Tether belt for passive shoulder belt system

摘要

A passive restraint belt system includes a shoulder belt having an outboard end mounted on the upper rear corner of the door and an inboard end retractably mounted on the body inboard the occupant seat. The retractor winds the belt to a diagonal restraining position across the occupant upper torso when the door is closed and permits outward and forward movement of the shoulder belt with the door to permit occupant ingress and regress when the door is opened. A tether belt has a first end attached to the shoulder belt intermediate the inboard and outboard ends and a second end connected to the door in vertically spaced relation from the outboard shoulder belt end. The length of the tether belt is adjustable by the occupant to deflect the diagonal path of the shoulder belt to fit the size of the particular occupant. The tether belt may be connected to the door by a reel which is rotatable to adjust the length of the tether belt. A clutch mechanism is associated with the reel to hold the tether belt at its adjusted length and is released manually by the occupant or automatically upon opening movement of the door.