Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

U.S. Farathane Corporation

Paul M Van Rooyen

Fred W Huntzicker

Tricia E Morrow

Sean T Coughlin

Julie A Kleinert

Gary J Griffin

Antonio Antonucci

Michael P Moskalik

A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.

System and method for disengaging a locking retractor to permit extraction of a seatbelt from the retractor, and for generating a message indicating that a locking mechanism in the retractor is engaged

An improved latch plate for a seat belt attached to a vehicle C-pillar. The latch plate is produced from a plated metal stamping that has a portion over molded with a hard polypropylene coating. This portion has a slot for pass through of the seat belt webbing that allows free travel of the latch plate in order for the seat occupant to fasten and wear the belt. A surround of soft Santoprene&#xae; 221-55 is over molded over the polypropylene coating for sound reduction.

Seat belt latch plate and method of making same

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Orion, MI, United States of America

Paul M Van Rooyen