# US 9,038,935 B2 · Progressive load limiter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,935 B2 - Document ID: US9038935B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/419,284 - Filed: 2012-03-13 - Published: 2012-09-20 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-14 - Assignees: TK Holdings Inc. - Applicants: Gary Lee Stroik, Jr. - Inventors: Gary Lee Stroik, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038935B2 ## CPC - B60R 22/341: {comprising energy-absorbing means} - B60R 2022/287: {of torsion rods or tubes} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A retractor includes a spool configured to selectively wind and unwind the webbing, 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 coupled to the spool and the lock base. When the lock base is in the free position, the spool and lock base freely rotate together when a force is applied on the spool through the webbing. When the lock base is in the locked position and a force is applied on the spool through the webbing, 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 a predetermined rotation of the spool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 coupled to the spool and 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 the lock base is in the locked position and a force is applied on the spool by the webbing, energy is initially absorbed by only the first energy absorbing member and wherein after the spool rotates at least a predetermined amount the second energy absorbing member begins to absorb energy. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The retractor of claim 1, wherein the second energy absorbing member includes a first torsion element interconnected with a second torsion element, the first torsion element being operatively coupled to the spool and the second torsion element being operatively coupled to the lock base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The retractor of claim 2, wherein the connection between the first and second torsion elements is a threaded connection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The retractor of claim 3, wherein the first torsion element includes a shoulder that is separated by a distance from a shoulder of the second torsion element prior to the force being applied on the spool through the webbing when the lock base is in the locked position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The retractor of claim 4, wherein the shoulder of the first torsion element is configured to be brought into contact with the shoulder of the second torsion element during loading of the spool whereby the second energy absorbing member absorbs the second energy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The retractor of claim 4, wherein the second torsion element includes a slot on the end to slideably engage a projection of the lock base to permit the second torsion element to move in an axial direction relative to the lock base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The retractor of claim 1, wherein the second energy absorbing member includes a first end having a slot to slideably couple the second energy absorber to the spool, and a second end having threads that operatively couple to the lock base through a threaded connection. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The retractor of claim 7, wherein the second end of the second energy absorbing member also includes an end surface that is separated by a distance from the lock base prior to the force being applied on the spool through the webbing when the lock base is in the locked position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The retractor of claim 8, wherein the end surface of the second end is configured to be brought into contact with the lock base during loading of the spool whereby the second energy absorbing member absorbs the second energy. ### Claim 10 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; 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, an end surface of the second end of the second energy absorbing member is separated from the lock base by a distance, and the second end is operatively coupled to the lock base; 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 end surface of the second energy absorbing member contacts the lock base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The retractor of claim 10, wherein the first end of the second energy absorbing member has a slot that is configured to slideably couple the second energy absorbing member to the spool, such that the second energy absorbing member is rotationally coupled to the spool yet may move in an axial direction relative to the spool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The retractor of claim 10, wherein the second end of the second energy absorbing member is operatively coupled to the lock base through a threaded connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The retractor of claim 12, wherein the second energy absorbing member includes internal threads that thread to external threads of the lock base.