Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Charles M Hotary

Barney J Bauer

An apparatus (20, 220, 420) for tensioning a vehicle seat belt and tightening the seat belt against a vehicle occupant comprising a buckle (22) which is connectable with a tongue of a seat belt. An anchor (80, 280, 444) is connectable with a part of a vehicle. A tubular housing (42, 242, 442) is fixed to one of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444), has a rectangular inner periphery taken in a plane extending normal to a longitudinal axis (B) of the housing, and includes a first wall (64, 264, 446). A second wall (84, 284, 484) is fixed to the other of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444), has a rectangular outer periphery taken in the plane, and is received in the housing (42, 242, 442) opposite the first wall (64, 264, 446) to at least partially define a chamber (102, 302, 502) which is expansible. A connector (82, 282, 482) is fixed to the second wall (84, 284, 484) and to the other of the buckle (22) and the anchor (80, 280, 444). The connector (82, 282, 482) extends through the first wall (64, 264, 446). Actuatable means (66, 266, 488) is in fluid communication with the chamber (102, 302, 502) and applies a force, upon actuation, against the first wall (64, 264, 446) and the second wall (84, 284, 484) to expand the chamber (102, 302, 502) to tension the seat belt and tighten the seat belt against the occupant.

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Romeo, MI, United States of America

Charles M Hotary