Adjustable automatic locking retractor

摘要

A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (14) on which a seat belt (16) is wound. Ratchet wheels (22) are fixed for rotation with the spool (14). A pawl (30) is movable into a blocking position for blocking rotation of the ratchet wheels (22) and the spool (14) in a belt withdrawal direction (A). A lever (50) is pivotable to move the pawl (30) to the blocking position after a predetermined length of the seat belt (16) is withdrawn from the spool 14. A control ring gear assembly (94) causes the lever (50) to pivot. The control ring gear assembly (94) includes two members (96 and 108), which have projections (104, 116), respectively, for engaging and pivoting the lever (50). The member (108) is movable relative to the member (96) for changing the amount of rotation of the ring gear assembly (94) required prior to the projection (116) moving the lever ( 50) to cause a lock-up of the retractor. This, in turn, changes the predetermined length of the seat belt (16) which must be withdrawn to cause the retractor to lock up.