Title: Linear locking seat belt retractor

Abstract: Mechanism for retracting a vehicle seat belt and locking the belt against extension includes a track mounted on the vehicle body and a belt carriage mounted on the track for movement in the belt extending and retracting directions. A locking pawl is mounted on the belt carriage and is selectively actuatable to a locked position engaging teeth on the track to lock the belt carriage against belt extending movement. A spring biased reel mounted on the vehicle body winds a cable having its end attached to the locking pawl so that winding of the cable urges the carriage in the belt retracting direction. A reel locking means selectively locks the reel against rotation in the cable unwinding direction so that the cable is tensioned upon attempted extension of the belt to actuate the pawl to the locked position. The reel locking means may be responsive to the rate of belt unwinding or a condition of vehicle deceleration.

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Inventors: Irwin, Clarence C. (Sterling Heights, MI, US)
Manz, David F. (Bloomfield Hills, MI, US)
Auman, John T. (Washington, MI, US)

Application Number: 914621
Filing Date: 1978-06-12
Publication_date: 1980-07-22
Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Detroit, MI)
Primary Class(es): 297/478 280/804, 280/806, 297/479
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3058687	Oct, 1962	Bentley	242/107.
3292744	Dec, 1966	Replogle	297/479.
3439932	Apr, 1969	Lewis et al.	280/806.
3526431	Sep, 1970	Boedigheimer et al.	297/479.
3535001	Oct, 1970	Lewis et al.	297/470.
3557914	Jan, 1971	Tanaka	297/479.
3610361	Oct, 1971	Pringle	280/806.
3645549	Feb, 1972	Jantzen	280/807.
3667805	Jun, 1972	Apri	297/480.
3667806	Jun, 1972	Sprecher	297/479.
3770078	Nov, 1973	Keppel et al.	280/803.
3869173	Mar, 1975	Haller et al.	297/479.
4057200	Nov, 1977	Ubukata et al.	242/107.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Love, John J.
Assistant Examiner: Smith, Milton L.
Attorney: Leahy; Charles E.