Abstract: A passenger safety belt restraint arrangement for a center seat in a vehicle has a height-adjustable shoulder belt in the shoulder area of a passenger. For this purpose, a height-adjustable mount which has a height-adjustable diverter for the shoulder belt at its highest point is provided in the upper backrest area of the center seat.

Abstract: An arrangement for seat-belts for vehicles having a seat for a passenger, an area where the passenger has his shoulder when seated in a normal position, a forward direction and a rearward direction, comprises a belt which runs from the area in the vehicles where the passenger has his shoulder when seated in a normal position to an attachment point at the side of the passenger. The arrangement has a connection fixed to the vehicle behind the seat for moving the belt in a rearward direction, keeping the belt at the passenger's shoulder so that the belt is in contact with the passenger regardless of the angle of the seat's backrest.

Abstract: The present device provides a plurality of belts to restrain a horizontal passenger within a vehicle. In its preferred embodiment, a diagonal belt is secured to the vehicle proximal the side of the sleeping surface near the hips of the passenger. Where the passenger is lying on his back, the diagonal belt extends toward the shoulder of the passenger and is in contact with the back of the passenger. It is looped over the shoulder and passes over the chest of the passenger. It is then secured to the vehicle proximal the hips of the passenger. The passenger may lie on his side or chest, as well. The restraint also includes two belts positioned transverse to the sleeping surface. The transverse belts may wrap around the sleeping surface; may be secured proximal one side of the sleeping surface and secured proximal the opposite side of the sleeping surface, extending over the sleeping surface; or may be positioned entirely above the sleeping surface.

Abstract: A seat belt adjuster which can be attached to the lap and shoulder belts of a conventional seat belt assembly so a passenger can adjust the positioning of the shoulder belt with respect to the passenger's upper torso. The seat belt adjuster includes a base and first and second pairs of flexible straps extending from the base. Each pair of straps can be interlocked to form first and second channels which slidably permit passage of the lap and shoulder belts therethrough. Each pair of straps can also be tighten to restrict the movement of the lap and shoulder belts through the first and second channels. In a preferred embodiment the first and second pair of straps are interlocked using Velcro strips. In an alternative embodiment a secondary locking loop, integral with one of the first or second pair of straps, is provided to strengthen the engagement of the first and second pairs of straps with the lap and shoulder belts.

Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster (10) includes a base (50) having a column (80) of openings (84, 86, 88) spaced along an axis (61). A carriage (120) is supported on the base (50) for movement along the axis (61) relative to the base. A seat belt webbing guide (24) is supported on the carriage (120). First and second latch parts (160, 180) on the carriage (120) are independently movable between a first condition not located in any one of the openings (84-88) and a second condition located in one of the openings to block axial movement of the carriage relative to the base (50). The first and second latch parts (160, 180) are configured and disposed on the carriage (120) so as to be capable of locating in the same opening (84-88) simultaneously. The height adjuster (10) also includes biasing means (210) for biasing the first and second latch parts (160, 180) into the second condition, and actuatable release means (200) for moving the first and second latch parts to the first condition.

Abstract: A shoulder strap repositioner, which may also be referred to as an “adjuster,” for repositioning or deflecting away from the face of a child the diagonally-extending shoulder strap component of a vehicle seat belt assembly of the type having a lap belt and a diagonally-extending shoulder strap. In an exemplary embodiment, the repositioner includes a body positionable against the torso of a seated person. The body in turn includes a center section having opposed front and rear surfaces, and left and right side wings likewise having opposed front and rear surfaces. Each of the side wings is joined to the center section at the top and bottom, so that inner edges of the side wings and side edges of the center section cooperate to define a pair of laterally spaced generally vertically-extending slots in the body, the slots having closed peripheries. During use, the lap belt and shoulder strap pass through the slots.

Abstract: A passenger restraining harness and support assembly for use with a bench seat mounted in a vehicle. The bench seat includes a frame having a seat support portion with a front portion and a rear portion, a seatback portion coupled to the seat support portion, and legs or supports anchoring the seat to the vehicle. A harness support assembly includes a tower member with a slotted bottom end pivotally coupled to the rear of the seat support portion, a connecting member having one end adapted to fit into the slot in the tower member and a second end connected to the front of the seat support portion, a belt guide connected to the top of the tower member, and an anchor wing connected to the connecting member. A belt or harness attaches to the support assembly.

Abstract: A height adjuster for use with a seat belt comprising: a track mountable to a structural member of a vehicle in a vertical orientation, the member including a portion of a vehicle seat, the track including a plurality of adjustment holes located along its length, a carrier member, manually movable along the track relatively to the adjustment holes, the carrier member supporting a movable pin, having a top and a bottom. The pin is movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from a selected adjustment hole to a second position in which it is located within the selected adjustment hole. A spring biases the pin in a direction toward the back of the track, and an activating member, operatively connected to the pin, moves the pin out of the selected hole to the selected position. A web guide, adapted to receive the seat belt, is mounted to and movable with the slide member.

Abstract: A seat belt anchorage plate for a seat belt device formed with a plate shaped member (base) 2 is provided with a slot 6 into which a belt (waist belt) 13 is inserted and which has long edge parts opposed with each other. The belt 13 is folded back along the one long edge part 691 of the opposed long edge parts in the slot 6 so that the one long edge part 691 bears the tension of the belt 13. The one long edge part 691 is formed so as to expand in the direction opposite to that of the tension of the belt 13 toward a central part from both ends in its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A detachable three point seat belt system having an interlocking mechanism that requires the wearer to reattach a detached system to the seat prior to fastening the seat belt over the wearer's body. This invention specifically addresses the need of three point seat belt systems, which will operate at any seating position within the vehicle, including a front seat, a rear seat, a side seats and/or a center seat within the vehicle. This invention provides a nearly foolproof three-point continuous seat belt system while maintaining significant design flexibility, including detachability and seat adaptability.

Abstract: A side impact air bag apparatus incorporated into a seat includes a column at a side portion of a seat back which opposes a door and which integrally moves with the seat back. The column accommodates an air bag main body which is folded within the column, and an inflator. A webbing guide device is disposed at a seat back shoulder portion of the seat near the inner side portion of the column in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The webbing guide device guides a webbing, one end of which is fixed to an anchor at a center pillar.

Abstract: A seat assembly that includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a pivot mount for pivotally connecting the seat back to the seat bottom. The seat assembly further includes a guide member attaching the pivot mount to the vehicle, a leg link pivotally attaching the seat bottom to the vehicle, and an arm link pivotally attaching to the seat back to the vehicle. The leg link, the arm link, and the guide member all cooperate to guide the pivot mount, and hence the seat bottom and the seat back, in a downward and rearward direction from the in-use position to the stored position. Since the seat bottom moves in a downward direction from the in-use position to the stored position, the seat assembly forms a flat, uniform cargo area for increased cargo capabilities.

Abstract: A seat belt with light and lock. A manually operated light attached to the seat belt provides a visual indication of seat belt use. A key-operated lock on the buckle prevents a child from unfastening the buckle while the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: A padded cushioning device for use with a child strapped into a car seat by a seat belt having a buckle, an abdominal restraint strap and a chest restrain strap. The device comprising a cushion. A first means is for releasably attaching a portion of the abdominal restraint strap of the seat belt to the cushion, so that when the buckle of the seat belt is engaged, the cushion will be held against an abdominal area of the child in a comfortable manner when the child is seated in the car seat. A second means is for releasably attaching a portion of the chest restraint strap of the seat belt to the cushion, so that the chest restraint strap will be positioned away from a neck of the child to eliminate uncomfortable chaffing of the skin on the neck.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame assembly includes two lateral upright side members and a brace connected between the upright side members to form a lower backrest frame. At least one of the upright side members has an upper end and it is rigid from a bottom of the lower backrest frame to the upper end, the upper end further including a point for attaching or passing a seat belt. An upper backrest frame is located above the lower backrest frame and is positioned below the upper end of the at least one upright side member. A hinge is provided for mounting the upper backrest frame at a lower edge thereof to the upright side members for allowing pivotal movement of the upper backrest frame relative to the lower backrest frame.

Abstract: A belt retractor for incorporation in a fold-down type backrest of a vehicle seat is disclosed. The backrest of the seat is able of being latched to a vehicle body in an upright seating position by a lock. The retractor has a frame and a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame. A blocking mechanism is provided for selectively blocking rotation of the belt reel on the frame. The blocking mechanism is activated as long as the backrest is not locked in place by latching action of the lock. The blocking mechanism comprises an activating means responsive to inertial forces. The activating means has a coupling disk which is connected to the belt reel and has a coupling toothing. The activating means further has a coupling pawl which can be caused to engage the coupling toothing. The coupling pawl comprises a control knuckle coupled by a traction means to the lock.

Abstract: A belt retractor is provided for incorporation in a fold-down type backrest which can be latched to a vehicle body in an upright position by a lock. The retractor has a frame and a belt, a reel rotatably mounted in the frame. A blocking mechanism is provided which blocks the belt reel non-rotatably to the frame as long as the backrest is not locked by latching action of the lock.

Abstract: A vehicle set back frame that is lightweight and sufficiently rigid to be incorporated in an all-belts-to-seat seat belt mechanism. A seat back shaped back frame is C-shaped in cross-section and wrapped with a load-transfer panel and a lumbar panel to form a box frame which houses seat belt retractors and resists back frame deformation due to frontal impact of the vehicle. A method of distributing seat belt loads is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat pan is provided for an automobile vehicle seat and includes an anti-sub-marining cross-member that limits the movement of a user's pelvis toward the front of the seat. The cross-member extends crosswise to a seat pan framework and moves under the action of a cable, from a rest position to an extended position. In the extended position, the cross-member limits the movement of the user's pelvis toward the front of the seat. The ends of the cross-member are guided along a first trajectory and the seat pan includes energy dissipation means for controlling, from a predetermined threshold and from the extended position of the cross-member, forces transmitted by the seat to a user.

Abstract: A seat belt clip for preventing the shoulder strap portion of a seat belt from being pulled too tight on the chest of a user by the seat belt retracting mechanism. The seat belt clip includes first and second arms each having inner and outer faces, a tab portion, an elongate cross portion coupled to the tab portion of the respective arm and a plurality of spaced apart elongate fingers outwardly extending from the cross portion of the respective arm. The inner faces of the first and second arms face. The first and second arms are pivotally coupled together at a fulcrum positioned between the tab portions of the arms adjacent the cross portions of the arms. The fingers of the first arm and the fingers of the second arm are biased towards one another.

Abstract: A back frame for a vehicle seat assembly having an upright frame member capable of supporting compressive and tensile loading and a secondary, tensile load carrying member capable only of supporting significant loads in tension. The tensile load carrying member is attached to the upright frame member at the upper end of the back frame and extends downward behind the upright frame member and is attached to a base at the lower end of the back frame. The upright frame member is also attached to the base at the lower end of the back frame. The result is a triangular truss formed by the upright frame member, the tensile load carrying member and the base.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with a seat cushion, adjustably fixed to the floor of the vehicle, and a backrest, which can be adjusted with respect to the seat cushion, is provided with a restraining device for the seat user. The restraint comprises a three-point safety belt and an additional belt. For optimum protection of the seat user in the resting position and also to prevent so-called submarining, a fixed adjustment of seat cushion and backrest is provided in the resting position in such a manner that the backrest is swiveled about an obtuse angle with respect to the seat cushion, and the seat cushion is shifted into a predetermined front position in the driving direction and inclined towards the rear. The additional belt extends as a transverse shoulder belt from the upper edge of the backrest to a belt buckle disposed near the floor.

Abstract: The positioning of the buckle plate of an auto driver's safety belt so that it is within reach of the driver without the need to turn attention away from traffic in front of the auto, a dangerous maneuver often needed when the safety belt, through oversight, has to be buckled after the auto is in motion.

Abstract: An automotive seat belt webbing guide assembly having an angular limiter spacer for limiting the rotation of a seat belt D-ring. A predefined rotational range assures that the belt webbing will not bind within the D-ring slot, yet the available rotation is sufficient to meet the needs of an automotive occupant and their differing angular pulls of the belt.

Abstract: A steering fixture for a seat belt in a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, is pivotable during its normal use within a certain angle range. The pivotability is limited by a predetermined breaking point. If the steering fixture is subjected to a particular load, the connection breaks and the steering fixture can turn freely.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint having an adjustable web tether utilizes a first section of webbing that is tautly positioned between the vehicle floor and an upper mounting location. A second section of webbing extends from a floor-mounted (or wall- or seat-mounted) emergency locking retractor (ELR) and through a turning point at the upper mounting location, after which the second webbing section transitions to a shoulder belt for the occupant. In order to provide a pivot point for the shoulder belt, an adjustable web tether is mounted to the first webbing section and captures the second webbing section in sliding engagement by means of a ring. The ring of the web tether therefore provides a pivot point for the shoulder strap. The vertical position of the web tether upon the first webbing section is adjustable, so that the height of the shoulder strap pivot point, and therefore the trajectory of the shoulder strap across the occupant, is adjustable.

Abstract: A toddler booster car seat is disclosed. The toddler booster car seat comprises a rigid frame including a generally horizontally disposed seat portion with an upper surface for receiving the seat of a child and a lower surface for being positioned on the seat of a vehicle. The frame also includes a back portion integrally formed with the seat portion and extending generally upwardly from the rear edge of the seat portion. The rigid frame of the back portion is formed with rigid lateral edges. A plurality of apertures is formed in the back portion of the frame. At least one positioning member is formed with a plurality of apertures located therethrough adjacent to its inner edge with a plurality of notches extending inwardly from the outer edge. Each notch has a narrow linear radial extent terminating in an enlarged circumferential extent adapted to receive the fabric of a vehicle seat belt. A plurality of fasteners extend through the apertures of the frame and positioning members.

Abstract: The present invention is a restraining system for securing a detainee in a seat of a vehicle including a restraining belt extending from an anchoring point in the middle region of the seat to a stowing point outboard of the anchoring point and a latching mechanism adjacent to a side region of the seat. The system is in non-securing operation when the belt extends to the stowing point and in securing operation when the belt is removed from the stowing point and connected to the latching mechanism such that the belt traverses the detainee's torso.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system with a housing for a seat belt retractor, the housing having a rotatable escutcheon with an exit slot for the seat belt webbing. The escutcheon is preferably mounted to a bearing attached to the housing.

Abstract: The structure relates to a belt integral seat of a motor vehicle with a back rest, which has a back rest frame, onto which a carrier of a neck rest and a device for the safety belt guidance is arranged at the top. The device for a safety belt guidance is attached to the carrier. The carrier is located between the device for a safety belt guidance and the neck rest.

Abstract: An automotive seat back having a pair of spaced upright members with lower ends and upper ends interconnected by a cross member to define a substantially rectangular back frame. The upright members and the cross member also have a front surface and a rear surface. A shoulder belt housing extends upwardly between the upright members from below the cross member to an upper distal end disposed above the cross member. The shoulder belt housing also extends forward of the front surfaces of the upright members and the cross member. Specifically, the front surfaces define a frontal plane of the back frame and the distal end of the shoulder belt housing extends forwardly beyond the frontal plane of the back frame. The housing includes a coffin portion, defined by side walls and a bottom, and a cover disposed over and in sealing engagement with the side walls. A seat belt passes within the coffin portion and out through an opening in the cover to overlay a front surface of the seat back.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a seat belt webbing includes a first mounting portion and a guiding portion. The first mounting portion preferably includes an aperture adapted to receive a vertical post for conventionally mounting a head rest to a vehicle seat back. The guide portion defines an opening for receiving the seat belt webbing. In certain applications, the apparatus further includes a second mounting portion for releasably engaging the headrest. A bezel is disclosed for releasably attaching to the vertical post.

Abstract: A seat and seat belt assembly wherein a platform is slidable relative a first track and a second track, a belt guide is mounted on the seat back, and seat belt retractor is mounted on the slidable platform beneath the belt guide. Preferably, substantially all the seat belt is mounted external the first and second interior envelopes, and the web of the seat belt extends flat along the first side of the seat back between the retractor and the belt guide and the axis of rotation of the retractor extends generally parallel to the first track. Advantageously, the belt guide is mounted on a second member which is moveable with respect to a first member which is fixed to the seat back.

Abstract: A car seat is provided with fold-down seatbacks and an associated safety-belt system. The shoulder belt of the safety-belt system in the upper corner of the seatback from the direction of the outside of the car, exits through a slot-like opening of a covering on the seatback in the direction of the belt user, and a seatback release is arranged at a distance from the safety-belt deflector. So that the seatback release does not have to be configured and built individually for car seats of the most varied kinds, a unit which is mountable on the contour of the seatback and accommodates the belt deflector and the seatback release, is prefabricated as an assembly unit.

Abstract: A support unit for a shoulder belt of a safety belt system provided with a rolling mechanism in the form of an integrated component of a seat structure of an airplane seat. A sectional traverse girder is mounted approximately on shoulder level between the side walls of the seat structure of an airplane seat. The transverse girder has a guide slot for the shoulder belt and at least two support webs for the rolling mechanism are clamped in a frictionally engaging manner into the transverse girder.

Abstract: A means for moving a fitting part with an insertion tongue of a vehicle seat belt from a resting position, suitable for a vehicle occupant getting in and out of the vehicle, into an ergonomically favorable presentation position in which the occupant is easily able to grasp the fitting part, includes a stirrup handle gripping the seat belt, a swivel arm to which the stirrup handle is applied and a drive for moving the swivel arm between the resting position and the presentation position.

Abstract: A seat for use in an emergency vehicle includes a base portion and a seat back extending up from the base portion. The seat back includes a pair of vertical cushions spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of a central recess that houses a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). A lower end of each vertical cushion includes a removable insert and an upper end includes a retaining tab adapted to retain a shoulder strap of the SCBA. The base of the seat includes portions of reduced width along opposite edges of the base to provide clearance for a seat belt or seat tether. Attached to the seat back is a headrest frame having a curved top handle portion that facilitates inserting the SCBA into the recess, provides clearance for removal of the SCBA, and provides added structural stability to the seat.

Abstract: An adjustment device, e.g., for use by children and small adults, retains the shoulder strap of a vehicle seat belt in a position comfortably away from the user's neck and face. The adjustment device comprises a body attachment device which is adjustably positioned about the user's body, especially a user's shoulder, and a releasable securement device which secures the seat belt shoulder strap to the body attachment device, drawing it away from the neck and face region of the user.

Abstract: An automotive bench seat assembly which may be removable from a vehicle, has a seat, a seatback adjacent to the seat a pair of relatively spaced stanchions having an upper portion secured to the seat, and a lower floor engaging portion. The seat has a front rail, a rear rail, and a pair of side members connecting the front and rear rails. A pair of belt supporting towers are operatively associated with shoulder belts and serve to transmit impact loads to the floor through the stanchions. The stanchions have upper portions supportingly secured to towers or the rear rail intermediate the ends thereof and to the front rail intermediate the ends thereof. The stanchions have the floor engaging portion positioned inwardly of the side members. Lap belts also transmit impact loads through the stanchions to the floor. The stanchion may be generally V-shaped and have sidewalls composed of reinforced sheet members. Reinforced sheet members may be provided in the seatback and seat.

Abstract: A seat belt anchorage plate for a seat belt device formed with a plate shaped member (base) 2 is provided with a slot 6 into which a belt (waist belt) 13 is inserted and which has long edge parts opposed with each other. The belt 13 is folded back along the one long edge part 691 of the opposed long edge parts in the slot 6 so that the one long edge part 691 bears the tension of the belt 13. The one long edge part 691 is formed so as to expand in the direction opposite to that of the tension of the belt 13 toward a central part from both ends in its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a seat belt webbing includes a mounting portion and a guiding portion. The mounting portion preferably includes an aperture adapted to receive a vertical post for conventionally mounting a head rest to a vehicle seat back. The guide portion defines an opening for receiving the seat belt webbing. In the preferred embodiment, the opening is defined by a fixed arm and movable arm interconnected by a living hinge.

Abstract: A height-adjustable fastening system for a safety belt of a vehicle has a guide track and a slide slidably connected to the guide track and arrestable in various positions along the guide track. A fastening or guiding bracket is connected to the slide. A Bowden cable arrangement has a first end connected to the slide and a second end connected to a vehicle seat displaceable on a first and second seat tracks. The Bowden cable arrangement includes a sleeve and a cable pull displaceably guided within the sleeve. A stationary guide is positioned in the vicinity of the first seat track. The Bowden cable arrangement is guided about the stationary guide and the sleeve is connected to the stationary guide. The cable pull is connected with a first end to the vehicle seat at a fastening location remote from the stationary guide. The cable pull transmits a displacement movement of the vehicle seat onto the slide.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) for mounting on a vehicle seat back (22) includes a spool (110) on which seat belt webbing (32) is wound. The retractor (10) includes inertia sensing means (40) for blocking rotation of the spool (110) in a belt withdrawal direction (124) in response to vehicle deceleration above a predetermined deceleration. The inertia sensing means (40) comprises a first inertia member (222) movable from an unactuated position to an actuated position in response to vehicle deceleration above a predetermined deceleration, and sensor means (230) operable to block rotation of the spool (110) in the belt withdrawal direction (124) in response to movement of the first inertia member (222) from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a deflection fitting of a vehicle safety belt system includes a rail provided with catch openings, and a slider mounted displaceably in the rail. The slider is adapted for connection to the deflection fitting and is provided with a detent mechanism for cooperation with the catch openings. The slider is further provided with a locking element which is functionally independent of the detent mechanism. The locking element is mounted at the slider pivotally between a neutral position in which it does not engage the rail, and a locking position in which it engages the rail and locks the slider in place.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraint system in which a belt band includes a lap belt portion which may or may not be inflatable and an inflatable torso belt portion. The toro belt portion is partially mounted in an enclosure which prevents substantial inflation with the remainder of the torso belt portion positioned to protect the passenger. When a large passenger buckles-up more torso belt is withdrawn from the enclosure. Upon activation of the inflator with a larger passenger buckled-up, gases are supplied to the torso belt portion in the enclosure with less gas remaining in the enclosure and more gas being supplied to the torso belt portion outside the enclosure which portion protects the larger passenger.When a small passenger buckles-up, less gas is supplied the torso belt portion outside the enclosure.

Abstract: A shoulder anchor structure capable of reliably absorbing energy when a predetermined large load acts thereon and also capable of adjusting its energy absorption characteristic according to vehicle model. The shoulder anchor structure includes an energy absorbing member having a pair of deformation amplifying portions formed thereon. The deformation amplifying portions ensure a predetermined displacement stroke of an intermediate portion of the energy absorbing member. Further, the deformation amplifying portions can deform so as to absorb a load acting on an occupant during a secondary collision. Accordingly, there is no fear of separation of the energy absorbing member from a pillar inner panel before a predetermined amount of energy is absorbed. This makes it possible to reliably absorb the load acting on the occupant during the secondary collision.

Abstract: A child safety belt device used in combination with a safety belt for adjusting the position of a shoulder band of the safety belt to accommodate the proportions of a smaller passenger such as a child. The device includes: a fixing portion for fixing the device to the safety belt, the fixing portion being detachably fixed to a waist band of the safety belt; a link portion being attached to a shoulder band of the safety belt; a band for connecting the fixing portion with the link portion, the band being adjustable in length; and a stopper mounted on the band for keeping the length of said band in place.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt installation has a structural belt guide mounted on the seat back headrest which guides movement of the seat belt during operation between a clamping member and a clamping surface. A normally deflated inflatable bag includes a body that is mounted on a base having an inextensible fixed length with one end fixed to the structural belt guide. The other end of the bag base mounts an end belt guide loop which embraces the belt. A middle belt guide loop is secured to the bag outer surface embracing the belt to assure that occupant movement causes the belt to move along a travel route over the outer surface of the bag a distance that is substantially equal to said fixed length when the bag is deflated. When sudden vehicle deceleration is sensed, an inflator mounted in the headrest simultaneously moves the clamping member to clamp the belt to the clamping surface against movement and inflates the bag.

Abstract: A split rear seat assembly is disclosed in which the upper fixing of a three point automatic safety belt assembly for a center seated passenger is mounted in such a manner that it is accessible from the rear side of a backrest forming part of the seat assembly. The seat belt assembly can therefore be easily fitted to the backrest even after the backrest has been trimmed. The seat backrest has a strong internal reinforcing frame so that loads from the seat belt assembly upper fixing can be safely resisted.

Abstract: A vehicle seat (10) has a lower seat frame (14) and a seat back (16) pivoted about a recliner axis (20). An occupant (22) restraining shoulder belt (26) has an upper attachment point provided by a sliding belt guide (40) fixed to the top of a resilient, flexible elongated tower (36) attached to one side of the seat back (16). The tower (36) is normally unflexed, with the same orientation as the seat back (16), but is capable of bending with the belt guide (40) down and forwardly relative to the seat back and closer to the recliner axis (20) when a forward and downward force is applied to the belt guide (40). An inertially locking belt retractor (24) is rigidly fixed to the seat (10) below the belt guide (40). The retractor (24) provides a reserve length of belt (50) that extends up along the back of the tower (36) and over the belt guide (40) and then continues into the shoulder belt (26).