Patent Publication Number: US-9902366-B2

Title: Sealed locking retractor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14,979,255, filed Dec. 22, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14,820,249, filed Aug. 6, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,266,497, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/001,369, filed Aug. 23, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,150,190 which is the U. S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/US2012/027444, filed Mar. 2, 2012, which claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/448,262, filed Mar. 2, 2011, the disclosures of which are all expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION: 
     The present invention relates generally to locking retractors, and more specifically to apparatuses and methods for hermetically sealing locking components of such retractors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Locking retractors are known, and operate to lock under various operating conditions to prevent movement of a web attached thereto. For example, an automatic locking retractor (ALR) may operate to automatically lock after slack in the web is taken up by the retractor following pay out of the web, e.g., after attachment of the web to another structure such as a tongue or buckle. An emergency locking retractor (ELR), on the other hand, may lock only under certain emergency conditions such as during rapid deceleration and/or vehicle impact. Conventional embodiments of such retractors are susceptible to the ingress of moisture and particulate matter into the locking components, which could compromise the locking operation of such locking components. It is therefore desirable to provide a retractor in which the locking components are sealed from moisture and particulate matter ingress. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention may comprise one or more of the features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof. A method is provided for hermetically sealing locking components of a retractor, wherein the locking components cooperate with a spool shaft extending from a rotatable spool of the retractor to selectively lock rotation of the spool. The method may comprise mounting a base of an open-ended housing to the retractor, wherein the housing may define a first opening through the base into an interior of the housing, and the spool shaft is accessible via the first opening when the base of the housing is mounted to the retractor, positioning a first sealing member about the first opening such that the first sealing member forms a hermetic seal between the spool shaft and the first opening, operatively arranging the locking components within the interior of the housing, and hermetically sealing a cover to the open end of the housing after the housing is mounted to the retractor, the first sealing member is positioned about the first opening and the locking components are operatively arranged within the interior of the housing. 
     The foregoing method may further include the subject matter of any one and/or any combination of the following 11 paragraphs. 
     Positioning the first sealing member about the first opening may comprise positioning the first sealing member such that the first sealing member engages the housing about the first opening and also engages the spool shaft circumferentially about the spool shaft when the housing is mounted to the retractor such that the first sealing member forms the hermetic seal between the first opening of the housing and the spool shaft. 
     The housing may define a channel extending into the base of the housing about the first opening, the channel sized to receive and retain therein the first sealing member, and positioning the first sealing member about the first opening may comprise inserting the first sealing member into the channel. 
     The retractor may comprise a frame defining a frame sidewall through which the spool shaft extends, and mounting the base of the open-ended housing to the retractor may comprise mounting the base of the open-ended housing to the frame sidewall with an exterior surface of the base opposite to the interior of the housing in contact with the frame sidewall. 
     The frame sidewall and the base of the open-ended housing may each define at least one mounting aperture therethrough and the cover defines at least one mounting aperture therein, and mounting the base of the open-ended housing to the retractor may comprise passing at least one fixation member through the at least one mounting aperture defined through the frame sidewall and through the at least one mounting aperture defined through the base of the open-ended housing and securing the at least one fixation element within the at least one mounting aperture defined in the cover to thereby secure the housing and the cover, with the locking components operatively arranged within the interior of the housing, to the frame sidewall of the retractor. 
     Mounting the base of the open-ended housing to the retractor may comprise affixing the exterior surface of the base of the housing to the frame sidewall. 
     Affixing the exterior surface of the base of the housing to the frame sidewall may comprise interposing a bonding medium between and in contact with the exterior surface of the base of the housing and the frame sidewall. 
     The retractor may include a locking bar movably mounted to the frame sidewall and engageable with the spool to lock rotation of the spool relative to the frame sidewall, and wherein the locking components control a position of the locking bar to selectively lock the spool relative to the frame sidewall. The housing may define a second opening, separate from the first opening, through the base, and one end of the locking bar may be accessible via the second opening when the base of the housing is mounted to the retractor. The method may further comprise positioning a second sealing member about the second opening, and mounting one of the locking components to the one end of the locking bar such that the second sealing member forms a hermetic seal between the one of the locking components and the second opening. Hermetically sealing a cover to the open end of the housing may comprise hermetically sealing the cover to the open end of the housing after the housing is mounted to the retractor, the first sealing member is positioned about the first opening, the second sealing member is positioned about the second opening, the one of the locking components is mounted to the one end of the locking bar through the second opening and remaining ones of the locking components are operatively arranged within the interior of the housing. 
     Positioning the second sealing member about the second opening may comprise positioning the second sealing member such that the second sealing member engages the housing about the second opening and also engages the one of the locking components when the one of the locking components is mounted to the one end of the locking bar through the second opening such that the second sealing member forms the hermetic seal between the second opening of the housing and the one of the locking components. 
     The housing may define a channel extending into the base of the housing about the second opening, the channel sized to receive and retain therein the second sealing member, and positioning the second sealing member about the second opening may comprise inserting the second sealing member into the channel. 
     The open-ended housing may comprise a housing sidewall extending from the base about an outer perimeter of the housing such that the interior of the housing is defined between the base of the housing and the housing sidewall, a free end of the housing sidewall defining one of a channel and a lip. The cover may comprise a cover sidewall extending about an outer perimeter thereof, a free end of the cover sidewall defining the other of a channel and a lip configured complementarily to the one of the channel and the lip defined by the housing sidewall. Hermetically sealing the cover to the open end of the housing may comprise bringing the one of the channel and the lip of the housing sidewall into contact with the other of the channel and the lip of the cover, and hermetically sealing the free end of the cover sidewall to the free end of the housing sidewall such that the lip forms a hermetic seal with the channel. 
     Hermetically sealing the free end of the cover sidewall to the free end of the housing sidewall may comprise ultrasonically welding the free end of the cover sidewall to the free end of the housing sidewall. 
     An apparatus is provided for hermetically sealing locking components of a retractor, wherein the locking components cooperate with a spool shaft extending from a rotatable spool of the retractor to selectively lock rotation of the spool. The apparatus may comprise an open-ended housing having a base defining a first opening therethrough into an interior of the housing, the base of the housing mounted to the retractor with the spool shaft accessible via the first opening, the locking components arranged within the interior of the housing, a first sealing member positioned about the first opening to form a hermetic seal between the spool shaft and the first opening, and a cover hermetically attached to the open end of the housing. 
     The foregoing apparatus may further include the subject matter of any one and/or any combination of the following 8 paragraphs. 
     The housing and the cover may each be formed of a polymer. 
     The locking components may be configured to cooperate with the spool to form at least one of an emergency locking retractor and an automatic locking retractor. 
     The housing may define a first channel extending into the base of the housing about the first opening, the first channel sized to receive and retain therein the first sealing member. The first sealing member may be positioned within the first channel such that the first sealing member engages the housing about the first opening and also engages the spool shaft about the spool shaft when the housing is mounted to the retractor, the first sealing member thereby forming the hermetic seal between the first opening of the housing and the spool shaft. 
     The first channel may extend into one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the base of the housing about the first opening. 
     The retractor may further include a frame sidewall through which the spool shaft extends and to which the base of the housing is mounted, and a locking bar movably mounted to the frame sidewall and engageable with the spool to lock rotation of the spool relative to the frame sidewall, and the locking components may control a position of the locking bar to selectively lock the spool relative to the frame sidewall. The base of the housing may further define a second opening therethrough, separate from the first opening, such that one end of the locking bar is accessible through the second opening when the base of the housing is mounted to the frame sidewall, and one of the locking components may be mounted to the one end of the locking bar, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second sealing member positioned about the second opening such that the second sealing member forms a hermetic seal between the one of the locking components and the second opening. 
     The housing may define a second channel extending into the base of the housing about the second opening, the second channel sized to receive and retain therein the second sealing member, and the second sealing member may be positioned within the second channel such that the second sealing member engages the housing about the second opening and also engages the one of the locking components mounted to the one end of the locking bar when the housing is mounted to the retractor, the second sealing member thereby forming the hermetic seal between the second opening of the housing and the one of the locking components. 
     The second channel may extend into one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the base of the housing about the second opening. 
     The locking components may be configured to cooperate with the spool and with the locking bar to form at least one of an emergency locking retractor and an automatic locking retractor. 
     A locking retractor may comprise a frame defining two opposing sidewalls, a spool extending between the two sidewalls and rotatable about a spool shaft relative to the frame, one end of the spool shaft extending through one of the sidewalls, an open-ended housing having a base defining a first opening therethrough into an interior of the housing, the base of the housing mounted to the one of the sidewalls with the spool shaft accessible via the first opening of the open-ended housing, one or more locking components arranged within the interior of the housing, the one or more locking components configured to cooperate with the spool shaft to selectively lock rotation of the spool relative to the frame, a sealing member positioned about the first opening to form a hermetic seal between the spool shaft and the first opening, and a cover hermetically attached to the open end of the housing with the one or more locking components contained within the interior of the housing. 
     The foregoing retractor may further include the subject matter of any one and/or any combination of the following 4 paragraphs. 
     The one or more locking components may be configured to cooperate with the spool shaft to form at least one of an emergency locking retractor and an automatic locking retractor. 
     The retractor may further comprise at least one ratchet wheel mounted to and rotatable with the spool, a locking bar mounted between the two opposing sidewalls of the frame, the locking bar movable relative to the frame between a first position in which the locking bar engages the at least one ratchet wheel and a second position in which the locking bar does not engage the at least one ratchet wheel, one end of the locking bar extending through the one of the sidewalls, wherein the base of the open-ended housing defines a second opening therethrough separate from the first opening, and the one end of the locking bar is accessible via the second opening, and wherein one of the one or more locking components is mounted to the one end of the locking bar, and a second sealing member positioned about the second opening such that the second sealing member forms a hermetic seal between the one of the one or more locking components and the second opening, wherein the one or more locking components control the locking bar between the first and second positions thereof to selectively lock the spool relative to the frame sidewall. 
     The locking components may be configured to cooperate with the spool and with the locking bar to form at least one of an emergency locking retractor and an automatic locking retractor. 
     The housing and the cover may each be formed of a polymer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective and partial assembly view of one illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for hermetically sealing locking components of a locking retractor. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bottom or backside of the housing of  FIG. 1  illustrating partial assembly of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view of one of the sealing members of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-section of the sealing member of  FIG. 3A  viewed along section lines  3 B- 3 B. 
         FIG. 4A  is a plan view of the housing of  FIGS. 1 and 2  mounted to one of the sidewalls of the frame of the retractor illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 4A  shown with a sealing member positioned in a channel of the housing about the end of the locking bar of the retractor. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the various locking components of one illustrative embodiment of the spool locking assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the locking bar engaging side of the locking bar engagement member illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 4B  shown with the locking bar engagement member of  FIGS. 5 and 6  mounted to the end of the locking bar illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the bottom or backside of the locking plate illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 7  shown with the locking plate of  FIGS. 5 and 8  mounted within the housing of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown with the clutch wheel  52  mounted to the locking plate of  FIG. 9  and with the locking actuator  54  mounted within the housing of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of the inside surface of the cover illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  as assembled. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective and partial assembly view of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus for hermetically sealing locking components of a locking retractor. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for hermetically sealing locking components, i.e., a spool locking assembly, of a retractor. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments shown in the attached drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  is illustrated for hermetically sealing locking components  12  of a retractor  14  to produce a hermetically sealed locking retractor  5 . The locking components  12  may include one or more locking components, and the locking components  12  make up a spool locking apparatus or assembly. As used herein, the terms “locking components, “spool locking apparatus” and “spool locking assembly” may be used interchangeably and each such term refers to the one or more locking components  12  which operate to lock rotation of the spool  20  under certain operating conditions of the retractor  5 . In one embodiment, for example, as will be shown and described in detail hereinafter, the spool locking apparatus  12  illustratively includes one or more locking components that lock rotation of the spool  20  under one or more “emergency conditions” such that the resulting hermetically sealed locking retractor  5  is, in such embodiments, a so-called conventional emergency locking retractor or ELR. In other embodiments, the spool locking apparatus  12  illustratively includes one or more locking components that automatically lock rotation of the spool  20  under one or more “non-emergency conditions” such that the resulting hermetically sealed locking retractor  5  is, in such embodiments, a so-called automatic locking retractor or ALR. In still other embodiments, the spool locking apparatus  12  illustratively includes one or more locking components that automatically lock rotation of the spool  20  under one or more non-emergency conditions and one or more locking components that lock rotation of the spool  20  under one or more emergency conditions such that the resulting hermetically sealed locking retractor  5  is, in such embodiments, a combination ALR and ELR. 
     The “emergency conditions” under which the one or more locking components lock rotation of the spool  20  may include, but are not limited to, one or more of (1) one or more orientations of the retractor  5  relative to the direction of gravity, i.e., relative to earth, (2) when the rotational speed of the spool  20  exceeds a threshold speed, i.e., inertial locking, and (3) when the retractor  5  decelerates at a rate that is greater than a deceleration threshold, e.g., during a vehicle crash. The “non-emergency conditions” under which the one or more locking components lock rotation of the spool  20  may include, but are not limited to, automatically locking the spool at a set position of the spool  20 , e.g., after the spool  20  has traveled a distance in the web payout direction that corresponds to, for example, extension of a predetermined length of web from the retractor. In some embodiments, the spool  20  may thereafter rotate in the web take-up direction to a desired position, e.g., to a desired position of the web, such that the spool  20  locks at that desired position and thereafter cannot rotate in the web payout direction. 
     For clarity of illustration, the spool locking apparatus  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a single generic structure, although it will be understood that depending upon the configuration of the spool locking apparatus  12 , i.e., as between an ELR, an ALR or both, the spool locking apparatus  12  may be implemented an assembly that includes a plurality of locking components. Alternatively or additionally, depending upon the configuration of the retractor  14  with which the spool locking apparatus  12  interfaces, the spool locking apparatus  12  may be configured to operatively engage one or multiple components of the retractor  14 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the retractor  14  includes a frame  18  having a pair of sidewalls  18 A and  18 B that extend away from a base  18 C of the frame  18 . Illustratively, the sidewalls  18 A and  18 B are substantially parallel. In any case, a space is defined between the sidewalls  18 A and  18 B and a spool  20  is rotatably mounted between the sidewalls  18 A and  18 B in a conventional manner. One end of a conventional flexible web (not shown) will typically be attached to the spool  20 , and such a web will be wrapped around the spool  20  in a conventional manner. A free end (not shown) of the web will generally extend from the retractor  14 , and an engagement member (not shown), e.g., a hook or other conventional engagement member, may be attached to the free end of the web. A conventional power spring assembly  22 , e.g., a power spring contained within a housing or cover, is attached between the spool  20  and the sidewall  18 A of the frame  18 . The power spring is configured in a conventional manner to apply a rotational biasing force to the spool  20  in a web take up direction, which rotational biasing force may be manually overcome when the retractor  14  is not locked by the locking components  12  from rotating the spool  20  in an opposite web payout direction to draw web from the spool  20 . The hermetically sealing apparatus  10  including the spool locking apparatus  12  contained therein is illustratively mounted to the opposite sidewall  18 B, and the spool locking apparatus  12  is therefore illustratively hermetically sealed by the apparatus  10  as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Hermetic sealing of the locking components  12  by the apparatus  10  blocks ingress of moisture and particles to the locking components  12  such that the locking components  12  are maintained functional during exposure of the retractor  5  to harsh environments such as, for example, dust, dirt and mud, and including full or partial immersion of the retractor  5  in water that may include various amounts of dirt or mud, e.g., ponds, lakes, streams, ditches, puddles, etc. 
     A spool shaft  30  is rigidly mounted to the spool  20  such that the shaft  30  rotates with the spool  20 . The spool shaft  30  extends through the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18  and extends outwardly away from the sidewall  18 B as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of the retractor  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a conventional locking bar  32  is movably mounted to and between the sidewalls  18 A and  18 B, and one end  32 A of the locking bar  32  extends through an opening  18 D in the sidewall  18 B and at least partially extends outwardly away from the sidewall  18 B. The locking bar  32  is conventional and is normally biased, e.g., via a spring (not shown) attached between the locking bar  32  and the frame  18 , away from the spool  20  so that the spool  20  may rotate in either of the web take up or web pay out directions. When the retractor  14  is locked, e.g., via the locking components  12 , the locking bar  32  is forced toward the spool  20  and engages teeth (not shown) formed on at least one ratchet wheel mounted to the spool  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, two such ratchet wheels  34 A and  34 B are mounted to the spool  20  at opposite ends thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking bar  32  engages the teeth of the ratchet wheels  34 A and  34 B when the retractor  14  is locked, thereby preventing rotational movement of the spool  20  in the web payout direction in a conventional manner. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  for hermetically sealing locking components  12  of the retractor  5  includes a housing  40 , housing cover  42  and two sealing members  44  and  46 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  40  is illustratively an open-ended housing having a base  40 M defining an inner surface  40 A and an outer surface  40 B opposite the inner surface  40 A. A housing sidewall  40 C extends outwardly away from the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M about an outer periphery of the housing  40 . The base  40 M of the housing  40  defines two separate openings  40 D and  40 E respectively therethrough, and a pocket  40 H sized to receive a locking actuator component of the spool locking apparatus  12  as will be illustrated and described hereinafter. The opening  40 D is sized to receive therethrough the spool shaft  30  and the second opening  40 E is sized to provide access to the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  when the outer surface  40 B of the base  40 M of the housing  40  is mounted to the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18 . The housing  40  is configured such that the openings  40 D and  40 E align with the spool shaft  30  and the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  respectively when the base  40 M of the housing  40  is mounted to the sidewall  18 B. 
     As illustrated by example in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18  and/or the base  40 M of the housing  40  may be configured to accommodate mounting to the other. Such configuration may, for example, facilitate alignment of the housing  40  relative to the sidewall  18 B, facilitate mounting of the housing  40  to the sidewall  18 B and/or accommodate one or more features of the housing  40  and/or sidewall  18 B. For example, the pocket  40 H formed in the base  40 M and extending into the inner surface  40 A produces a protrusion  40 H from the outer surface  40 B, and a window  18 E is therefore formed through the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18  which is sized to receive the pocket  40 H therein. A fastening site  40 J is also illustratively formed on the pocket  40 H on the outer surface  40 B of the housing  40 , and the fastening site  40 J is sized to receive therein a fixation member such that an optional cover (not shown) may be placed over the window  18 E on the inside surface of the sidewall  18 B and fixed in place via such a fixation member. 
     The housing  40  may further include a plate  40 I which extends from the outer surface  40 B of the base  40 M of the hosing  40 , which plate  40 I may extend under an indented portion  18 J of the frame  18  between the sidewall  18 B and the base  18 C. The housing  40  may further include protrusions  43 A and  43 B which extend outwardly from the outer or bottom surface  40 B of the housing  40 , and the sidewall  18 B may define a corresponding pair of openings  18 H and  18 I therethrough which are sized to receive therein the protrusions  43 A and  43 B respectively. Alternatively, either or both of the protrusions may be formed on the sidewall  18 B and either or both corresponding openings may be formed into, but not through, the outer surface  40 B of the housing  40 . 
     Generally, the base  40 M of the housing  40  is mounted to the retractor  14 , and more specifically the base  40 M of the housing  40  is illustratively mounted to the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18  with the outer surface  40 B of the base  40 M in contact with the outer face of the sidewall  18 B. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , this mounting is illustratively accomplished by passing one or more fixation members through the sidewall  18 B, through openings defined through the housing  40  and into engagement with the cover  42 . In the illustrated example, two openings  18 F and  18 G are defined through the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18 , and corresponding openings  41 A and  41 B are defined through the base  40 M of the housing. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 A- 4 B,  7 ,  9  and  10 , however, the openings  41 A and  41 B are formed outside of the interior of the open-ended housing, which interior is defined and bounded by the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 A and a continuous inner surface of the sidewall  40 C which extends about the periphery of the housing  40 . Then openings  41 A and  41 B defined through the housing  40  therefore do not extend through the base  40 M into the interior of the housing  40 , but rather extend through the base  40 M of the housing  40  outside of the interior of the housing  40 . 
     In any case, the inside surface of the cover  42  defines two fastening sites (or mounting apertures)  42 C and  42 D as illustrated by example in  FIG. 11 . Each of the sites  42 C and  42 D is configured to receive and engage a corresponding one of two fixation members  25 A and  25 B. When the housing  40  is mounted to the retractor  14  with the outer surface  40 B of the base  40 M in contact with the outer surface of the frame sidewall  18 B as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the openings  41 A and  41 B align with the openings  18 F and  18 G respectively, and the fixation members  25 A and  25 B extend through the aligned opening pairs  18 F,  41 A and  18 G,  41 B respectively (as clearly illustrated in  FIG. 10 ). After the locking components of the spool locking apparatus  12  are operatively arranged within the interior of the housing  40 , the cover  42  is placed over the open end of the housing  40  such that the fastening sites  42 C and  42 D align with the openings  41 A and  41 B (and with the fixation members  25 A and  25 B) respectively. The fixation members  25 A and  25 B are then manipulated to engage the fastening sites  42 C and  42 D respectively to thereby mount the combination of the housing  40  and the cover  42 , with the spool locking apparatus  12  contained therebetween, to the retractor  14 , i.e., to the frame sidewall  18 B. Illustratively, the housing  40  and the cover  42  are formed by a moldable synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solid material such as a polymer or similar material, although this disclosure contemplates that the housing  40  and/or cover  42  may be alternatively formed of one or more additional or other materials. 
     It will be understood that this disclosure contemplates mounting of the housing  40  to the frame  18  of the retractor  14  using one or more additional or alternative, conventional techniques. As one alternative, or in addition, to the mounting of the housing  40  to the frame sidewall  18 B as just described, a bonding medium  27  may be interposed between and in contact with the outer surface  40 B of the housing  40  and the outer surface of the frame sidewall  18 B as illustrated by dashed-line representation in  FIG. 1 . The bonding medium  27  may be any conventional medium which creates a bond between the base  40 M of the housing  40  and the frame sidewall  18 B, examples of which include, but should not be limited to, adhesives, resins, and the like. As another alternative, or in addition, to the mounting of the housing  40  to the frame sidewall  18 B as just described and/or to use of a bonding medium  27 , the housing  40  may be mounted to the frame sidewall  18 B using a conventional staking process. In such a process, the protrusions  43 A and/or  43 B, and/or one or more additional or alternate protrusions formed on or attached to the outer surface  40 B of the housing  40  may be sized and/or configured to be staked to corresponding openings, e.g., openings  18 H and/or  18 I and/or one or more additional or alternate openings formed in the frame sidewall  18 B, to thereby secure the housing  40  to the frame sidewall  18 B. One or more conventional mounting structures and/or processes may additionally or alternatively be used to mount the housing  40  to the frame  18  of the retractor  14 , and any such structures and/or processes are contemplated by this disclosure. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sealing member  46  is positioned about the opening  40 D defined through the base  40 M of the housing  40 . The sealing member  46  is illustratively configured to extend about and engage the periphery of the opening  40 D and to extend about and engage the periphery of the spool shaft  30  when the base  40 M of the housing  40  is mounted to the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18  such that a hermetic seal is formed between the housing  40  and the spool shaft  30 . In one embodiment, the sealing member  46  is illustratively a conventional, flexible, e.g., rubber, polymer or the like, annular member. Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , plan and cross-sectional views respectively are shown of one illustrative embodiment of the sealing member  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member  46  is a double ring structure with an outer annular ring  46 A coupled to an inner ring  46 D. One end  46 B of the outer annular ring  46 A is coextensive with one end  46 E of the inner annular ring  46 D such that the ends  46 B and  46 E form a continuous, common, flat surface. The opposite end  46 C of the outer annular ring  46 A extends beyond the opposite end  46 F of the inner annular ring  46 D to provide an offset between the flat ends  46 C and  46 F of the annular rings  46 A and  46 D respectively. In alternative embodiments, the sealing member  46  may be a single annular sealing member, or a conventional quad ring, which may be flexible or semi-flexible, although this disclosure contemplates alternative embodiments in which the sealing member  46  is non-annular, non-flexible and/or is formed of one or more additional or alternative materials. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , the opening  40 D formed through the base  40 M of the housing  40  includes a channel  40 F defined and extending into the outer surface  40 B of the base  40 M of the housing  40 , and formed about the periphery of the opening  40 D. The channel  40 F is illustratively sized to receive and retain therein the sealing member  46 . In alternative embodiments, the channel  40 F may be defined in the inner surface  40 A surface of the base  40 M of the housing  40  about the periphery of the opening  40 D, or may be formed into the periphery of the opening  40 D. In any case, the sealing member  46  is illustratively inserted into the channel  40 F with the common, flat ends  46 B and  46 E in contact with the bottom of the channel  40 F and with the offset ends  46 C and  46 F facing outwardly away from the channel  40 F. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, 4A and 4B , the sealing member  44  is positioned about the opening  40 E defined through the base  40 M of the housing  40 . The sealing member  44  is illustratively configured to extend about and engage the periphery of the opening  40 E and to extend about, but not engage, the periphery of the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  when the housing  40  is mounted to the sidewall  18 B of the frame  18 . In one embodiment, the sealing member  44  is illustratively a conventional, flexible, e.g., rubber, polymer or the like, annular member substantially identical in structure to, but sized differently than, the sealing member  46 . Alternatively, the sealing member  44  may be a single annular sealing member, or a conventional quad ring, and may be flexible or semi-flexible, although this disclosure contemplates alternative embodiments in which the sealing member  44  is non-annular, non-flexible and/or is formed of one or more additional or alternative materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  40 E includes a channel  40 G defined in the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40  and formed about the periphery of the opening  40 E. The channel  40 G is illustratively sized to receive and retain therein the sealing member  44 . In alternative embodiments, the channel  40 G may be defined in the outer surface  40 B surface of the base  40 M of the housing  40  about the periphery of the opening  40 E, or may be formed into the periphery of the opening  40 E. In any case, the opening  40 E through the base  40 M of the housing  40  is aligned with and extends about the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  when the base  40 D of the housing  40  is mounted to the frame sidewall  18 B as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the sealing member  44  is illustratively inserted into the channel  40 G with the offset end of the outer ring in contact with the bottom of the channel  40 G (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and with the common, flat ends of the inner and outer annular rings facing outwardly away from the channel  40 G (as shown in  FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B ). 
     With the base  40 M of the housing  40  mounted to the frame sidewall  18 Bb as shown in  FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B , the spool shaft  30  illustratively extends through the opening  40 D defined through the base  40 M of the housing  40  and into the interior of the housing defined and bounded by the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M and the inner surface of the sidewall  40 C of the housing  40 . In alternative embodiments, the spool shaft  30  may not extend completely through the opening  40 D into the interior of the housing  40  but may instead terminate at or below the point at which the opening  40 D opens into the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40 . For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase “accessible via” used in relation to the spool shaft  30  and the opening  40 D formed through the base  40 M of the housing  40  should be interpreted to encompass all such embodiments. In particular, the phrase “the spool shaft accessible via the first opening” should be interpreted to mean (1) that the spool shaft  30  extends into the interior of the housing  40  defined and bounded by the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M and the inner surface of the sidewall  40 C surrounding the housing  40 , (2) that the spool shaft  30  terminates at the point at which the opening  40 D opens into the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40 , or (3) that the spool shaft  30  terminates below the point at which the opening  40 D opens into the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40 . 
     With the base  40 M of the housing  40  mounted to the frame sidewall  18 Bb as shown in  FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B , the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  illustratively extends into the opening  40 E defined through the base  40 M of the housing  40 , but does not clear the top of the channel  40 G. In alternative embodiments, the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  may not terminate at or below the top of the channel  40 G but may instead extend beyond the top of the channel  40 G into the interior of the housing  40  defined and bounded by the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M and the inner surface of the sidewall  40 C surrounding the housing  40 . For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase “accessible via” used in relation to the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  and the opening  40 E formed through the base  40 M of the housing  40  should be interpreted to encompass all such embodiments. In particular, the phrase “one end of the locking bar accessible via the second opening” should be interpreted to mean (1) that the end  32 A if the locking bar  32 A extends into the interior of the housing  40  defined and bounded by the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M and the inner surface of the sidewall  40 C surrounding the housing  40 , (2) that the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  terminates at the point at which the opening  40 E opens into the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40 , or (3) that the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  terminates below the point at which the opening  40 E opens into the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exploded view is shown of one illustrative embodiment of the spool locking apparatus  12  illustrating various locking components associated therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the various locking components include a locking bar engagement member  48 , a locking plate  50 , a clutch wheel  52 , a locking actuator  54  and a locking plate biasing member  56 . Starting with the partially constructed locking retractor illustrated in  FIG. 4B , construction of the spool locking apparatus  12  relative to the retractor  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  using the various locking components illustrated in  FIG. 5  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the locking bar engagement member  48  of  FIG. 5  is shown. The locking bar engagement member  48  illustratively includes a base  48 A from which a slotted protrusion  48 E extends. Illustratively, the base  48 A is generally formed in the shape of a truncated disc defining a recessed edge  48 B between truncated ends  48 C and  48 D of the base  48 A, and a lobe or arm  48 G extends from the base  48 A opposite the recessed edge  48 B. The base  48 A defines an annular channel  48 F therein about an outer annular surface of the slotted protrusion  48 E. The channel  48 F is sized to receive therein in sealing engagement the sealing ring  44  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4B . A slot defined in the slotted protrusion  48 E is sized and configured to receive therein the end  32 A of the locking bar  32  when the base  48 A of the locking bar engagement member  48  is mounted within the housing  40  by forcing the slotted protrusion  48 E into the space of the opening  40 E defined by the inner surface of the sealing ring  44  (as shown in  FIG. 4B ) with the arm or lobe  48 G oriented toward the spool shaft  30  as illustrated by example in  FIG. 7 . Thus positioned, the sealing ring  44  forms a hermetic seal between the housing  40  and the locking bar engagement member  48 , i.e., between the channel  40 G defined about the opening  40 E in the base  40 M of the housing  40  and the channel  48 F defined about the slotted protrusion  48 E in the base  48 A of the locking bar engagement member  48 , while also allowing the locking bar engagement member  48  to rotate relative to the base  40 M of the housing about the outer surface of the slotted protrusion  48 E. The lobe or arm  48 G is configured to engage a movable post such that movement of the post causes the locking bar engagement member  48  to rotate relative to the housing  40  and thereby move the locking bar  32  into and out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheels  34 A and  34 B attached to the spool  20  of the retractor  14  as described hereinabove. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , one illustrative embodiment of the locking plate  50  is shown. The locking plate  50  illustratively defines a top surface  50 A (shown in  FIG. 5 ) and an opposite bottom surface or underside  50 B (shown in  FIG. 8 ), and an opening  50 E therethrough that is sized to be received over the spool shaft  30  onto the base  40 M of the housing  40 . The locking plate  50  is configured to be movably mounted to the base  40 M of the housing  40  such that the locking plate  50  is generally movable about the spool shaft  30 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , for example, the underside  50 B of the locking plate  50  defines therein an annular channel  50 C having a channel opening  50 D. The biasing member  56  shown in  FIG. 5  is illustratively a spring in the form of a single wire having one end  56 A that is received through an opening (not shown) defined in the underside  50 B of the locking plate  50 . The body of the wire  56  is forced into the channel  50 C formed in the underside  50 B of the locking plate  50 , and the hooked opposite end  56 B of the wire  56  extends out of the end  50 D of the channel  56  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The underside  50 B of the locking plate  50  also defines a post  50 F that engages and moves the lobe or arm  48 G of the locking bar engagement member  48  when the locking plate  50  moves about the spool shaft  30  as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the locking plate  50  is shown mounted within the housing  50  with the opening  50 E engaging ridges defined in the inner surface  40 A of the housing  40  and with the hooked end  56 B of the biasing wire  56  engaging, e.g., looped around, a protrusion  40 L extending upwardly away from the inner surface  40 A of the housing  40 . The biasing member  56  normally biases the locking plate in the position illustrated in  FIG. 9 , and in this position the locking plate engagement member  48  is in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . In this position, hereinafter referred to as the unlocked position of the locking bar  32  in which the locking bar  32  does not engage the ratchet wheels  34 A and  34 B of the spool  20  and in which the locking bar  32  therefore does not lock rotation of the spool  20 , the post  50 F defined on the underside  50 B of the locking plate  50  does not exert force on the lobe or arm  48 G of the locking bar engagement member  48  and the normal bias applied to the locking bar  32  (discussed hereinabove) therefore maintains the locking bar in the unlocked position. In this position, web can therefore be paid out from the spool  20 . 
     During locking conditions of the retractor  14 , i.e., when the actuator  54  has been actuated as will be described hereinafter, force applied to the spool  20  in the web payout direction of the spool  20  rotates the locking plate  50  counterclockwise about the spool shaft  30  against the bias of the biasing member  56 , as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. This counterclockwise movement of the locking plate  50  causes the post  50 F of the movable plate  50  to force the lobe or arm  48 G of the locking bar engagement member  48  downward relative to the housing  40  toward the protrusion  40 L such that the locking bar engagement member  48  moves the locking bar  32  to a locked position in which the locking bar  32  engages the ratchet wheels  34 A and  34 B of the spool  20 , thereby locking the spool  20  from further rotation in the web payout direction. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5 and 9 , the top surface  50 A of the locking plate  50  illustratively defines an annular toothed ring  50 G about the opening  50 E with an annular well defined between the toothed ring  50 G and the opening  50 E. This annular well is sized to receive therein the clutch  52  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . A pawl  50 H is mounted to the top surface  50 A of the locking plate  50 , and is normally biased away from the toothed ring  50 G. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the clutch  52  of  FIG. 5  has been mounted to the locking plate  50  and to the spool shaft  30  through the slot in the clutch  52  illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 10 . The clutch  52  is illustratively an annular member having a number of teeth formed about its outer periphery. The clutch  52  rotates with the spool shaft  30  relative to the locking plate  50  which generally remains stationary when the retractor  14  is not locked. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the locking actuator  54  has also been installed in the pocket  40 H formed into the inner surface  40 A of the base  40 M of the housing  40 . The locking actuator  54  illustratively includes a ball  60  and an actuating arm  62  which contacts the pawl  50 H under locking conditions. During non-locking conditions of the retractor  14 , the pawl  50 H is biased away from the teeth of the clutch  52  as described above, and the biased pawl  50 H in turn biases the actuating arm  62  toward the locking actuator  54 . During such non-locking conditions, the spool  20  may rotate in the web payout direction such that web may be paid out therefrom. During certain locking conditions of the retractor  14 , e.g., gravity-based and inertial-based locking conditions, the ball  60  moves against and forces the actuating arm  62  against the pawl  50 H, which moves the pawl  50 H into contact with the teeth of the clutch  52 . Rotation of the spool shaft  30  in the web payout direction under such conditions brings one of the teeth of the clutch  52  into contact with the pawl  50 H, thereby blocking further rotation of the clutch  52  and locking the clutch  52  to the locking plate  50 . Further rotation of the spool shaft  30  in the web payout direction applies a rotational force to the combination of the clutch  52  and the locking plate  50  in the counterclockwise direction against the biasing member  56 . When this rotational force is greater than the biasing force of the biasing member  56 , the resulting rotational movement of the combination of the clutch  52  and the locking plate  50  in the counterclockwise direction causes the post  50 F on the underside of the locking plate  50  to act against and move the lobe or arm  48 G of the locking bar engagement member  48  downwardly toward the protrusion  40 L of the housing  40 . This movement of the locking bar engagement member  48 , in turn, causes the locking bar  32  to move into engagement with the ratchet wheels  34 A and  34 B of the spool  20  to thereby lock the spool  20  in the web payout direction. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a plan view is shown of the inner surface  42 A of one illustrative embodiment of the cover  42  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Illustratively, the inner surface  42 A defines a protrusion  42 E which, when the cover  42  is mounted and sealed to the open end of the housing  40 , extends over the locking bar engagement member  48  and acts to maintain the locking bar engagement member  48  in place in the event the locking bar engagement member  48  moves axially relative to the opening  40 E through the housing  40 . The inner surface  42 A also defines a protrusion  42 G with an opening sized to receive therein the protrusion  40 L of the housing  40  when the cover  42  is mounted and sealed to the open end of the housing  40 . The protrusion  42 G maintains the looped end  56 B of the wire  56  on the protrusion  40 L after the cover  42  is mounted to the housing  40 . The inner surface  42 A also defines another protrusion  42 H and a lip  42 I that extends radially about the inner surface between the protrusions  42 G and  42 H. The protrusion  42 H and the lip  42 I both extend over the locking plate  50  and act to maintain the locking plate  50  in place in the event the locking plate  50  moves axially relative to the spool shaft  30  within the housing  40 . The inner surface  42 A further defines a pair of protrusions  42 J and  42 K which extend over opposite ends of the locking actuator  54  and act to maintain the locking actuator in place within the pocket  40 H of the housing  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the free end of the sidewall  40 C of the housing  40  illustratively defines a channel or groove  40 K therein, and the free end of the cover  42  defines a complementarily configured lip  42 F. The lip  42 F is received within the channel  40 K when the cover  42  is mounted to the open end of the housing  40 . Alternatively, the free end of the sidewall  40 C of the housing may define the lip and the free end of the cover  42  may define the channel. In any case, the channel  40 K and the lip  42 F cooperate to form a hermetic seal between the open end of the housing  40  and the cover  42 . In one embodiment, for example, a conventional ultrasonic welding process may be employed to cause the lip  42 F to melt into the channel  40 K, thereby hermetically sealing the cover  42  to the open end of the housing  40 . Alternatively, a bonding medium, e.g., adhesive, may be interposed between and in contact with the lip  42 F and the channel  40 K, or between and in contact with opposing free ends of the cover  42  and the housing  40  in embodiments which do not include the channel  40 K and the lip  42 F, to thereby bond and hermetically seal the cover  42  to the open end of the housing  40 . Those skilled in the art will recognize other conventional processes and structures for forming a hermetic seal between the open end of the housing  40  and the cover  42 , and any such other conventional process and/or structure is contemplated by this disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 12 , the resulting retractor  5  with hermetically sealed locking components is shown with the cover  42  hermetically sealed to the open end of the housing  40 , i.e., attached to the end of the sidewall  40 C of the housing  40 . 
     The concepts of this disclosure may alternatively be used with locking retractors of the ELR and/or ALR variety in which the locking components alone operate to lock the spool shaft  30  from rotating in the web payout direction during locking conditions. Referring to  FIG. 13 , such an alternate embodiment is shown in which the retractor  14 ′ does not include a locking bar  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the housing  40 ′ is modified to omit the opening  40 E illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and the sealing member  44  is likewise omitted. The base  40 ′M of the housing  40 ′ therefore defines only a single opening  40 ′D therethrough, and a single sealing member  46  is configured to extend about and engage the periphery of the opening  40 ′D such that the sealing member  46  extends about and engages the periphery of the spool shaft  30  when the base  40 ′M of the housing  40 ′ is mounted to the sidewall  18 ′B of the frame  18 ′. A hermetic seal is thereby formed between the housing  40 ′ and the spool shaft  30 , and the cover  42  is hermetically sealed to the open end of the housing  40 ′ as described above such that the housing  40 ′is hermetically sealed from external contamination. In operation, the locking components  12 ′ operate in a conventional manner to lock and unlock rotation of the spool  20  in the web payout direction without the aid of a locking bar of the type illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As an alternative to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the retractor  14 ′ need not omit the locking bar  32 . Thus, the locking bar  32  may be included as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but the spool locking apparatus  12 ′ will not engage or otherwise interface with the locking bar  32 . In such embodiments, the base  40 ′M may be modified, such as providing a channel but without providing an opening therethrough, to accommodate any portion of one end of the locking bar  32  that may extend beyond the outer surface of the frame sidewall  18 ′B. 
     In any case, the locking components  12 ′ alone operate to lock the spool  20  from rotating in the web payout direction during locking conditions in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In contrast, rotation of the spool  20  in the web payout direction in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12  causes the locking components  12  to control the locking bar  32  to selectively lock the spool  20  from rotating in the web payout direction. Thus, in both of the illustrated embodiments, the locking components  12 ,  12 ′ cooperate with the spool shaft  30  to selectively lock rotation of the spool  20 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 , the locking components  12  further control the position of the locking bar to selectively lock the spool relative to the frame  18 , whereas in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13  the locking components  12 ′ alone operate to selectively lock the spool relative to the frame  18 ′. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a flowchart is shown of one illustrative process  100  for hermetically sealing locking components of a retractor. It will be understood that in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the steps are not necessarily executed in the sequence shown, and that one or more steps can include or be merged with one or more other steps. The process  100  is applicable to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12  and also to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In any case, the process  100  begins at step  51  where the base  40 M,  40 ′M is mounted to the retractor frame  18 ,  18 ′ using one or more of the mounting techniques described herein. At step S 2 , the sealing member(s)  44  and/or  46  is/are positioned about the opening(s)  40 D,  40 E,  40 ′D in the housing  40 ,  40 ′. In embodiments which include a locking bar  32  and in which one of the locking components  12  engages the locking bar  32 , such a locking component is mounted to the locking bar  32  at step S 3 , shown in dashed-line form to indicate that step S 3  is executed only in certain embodiments. In any case, the locking components  12 ,  12 ′ are operatively arranged within the housing  40 ,  40 ′ at step S 4 , and at step S 5  the cover  42  is hermetically sealed to the open end of the housing  40 ,  40 ′ using one or more of the sealing techniques described hereinabove. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. For example, the concepts of this disclosure may alternatively still be used with locking retractors in which the locking components do not cooperate with the spool shaft  30 , but rather control the locking bar  32  to selectively lock the spool  20  from rotating in the web payout direction based only on conditions other than those associated with rotation of the spool  20 . Such conditions may include, for example, but should not be limited to, changes in inertia sensed by an apparatus such as the locking actuator  54  illustrated and described hereinabove, changes in position of the retractor relative to the direction of gravitational force, and the like. In such an embodiment, for example, the base  40 M of the housing  40  will define only a single opening  40 E therethrough with a sealing member  44  configured to extend about and engage the periphery of the opening  40 E such that the sealing member  44  forms a hermetic seal between one of the locking components and the opening  40 E of the housing. In this embodiment, the opening  40 D illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12  can be omitted, as can the sealing member  46  and the extended spool shaft  30 . To the extent the spool shaft  30  extends beyond the frame sidewall  18 B, the spool locking apparatus  12  will not engage or otherwise interface with the spool shaft  30  and in such embodiments, the base  40 M may be modified, such as providing a channel but without providing an opening therethrough, to accommodate any portion of the spool shaft  30  that may extend beyond the outer surface of the frame sidewall  18 B. In operation, the locking components  12  operate to lock and unlock rotation of the spool shaft  30  in the web payout direction strictly by controlling movement of the locking bar  32  relative to the frame  18 .