Pretensioning safety belt apparatus

Claim 1

An apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; a part connected with said webbing guide and movable with said webbing guide, said part having a surface at least partially defining an expansible chamber for receiving fluid; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for directing fluid under pressure into the expansible chamber to move said webbing guide upward to tension webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide; and energy absorbing means for absorbing energy of downward movement of said webbing guide subsequent to upward movement of said webbing guide, comprising fluid outlet means for enabling controlled flow of fluid out of the expansible chamber during downward movement of said webbing guide.

Claim 2

An apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; a part connected with said webbing guide and movable with said webbing guide, said part having a surface at least partially defining an expansible chamber for receiving fluid; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for directing fluid under pressure into the expansible chamber to move said webbing guide upward to tension webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide; and energy absorbing means for absorbing energy of downward movement of said webbing guide subsequent to upward movement of said webbing guide, comprising fluid outlet means for enabling controlled flow of fluid out of the expansible chamber during downward movement of said webbing guide.

Claim 10

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; support means for supporting said webbing guide for manual adjustment of the height of said webbing guide on the vehicle; manually engageable means for moving said webbing guide relative to said support means in response to manual force applied to said manually engageable member to adjust manually the height of said webbing guide on the vehicle; means for locking said webbing guide in any one of a number of manually adjusted positions along said support member; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide.

Claim 11

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; support means for supporting said webbing guide for manual adjustment of the height of said webbing guide on the vehicle; manually engageable means for moving said webbing guide relative to said support means in response to manual force applied to said manually engageable member to adjust manually the height of said webbing guide on the vehicle; means for locking said webbing guide in any one of a number of manually adjusted positions along said support member; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide.

Claim 14

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle occupant, the seal belt webbing being extensible around the body of the vehicle occupant to restraining forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a member for connection in a force-transmitting relationship with the seat belt webbing and for locating the seat belt webbing relative to the body of the vehicle occupant when the seat belt webbing is extended around the body of the vehicle occupant; a part connected with said member and movable with said member, said part having a surface at least partially defining an expansible chamber for receiving fluid; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for directing fluid under pressure into the expansible chamber to move said member in a first direction to tension seat belt webbing connected in a force-transmitting relationship with said member; and energy absorbing means for absorbing energy of movement of said webbing guide in a second direction opposite to the first direction subsequent to movement of said member in the first direction, comprising fluid outlet means for enabling controlled flow of fluid out of the expansible chamber during movement of said in the second direction.

Claim 15

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle occupant, the seal belt webbing being extensible around the body of the vehicle occupant to restraining forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a member for connection in a force-transmitting relationship with the seat belt webbing and for locating the seat belt webbing relative to the body of the vehicle occupant when the seat belt webbing is extended around the body of the vehicle occupant; a part connected with said member and movable with said member, said part having a surface at least partially defining an expansible chamber for receiving fluid; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for directing fluid under pressure into the expansible chamber to move said member in a first direction to tension seat belt webbing connected in a force-transmitting relationship with said member; and energy absorbing means for absorbing energy of movement of said webbing guide in a second direction opposite to the first direction subsequent to movement of said member in the first direction, comprising fluid outlet means for enabling controlled flow of fluid out of the expansible chamber during movement of said in the second direction.

Claim 16

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide; said means for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle including means for producing fluid under pressure to move said webbing guide upward from a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions to tension belt webbing extending through said webbing guide; and means for absorbing energy of downward movement of said webbing guide toward a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions subsequent to upward movement of said webbing guide from said selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions to tension belt webbing extending through said webbing guide, said means for absorbing energy comprising a fluid outlet for enabling flow of fluid out of the expansible chamber during downward movement of said webbing guide.

Claim 17

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide; said means for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle including means for producing fluid under pressure to move said webbing guide upward from a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions to tension belt webbing extending through said webbing guide; and means for absorbing energy of downward movement of said webbing guide toward a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions subsequent to upward movement of said webbing guide from said selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions to tension belt webbing extending through said webbing guide, said means for absorbing energy comprising a fluid outlet for enabling flow of fluid out of the expansible chamber during downward movement of said webbing guide.

Claim 19

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body f a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide; wherein said means for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle includes means for producing fluid under pressure to move said webbing guide upward from a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions to tension belt webbing extending through said webbing guide, and a part connected with said webbing guide and movable with said webbing guide during height adjustment of said webbing guide, said part having a surface at least partially defining an expansible chamber for receiving the fluid under pressure, said means responsive to vehicle deceleration directing fluid under pressure into the expansible chamber to move said part and said webbing guide upward.

Claim 20

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body f a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide; wherein said means for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle includes means for producing fluid under pressure to move said webbing guide upward from a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions to tension belt webbing extending through said webbing guide, and a part connected with said webbing guide and movable with said webbing guide during height adjustment of said webbing guide, said part having a surface at least partially defining an expansible chamber for receiving the fluid under pressure, said means responsive to vehicle deceleration directing fluid under pressure into the expansible chamber to move said part and said webbing guide upward.

Claim 22

An apparatus for guiding a length of seal belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seal belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, including means for blocking downward movement of said webbing guide on the vehicle from a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions prior to moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle.

Claim 23

An apparatus for guiding a length of seal belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seal belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, including means for blocking downward movement of said webbing guide on the vehicle from a selected one of said plurality of predetermined positions prior to moving said webbing guide upward on the vehicle.

Claim 24

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; guide means on the vehicle body for guiding movement of said webbing guide relative to the vehicle body, said webbing guide being movable upward along said means for guiding; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, said means for moving said webbing guide upward being connected with said webbing guide for movement with said webbing guide; and first and second carriers selectively movable together on the vehicle, said webbing guide being connected for movement with said first carrier, said apparatus including blocking means connected for movement with said second carrier for blocking downward movement of said first and second carriers.

Claim 25

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; guide means on the vehicle body for guiding movement of said webbing guide relative to the vehicle body, said webbing guide being movable upward along said means for guiding; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, said means for moving said webbing guide upward being connected with said webbing guide for movement with said webbing guide; and first and second carriers selectively movable together on the vehicle, said webbing guide being connected for movement with said first carrier, said apparatus including blocking means connected for movement with said second carrier for blocking downward movement of said first and second carriers.

Claim 27

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; guide means on the vehicle body for guiding movement of said webbing guide relative to the vehicle body, said webbing guide being movable upward along said means for guiding; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, said means for moving said webbing guide upward being connected with said webbing guide for movement with said webbing guide; wherein said means for moving said webbing guide includes: a first carrier member, said webbing guide and said means for moving said webbing guide upward being connected for movement with said first carrier member; a second carrier member having blocking means connected for movement with said second carrier member for blocking downward movement of said first and second carrier members; and connector parts connecting said first carrier member for movement with said second carrier member; said first and second carrier members having respective surfaces defining between them an expansible chamber for receiving fluid under pressure to move said webbing guide upward on the vehicle.

Claim 28

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; guide means on the vehicle body for guiding movement of said webbing guide relative to the vehicle body, said webbing guide being movable upward along said means for guiding; and means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, said means for moving said webbing guide upward being connected with said webbing guide for movement with said webbing guide; wherein said means for moving said webbing guide includes: a first carrier member, said webbing guide and said means for moving said webbing guide upward being connected for movement with said first carrier member; a second carrier member having blocking means connected for movement with said second carrier member for blocking downward movement of said first and second carrier members; and connector parts connecting said first carrier member for movement with said second carrier member; said first and second carrier members having respective surfaces defining between them an expansible chamber for receiving fluid under pressure to move said webbing guide upward on the vehicle.

Claim 31

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; guide means on the vehicle body for guiding movement of said webbing guide relative to the vehicle body, said webbing guide being movable upward along said means for guiding; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, said means for moving said webbing guide upward comprising a source of motive power connected with said webbing guide for movement with said webbing guide and means for actuating said source of motive power in responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate to produce motive power to move said webbing guide upward with said source of motive power; and height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide and said means for moving said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle.

Claim 32

An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle, the seat belt webbing being extensible around the body of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward movement of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a webbing guide for guiding the seat belt webbing around the body of the vehicle occupant, said webbing guide having surfaces defining a webbing opening through which the webbing can extend; guide means on the vehicle body for guiding movement of said webbing guide relative to the vehicle body, said webbing guide being movable upward along said means for guiding; means responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate for moving said webbing guide upward to tension seat belt webbing extending through the webbing opening in said webbing guide, said means for moving said webbing guide upward comprising a source of motive power connected with said webbing guide for movement with said webbing guide and means for actuating said source of motive power in responsive to vehicle deceleration at a rate above a predetermined rate to produce motive power to move said webbing guide upward with said source of motive power; and height adjustment means operable by the vehicle occupant for selectively positioning said webbing guide and said means for moving said webbing guide at one of a plurality of predetermined positions on the vehicle.