Patent ID: 6135380
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:seat belt webbing for restraining movement of a vehicle occupant; anda pretensioner for pretensioning said belt webbing, said pretensioner including a frame, said frame including two side wall portions, a back wall portion and a base portion;said belt webbing having a portion extending through said pretensioner;said pretensioner including an air bag having a deflated condition and an inflated condition, said air bag when in the inflated condition acting on said portion of said belt webbing to draw webbing into said pretensioner to tension said seat belt webbing and causing said portion of said belt webbing to be blocked from being pulled out of said pretensioner; andsaid pretensioner including an inflation fluid source actuatable to supply inflation fluid to inflate said air bag into the inflated condition, andwherein said belt webbing engagement member comprises a lever assembly having a lever support pin extending between said side walls of said pretensioner frame and a lever supported on said lever support pin for pivotal movement relative to said pretensioner frame about an axis, said lever having a support sleeve journalled for rotation on said lever support pin, said lever having an engagement portion disposed adjacent to said uninflated air bag and movable with said sleeve, said belt webbing extending through an opening in said lever between said engagement portion and said sleeve.