Sealed locking retractor

A locking retractor comprising:

• a frame defining two opposing sidewalls,
• a rotatable spool extending between the two sidewalls,
• a spool shaft extending from and rotating with the spool, one end of the spool shaft extending through one of the sidewalls,
• a housing including a base defining a first opening therethrough, the base of the housing having an outer surface mounted to the one of the sidewalls with the spool shaft extending into the first opening,
• one or more locking components arranged on an inner surface of the housing opposite the outer surface thereof, the one or more locking components configured to cooperate with the spool shaft to selectively lock rotation of the spool relative to the frame,
• a first sealing member engaging the base of the housing and extending about a periphery of the first opening, the first sealing member also extending about and engaging a periphery of the spool shaft, the first sealing member forming a seal between the base of the housing and the spool shaft to block ingress of moisture and particles from the outer surface of the base of the housing to any of the one or more locking components, and
• a cover hermetically attached to the housing about a periphery thereof with the locking components sealed between the cover and the base of the housing.

A method of sealing locking components of a retractor, wherein the locking components cooperate with a spool shaft extending from a rotatable spool of the retractor to selectively lock rotation of the spool, and wherein the spool shaft rotates with the rotatable spool, the method comprising:

• mounting an outer surface of a base of a housing to the retractor, the housing defining a first opening through the base, the spool shaft extending into the first opening when the outer surface of the base of the housing is mounted to the retractor,
• operatively arranging the locking components on an inner surface of the housing opposite the outer surface of the housing,
• positioning a first sealing member to engage the base of the housing and extend about a periphery of the first opening, and to also extend about and engage a periphery of the spool shaft, the first sealing member blocking ingress of moisture and particles from the outer surface of the base of the housing to the inner surface of the base of the housing, and
• hermetically attaching a cover to the housing about a periphery thereof, after the housing is mounted to the retractor, with the locking components sealed between the cover and the base of the housing.