Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.

Key Safety Systems, Inc.

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Susan A Richards

Kenneth Herbert Kohlndorfer

Richard A Boelstler

David R Arnold

Wendell C Lane, Jr

Markell Seitzman

Carl M Petersen, Iii

Simon Xunnan He

H John Miller, Iii

Gerald Keller

Lawrence M Refior

Harjeet Gill

Rudi Grzic

Edward W Clancy, Iii

Tony Jain

Robert E Resh

William L Palmer

Christopher S Koprowicz

Robert Verhoven

Thomas Garvey

Laurence H Keeler

Rosemary Longley

Tammy Korona

Caryn Foley

Craig Good

Brian Nadeau

A torsion bar having progressive load limiting characteristics for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The torsion bar includes a longitudinal main body portion having a first end for mounting to a belt retractor spindle and a second end for being engaged and disengaged with a seatbelt locking mechanism. The main body portion includes a longitudinal slot extending transversely therethrough that defines an opening therein. The torsion bar will twist in response to a first torsional load, which will cause the opening to become closed. When the opening becomes closed, the torsion bar with withstand twisting up to a second torsional load, where the torsion bar will twist again in response to the second torsional load.

Progressive load limiting restraint system

A seat belt retractor () having a rotationally mounted spool () with a seat belt windable thereon and a pretensioner () for winding the spool in a belt winding direction to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; the pretensioner comprising a rack and pinion mechanism () activated by a pyrotechnic element () for causing a clutch assembly () to change state from a disengaged mode to an engaged mode in which the clutch assembly drivingly engages the spool.

Retractor with rotary rack pretensioner

A seat belt retractor ( ) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion ( ). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

Seat belt retractor with integrally formed frame

A seat belt retractor ( ) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion ( ). In the preferred embodiment, the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

A seat belt buckle (,) operable with a pretensioner (,) comprising: a frame (,) having a first latch opening (,) therein, and opposing frame sides (,), each side including a latch plate slot (,) arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of a tongue into the buckle and pivoted weight mechanism (,). The buckle additionally includes a latch plate (,), having portions (,) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first latch opening (,), the latch plate moveable between a latched position within the latch opening (,) in the frame and within the latch opening (,) of the tongue to an unlatched position out of the latch openings. The weight (,) as it pivots generates a force upon the latch plate during operation of the pretensioner tending to keep the latch plate in the first opening and a button (,) operatively received upon the frame having ramp means (,) for lifting the latch plate to its unlatched position.

Buckle for use with a pretensioner

An energy absorbing retractor having a frame, locking mechanisms to initially stop a spool from rotating in a belt protraction direction, the spool rotationally supported relative to the frame, a seat belt wound about the spool, and biasing device to retract the seat belt, a two-sided torsion bar for generating at least a first level of reaction torque on the spool permitting the spool to rotate in a controlled manner in a belt protracting direction including a torsion bar having a middle portion fixedly coupled to the spool to prevent relative rotation therebetween, a first torsion rod extending therefrom, the first torsion rod including a first end coupled to a first locking mechanism to prevent the first end from rotating upon such coupling, whereby upon locking of the first end, and the loading of the spool, the first torsion rod is twisted to generate a first level of control force. A second torsion rod including a second end coupled to a second locking mechanism to prevent the second end from rotating upon such coupling, whereby upon locking of the second end, and the loading of the spool, the first and second torsion rods are twisted simultaneously to generate a second level of control force.

Multi-level load limiting torsion bar retractor

An apparatus (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant comprises an air bag assembly having a center of gravity (70) and including a container (20), an air bag (42), and an inflator (50). The air bag assembly is pivotally mounted to an instrument panel (16) of the vehicle with a pivot axis (90) offset from the center of gravity (70). The air bag assembly has a stored position and an operative position and is pivotable from the stored position to the operative position. Thrust produced upon inflation of the air bag pivots the air bag assembly. The apparatus further includes a knee blocking member (36) secured to a side (24) of the container (20) of the air bag assembly. When the assembly moves from the stored position to the operative position, the knee blocking member (36) moves to an occupant restraining position. An actuator (110, 116) is operatively mounted to the air bag assembly and the instrument panel (16) for, when actuated, applying a moment to the air bag assembly to pivot the air bag assembly from the stored position to the operative position.

Method and apparatus for restraining a vehicle occupant

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Susan A Richards