In a webbing take-up device, in a case in which the acceleration with which a webbing is pulled out from a spool, which is based on the radius of the webbing taken up on the spool and the angular acceleration of rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction that are detected by an angle-of-rotation sensor, is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration, a lock mechanism locks the rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction. For this reason, the rotation of the spool can be locked on based on the acceleration with which the webbing is pulled out from the spool.

In a webbing take-up device, in a case in which the acceleration with which a webbing is pulled out from a spool, which is based on the radius of the webbing taken up on the spool and the angular acceleration of rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction that are detected by an angle-of-rotation sensor, is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration, a lock mechanism locks the rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction. For this reason, the rotation of the spool can be locked on based on the acceleration with which the webbing is pulled out from the spool.

A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap is positionable adjacent to the occupant so as to dispose the occupant between the strap and the seat. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including a fixed mode and an unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the fixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch to the unfixed mode in response to a user input, thereby increasing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat of the aircraft.

A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap is positionable adjacent to the occupant so as to dispose the occupant between the strap and the seat. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including a fixed mode and an unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the fixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch to the unfixed mode in response to a user input, thereby increasing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat of the aircraft.

Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback with a frame assembly having first and second portions. A primary structure extends between the first and second portions and defines a seating surface. A secondary structure extends between the first and second portions. A retractor mechanism is disposed on one of the first and second portions and is selectively positionable in an unlocked, a locked, or a pre-tensioned position.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback with a frame assembly having first and second portions. A primary structure extends between the first and second portions and defines a seating surface. A secondary structure extends between the first and second portions. A retractor mechanism is disposed on one of the first and second portions and is selectively positionable in an unlocked, a locked, or a pre-tensioned position.

A retractor restraint system is provided for securing wheelchairs and/or people in vehicles. The system includes a housing, a retractor reel mounted to the housing rotatably in a positive and a negative direction of rotation for receiving a belt which can be coupled to a wheelchair, an arresting unit for arresting the reel to prevent rotation in the negative direction of rotation in an operating state of the retractor restraint system, a clamping unit arranged at the housing for releasably clamping fast the belt unwound from the reel, and a triggering mechanism for actuation of the clamping unit. The triggering mechanism is coupled to the arresting unit and the reel in such a way that the clamping unit is actuated when a torque acts on the reel in the negative direction of rotation and the reel is arrested by the arresting unit.

A seat belt system for a vehicle comprises a first seat belt buckle mounted at a first location, a second seat belt buckle mounted at a second location and a seat belt retractor mounted at a third location, a seat belt and a circuit. The third location is spaced along a seat for an occupant from the second location. The seat belt is extendable from the seat belt retractor and has a tongue. The seat belt is extendable to connect the tongue to the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle. The circuit interconnects the first seat belt buckle, the second seat belt buckle and the seat belt retractor. The circuit is configured to change an operating mode of the seat belt retractor when (1) the seat belt tongue is removed from the first seat belt buckle and/or (2) the seat belt tongue is removed from the second seat belt buckle. An optional indicator can be provided to indicate to the vehicle operator that the operating mode of the retractor has been changed.