided which enables a strap to be inserted and clamped easily and quickly, and which prevents the strap from being inadvertently loosened or pulled free of the buckle no matter how the strap or the buckle is pulled about. The buckle is comprised of two adjacent bars spanning the space between the sides of the buckle. The strap is passed between the two bars. One of the bars is rotatable and has a polygonal cross-section, the arrangement being such that the rotation of the rotatable bar reduces the size of the gap between the rotatable bar and the other bar, which is fixed, thereby clamping the strap securely between the bars.

Abstract: A restraint belt guide loop assembly for deflecting a belt from a retractor to a diagonal position across the occupant upper torso includes a mounting frame pivotally mounted on the vehicle body with the belt passing between upper and lower belt clamping shoes movably mounted on the frame so that downward acting tension on the belt urges the lower shoe downwardly. A pair of C-shaped levers are mounted on the bracket adjacent the ends of the shoes. Each lever includes an upper arm bearing on the upper shoe and a lower arm supporting the lower shoe so that downward movement of the lower shoe by the tension on the belt pivots the lever and forces the upper shoe downwardly toward the lower shoe. The upper arm is longer than the lower arm so that the pivoting movement of the lever causes the downward movement on the upper shoe to be greater than the downward movement of the lower shoe so that the upper shoe overtakes the lower shoe and clamps the belt between the shoes against sliding movement through the frame.

Abstract: In the operation of modern tactical aircraft, crew members are subjected to periodic high acceleration loads that cause fatigue and a decrease in operating capacity. Restraining the torso of a crew member and pulling the crew member back against the ejection seat (2) of the aircraft would help prevent such fatigue. Known restraint and haul back apparatus for use during ejection are not adapted for repeated in flight use. The invention provides a single mechanism that retracts torso restraint straps (6) any number of times during in flight maneuvering and also retracts straps (6) for ejection. A loop (7) of each strap (6) extends around an inflatable member (28). When in flight acceleration loads exceed a preset limit, engine bleed air inflates member (28) to expand loops (7). This retracts straps (6) and positions the crew member. Member (28) is allowed to deflate when the acceleration subsides. When the ejection procedure is initiated, a gas generator (44) inflates member (28).

Abstract: A device for guiding and selectively clamping an occupant restraint belt used in a vehicle. The device has a frame with an opening through which the belt extends. The frame has two clamping surfaces that are spaced apart in the direction of belt extension. A clamp member moves between the first and second clamping surfaces transversely to the direction of belt extension to engage the belt and deform a portion of the belt into a serpentine configuration and to clamp the belt against the two clamping surfaces. The clamp member is moved relative to the clamping surfaces by a mechanism that responds to the application of force to the frame by the belt.

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 restraint belt guide loop assembly for deflecting a belt from a retractor to a diagonal position across the occupant upper torso includes a mounting bracket pivotally mounted on the vehicle body and first and second belt clamping bars independently pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket and being eccentrically shaped to define belt clamping faces which are movable toward and away from each other upon rotation of the belt clamping bars. The first belt clamping bar has an associated reaction arm which is traversed by the belt so that imposition of an occupant restraint load on the belt induces forced rotation of the first belt clamping bar.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for use with safety belts of the type protracted and retracted on a spool which is locked by inertia forces in an emergency. The safety belt passes through a clamping assembly which is activated upon sliding movement of the retractor reel from protraction forces in the locked state greater than a pre-established threshold amount.

Abstract: Deflector device with clamping device for a safety belt in motor vehicles in which the deflector is mounted on slider movable back and forth. The clamping device has a stationary jaw and a space swivelable jaw movable toward the stationary jaw to clamp the belt passing up between the jaws and then over the deflector surface. A spring normally urges the swivelable jaw away from the stationary jaw. An end of slider is disposed adjacent the swivelable jaw such that a belt pull sufficient to overcome the spring force will move the deflector device and attached slide causing the swivelable clamping jaw to swivel and move toward the stationary jaw clamping the belt therebetween.

Abstract: Anchorage for the belt latch of a safety belt arranged in vehicles, especially motor vehicles, with a lock fitting which is connected to the height-adjustable seat. A frame fitting, relative to which the lock fitting can slide in a guide. A locking part for connecting the above-mentioned fittings upon the action of a pulling force cancels the holding force of a connecting element on the belt. The locking part designed as a rocking lever is pivoted on the one side at the height-adjustable seat and on the other side at the lock fitting. The locking part has a detent serration which in normal operation is held by the connecting element (shearing pin) at a distance from a detent element of the frame fitting and is swung, after the holding force is overcome, and is detented by the detent element forming a lock.

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: A seatbelt system having a webbing to be fastened about an occupant seated at a seat in an automotive vehicle, comprising:a retractor securing one end of the webbing for winding or unwinding the webbing during normal condition of a vehicle and preventing the webbing from being unwound in the event of an emergency situation of the vehicle;an anchor plate secured to the other end of the webbing;driving means such as a door and a motor connected to the anchor plate for moving the anchor plate so that, when the occupant is seated at the seat for operating the vehicle, the webbing is fastened about the occupant seated at the seat and, when the occupant leaves the vehicle, the webbing is released from the occupant; andemergency tensioning device for pulling the anchor plate in the event of an emergency situation of the vehicle in such a direction that the webbing is fastened more tightly about the occupant seated at the seat, the emergency tensioning device being engageable with the anchor plate only when the webbi

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat belt arrangement for the rear seats of motor vehicles in which the seat cushions of the rear seats can be folded away without interference by the seat belts, and no portions of the seat belt system form an obstruction on the vehicle floor. The belt buckle is secured to a lever which is mounted for pivoting movement on the frame of the seat bottom so that the buckle is concealed within an opening in the seat bottom or projects up out of the opening to buckle a seat belt. This lever is provided with a hook which is adapted for engagement into a latch on the floor when the lever is pivoting such that the belt buckle will project through the opening and out of the seat bottom. The pivoting movement of the lever is achieved by way of the actuating mechanism which is located inboard of the seat bottom and abutting thereon, and which will cause pivoting movement of the lever when the seat cushion of the seat bottom is being depressed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a locking device for vehicle seat belt webbing. The device includes a fixed clamp member; a swing clamp displaceable relative to the clamp member between two positions, and a drum displaceable relative to the swing clamp between two positions and engageable at one of the two positions with the swing clamp so as to restrain itself from further rotation. The drum is displaced toward the swing clamp when a tensile force of a predetermined value or greater is applied to the webbing. When a further tensile force is exerted on the webbing, the swing clamp is displaced toward the fixed clamp member and holds the webbing firmly. Since the drum itself is locked, subsequent payout of the webbing can be substantially restrained owing to a frictional force developed between the drum and webbing. Thus, the webbing is actually locked at two locations. Since the area of contact between the webbing and the locking device, i.e.

Abstract: A belt clamp for vehicle safety belt systems comprises a fixed clamping jaw mounted on a frame and a movable clamping jaw engaged by the belt and carried by the frame in a manner such that it moves toward the fixed clamping jaw in response to tension in the belt. Spacers on the frame limit the extent of movement of the movable clamping jaw toward the fixed clamping jaw. A deformable member interposed between the fixed clamping jaw and the frame deforms in response to a predetermined tensile load on the belt so that the belt is allowed to slip through the clamping jaws and absorb the kinetic energy of the occupant.

Abstract: A webbing retractor for winding an occupant restraining webbing in an emergency of a vehicle, wherein one end of one of resilient members, which are serially connected to each other, is connected to a takeup shaft, and, when a vehicle door is closed, a locking device is adapted to lock connecting portions of the resilient members, whereby bias of one of the resilient members is prevented from acting on said takeup shaft to lighten a takeup force, thereby relieving the oppressive feeling applied to the occupant.

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 safety restraint system for an occupant of a vehicle seat provided with adjusting means for varying the seat position and/or seatback inclination. The system comprises a seat belt, a retractor having a reel constantly biased toward retraction of the belt and a tension-eliminating mechanism including an electric actuator for inhibiting the reel from turning in the belt-retracting direction when the seat belt is worn by the occupant to cause closing of a primary control switch. The improvement resides in the provision of secondary control switch(es) coupled with the seat adjusting mechanism to make the tension-eliminating mechanism ineffective during operation of the adjusting means, thereby allowing the occupant to accomplish adjustment of the seat without the need of unfastening the seat belt and automatically adjusting the amount of protraction of the belt from the retractor in compliance with the change in the position or posture of the occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioning device for a vehicle comprises a cylinder, a piston which is slidably inserted within the cylinder and a piston operating means.The piston is composed of a first and a second cylindrical piston members which are adjacent to each other.The seat belt tensioning device further comprises a rod which is connected to a seat belt and is contacted with the second piston member by passing a deformable member, which is plastically deformed by a predetermined tension force through the first piston member. The deformable member is disposed adjacent to the second piston member and connected to the rod by passing through the first and second members.The rod and the second piston member form a conical continuously inclined surface of which diameter is enlarged in the piston moving direction near the contact portion thereof. Stopper pieces having a sharp end portion are radially supported by the conical continuously inclined surface.

Abstract: A belt clamp for use in a vehicle passenger restraint belt system comprises a pair of jaws, one of which is movable relative to the other, such as by a lever, is normally held away from the other by a spring, and is moved toward the other in response to an abnormally high pull-out force on the belt to engage a restraint belt guided between the jaws. A multiplicity of spaced-apart, elongated straight teeth oriented widthwise of the belt and of uniform, smoothly curved cross section frictionally clamp the belt against pulling out by tucking loops of the belt into complementary recesses in the other jaw. Preferably, both jaws have substantially identical teeth and substantially identical recesses which are generally complementary to the teeth, the shapes of the teeth and recesses being such as to produce a smoothly corrugated clamping section in which several loops of the belt are formed and by which frictional holding forces are developed without any cutting or abrading of the belt.

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.

Abstract: An automatic locking belt carried safety belt take-up reel includes a U-shaped body member provided with longitudinal side arms having a spring biased belt take-up reel journalled between its rear portions and having parallel track grooves formed in the confronting faces of its front portion. A tongue plate slidably engages the grooves and has a transverse rear and a lock bar slidably rests on the tongue plate across the slot and includes upwardly forwardly projecting side legs. A top wall extends between the top forward portions of the side arms and terminates in a front depending lip extending to the level of the groove tops. A safety belt has one end connected to the reel and extends from the bottom thereof upwardly through the slot rearward of the lock bar, about the lock bar and then downwardly between the lock bar and the slot front edge and rearwardly to a vehicle anchor point.