Citation

Pedder JB, Gardner WT, Newman JA. Proc. Assoc. Adv. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1993; 37: 419-420.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Abdominal injuries to restrained vehicle occupants are infrequent. However, when they do occur, they are often severe or fatal. Such injuries usually result from the direct loading of an out-of-position lap belt on the soft abdominal contents. The lap belt can become dangerously positioned either by submarining or through poor initial belt geometry. Current standards do not ensure an initially correct position of the lap portion of adult seat belts with respect to the pelvis. Good lap belt fit results when the belt is positioned over the bony pelvic structure or below the Anterior Superior Iliac Spines (ASIS) and off the abdomen. The Belt-fit Test Device (BTD) was developed for Transport Canada to enable the quantitative measurement of lap belt fit. The device is based on the SAE 3-dimensional H-Point machine. The H-point machine is converted to a BTD by the incorporation of 50th percentile adult lap and chest forms. The moulded surface of the lap form is marked with graduated scales passing vertically through the positions of the two ASIS. The chest form is marked with two intersecting scales; one follows along the clavicles, the other passes down the sternum. To measure belt fit, the BTD is located in the test vehicle and the seat belt secured over the torso and lap forms in accordance with specified procedures. The belt fit measurement is the position of the edge of the belt on the scales. Preparations are now being made to propose the Belt-fit Test Device (BTD) in upcoming Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Essentially the BTD will be recommended as a regulatory tool to provide quality of fit measurements and replace the current geometric requirements of CMVSR 210.