Progressive load limiter

A retractor for use in an occupant restraint system having a seatbelt webbing, the retractor comprising:

• a rotatable spool configured to selectively wind and unwind the webbing around the spool;
• a lock base configured to operate in a free position and a locked position;
• a first energy absorbing member coupled to the spool and the lock base;
• and
• a second energy absorbing member having a first element interconnected to a second element through a threaded connection, the first element being operatively coupled to the spool and having a shoulder that is separated by a distance from an opposing shoulder of the second element, the second element being operatively coupled to the lock base;
• wherein when the lock base is in the free position, the spool and lock base are configured to freely rotate together when a force is applied on the spool through the webbing;
• and
• wherein when a force is applied on the spool by the webbing when the lock base is in the locked position, rotation of the spool is permitted while rotation of the lock base is prevented, such that the first energy absorbing member absorbs a first energy and the second energy absorbing member is configured to absorb a second energy after the shoulder of the first element contacts the shoulder of the second element.

A retractor for use in an occupant restraint system having a seatbelt webbing, the retractor comprising:

• a rotatable spool configured to selectively wind and unwind the webbing around the spool;
• a lock base configured to operate in a free position and a locked position;
• a first energy absorbing member coupled to the spool and the lock base;
• and
• a second energy absorbing member having a first end operatively coupled to the spool and a second end operatively coupled to the lock base, the second end having a shoulder that is separated from the lock base by a distance;
• wherein when the lock base is in the free position, the spool and lock base are configured to freely rotate together when a force is applied on the spool through the webbing;
• and
• wherein when a force is applied on the spool by the webbing when the lock base is in the locked position, rotation of the spool is permitted while rotation of the lock base is prevented, such that the first energy absorbing member absorbs a first energy and the second energy absorbing member is configured to absorb a second energy after the shoulder of the second energy absorbing member contacts the lock base.