Seat belt retractor with automatic locking mechanism

According to the present invention there is provided a retractor (1) comprising a rotatably mounted spool (3) for supporting seat belt webbing, an emergency locking mechanism for selectively locking the spool (3) against rotation, an automatic locking mechanism for selectively locking the spool against pay out of webbing, a switch having a first position (2) for activating the automative locking mechanism in dependence upon a predetermined amount of webbing being wound off the spool, and a second position for deactivating the automatic locking mechanism, in dependence upon a predetermined amount of webbing being wound back onto the spool, a gear for connecting the spool with the switch mechanism comprising a first (28) and a second actuator tab (29) on the gear and a pivotally mounted actuator member (12) having an actuator pawl (15) for locking the spool and parts (16,17) intergaging with the first (28) and second tabs (29) to move the switch between the first and second positions. The tabs and the interengaging parts are radially oriented in line one with the other.