Importance

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Abstract

A seat belt retractor system for restraining a passenger in a vehicle is provided with a tension-relieving means engageable by a manual overt actuator, which system includes the following: initiation of the tensionless mode requires conscious actuation by the passenger; incorporation of an activated position, which allows retraction of any belt slack prior to engagement of the tensionless mode; subsequent slight belt protraction beyond the activated position engages the tensionless mode; a 'memory' allowing belt protraction, less than a predetermined length, from the tensionless mode and return thereto; a means whereby belt protraction greater than the predetermined distance automatically returns the retractor and belt to the tensioned mode; and, an automatically operable actuator, which may be activated by the opening of the vehicle door for automatic return of the retractor to the belt-tensioned mode.

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First Claim