Patent ID: 6238003
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A multi-point seat belt system (20') for use within a vehicle for protecting an occupant seated upon a vehicle seat, the system comprising: a lap belt (44) securable about the occupant with a determinable amount of slack, a seat belt buckle (48) operatively attachable to the lap belt (44) at an inboard location within the vehicle and pretensioning means secured to an end (44b ) of the lap belt for eliminating slack in the lap belt;wherein the pretensioning means includesa tube,a piston movable within the tube, the piston and tube cooperating to provide a one-way clutch means for permitting movement of the piston in a belt tightening direction and restricting movement in an opposite direction,a pyrotechnic element, which when activated produces products of combustion to propel the piston down the tube,a cable connected to the piston and to the lap belt for pulling the lap belt tight,a bracket (110) including an end wall (112d) and side walls (112b,c) defining an opening (114) through which the cable extends, another wall (112a) of the bracket (110) adjacent the pyrotechnic element including an integrally shaped pulley element (116) about which the cable extends.