Patent ID: 6682009
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
Apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat, comprising:a first length of belt webbing for extending over a vehicle occupant and a second length of belt webbing for extending over the vehicle occupant; a first spool supported for rotation in a belt retraction direction and an opposite belt withdrawal direction, a portion of said first length of belt webbing being wound on said first spool; a second spool supported for rotation in a belt retraction direction and an opposite belt withdrawal direction, a portion of said second length of belt webbing being wound on said second spool; and a mechanism for blocking rotation of said first and second spools in the belt withdrawal direction until a predetermined force is applied to said first and second spools and for permitting rotation of said first and second spools in the belt withdrawal direction when a force above said predetermined force is applied to said first and second spools; said mechanism drivingly interconnecting said first and second spools and permitting rotation of one of said first and second spools in the belt withdrawal direction after blocking rotation in the belt withdrawal direction without causing rotation of the other spool in the belt withdrawal direction.