Vehicle safety belt test apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A vehicle safety belt test apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be positioned on a seat of a vehicle and having interconnected frame members disposed to distribute pressure substantially evenly on said seat, piston means secured to said frame, seat belt support means secured to said piston and adapted to receive opposed free ends of two spaced-apart seat belt portions of a seat belt thereover with a buckle of said seat belt securing said opposed free ends together over said belt support means, said seat belt portions being secured at a securing end to a vehicle frame attachment, and control means to actuate said piston means to displace said seat belt support means relative to said frame to exert a predetermined force on said seat belt portions to test the restraining strength of said seat belt and said attachment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle safety belt test apparatus and method is described. The apparatus is comprised of a frame which is adapted to be positioned on a seat of a vehicle and disposed to distribute pressure substantially evenly on the seat. One or more pistons are secured to the frame and to a seat belt support curved member. The support curved member is adapted to receive opposed free ends of two spaced-apart seat belt portions of a seat belt thereover with a buckle of the seat belt securing the opposed free ends together. The seat belt portions are secured at a securing end to a frame of a vehicle. A pressure control device is provided to actuate the pistons to displace the seat belt support member relative to the frame whereby to exert a predetermined force on the seat belt portions to test the restraining strength of the seat belt.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A vehicle safety belt test apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be positioned on a seat of a vehicle and having interconnected frame members disposed to distribute pressure substantially evenly on said seat, piston means secured to said frame, seat belt support means secured to said piston and adapted to receive opposed free ends of two spaced-apart seat belt portions of a seat belt thereover with a buckle of said seat belt securing said opposed free ends together over said belt support means, said seat belt portions being secured at a securing end to a vehicle frame attachment, and control means to actuate said piston means to displace said seat belt support means relative to said frame to exert a predetermined force on said seat belt portions to test the restraining strength of said seat belt and said attachment.
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10. A method of testing the strength of a seat belt comprising the steps of:
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i) positioning a force distributing support frame at a desired location on a vehicle seat, ii) positioning opposed free ends of two spaced-apart seat belt portions over a seat belt support means, said seat belt support means being secured to piston means secured to said support frame, iii) securing buckle portions attached to said belt portions together with said belt portions taut over said support means, iv) actuating said piston means by control means whereby to apply a predetermined force on said seat belt, v) removing at least part of said predetermined force, and vi) inspecting said seat belt and attachments of said seat belt to detect any abnormalities. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification