the respective openings 38 the inboard face 32 a of each detent wedge 32 is cammed and when the detent wedges 32 are retained in the openings 38 their cammed faces 32 a engage a complementary cammed surface 26 b formed on the end of bridge bolt 26 as indicated above this prevents lateral displacement of the bridge bolt 26 toward the end portion 20 a of locking base 20 due to relative rotation between it and the locking base 20 as explained below activating cutting mechanism 36 severs the retaining band 34 establishing a period of low energy absorption as the bridge bolt 26 rotates with respect to the locking base 20 and thereby moves laterally toward the end portion 20 a of locking base 20 the cutting mechanism 36 includes a generally cylindrical housing 40 captured in a mounting flange 12 b of retractor frame 12 a piston 42 a squib 44 and an electrical connector 46 the piston 42 is disposed within an axial bore 48 of housing 40 and includes an integral chisel point pintle 50 that extends out of bore 48 toward the retaining band 34 electrical activation of the squib 44 charges the housing bore 48 with pressurized gas thereby displacing piston 42 outward and causing the chisel point 50 a of pintle 50 to strike and sever the retaining band 34 the operation of the retractor 10 is now.