Apparatus for using the impact energy of a vehicle for a safety device for the protection of passengers

An apparatus for enhancing the safety of a passenger in a vehicle of the kind having a chassis and drive means mounted in a forward section thereof for movement, when in a frontal collision of predetermined force, in a rearward direction relative to said chassis, comprising:

• a seat belt for retaining said passenger in a predetermined position and having a first portion extending generally forwardly of said passenger and a second portion extending generally rearwardly of said passenger;
• means for securing said first portion of said seat belt to said chassis rearward of said forward section thereof;
• retaining means for yieldably extending and retracting said second portion of said seat belt;
• flexible substantially unstretchable means having a first section connected to said drive means and a second section connected to said retaining means for selectively retracting said second portion of said seat belt;
• and
• means cooperating with said flexible means for converting said movement of said drive means in said rearward direction into a force whereby said second portion of said seat belt is retracted on said retaining means.