Patent ID: 8317228

Claim:
A belt tensioner ( 10 ) of a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising: a coupling member ( 12 ) to a vehicle seat belt; a drive unit ( 18 ); a flexible tension transmitting member ( 14 ) connected at least indirectly to the coupling member ( 12 ), the flexible tension transmitting member ( 14 ) being moved via the drive unit ( 18 ) in the event of tensioning; and a deflector ( 26 ) which deflects the tension transmitting member ( 14 ) towards the coupling member ( 12 ) and the tension transmitting member ( 14 ) being moved along the deflector ( 26 ) in the event of tensioning, the drive unit ( 18 ) being coupled to the deflector ( 26 ) such that the drive unit ( 18 ) moves the deflector ( 26 ) in a linear actuating direction (R) extending generally parallel to an axis of the drive unit ( 18 ) upon activation and displaces the coupling member ( 12 ) in the linear actuating direction (R).