Vehicle and safety device for same

摘要

A safety device for vehicles and their passengers comprises a restraining member, for instance a seat belt wound on a reel. A spring tends to wind in the reel, so that the member normally lies comfortably taut across the body of a seated passenger. A clutch operates in response to certain conditions of the vehicle to prevent the spring winding the reel in, while the reel can still wind out. This allows the belt to slacken to permit passengers to enter and leave their seats without difficulty. Appropriate conditions of the vehicle may include the opening of doors or the turning-off of the ignition system. When the condition ceases the spring first takes up the slack then holds the belt taut as before.