Importance

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Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat belt retractor having an activation system that responds to an anti-locking braking system and that actuates the retractor to prevent protraction of the seat belt. The preferred activation system includes a control circuit that energizes an activation mechanism when the anti-locking braking system is activated and prohibits energization of the activation mechanism when the braking system is deactivated. The preferred activation mechanism is a small modular unit which is externally mounted to a seat belt retractor and which generally includes a base, an activation lever and a solenoid. The base is mounted to the side of the retractor, and the solenoid and the activation lever are mounted on the base. More particularly, the activation lever is pivotally mounted on the base and extends into the retractor to a position underneath the pawl of the retractor. The activation lever rotates between a neutral position in which it is spaced from the pawl of the retractor and an actuated position in which it engages and urges the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheels to prevent protraction of the seat belt. The activation lever also attaches to the solenoid, and the solenoid rotates the activation lever to its actuated position in response to an anti-lock braking system used in the vehicle.

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First Claim