Reversible 3-point to 4-point seat belt system

摘要

A seat belt system for a vehicle that is reversible between a 3-point arrangement and a 4-point arrangement is provided. The seat and seat belt arrangement includes a seat having a centerline, a seat back and a seat base. The seat and seat belt arrangement further includes a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of moveable shoulder belt guides and associated moveable retractors. A pair of lap belts is also provided. A buckle assembly is also provided to which the shoulder belts and lap belts are attached. Lap belt retractors are provided. One of the retractors is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the buckle assembly is to one side of the centerline and non-retracted position in which the buckle assembly is generally on the centerline. In the retracted position the moveable guides are moved away from the centerline while in the non-retracted position the moveable guides are moved toward the centerline.

主权项

1. A seat and seat belt arrangement for a vehicle comprising:
a seat having a centerline, a seat back and a seat base; a pair of shoulder belts; a reversibly switchable load limiter associated with said pair of shoulder belts; a pair of lap belts; an attachment assembly to which said shoulder belts and said lap belts are attached; and a retractor to which one of said lap belts is attached, said retractor being selectively movable between a retracted position in which said attachment assembly is to one side of said centerline in a 3-point arrangement for use by a seat occupant and a non-retracted position in which said attachment assembly is generally moveable with respect to said centerline in a 4-point arrangement for use by a seat occupant, said reversibly switchable load limiter being switchable from a first load limit when in said 4-point arrangement to a second load limit when in said 3-point arrangement, said first load limit being less than said second load limit.