Patent ID: 6050516
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A weblocking retractor comprising:a spool (16) about which seat belt webbing (17) is wound;the spool (16) being mounted so as to rotatable about an axis which is slidably mounted in a frame (21);at least one sensing mechanism (204) responsive to conditions indicative of a crash to cause the spool (16) to lock to prevent further protraction of the seat belt webbing (17);a web-clamping mechanism (46) operable in response to a sliding movement of the spool (16) relative to the frame (12), to clamp the seat belt webbing (17) against further protraction of the belt;characterised in that sliding movement of the spool (16) takes place subsequent to locking of the spool (16) and directly activates the clamping mechanism (46) to clamp the webbing (17), andwherein the spool (16) is supported for rotational movement on a spindle comprising one arm (150) of a U-shaped needle (18) which is mounted in slots in the frame to move with the spool in a sliding linear movement.