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Abstract
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The research work on the restraining characteristics of harnesses described herein represents only a small segment of what still must be done to develop more effective auto passenger restraining devices for the general motoring public. That such research should be based on dynamic testing appears clear in view of the fact that static testing does not serve either to evaluate restraining characteristics or to reckon with the effects of short interval loadings of such elastic structures as the human body and belt webbings and anchors. And that such testing on the part of monitoring agencies and belt manufacturing--at least with respect to chest restraining devices--take place before marketing is permitted should be clear to all who are sincerely concerned with public health and safety.
Such a need is dramatized by the fact that at least a dozen brands of restraining devices for for children, represented by at least a half-dozen design variations, are currently on the U.S. market--without one of these, to the authors' knowledge, having been tested under acceptably realistic use conditions before marketing. At this time it appears that of the types currently available for adult use, the doorpost-anchored combination harness, allowing the least amount of forward movement, is the most desirable. But it is not necessarily the ultimate magic bullet. Installation of a shoulder-height anchor is rather difficult 'in a goodly proportion of current cars, and the considerably increased by preventing the seats from moving forward and the seat backs. from tilting or breaking during impacts. Alternatively, other types of harnesses, or other locations for anchors, such as sidewalls or roofs of cars, might be developed which may further enhance the usefulness and convenience of harnesses.
Such considerations point not only to the need for further developmental research work on harness and seat designs, but also to the requirement that passenger restraining devices be integrated with car design. For the present it is clear that belt designers are forced to deal as best they can within the limitations of current car designs. For the future it is necessary that car manufacturers provide the means to best exploit the potentials of restraining devices. Such means may encompass modifications of interior design which would increase the overall distance between seat-back and forward structures and reduce the rigidity and sharpness of forward structures. Increasing public interest in auto passenger safety devices is an encouraging omen for the prospects of reducing our highway death and injury tolls. It is incumbent on all concerned-belt makers, car manufacturers, monitoring groups, scientific agencies--to make full use of information already on hand and to proceed to further thorough, practical and realistic research and development work in this area. The respect, interest, and well-being of those we are trying to benefit lies in the balance. |