Abstract: A test apparatus collects performance data for a seat belt system having components providing operating stages of pre-tensioning, locking, and load limiting of the seat belt. A bench plate mounts the components of the seat belt system and includes first and second pulleys spaced apart on the bench plate and having the seat belt extending horizontally therebetween. At least one load sensor senses the load experienced by the seat belt. A resistor engages the seat belt between the first and second pulleys and pulls downwardly to introduce slack in the seat belt. An impactor mass is suspended above the seat belt and is released to free-fall onto the seat belt and impose a load on the seat belt simulating the load of a seated occupant being imposed on the seat belt. A control module energizes the pre-tensioning stage and a plotter records force versus time performance data.

Abstract: A test apparatus collects performance data for a seat belt system having components providing operating stages of pre-tensioning, locking, and load limiting of the seat belt. A bench plate mounts the components of the seat belt system and includes first and second pulleys spaced apart on the bench plate and having the seat belt extending horizontally therebetween. At least one load sensor senses the load experienced by the seat belt. A resistor engages the seat belt between the first and second pulleys and pulls downwardly to introduce slack in the seat belt. An impactor mass is suspended above the seat belt and is released to free-fall onto the seat belt and impose a load on the seat belt simulating the load of a seated occupant being imposed on the seat belt. A control module energizes the pre-tensioning stage and a plotter records force versus time performance data.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly is provided for an occupant seated in a seat that includes a seat back portion and a seat base portion having an outboard side. The seat belt assembly includes a continuous seat belt having a lap belt and shoulder belt. The lap belt has an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and an anchor portion. The anchor portion is fixed to an anchor member positioned below, rearward, and inboard relative to the outboard side of the seat base portion. An actuator assembly is selectively engageable with the outboard portion of the lap belt and is operable to selectively release the lap belt. A pre-tensioner is operatively connected to the shoulder belt. The pre-tensioner is configured to tension the shoulder belt and the lap belt thereby applying force in an inboard direction when the lap belt is released from the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly is provided for an occupant seated in a seat that includes a seat back portion and a seat base portion having an outboard side. The seat belt assembly includes a continuous seat belt having a lap belt and shoulder belt. The lap belt has an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and an anchor portion. The anchor portion is fixed to an anchor member positioned below, rearward, and inboard relative to the outboard side of the seat base portion. An actuator assembly is selectively engageable with the outboard portion of the lap belt and is operable to selectively release the lap belt. A pre-tensioner is operatively connected to the shoulder belt. The pre-tensioner is configured to tension the shoulder belt and the lap belt thereby applying force in an inboard direction when the lap belt is released from the actuator assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a seat belt apparatus configured to restrain an occupant seated in a vehicle car seat having a seat back portion and a seat base portion. The seat belt apparatus includes a lap belt defining an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The seat belt apparatus also includes a tether defining a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the tether is secured to the outboard portion of the lap belt. A pre-tensioner is positioned below, rearward and inboard of the occupant's outboard hip. The pre-tensioner is selectively configured to retract the tether thereby applying force to the occupant in a downward and inboard direction.