Importance

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Abstract

A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) is housed inside the retractor spool (16). The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), and a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and complementary helical splines (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Helical splines (29) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (28) extend along a portion of the stationary member (20) for slidingly engaging the splines (29) on the second portion of the movable member (22). Activation of the pretensioner mechanism (10) produces a sliding movement of the movable member (22), thereby producing simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines. Simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines produces a rotation of the spool (16) with respect to the stationary member (20), thereby pretensioning a seatbelt webbing wound on the spool (16).

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First Claim