Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

David T Brender

Gregory S Ches

Gary R Kurtti

John James Senopole

In a seat belt retractor winding prevention mechanism, the winding prevention pawl is mounted upon a collapsible support mechanism which is collapsed by an inertia sensor at the onset of a sensed vehicle deceleration condition. The collapsible support mechanism carries a cam which engages the pawl upon collapse and moves the pawl axially out of engagement with the ratchet teeth carried by the reel to thereby release the winding prevention mechanism so that the windup spring will rewind the belt to a taut condition about the occupant. The inertia sensor raises a pilot pawl into engagement with gear teeth carried by the reel so that reel rotation energizes a further movement of the pilot pawl and the pilot pawl movement both collapses the collapsible support mechanism of the winding prevention pawl and also moves a lock bar into engagement with the reel to lock the reel against belt unwinding rotation.

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Mt. Clemens, MI, United States of America

David T Brender