Patent ID: 6969022
Filing Date: 2005-11-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A seat belt retractor comprising: a rotatable spool having a spool body; a primary force limiting mechanism comprising a torsion bar attached at one end to a locking wheel and at the other end to the spool; and a secondary force limiting mechanism releasably coupled in a force path between the spool and the locking wheel and a means for de-coupling the secondary force limiting mechanism after a predetermined amount of twisting of the torsion bar due to a load applied by a vehicle occupant secured by a seat belt webbing that is at least partially wound upon the spool, and wherein a locking means comprises a locking element that is resiliently biased to a position wherein it locks the spool to the locking wheel and is held out of locking engagement by the secondary force limiting mechanism, the locking wheel has a recess therein along which the locking element slides and an abutment at an end of the recess against which the locking element rests.