Citation

Fredericks RH. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1969; 13: 207-212.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1969, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

During 1955, shortly after adult lap-type seat belts were developed as optional equipment for Ford Motor Company Vehicles, research was initiated to develop a system for Mercury automobiles for the restraint of children of approximately 1 to 5 years old. A few early systems on the market at that time were investigated, however, evaluation was difficult since no test or performance standards had been written. In addition, since no child-size body forms or test dummies were available, Ford engineers had to create some experimental child-size test dummies for collision test evaluation of child restraint systems. The first models were quite simple and had a weight of 50 pounds. The arms, legs and torso of this dummy were sewn-together cylindrical canvas bags of proper length and diameter to approximate a 5 to 6 year old child. The bags were filled with pebbles of appropriate specific gravity. The head and neck were simulated by a conical shaped canvas bag of appropriate size and weight.

Consultation with doctors and pediatricians had indicated that children required the application of restraint forces over more than just the pelvic girth, which was considered adequate for adults having fully developed pelvic anatomy. This paper describes the development of restraint systems and dummies appropriate for infants and young children.