Patent ID: 7424986
Filing Date: 2008-09-16
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A pretensioner mechanism for use with a seatbelt retractor comprising: a rotatable member configured for rotating in a first direction to wind a seatbelt webbing thereon; a movable member movable with respect to the rotatable member; first and second complementary motion transmission elements, the first motion transmission element being secured along a portion of the movable member, the second motion transmission element being secured along a portion of the rotatable member, the second motion transmission element being configured for sliding engagement with the first motion transmission element; a base member movable translationally with respect to the rotatable member; complementary third and fourth motion transmission elements, the third motion transmission element being secured along a portion of the base member, the fourth motion transmission element being secured along a portion of the movable member, the fourth motion transmission element being configured for sliding engagement with the third motion transmission element; at least one of the motion transmission elements having a helical configuration for producing relative rotation between the at least one motion transmission element and a complementary motion transmission element thereof upon sliding engagement therebetween; and an engageable coupling mechanism for coupling the base member to a portion of the pretensioner mechanism that is substantially fixed with respect to the rotatable member, to substantially rotationally constrain the base member so as to substantially prevent rotation of the base member in a second direction opposite the first direction during sliding engagement between the third and fourth motion transmission elements.