Patent ID: 6340176
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure comprising a piston portion and a gas generation portion extending from said piston portion, said gas generation portion having an inside diameter larger than an inside diameter of said piston portion; a movable piston disposed in said gas generation portion of said housing and having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said gas generation portion, said piston extending longitudinally and having a first longitudinal end facing said gas generation portion and a second longitudinal end facing said piston portion; a gas generator operatively connected to said gas generation portion of said housing for expelling a gas to move said piston; and said piston including a passageway extending therethrough to allow the gas to bleed from said second longitudinal end back through said piston to said first longitudinal end as said piston moves in said piston portion of said housing to control a rate of stroke of said piston when the gas is generated to apply a force for pulling-down belt webbing of the seat restraint system.