Abstract: A seat belt tensioner for motor vehicle, having a belt shaft (12) rotatably supported in housing as a carrier of a seat belt wound thereon and with a tensioner drive coupled thereto by a metal strip (18), the drive rotatable driving the belt shaft (12) when triggered by action on the metal strip (18) and the movement thereof, the metal band (18) before triggering the tensioning drive (10) surrounds an extension (13) of the belt shaft. The metal strip (18) is wound around the extension (13) of the belt shaft (12) in at least one winding turn serving as winding supply (20) for the movement thereof. The winding reserve (20) is held at a radial gap (21) to the extension (13) of the belt shaft (12) by a holding element (22) releasing the metal band (18) in case of tensile force acting on the metal strip caused by activation of the belt tensioner causing the metal stripto engage and rotate the belt shaft extension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle part adjusting device (10), especially a belt buckle presenter or belt presenter, comprising a first elongated flexible push member (12), a second elongated flexible push member (14) and a connecting and separating means (16) for the push members (12, 14) which is designed so that it detachably connects the push members (12, 14) upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in a first longitudinal direction (X1) to form a bending-resistant interconnected part (18) and separates them upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in an opposed second longitudinal direction (X2), wherein the push members (12, 14) are connected and separated in a reversible manner.

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner for a belt retractor includes a member that rotates relative to a frame of the belt retractor in response to a vehicle condition to rotate a spool of the belt retractor relative to the frame. A drive device rotates the member in response to the vehicle condition. The drive device applies a first torque to the member during a first stage of rotation of the member and the spool and applies a second torque greater than the first torque during a second stage of rotation of the member and the spool. A flexible drive member rotates the member relative to the frame. The flexible drive member extends around an axis of the member more than 360° after activation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle has a shoulder-belt extending diagonally across the seat. A belt tensioner applies tension to the belt in response to detection/prediction of a potentially unsafe situation by a safety sensor/control system. A support arm has an upper end mounted to the vehicle structure above an upper outboard portion of the seat. The support arm extends downwardly and a guide member is attached to the lower end of the support arm and engages the belt. The lower end of the support arm is movable relative to the upper end/mounting point such that when the tensioner is activated, the belt urges the guide member from a comfort position relatively far from the neck and/or upper shoulder of a seat occupant to a safety position closer to the seat.

Abstract: A pretensioner mechanism comprising webbing capable of restraining a vehicle occupant; a cylinder member into which gas is supplied when specific conditions occur; a movement member provided so as to be capable of moving inside the cylinder member, the movement member being formed with a communication hole that communicates a first side and a second side of the movement member; a closure member that is inserted into the communication hole and substantially closes off the communication hole to such an extent that pressure from the gas supplied into the cylinder member causes the movement member to move towards the first side and the restraining force of the webbing on the occupant is increased; and a communication groove formed between the communication hole and the closure member to communicate a first side of the closure member with a second side of the closure member.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a coupling member (12) to the vehicle seat belt, a drive unit (18), a flexible tension transmitting means (14) and a deflector (26). The flexible tension transmitting means (14) is connected at least indirectly to the coupling member (12) and is moved via the drive unit (18) in the event of tensioning. The deflector (26) deflects the tension transmitting means (14) in the direction of the coupling member (12). The tension transmitting means (14) is moved along the deflector (26) in the event of tensioning. According to the invention, the drive unit (18) is coupled in terms of drive to the deflector (26) such that the drive unit (18) moves the deflector (26) upon activation and thus displaces the coupling member (12) in the tensioning direction (R).

Abstract: A pretensioner and a seat belt apparatus are provided that can diffuse the heat of high-temperature gas and prevent the heat from concentrating locally on a wire. A pretensioner 10 has a housing 12 that allows a wire 11 to run therethrough and a cylinder 14. One end of the wire 11 is connected to a seat belt buckle 9, and the other end of the wire 11 is held by a piston 15. An apertured member 26, that covers at least the gas generator 23 side of a peripheral surface of the wire 11, is provided in the housing 12. A plurality of through-holes 29 are provided in a protecting portion 27 of the apertured member 26.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle seat has a belt with a shoulder-belt portion extending diagonally across the seat between an upper portion of first side of the seat and a lower portion of a second side of the seat. An upper belt guide is mounted adjacent to the upper first side of the seat and engages the shoulder-belt to allow it to slide along the guide during belt retraction and extension. A safety sensor/control system generates a signal indicating a condition requiring improved occupant restraint in the seat. A guide actuator is activated in response to the safety sensor/control system signal and displaces the upper belt guide in a transverse direction relative to the seat. The displacement of the guide moves the shoulder-belt portion closer to the neck and/or shoulder of the seat occupant to more securely restrain the occupant.

Abstract: There is provided a pretensioner. The pretensioner includes: a pipe; a gas generator that generates a gas in the pipe in an emergency case; a gas generator mount on which the gas generator is mounted; a spool driving mechanism that rotates a spool in a direction to retract a seatbelt by the gas generated by the gas generator in the emergency case; a discharge hole formed in the pipe so as to allow communication between inside and outside of the pipe; and a blocking member configured to block the discharge hole from inside of the pipe, the blocking member being configured to open the discharge hole when the blocking member is pressed from outside of the pipe with a pressing force equal to or greater than a given pressing force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat belt buckle for a seat belt comprising a casing, a locking member for a plug-in latch and an unlocking device (26) for releasing the unlocking member. The unlocking device (26) includes at least two unlocking surfaces (56, 60) which are independent of each other, wherein a predetermined force has to be applied to both unlocking surfaces (56, 60) for operating the unlocking device (26). The unlocking device (26) includes at least one fastening element (30) constituting an engaging connection with the casing, wherein the engaging connection prevents a movement of the unlocking device (26) in an unlocking direction of the locking member and the fastening element (30) has to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the unlocking direction for releasing the engaging connection.

Abstract: A linear pretensioner for use as part of a motor vehicle occupant belt restraint system mountable to vehicle structure and coupled with a belt restraint system component. The pretensioner includes at least one base plate having a slot and at least one closure plate fixedly attached to the base plate. The closure plate(s) and the slot of the base plate(s) form a cavity having an open end. A piston plate has a piston tail slidably disposed within the cavity and a piston head extending from the open end. A cable is coupled with the piston plate, the base plate(s), and/or the closure plate(s). The piston plate, the slot of the base plate(s), and the closure plate(s) cooperate to form an expanding chamber that enlarges when pressurized by a gas generator, which drives the piston plate and the base plate relative to each other to exert tension on the cable.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle includes a seat frame. The seat belt system also includes a lap belt having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a buckle and the second end is connected to an anchor. The seat belt system additionally includes a single retractor-pretensioner operatively connected to the seat frame and configured to simultaneously tension the first end and the second end. A vehicle having a seat with a frame that is operatively connected to the vehicle structure and employing the seat belt system is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt tensioner comprises a traction element that transmits a tensioning force to a seat belt strap. The traction element may be formed for example of a flexible rope or a wire, or a thrust element which can transmit traction and thrust forces. A force limiting unit, which limits the retaining force exerted by the seat belt strap on a passenger has a functional element coupled to the traction or thrust element, which is displaceable by means of a displaceable piston element in the effective direction of the tensioning force. The vehicle belt tensioner according to the invention includes means for the parallel application of tensioning force to both the piston element and the traction or thrust element, concurrently.

Abstract: A slider bar for use with two-door style motor vehicles for anchoring the lap belt for front seat occupants. The slider bar allows the lower anchorage point of the lap belt to freely move in the fore and aft direction to enhance rear seat compartment passenger ingress and egress. The slider bar further incorporates a pyrotechnic lap pretensioner (PLP) function for exerting pretensioning motion of the lap belt in response to a vehicle impact. The slider bar incorporates an internal piston which acts on the belt webbing position on the outside of the slider bar tube. Various embodiments are described incorporating alternate means of mounting the lap belt lower end to the slider bar, as well as various configurations for transferring the motion of the internal piston to the lap belt lower anchorage.

Abstract: In the present pretensioner, press contact portions are formed further to a side of an open end of a packing housing section than central portions of opposing faces along a depth direction of the packing housing section. Accordingly, when a packing is being fitted into the packing housing section, no great resistance is imparted to a curved face side of the packing from a press contact wall of a housing section body and the opposing face, and the packing is fitted comparatively smoothly therein. Consequently, even when fitting the packing into the packing housing section, a packing main body is largely resilient-deformed, such that a large collapse in a through hole can be prevented, and the sealing ability of the seal due to deformation of the packing main body can be effectively enhanced.

Abstract: A drive arrangement (1) for driving a motor (9) in a seat belt pre-tensioner incorporates a power supply circuit (6) in the form of an H bridge and a voltage boost circuit 16 which are controlled by a control unit (17). The control unit (17) controls the voltage boost circuit (16) to increase the voltage output to the motor (9) to speed up the rotation of the motor (9) whilst the motor (9) winds in slack in a seat belt (13).

Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus for a vehicle includes a control device for controlling an amount of electric current fed to a motor for winding a seatbelt. The control device controls the motor such that a predetermined amount of electric current is applied to the motor in a behavioral state of the vehicle requiring emergency measures, and such that when the seatbelt is wound a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount of winding is maintained.

Abstract: In the pretensioner, a guiding wall is provided in a generator-side passing portion of a gas passing portion, and an inner portion of the generator-side passing portion at a portion where the guard wall is set is located to a base end rather than a tip end of a wire protective cylinder. Further, a gas generator mounting hole and the generator-side passing portion is inclined to be directed the base end of the wire protective cylinder. For this reason, gas that is jetted from a gas generator is blown to the base end of the wire protective cylinder or a surrounding portion thereof. As a result, even though the thickness of the wire protective cylinder is not set to be large, it can be against pressure of the blown gas.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a seat belt. The seat bottom has a support frame to be attached to a vehicle body, and a bottom cushion supported by the support frame. A pretensioner is disposed between the bottom cushion and the support frame to move the bottom cushion rearward with respect to the support frame when the unpreferable external force is generated. When the pretensioner is actuated, the bottom cushion moves rearward, and a moving distance S of a tip anchor and a tongue anchor is set larger than a moving distance T of the bottom cushion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.

Abstract: A three-point seat belt assembly for an occupant sitting in a seat of a motor vehicle is provided. The three-point seat belt assembly can include a seat belt web that has a shoulder harness portion and a knee portion. The shoulder harness portion extends across the occupant's torso and the knee portion extends across the occupant's knees. In addition, a guide member can be included that prevents the knee portion of the seat belt web from sliding up above the occupant's knees and sliding down towards the occupant's shins. A pretensioner can further be included and be attached to the seat belt web. The pretensioner can have a release force of between 5 and 6 kilonewtons which is an improvement over current limits of between 2 and 3 kilonewtons.

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 belt tensioner for a safety belt system has a drive unit and a power transmission element, which engages on a drive element when the drive unit is activated. The power transmission element is a non-rigid medium.

Abstract: A pre-tensioning device for a seat belt with a piston which is guided in a bent tube, and which in case of triggering is influenced by gas generated by a gas generator located in one section of the tube, to which a cable led into the tube by a cable opening is attached. The gas generator section (12) of tube (10) which accommodates gas generator (16) is offset from the piston path section (11) of tube (10) which accommodates piston (17) by creation of a narrowed cross-section inside the tube with a defined gas flow path (29, 41).

Abstract: A seatbelt mechanism (S) comprises a chip anchor (12) disposed to one of right and left sides of a seat bottom (3) of the vehicle seat (1) and coupled to a tip end of the seatbelt (10), and a tongue anchor (14) disposed to the other of the right and left sides of the seat bottom (3) and engaged with a tongue plate (13) disposed to an intermediate portion of the seatbelt (10). A pretensioner mechanism (21) moves both the chip anchor (12) and the tongue anchor (14) substantially at the same time to actively tenses the seatbelt (10) when the vehicle collision occurs. A moving distance of the chip anchor (12) is substantially equal to a moving distance of the tongue anchor (14).

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner may include a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder, a gas generator installed to rear end portion of the cylinder and configured to supply a propellant gas to the piston for moving the piston in a forward direction, a first direction conversion unit disposed between the gas generator and the piston and connected to the cylinder, and a coupling member for coupling a seat belt and the piston, wherein a portion of the coupling member is engaged with the first direction conversion unit so as to change a movement direction of the coupling member while the piston moves in the forward direction, and a reward movement restriction member configured to restrict a rearward movement of the piston while the piston moves in the forward direction by the propellant gas of the gas generator.

Abstract: In a method for operating a preventive-action protection system in a vehicle having safety devices for diminishing the consequences of accidents, driving state data is acquired by a driving state sensor system and is monitored with respect to the longitudinal deceleration of the vehicle and a braking torque request by the driver. A state of emergency braking is determined by a braking request evaluation means, and at least one of the safety devices is triggered only if a longitudinal deceleration below a longitudinal deceleration threshold is simultaneously present.

Abstract: In the present pretensioner, press contact portions are formed further to a side of an open end of a packing housing section than central portions of opposing faces along a depth direction of the packing housing section. Accordingly, when a packing is being fitted into the packing housing section, no great resistance is imparted to a curved face side of the packing from a press contact wall of a housing section body and the opposing face, and the packing is fitted comparatively smoothly therein. Consequently, even when fitting the packing into the packing housing section, a packing main body is largely resilient-deformed, such that a large collapse in a through hole can be prevented, and the sealing ability of the seal due to deformation of the packing main body can be effectively enhanced.

Abstract: A pretensioner for restraining an occupant with a seat belt by withdrawing a seat belt buckle upon occurrence of an impact on a vehicle. The pretensioner includes a wire. One end portion of the wire is connected to the seat belt buckle and the other end portion of the wire is connected to a piston. The pretensioner further includes a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a gas generator supplying gas into the cylinder. The pretentioner further includes a guiding member, having a bent passage portion, that bends the wire toward the direction of the cylinder. On an inner wall surface of the bent passage portion of the guiding member, convex portions are formed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the wire. The convex portions prevent the wire from being pushed in along the direction of the cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicular seat belt device including: a belt reel on which a webbing that restrains an occupant is wound; an actuator that generates instantaneous rotational drive force by gas that is generated during an emergency; a flywheel that rotates by the rotational drive force of the actuator; a speed increasing mechanism that is housed inside the flywheel and that increases the rotational speed of the actuator and transmits it to the flywheel; and a connecting and disconnecting unit that connects a low-speed rotation side of the speed increasing mechanism and the belt reel during rotation of the flywheel, wherein the belt reel rotates to the webbing winding-up direction by the rotational drive force of the actuator.

Abstract: A pretensioner for restraining an occupant with a seat belt by pulling the seat belt when an impact on a vehicle is generated. The pretensioner comprises a retaining ring having a ring to be in contact with an end of a seal member facing a protective member and a plurality of projections to be in press contact with the inner wall of a housing that project radially outwardly from the periphery of the ring, wherein the retaining ring is press fitted into the housing so that the seal member is fixed to the inner wall of the housing by the retaining ring.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a coupling member (12) to the vehicle seat belt, a drive unit (18), a flexible tension transmitting means (14) and a deflector (26). The flexible tension transmitting means (14) is connected at least indirectly to the coupling member (12) and is moved via the drive unit (18) in the event of tensioning. The deflector (26) deflects the tension transmitting means (14) in the direction of the coupling member (12). The tension transmitting means (14) is moved along the deflector (26) in the event of tensioning. According to the invention, the drive unit (18) is coupled in terms of drive to the deflector (26) such that the drive unit (18) moves the deflector (26) upon activation and thus displaces the coupling member (12) in the tensioning direction (R).

Abstract: A restraining system for a motor vehicle with a seat belt retractor that accommodates the one end of a seatbelt component, which has a tightening device having a belt shaft and a drive cable connected to the belt shaft, in which a sleeve (26) that enlarges the outer circumference of the shaft element (25) is slid onto one end of the shaft element (25) and is axially and radially fixed to the shaft element (25), while the wall thickness of the sleeve (26) is dimensioned in such a way that the drive radius of the shaft element (25) and a reduction in speed of the tightening drive is provided as compared with a cable wrapped onto the belt shaft.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioner includes a guide, which has a pair of opposing plates connected by a connector, a wire, a first end of which extends upward to be connected to a seat belt, a central portion of which is curved to extend around the connector, and a retracting mechanism, which is connected to the second end of the wire and is operated by an external signal in an emergency. Here, the connector is integrally formed with at least one of the plates. Thus, the seat belt tensioner enables structural simplification, easy assembly, and a reduction in the number of parts.

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 method of establishing belt pullout in an occupant restraint system for vehicles with a safety belt includes the steps: detecting the vehicle acceleration, and establishing the belt pullout in dependence on the detected vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle child seat is provided for directly or indirectly fastening to a vehicle seat and/or a vehicle structure. The vehicle child seat includes a backrest, a seat surface, an integrated belt system for fastening a child in the vehicle child seat and a belt tensioning device (31). The belt tensioning device (31) includes a trigger sensor, an energy storage device and a tensioning mechanism which, when exceeding a defined force acting on the vehicle child seat, in particular a crash force, abruptly tensions the belt system. All components of the belt tensioning device (31) required for the belt tensioning function being fastened to or in the vehicle child seat and being able to be removed therewith from the vehicle. A belt force limiting function is incorporated in the belt tensioning device (31).

Abstract: A restraint assembly of a type including a seat belt assembly and a side impact air bag assembly. The seat belt assembly and side impact assembly are preferably mounted to a motor vehicle seat. The seat belt assembly includes one or two retractors, preferably each having roto pretensioners. A single gas source is used to actuate retractor pretensioning functions, as well as providing a gas source for initiating the production of inflation gas for the side impact air bag assembly. Preferably, these elements are all mounted to a motor vehicle seat.

Abstract: A restraint system (14) for a seat belt (22) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The restraint system (14) comprises one or more pneumatic ports (42, 44) for actuating the restraint system (14) from a first position to a second position. The restraint system (14) also comprises one or more pyrotechnic ports (52, 54) for actuating the restraint system (14) from either the first position or the second position to a third position.

Abstract: A device for tightening a seat belt has a piston (2) drivable linearly in a piston guide (1) by the gas pressure of a propellant gas. A gearing (3) is also caused to move by the piston (2), the gearing serving the transmission of the piston movement to a pinion (4). The pinion (4) is connected to, or configured to be connected to, a belt spool of a seat belt retractor (13) in a manner whereby rotation of the pinion causes rotation of the belt spool. The gearing (3) on associated with the piston (2) is mounted displaceable transversely to the piston's direction of movement and meshes with the pinion (4) as a result of gas pressure in an expandable bladder (24).

Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to an explosion or hard landing, respectively. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Downward movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.

Abstract: A pretensioner (1) for a seat belt system (7) of an automobile comprises a gas generator (2), a gas pipe (3), a piston (5) and a coupling mechanism (6). The gas generator (2) is adapted to generate a high-pressure gas when a shock occurs in the automobile due to a collision, a sudden stop, etc. The gas pipe (3) is formed to receive therein the gas generator (2). The gas pipe (3) is adapted to guide the high-pressure gas released from the gas generator (2) to the piston (5). The piston (5) is adapted to be moved or displaced by a pressure of the high-pressure gas guided by the gas pipe (3). The coupling mechanism (6) is connected to each of the piston (5) and a buckle (8) of the seat belt system (7). The coupling mechanism (6) is adapted to wind up or pull a seat belt (9) in accordance with the movement of the piston (5) to increase a restraining force of the seat belt (9).

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: [Object] A pretensioner and a seat belt apparatus are provided that can diffuse the heat of high-temperature gas and prevent the heat from concentrating locally on a wire. [Solving Means] A pretensioner 10 has a housing 12 that allows a wire 11 to run therethrough and a cylinder 14. One end of the wire 11 is connected to a seat belt buckle 9, and the other end of the wire 11 is held by a piston 15. An apertured member 26, that covers at least the gas generator 23 side of a peripheral surface of the wire 11, is provided in the housing 12. A plurality of through-holes 29 are provided in a protecting portion 27 of the apertured member 26.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt tensioner comprises a traction element that transmits a tensioning force to a seat belt strap. The traction element may be formed for example of a flexible rope or a wire, or a thrust element which can transmit traction and thrust forces. A force limiting unit, which limits the retaining force exerted by the seat belt strap on a passenger has a functional element coupled to the traction or thrust element, which is displaceable by means of a displaceable piston element in the effective direction of the tensioning force. The vehicle belt tensioner according to the invention includes means for the parallel application of tensioning force to both the piston element and the traction or thrust element, concurrently.

Abstract: Seat belt retractors for spooling seat belts (webbings) include multiple independent torque transmission or absorbing systems. The seatbelt retractor comprises a webbing, a spool, a pinion, a pretensioner, at least one coupler pawl, and a locking mechanism including a lock base and a lock pawl. The at least one coupler pawl is positioned in a cavity in the spool. During a predetermined low acceleration event, the at least one coupler pawl pivots so that a portion of the at least one coupler pawl leaves the cavity and engages the lock base to load the lock base which is then prevented from rotating in a spool extracting direction by the locking pawl. When the pretensioner activates during a predetermined higher acceleration event, the pretensioner rotates the pinion in the webbing retraction direction to rotate the spool in the webbing retraction direction.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for restraining passengers in a retaining passengers in a vehicle upon impact with an obstacle, a possible accident is initially sensed. Thereafter, at the latest, whenever the vehicle first contacts the obstacle, or whenever vehicle deceleration exceeds a threshold, a force acting in the direction of impact is exerted upon the passenger via a seat belt system. The force is introduced by bilateral tensioning of a lap belt of a seat belt system, from both sides at a force of at least 2000-4500 N. The latter is maintained for a retaining phase of at least 20 ms along a displacement path of the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle system includes a seat belt with a latch plate, and a seat belt buckle assembly. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle head for receiving the latch plate, a scabbard covering a portion of the buckle head, and a buckle stalk connecting the buckle head to a vehicle body portion. The scabbard includes at least one tear seam located at an intersection of the first wall and the third wall. The scabbard is configured such that a separation force of the tear seam is less than a buckling load of the scabbard, such that when the buckle is impacted and undergoes a shock load during buckle pretensioning, the tear seam will separate and allow the buckle head to slide down the ramped surface preventing a shock load from a hard contact point that would cause the latch plate to delatch from the buckle head.

Abstract: A seat belt is secured to an anchor at one side of a seated person and extends across the seated person's body to a second anchor at an opposite side of the seated person to which the belt is also secured. A belt retention device is operable, when actuated in response to a sudden, rapid deceleration of the vehicle, to grip the belt between the anchors at a point of engagement adjacent to the one side of the seated person to cooperate with the second anchor in taking up any slack in a section of the belt between the point of engagement and the second anchor and also maintaining such section of the belt tightly engaged across the person's body.

Abstract: A pre-tensioner capable of effectively absorbing kinetic energy exerted on a coupling member connected to a piston during operation. As a gas generator is actuated to generate gas in the event of emergency, the gas is introduced into a pressure chamber. By gas pressure of the gas, a piston moves at high speed toward a taper portion of a cylinder to reach the taper portion. According to the movement of the piston, a buckle is pulled toward a bracket so that the buckle is about to reach the bottom. After that, the piston further moves to the left while deforming the taper portion. The deformation of the taper portion absorbs kinetic energy of the piston. Therefore, kinetic energy of the buckle is absorbed so as to stop the buckle softly and the impact is buffered.