Passive Seat Belt Design and Standards

1978 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 528-531
Author(s):  
Wesley E. Woodson ◽  
Thomas L. Black
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Seat Belt ◽  
Vehicle Safety ◽  
Writing Performance ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
The Public ◽  
Passive Restraint ◽  
Motor Vehicle Safety

Recently mandated passive restraint requirements raise the question of how to minimize the possible resistance of the public by putting comfort and convenience requirements into Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This paper discusses methods for determining potential public complaints and presents some of the problems of writing performance rules that deal with the subjective reactions of the public to discomfort and inconvenience.

Biomechanical Analysis of Side Release and Top Release Seat Belt Buckles

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Sances ◽  
Srirangam Kumaresan ◽  
Richard Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Seat Belt ◽  
Large Male ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Vehicle Safety ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Motor Vehicle Safety ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Release Force

Various articles suggest that the maximum release force for buckle according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 109 of 133 N is beyond the capability of a large percentage of our population [1, 2]. Inversion studies with a large male in a three-point production belt showed he could not open a side release buckle [3]. Numerous articles and patents reference the potential for entrapment of inverted occupants unable to release the seat belt buckle [4–11]. Various articles and patents discuss the problems associated with entrapment of individuals in fires, water or emergency situations or where the occupant is deprived of oxygen due to positional asphyxia [12]. While the use of seat belts has increased markedly over the years [13], investigations indicate that rollover accidents showed fatally injured occupants in their seats which were entrapped in their vehicle. The forces to release the buckles under full load of the inverted occupants were beyond the physical capacities of the occupants involved. Canadian motor vehicle safety standard 209 (CMVSS 209) requires that a buckle must release with a force of 133 N to the button with a restraining loop force of 666 N. About 80 % of driver’s could not release a buckle that requires 133 N of force on the button [1]. Females could exert about 80 N with their fingers when opening child restraint buckles [14]. Females were generally found to have about half the physical capacity to open buckles compared to males. The maximum buckle release force of 133 N is not found in literature. Dreyfuss in his book indicates various forces for females and males [15]. European standards require that latch plate be ejected, therefore side release buckles are not allowed.

Automobile Safety for Children, Seat Belt Division

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 956-956
Author(s):  
William F. Rowley ◽  
Eugene Lariviere ◽  
Charles W. Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Seat Belt ◽  
Vehicle Safety ◽  
Highway Traffic ◽  
Safety Standard ◽  
National Highway Traffic Safety ◽  
Automobile Safety ◽  
Motor Vehicle Safety ◽  
First Time

I would like to call your readers' attention to the effective date of the Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, Child Seating Systems, which is April 1, 1971.1 This ruling provides that child seating systems offered for sale have to meet specifications set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Now, for the first time, a physician, who can and should recommend that parents of young children purchase restraining devices, can be assured that these devices will provide effective restraint.

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