Electrically operated seatbelt retractor

Claim 1

In a vehicle having a seat, a source of electrical power, a seatbelt system, comprising: (a) a support; (b) a retractor member movable on the support in either a belt-extending direction, or a belt-retracting direction; (c) bias means for urging the retractor member in the belt-retracting direction; (d) a safety seatbelt connected to the retractor member so as to be retracted as the retractor member is moved in its belt-retracting direction, and to be extended as the retractor member is moved in its belt-extending direction; (e) a stop member mounted on the support for motion between a stop position in which it is operable to prevent belt extension, and a release position in which it is inoperable to prevent belt extension; (f) a bias member operable to urge the stop member toward its stop position; (g) an actuator connected to the stop member, and operable upon being electrically energized to move the stop member toward its release position, the actuator being inoperable when deenergized to prevent movement of the stop member; (h) circuitry means, independent of the ignition circuit of the vehicle, connected to the source of electrical power and to the actuator for energizing the actuator to allow belt extension, and for automatically deenergizing the actuator in response to a predetermined change in vehicle motion to prevent belt extension, (i) a seat switch in said seat located at a seating position and connected to said circuitry means by an electrical circuit independent of said ignition circuit, said circuitry means responsive to said seat switch, said seat switch responding to occupancy of the seating position, whereby said actuator is energized; and (j) time delay means associated with said circuit means for delaying energization of said actuator for a predetermined time interval after it has been deenergized.