Patent ID: 6460794
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B60R,F15B

Abstract:
A pretensioner cooperating with a webbing reel shaft of a seatbelt retractor webbing reel, that upon activation pretensions seatbelt webbing associated therewith, the pretensioner comprising:a housing having a first circular cylindrical passage volumetrically intersecting a second rectangular cylindrical passage, said passages formed perpendicular to each other, wherein said webbing reel shaft extends through said first passage and said second passage has a first end and a second end, the second passage extending across and past the diameter of the first passage; a cylindrical hub fixed to said webbing reel shaft and contained within the first passage wherein said webbing reel shaft axially extends through said hub; a plurality of protrusions integral to and circumferentially spaced about said hub; a perforated strap comprising a first end fixed to said housing, a flat portion extending from said first end and across said second passage, a second flat portion arranged about a portion of said hub, and a second end freely extending from said second flat portion such that the hub rotates independently of said strap prior to pretensioner activation; an actuator positioned within the first end of said second passage for tensioning said strap upon pretensioner activation; a gas generant composition, ignitable to activate the pretensioner and release sufficient force to drive the actuator through said second passage; and an initiator within said housing and ignitably communicating with said gas generant composition for igniting said gas generant composition, whereby upon ignition of said gas generant, tensioning of the strap and mating of the perforated strap and the plurality of protrusions is thereby effected, resulting in an essentially simultaneous rotary advancement of the hub, the webbing reel shaft, and the webbing reel, thereby winding the reel and tensioning the seatbelt webbing thereon.