Section

[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 6]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR571.209]

[Page 674-694]

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart B_Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Sec. 571.209 Standard No. 209; Seat belt assemblies.

S1. Purpose and scope. This standard specifies requirements for seat

belt assemblies.

S2. Application. This standard applies to seat belt assemblies for

use in passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and

buses.

S3. Definitions. Adjustment hardware means any or all hardware

designed for adjusting the size of a seat belt assembly to fit the user,

including such hardware that may be integral with a buckle, attachment

hardware, or retractor.

Attachment hardware means any or all hardware designed for securing

the webbing of a seat belt assembly to a motor vehicle.

Automatic-locking retractor means a retractor incorporating

adjustment hardware by means of a positive self-locking mechanism which

is capable when locked of withstanding restraint forces.

Buckle means a quick release connector which fastens a person in a

seat belt assembly.

Emergency-locking retractor means a retractor incorporating

adjustment hardware by means of a locking mechanism that is activated by

vehicle acceleration, webbing movement relative to the vehicle, or other

automatic action during an emergency and is capable when locked of

withstanding restraint forces.

Hardware means any metal or rigid plastic part of a seat belt

assembly.

Load-limiter means a seat belt assembly component or feature that

controls tension on the seat belt to modulate the forces that are

imparted to occupants restrained by the belt assembly during a crash.

Nonlocking retractor means a retractor from which the webbing is

extended to essentially its full length by a small external force, which

provides no adjustment for assembly length, and which may or may not be

capable of sustaining restraint forces at maximum webbing extension.

Pelvic restraint means a seat belt assembly or portion thereof

intended to restrain movement of the pelvis.

Retractor means a device for storing part or all of the webbing in a

seat belt assembly.

Seat back retainer means the portion of some seat belt assemblies

designed to restrict forward movement of a seat back.

Seat belt assembly means any strap, webbing, or similar device

designed to secure a person in a motor vehicle in order to mitigate the

results of any accident, including all necessary buckles

[[Page 675]]

and other fasteners, and all hardware designed for installing such seat

belt assembly in a motor vehicle.

Strap means a narrow nonwoven material used in a seat belt assembly

in place of webbing.

Type 1 seat belt assembly is a lap belt for pelvic restraint.

Type 2 seat belt assembly is a combination of pelvic and upper torso

restraints.

Type 2a shoulder belt is an upper torso restraint for use only in

conjunction with a lap belt as a Type 2 seat belt assembly.

Upper torso restraint means a portion of a seat belt assembly

intended to restrain movement of the chest and shoulder regions.

Webbing means a narrow fabric woven with continuous filling yarns

and finished selvages.

S4. Requirements.

S4.1 (a) Single occupancy. A seat belt assembly shall be designed

for use by one, and only one, person at any one time.

(b) [Reserved]

upper torso restraint without shifting the pelvic restraint into the

abdominal region. An upper torso restraint shall be designed to minimize

vertical forces on the shoulders and spine. Hardware for upper torso

restraint shall be so designed and located in the seat belt assembly

that the possibility of injury to the occupant is minimized.

A Type 2a shoulder belt shall comply with applicable requirements

for a Type 2 seat belt assembly in S4.1 to S4.4, inclusive.

(d) Hardware. All hardware parts which contact under normal usage a

person, clothing, or webbing shall be free from burrs and sharp edges.

(e) Release. A Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly shall be provided

with a buckle or buckles readily accessible to the occupant to permit

his easy and rapid removal from the assembly. Buckle release mechanism

shall be designed to minimize the possibility of accidental release. A

buckle with release mechanism in the latched position shall have only

one opening in which the tongue can be inserted on the end of the buckle

designed to receive and latch the tongue.

(f) Attachment hardware. A seat belt assembly shall include all

hardware necessary for installation in a motor vehicle in accordance

with Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J800c, ``Motor

Vehicle Seat Belt Installation,'' November 1973. However, seat belt

assemblies designed for installation in motor vehicles equipped with

seat belt assembly anchorages that do not require anchorage nuts,

plates, or washers, need not have such hardware, but shall have \7/16\-

20 UNF-2A or \1/2\-13UNC-2A attachment bolts or equivalent metric

hardware. The hardware shall be designed to prevent attachment bolts and

other parts from becoming disengaged from the vehicle while in service.

Reinforcing plates or washers furnished for universal floor,

installations shall be of steel, free from burrs and sharp edges on the

peripheral edges adjacent to the vehicle, at least 1.5 mm in thickness

and at least 2580 mm\2\ in projected area. The distance between any edge

of the plate and the edge of the bolt hole shall be at least 15 mm. Any

corner shall be rounded to a radius of not less than 6 mm or cut so that

no corner angle is less than 135[deg] and no side is less than 6 mm in

length.

(g) Adjustment. (1) A Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly shall be

capable of adjustment to fit occupants whose dimensions and weight range

from those of a 5th-percentile adult female to those of a 95th-

percentile adult male. The seat belt assembly shall have either an

automatic-locking retractor, an emergency-locking retractor, or an

adjusting device that is within the reach of the occupant.

(2) A Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly for use in a vehicle

having seats that are adjustable shall conform to the requirements of

S4.1(g)(1) regardless of seat position. However, if a seat has a back

that is separately adjustable, the requirements of S4.1(g)(1) need be

met only with the seat back in the manufacturer's nominal design riding

position.

(3) The adult occupants referred to in S4.1(g)(1) shall have the

following measurements:

[[Page 676]]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

5th percen- tile 95th percentile

adult female adult male

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weight.......................... 46.3 kg............. 97.5 kg.

Erect sitting height............ 785 mm.............. 965 mm.

Hip breadth (sitting)........... 325 mm.............. 419 mm.

Hip circumference (sitting)..... 925 mm.............. 1199 mm.

Waist circumference (sitting)... 599 mm.............. 1080 mm.

Chest depth..................... 190 mm.............. 267 mm.

Chest circumference:

Nipple........................ 775 mm.............. 1130 mm.

Upper......................... 757 mm.............. 1130 mm.

Lower......................... 676 mm.............. 1130 mm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Webbing. The ends of webbing in a seat belt assembly shall be

protected or treated to prevent raveling. The end of webbing in a seat

belt assembly having a metal-to-metal buckle that is used by the

occupant to adjust the size of the assembly shall not pull out of the

adjustment hardware at maximum size adjustment. Provision shall be made

for essentially unimpeded movement of webbing routed between a seat back

and seat cushion and attached to a retractor located behind the seat.

(i) Strap. A strap used in a seat belt assembly to sustain restraint

forces shall comply with the requirements for webbing in S4.2, and if

the strap is made from a rigid material, it shall comply with applicable

requirements in S4.2, S4.3, and S4.4.

(j) Marking. Each seat belt assembly shall be permanently and

legibly marked or labeled with year of manufacture, model, and name or

trademark of manufacturer or distributor, or of importer if manufactured

outside the United States. A model shall consist of a single combination

of webbing having a specific type of fiber weave and construction, and

hardware having a specific design. Webbings of various colors may be

included under the same model, but webbing of each color shall comply

with the requirements for webbing in S4.2.

(k) Installation instructions. A seat belt assembly, other than a

seat belt assembly installed in a motor vehicle by an automobile

manufacturer, shall be accompanied by an instruction sheet providing

sufficient information for installing the assembly in a motor vehicle.

The installation instructions shall state whether the assembly is for

universal installation or for installation only in specifically stated

motor vehicles, and shall include at least those items specified in SAE

Recommended Practice J800c, ``Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Installations,''

November 1973. If the assembly is for use only in specifically stated

motor vehicles, the assembly shall either be permanently and legibly

marked or labeled with the following statement, or the instruction sheet

shall include the following statement:

This seat belt assembly is for use only in [insert specific seating

position(s), e.g., ``front right''] in [insert specific vehicle make(s)

and model(s)].

(l) Usage and maintenance instructions. A seat belt assembly or

retractor shall be accompanied by written instructions for the proper

use of the assembly, stressing particularly the importance of wearing

the assembly snugly and properly located on the body, and on the

maintenance f the assembly and periodic inspection of all components.

The instructions shall show the proper manner of threading webbing in

the hardware of seat belt assemblies in which the webbing is not

permanently fastened. Instructions for a nonlocking retractor shall

include a caution that the webbing must be fully extended from the

retractor during use of the seat belt assembly unless the retractor is

attached to the free end of webbing which is not subjected to any

tension during restraint of an occupant by the assembly. Instructions

for Type 2a shoulder belt shall include a warning that the shoulder belt

is not to be used without a lap belt.

(m) Workmanship. Seat belt assemblies shall have good workmanship in

accordance with good commercial practice.

S4.2 Requirements for webbing.

(a) Width. The width of the webbing in a seat belt assembly shall be

not less than 46 mm, except for portions that do not touch a 95th

percentile adult male with the seat in any adjustment position and the

seat back in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position when

measured under the conditions prescribed in S5.1(a).

(b) Breaking strength. The webbing in a seat belt assembly shall

have not less than the following breaking strength when tested by the

procedures specified in S5.1(b): Type 1 seat belt assembly--26,689 N;

Type 2 seat belt assembly--

[[Page 677]]

22,241 N for webbing in pelvic restraint and 17,793 N for webbing in

upper torso restraint.

belt assembly shall not extend to more than the following elongation

when subjected to the specified forces in accordance with the procedure

specified in S5.1(c): Type 1 seat belt assembly--20 percent at 11,120 N;

Type 2 seat belt assembly 30 percent at 11,120 N for webbing in pelvic

restraint and 40 percent at 11,120 N for webbing in upper torso

restraint.

(d) Resistance to abrasion. The webbing of a seat belt assembly,

after being subjected to abrasion as specified in S5.1(d) or S5.3(c),

shall have a breaking strength of not less than 75 percent of the

breaking strength listed in S4.2(b) for that type of belt assembly.

(e) Resistance to light. The webbing in a seat belt assembly after

exposure to the light of a carbon arc and tested by the procedure

specified in S5.1(e) shall have a breaking strength not less than 60

percent of the strength before exposure to the carbon arc and shall have

a color retention not less than No. 2 on the Geometric Gray Scale

published by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists,

Post Office Box 886, Durham, NC.

(f) Resistance to micro-organisms. The webbing in a seat belt

assembly after being subjected to micro-organisms and tested by the

procedures specified in S5.1(f) shall have a breaking strength not less

than 85 percent of the strength before subjection to micro-organisms.

S4.3 Requirements for hardware.

(a) Corrosion resistance. (1) Attachment hardware of a seat belt

assembly after being subjected to the conditions specified in S5.2(a)

shall be free of ferrous corrosion on significant surfaces except for

permissible ferrous corrosion at peripheral edges or edges of holes on

underfloor reinforcing plates and washers. Alternatively, such hardware

at or near the floor shall be protected against corrosion by at least an

electrodeposited coating of nickel, or copper and nickel with at least a

service condition number of SC2, and other attachment hardware shall be

protected by an electrodeposited coating of nickel, or copper and nickel

with a service condition number of SC1, in accordance with American

Society for Testing and Materials B456-79, ``Standard Specification for

Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel

Plus Chromium,'' but such hardware shall not be racked for

electroplating in locations subjected to maximum stress.

(2) Surfaces of buckles, retractors and metallic parts, other than

attachment hardware, of a seat belt assembly after subjection to the

conditions specified in S5.2(a) shall be free of ferrous or nonferrous

corrosion which may be transferred, either directly or by means of the

webbing, to the occupant or his clothing when the assembly is worn.

After test, buckles shall conform to applicable requirements in

paragraphs (d) to (g) of this section.

(b) Temperature resistance. Plastic or other nonmetallic hardware

parts of a seat belt assembly when subjected to the conditions specified

in S5.2(b) shall not warp or otherwise deteriorate to cause the assembly

to operate improperly or fail to comply with applicable requirements in

this section and S4.4.

bolt used to secure the pelvic restraint of seat belt assembly to a

motor vehicle shall withstand a force of 40,034 N when tested by the

procedure specified in S5.2(c)(1), except that attachment bolts of a

seat belt assembly designed for installation in specific models of motor

vehicles in which the ends of two or more seat belt assemblies cannot be

attached to the vehicle by a single bolt shall have breaking strength of

not less than 22,241 N.

(2) Other attachment hardware designed to receive the ends of two

seat belt assemblies shall withstand a tensile force of at least 26,689

N without fracture of a section when tested by the procedure specified

in S5.2(c)(2).

(3) A seat belt assembly having single attachment hooks of the

quick-disconnect type for connecting webbing to an eye bolt shall be

provided with a retaining latch or keeper which shall not move more than

2 mm in either the vertical or horizontal direction when tested by the

procedure specified in S5.2(c)(3).

[[Page 678]]

(d) Buckle release. (1) The buckle of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt

assembly shall release when a force of not more than 133 N is applied.

(2) A buckle designed for pushbutton application of buckle release

force shall have a minimum area of 452 mm² with a minimum

linear dimension of 10 mm for applying the release force, or a buckle

designed for lever application of buckle release force shall permit the

insertion of a cylinder 10 mm in diameter and 38 mm in length to at

least the midpoint of the cylinder along the cylinder's entire length in

the actuation portion of the buckle release. A buckle having other

design for release shall have adequate access for two or more fingers to

actuate release.

(3) The buckle of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly shall not

release under a compressive force of 1779 N applied as prescribed in

paragraph S5.2(d)(3). The buckle shall be operable and shall meet the

applicable requirement of paragraph S4.4 after the compressive force has

been removed.

(e) Adjustment force. The force required to decrease the size of a

seat belt assembly shall not exceed 49 N when measured by the procedure

specified in S5.2(e).

(f) Tilt-lock adjustment. The buckle of a seat belt assembly having

tilt-lock adjustment shall lock the webbing when tested by the procedure

specified in S5.2(f) at an angle of not less than 30 degrees between the

base of the buckle and the anchor webbing.

(g) Buckle latch. The buckle latch of a seat belt assembly when

tested by the procedure specified in S5.2(g) shall not fail, nor gall or

wear to an extent that normal latching and unlatching is impaired, and a

metal-to-metal buckle shall separate when in any position of partial

engagement by a force of not more than 22 N.

(h) Nonlocking retractor. The webbing of a seat belt assembly shall

extend from a nonlocking retractor within 6 mm of maximum length when a

tension is applied as prescribed in S5.2(h). A nonlocking retractor on

upper torso restraint shall be attached to the nonadjustable end of the

assembly, the reel of the retractor shall be easily visible to an

occupant while wearing the assembly, and the maximum retraction force

shall not exceed 5 N in any strap or webbing that contacts the shoulder

when measured by the procedure specified in S5.2(h), unless the

retractor is attached to the free end of webbing which is not subjected

to any tension during restraint of an occupant by the assembly.

(i) Automatic-locking retractor. The webbing of a seat belt assembly

equipped with an automatic locking retractor, when tested by the

procedure specified in S5.2(i), shall not move more than 25 mm between

locking positions of the retractor, and shall be retracted with a force

under zero acceleration of not less than 3 N when attached to pelvic

restraint, and not less that 2 N nor more than 5 N in any strap or

webbing that contacts the shoulders of an occupant when the retractor is

attached to upper torso restraint. An automatic locking retractor

attached to upper torso restraint shall not increase the restraint on

the occupant of the seat belt assembly during use in a vehicle traveling

over rough roads as prescribed in S5.2(i).

(j) Emergency-locking retractor. An emergency-locking retractor of a

Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly, when tested in accordance with the

procedures specified in paragraph S5.2(j)--

(1) Shall lock before the webbing extends 25 mm when the retractor

is subjected to an acceleration of 7 m/s\2\ (0.7 g);

(2) Shall not lock, if the retractor is sensitive to webbing

withdrawal, before the webbing extends 51 mm when the retractor is

subjected to an acceleration of 3 m/s\2\ (0.3 g) or less.

(3) Shall not lock, if the retractor is sensitive to vehicle

acceleration, when the retractor is rotated in any direction to any

angle of 15[deg] or less from its orientation in the vehicle;

(4) Shall exert a retractive force of at least 3 N under zero

acceleration when attached only to the pelvic restraint;

(5) Shall exert a retractive force of not less than 1 N and not more

than 5 N under zero acceleration when attached only to an upper torso

restraint;

(6) Shall exert a retractive force of not less than 1 N and not more

than 7

[[Page 679]]

N under zero acceleration when attached to a strap or webbing that

restrains both the upper torso and the pelvis.

(k) Performance of retractor. A retractor used on a seat belt

assembly after subjection to the tests specified in S5.2(k) shall comply

with applicable requirements in paragraphs (h) to (j) of this section

and S4.4, except that the retraction force shall be not less than 50

percent of its original retraction force.

S4.4 Requirements for assembly performance.

(a) Type I seat belt assembly. Except as provided in S4.5, the

complete seat belt assembly including webbing, straps, buckles,

adjustment and attachment hardware, and retractors shall comply with the

following requirements when tested by the procedures specified in

S5.3(a):

(1) The assembly loop shall withstand a force of not less than

22,241 N; that is, each structural component of the assembly shall

withstand a force of not less than 11,120 N.

(2) The assembly loop shall extend not more than 7 inches or 178 mm

when subjected to a force of 22,241 N; that is, the length of the

assembly between anchorages shall not increase more than 356 mm.

(3) Any webbing cut by the hardware during test shall have a

breaking strength at the cut of not less than 18,683 N.

(4) Complete fracture through any solid section of metal attachment

hardware shall not occur during test.

(b) Type 2 seat belt assembly. Except as provided in S4.5, the

components of a Type 2 seat belt assembly including webbing, straps,

buckles, adjustment and attachment hardware, and retractors shall comply

with the following requirements when tested by the procedure specified

in S5.3(b):

(1) The structural components in the pelvic restraint shall

withstand a force of not less than 11,120 N.

(2) The structural components in the upper torso restraint shall

withstand a force of not less than 6,672 N.

(3) The structural components in the assembly that are common to

pelvic and upper torso restraints shall withstand a force of not less

than 13,345 N.

(4) The length of the pelvic restraint between anchorages shall not

increase more than 508 mm when subjected to a force of 11,120 N.

(5) The length of the upper torso restraint between anchorages shall

not increase more than 508 mm when subjected to a force of 6,672 N.

(6) Any webbing cut by the hardware during test shall have a

breaking strength of not less than 15,569 N at a cut in webbing of the

pelvic restraint, or not less than 12,455 N at a cut in webbing of the

upper torso restraint.

(7) Complete fracture through any solid section of metal attachment

hardware shall not occur during test.

S4.5 Load-limiter. (a) A Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly that

includes a load-limiter is not required to comply with the elongation

requirements of S4.2(c), S4.4(a)(2), S4.4(b)(4) or S4.4(b)(5).

(b) A seat belt assembly that includes a load limiter and that does

not comply with the elongation requirements of this standard may be

installed in motor vehicles at any designated seating position that is

subject to the requirements of S5.1 of Standard No. 208 (Sec. 571.208).

S4.6 Manual belts subject to crash protection requirements of

Standard No. 208.

(a)(1) A manual seat belt assembly, which is subject to the

requirements of S5.1 of Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208) by virtue of

any provision of Standard No. 208 other than S4.1.2.1(c)(2) of that

standard, does not have to meet the requirements of S4.2(a)-(f) and S4.4

of this standard.

(2) A manual seat belt assembly subject to the requirements of S5.1

of Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208) by virtue of S4.1.2.1(c)(2) of

Standard No. 208 does not have to meet the elongation requirements of

S4.2(c), S4.4(a)(2), S4.4(b)(4), and S4.4(b)(5) of this standard.

S5. Demonstration procedures.

S5.1 Webbing--(a) Width. The width of webbing from three seat belt

assemblies shall be measured after conditioning for at least 24 hours in

an atmosphere having relative humidity between 48 and 67 percent and a

temperature of 23[deg] 2 [deg]C. The tension

during measurement of width shall be not more than 22 N on webbing from

a Type

[[Page 680]]

1 seat belt assembly, and 9786 N 450 N on webbing

from a Type 2 seat belt assembly. The width of webbing from a Type 2

seat belt assembly may be measured during the breaking strength test

described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Breaking strength. Webbing from three seat belt assemblies shall

be conditioned in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section and

tested for breaking strength in a testing machine of capacity verified

to have an error of not more than one percent in the range of the

breaking strength of the webbing in accordance with American Society for

Testing and Materials E4-79 ``Standard Methods of Load Verification of

Testing Machines.'' The machine shall be equipped with split drum grips

illustrated in Figure 1, having a diameter between 51 and 102 mm. The

rate of grip separation shall be between 51 and 102 mm per minute. The

distance between the centers of the grips at the start of the test shall

be between 102 and 254 mm. After placing the specimen in the grips, the

webbing shall be stretched continuously at a uniform rate to failure.

Each value shall be not less than the applicable breaking strength

requirement in S4.2(b), but the median value shall be used for

determining the retention of breaking strength in paragraphs (d), (e)

and (f) of this section.

strength test described in paragraph (b) of this section by the

following procedure: A preload between 196 N and 245 N shall be placed

on the webbing mounted in the grips of the testing machine and the

needle points of an extensometer, in which the points remain parallel

during test, are inserted in the center of the specimen. Initially the

points shall be set at a known distance apart between 102 and 203 mm.

When the force on the webbing reaches the value specified in S4.2(c),

the increase in separation of the points of the extensometer shall be

measured and the percent elongation shall be calculated to the nearest

0.5 percent. Each value shall be not more than the appropriate

elongation requirement in S4.2(c).

(d) Resistance to abrasion. The webbing from three seat belt

assemblies shall be tested for resistance to abrasion by rubbing over

the hexagon bar prescribed in Figure 2 in the following manner: The

webbing shall be mounted in the apparatus shown schematically in Figure

2. One end of the webbing (A) shall be attached to a mass (B) of 2.35 kg

.05 kg, except that a mass of 1.5 kg .05 kg shall be used for webbing in pelvic and upper

torso restraints of a belt assembly used in a child restraint system.

The webbing shall be passed over the two new abrading edges of the

hexagon bar (C) and the other end attached to an oscillating drum (D)

which has a stroke of 330 mm. Suitable guides shall be used to prevent

movement of the webbing along the axis of hexagonal bar C. Drum D shall

be oscillated for 5,000 strokes or 2,500 cycles at a rate of 60 2 strokes per minute or 30 1

cycles per minute. The abraded webbing shall be conditioned as

prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section and tested for breaking

strength by the procedure described in paragraph (b) of this section.

The median values for the breaking strengths determined on abraded and

unabraded specimens shall be used to calculate the percentage of

breaking strength retained.

(e) Resistance to light. Webbing at least 508 mm in length from

three seat belt assemblies shall be suspended vertically on the inside

of the specimen track in a Type E carbon-arc light exposure apparatus

described in Standard Practice for Generating Light-Exposure Apparatus

(Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure of Nonmetallic

Materials, ASTM Designation: G23 81, published by the American Society

for Testing and Materials, except that the filter used for 100 percent

polyester yarns shall be chemically strengthened soda-lime glass with a

transmittance of less than 5 percent for wave lengths equal to or less

than 305 nanometers and 90 percent or greater transmittance for wave

lengths of 375 to 800 nanometers. The apparatus shall be operated

without water spray at an air temperature of 60[deg] 2 [deg]Celsius ( [deg]C) measured at a point 25 5 mm outside the specimen rack and midway in height. The

temperature sensing element shall be shielded from radiation. The

specimens shall be exposed to light from the carbon-arc

[[Page 681]]

for 100 hours and then conditioned as prescribed in paragraph (a) of

this section. The colorfastness of the exposed and conditioned specimens

shall be determined on the Geometric Gray Scale issued by the American

Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. The breaking strength of

the specimens shall be determined by the procedure prescribed in

paragraph (b) of this section. The median values for the breaking

strengths determined on exposed and unexposed specimens shall be used to

calculate the percentage of breaking strength retained.

(f) Resistance to micro-organisms. Webbing at least 508 millimeters

(mm) in length from three seat belt assemblies shall first be

preconditioned in accordance with Appendix A(1) and (2) of American

Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Test Method 381,

``Fungicides Evaluation on Textiles; Mildew and Rot Resistance of

Textiles,'' and then subjected to Test I, ``Soil Burial Test'' of that

test method. After soil-burial for a period of 2 weeks, the specimen

shall be washed in water, dried and conditioned as prescribed in

paragraph (a) of this section. The breaking strengths of the specimens

shall be determined by the procedure prescribed in paragraph (b) of this

section. The median values for the breaking strengths determined on

exposed and unexposed specimens shall be used to calculate the

percentage of breaking strength retained.

Note: This test shall not be required on webbing made from material

which is inherently resistant to micro-organisms.

S5.2 Hardware.

(a) Corrosion resistance. Three seat belt assemblies shall be tested

in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials B11773,

``Standard Method of Salt Spray (Fog) Testing.'' Any surface coating or

material not intended for permanent retention on the metal parts during

service life shall be removed prior to preparation of the test specimens

for testing. The period of test shall be 50 hours for all attachment

hardware at or near the floor, consisting of two periods of 24 hours

exposure to salt spray followed by 1 hour drying and 25 hours for all

other hardware, consisting of one period of 24 hours exposure to salt

spray followed by 1 hour drying. In the salt spray test chamber, the

parts from the three assemblies shall be oriented differently, selecting

those orientations most likely to develop corrosion on the larger areas.

At the end of test, the seat belt assembly shall be washed thoroughly

with water to remove the salt. After drying for at least 24 hours under

standard laboratory conditions specified in S5.1(a) attachment hardware

shall be examined for ferrous corrosion on significant surfaces, that

is, all surfaces that can be contacted by a sphere 19 mm in diameter,

and other hardware shall be examined for ferrous and nonferrous

corrosion which may be transferred, either directly or by means of the

webbing, to a person or his clothing during use of a seat belt assembly

incorporating the hardware.

Note: When attachment and other hardware are permanently fastened,

by sewing or other means, to the same piece of webbing, separate

assemblies shall be used to test the two types of hardware. The test for

corrosion resistance shall not be required for attachment hardware made

from corrosion-resistant steel containing at least 11.5 percent chromium

or for attachment hardware protected with an electrodeposited coating of

nickel, or copper and nickel, as prescribed in S4.3(a). The assembly

that has been used to test the corrosion resistance of the buckle shall

be used to measure adjustment force, tilt-lock adjustment, and buckle

latch in paragraphs (e), (f), and (g), respectively, of this section,

assembly performance in S5.3 and buckle release force in paragraph (d)

of this section.

(b) Temperature resistance. Three seat belt assemblies having

plastic or nonmetallic hardware or having retractors shall be subjected

to the conditions prescribed in Procedure D of American Society for

Testing and Materials D756-78, ``Standard Practice for Determination of

Weight and Shape Changes of Plastics under Accelerated Service

Conditions.'' The dimension and weight measurement shall be omitted.

Buckles shall be unlatched and retractors shall be fully retracted

during conditioning. The hardware parts after conditioning shall be used

for all applicable tests in S4.3 and S4.4.

pelvic restraint of a seat belt assembly to a motor vehicle shall be

tested in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 3.

[[Page 682]]

The load shall be applied at an angle of 45[deg] to the axis of the bolt

through attachment hardware from the seat belt assembly, or through a

special fixture which simulates the loading applied by the attachment

hardware. The attachment hardware or simulated fixture shall be fastened

by the bolt to the anchorage shown in Figure 3, which has a standard \7/

16\-20UNF-2B or \1/2\-UNF-2B or metric equivalent threaded hole in a

hardened steel plate at least 10 mm in thickness. The bolt shall be

installed with two full threads exposed from the fully seated position.

The appropriate force required by S4.3(c) shall be applied. A bolt from

each of three seat belt assemblies shall be tested.

(2) Attachment hardware, other than bolts, designed to receive the

ends of two seat belt assemblies shall be subjected to a tensile force

of 26,689 N in a manner simulating use. The hardware shall be examined

for fracture after the force is released. Attachment hardware from three

seat belt assemblies shall be tested.

(3) Single attachment hook for connecting webbing to any eye bolt

shall be tested in the following manner: The hook shall be held rigidly

so that the retainer latch or keeper, with cotter pin or other locking

device in place, is in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 4. A

force of 667 N 9 N shall be applied vertically as

near as possible to the free end of the retainer latch, and the movement

of the latch by this force at the point of application shall be

measured. The vertical force shall be released, and a force of 667 N

9 N shall be applied horizontally as near as

possible to the free end of the retainer latch. The movement of the

latch by this force at the point of load application shall be measured.

Alternatively, the hook may be held in other positions, provided the

forces are applied and the movements of the latch are measured at the

points indicated in Figure 4. A single attachment hook from each of

three seat belt assemblies shall be tested.

(d) Buckle release. (1) Three seat belt assemblies shall be tested

to determine compliance with the maximum buckle release force

requirements, following the assembly test in S5.3. After subjection to

the force applicable for the assembly being tested, the force shall be

reduced and maintained at 667 N on the assembly loop of a Type 1 seat

belt assembly, 334 N on the components of a Type 2 seat belt assembly.

The buckle release force shall be measured by applying a force on the

buckle in a manner and direction typical of those which would be

employed by a seat belt occupant. For push button-release buckles, the

force shall be applied at least 3 mm from the edge of the push button

access opening of the buckle in a direction that produces maximum

releasing effect. For lever-release buckles, the force shall be applied

on the centerline of the buckle lever or finger tab in a direction that

produces maximum releasing effect.

(2) The area for application of release force on pushbutton actuated

buckle shall be measured to the nearest 30 mm². The cylinder

specified in S4.3(d) shall be inserted in the actuation portion of a

lever released buckle for determination of compliance with the

requirement. A buckle with other release actuation shall be examined for

access of release by fingers.

(3) The buckle of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly shall be

subjected to a compressive force of 1779 N applied anywhere on a test

line that is coincident with the center line of the belt extended

through the buckle or on any line that extends over the center of the

release mechanism and intersects the extended centerline of the belt at

an angle of 60[deg]. The load shall be applied by using a curved

cylindrical bar having a cross section diameter of 19 mm and a radius of

curvature of 152 mm, placed with its longitudinal center line along the

test line and its center directly above the point or the buckle to which

the load will be applied. The buckle shall be latched, and a tensile

force of 334 N shall be applied to the connected webbing during the

application of the compressive force. Buckles from three seat belt

assemblies shall be tested to determine compliance with paragraph

S4.3(d)(3).

(e) Adjustment Force. Three seat belt assemblies shall be tested for

adjustment force on the webbing at the buckle, or other manual adjusting

device normally used to adjust the size of the assembly. With no load on

the anchor

[[Page 683]]

end, the webbing shall be drawn through the adjusting device at a rate

of 508 mm 50 mm per minute and the maximum force

shall be measured to the nearest 1 N after the first 25 mm of webbing

movement. The webbing shall be precycled 10 times prior to measurement.

(f) Tilt-lock adjustment. This test shall be made on buckles or

other manual adjusting devices having tilt-lock adjustment normally used

to adjust the size of the assembly. Three buckles or devices shall be

tested. The base of the adjustment mechanism and the anchor end of the

webbing shall be oriented in planes normal to each other. The webbing

shall be drawn through the adjustment mechanism in a direction to

increase belt length at a rate of 508 mm 50 mm per

minute while the plane of the base is slowly rotated in a direction to

lock the webbing. Rotation shall be stopped when the webbing locks, but

the pull on the webbing shall be continued until there is a resistance

of at least 89 N. The locking angle between the anchor end of the

webbing and the base of the adjustment mechanism shall be measured to

the nearest degree. The webbing shall be precycled 10 times prior to

measurement.

(g) Buckle latch. The buckles from three seat belt assemblies shall

be opened fully and closed at least 10 times. Then the buckles shall be

clamped or firmly held against a flat surface so as to permit normal

movement of buckle part, but with the metal mating plate (metal-to-metal

buckles) or of webbing end (metal-to-webbing buckles) withdrawn from the

buckle. The release mechanism shall be moved 200 times through the

maximum possible travel against its stop with a force of 133 N 13 N at a rate not to exceed 30 cycles per minute. The

buckle shall be examined to determine compliance with the performance

requirements of S4.3(g). A metal-to-metal buckle shall be examined to

determine whether partial engagement is possible by means of any

technique representative of actual use. If partial engagement is

possible, the maximum force of separation when in such partial

engagement shall be determined.

(h) Nonlocking retractor. After the retractor is cycled 10 times by

full extension and retraction of the webbing, the retractor and webbing

shall be suspended vertically and a force of 18 N shall be applied to

extend the webbing from the retractor. The force shall be reduced to 13

N when attached to a pelvic restraint, or to 5 N per strap or webbing

that contacts the shoulder of an occupant when retractor is attached to

an upper torso restraint. The residual extension of the webbing shall be

measured by manual rotation of the retractor drum or by disengaging the

retraction mechanism. Measurements shall be made on three retractors.

The location of the retractor attached to upper torso restraint shall be

examined for visibility of reel during use of seat belt assembly in a

vehicle.

Note: This test shall not be required on a nonlocking retractor

attached to the free end of webbing which is not subjected to any

tension during restraint of an occupant by the assembly.

(i) Automatic-locking retractor. Three retractors shall be tested in

a manner to permit the retraction force to be determined exclusive of

the gravitational forces on hardware or webbing being retracted. The

webbing shall be fully extended from the retractor. While the webbing is

being retracted, the average force or retraction within plus or minus 51

mm of 75 percent extension (25 percent retraction) shall be determined

and the webbing movement between adjacent locking segments shall be

measured in the same region of extension. A seat belt assembly with

automatic locking retractor in upper torso restraint shall be tested in

a vehicle in a manner prescribed by the installation and usage

instructions. The retraction force on the occupant of the seat belt

assembly shall be determined before and after traveling for 10 minutes

at a speed of 24 kilometers per hour (km/h) or more over a rough road

(e.g., Belgian block road) where the occupant is subjected to

displacement with respect to the vehicle in both horizontal and vertical

directions. Measurements shall be made with the vehicle stopped and the

occupant in the normal seated position.

(j) Emergency-locking retractor. A retractor shall be tested in a

manner that permits the retraction force to be

[[Page 684]]

determined exclusive of the gravitational forces on hardware or webbing

being retracted. The webbing shall be fully extended from the retractor,

passing over or through any hardware or other material specified in the

installation instructions. While the webbing is being retracted, the

lowest force of retraction within plus or minus 51 mm of 75 percent

extension shall be determined. A retractor that is sensitive to webbing

withdrawal shall be subjected to an acceleration of 3 m/s²

(0.3 g) within a period of 50 milliseconds (ms) while the webbing is at

75 percent extension, to determine compliance with S4.3(j)(2). The

retractor shall be subjected to an acceleration of 7 m/s²

(0.7 g) within a period of 50 milliseconds (ms), while the webbing is at

75 percent extension, and the webbing movement before locking shall be

measured under the following conditions: For a retractor sensitive to

webbing withdrawal, the retractor shall be accelerated in the direction

of webbing retraction while the retractor drum's central axis is

oriented horizontally and at angles of 45[deg], 90[deg], 135[deg], and

180[deg] to the horizontal plane. For a retractor sensitive to vehicle

acceleration, the retractor shall be:

(1) Accelerated in the horizontal plane in two directions normal to

each other, while the retractor drum's central axis is oriented at the

angle at which it is installed in the vehicle; and,

(2) Accelerated in three directions normal to each other while the

retractor drum's central axis is oriented at angles of 45[deg], 90[deg],

135[deg], and 180[deg] from the angle at which it is installed in the

vehicle, unless the retractor locks by gravitational force when tilted

in any direction to any angle greater than 45[deg] from the angle at

which it is installed in the vehicle.

(k) Performance of retractor. After completion of the corrosion-

resistance test described in paragraph (a) of this section, the webbing

shall be fully extended and allowed to dry for at least 24 hours under

standard laboratory conditions specified in S5.1(a). The retractor shall

be examined for ferrous and nonferrous corrosion which may be

transferred, either directly or by means of the webbing, to a person or

his clothing during use of a seat belt assembly incorporating the

retractor, and for ferrous corrosion on significant surfaces if the

retractor is part of the attachment hardware. The webbing shall be

withdrawn manually and allowed to retract for 25 cycles. The retractor

shall be mounted in an apparatus capable of extending the webbing fully,

applying a force of 89 N at full extension, and allowing the webbing to

retract freely and completely. The webbing shall be withdrawn from the

retractor and allowed to retract repeatedly in this apparatus until

2,500 cycles are completed. The retractor and webbing shall then be

subjected to the temperature resistance test prescribed in paragraph (b)

of this section. The retractor shall be subjected to 2,500 additional

cycles of webbing withdrawal and retraction. Then, the retractor and

webbing shall be subjected to dust in a chamber similar to one

illustrated in Figure 8 containing about 0.9 kg of coarse grade dust

conforming to the specification given in Society of Automotive

Engineering Recommended Practice J726, ``Air Cleaner Test Code'' Sept.

1979. The dust shall be agitated every 20 minutes for 5 seconds by

compressed air, free of oil and moisture, at a gage pressure of 550

55 kPa entering through an orifice 1.5 0.1 mm in diameter. The webbing shall be extended to the

top of the chamber and kept extended at all times except that the

webbing shall be subjected to 10 cycles of complete retraction and

extension within 1 to 2 minutes after each agitation of the dust. At the

end of 5 hours, the assembly shall be removed from the chamber. The

webbing shall be fully withdrawn from the retractor manually and allowed

to retract completely for 25 cycles. An automatic-locking retractor or a

nonlocking retractor attached to pelvic restraint shall be subjected to

5,000 additional cycles of webbing withdrawal and retraction. An

emergency locking retractor or a nonlocking retractor attached to upper

torso restraint shall be subjected to 45,000 additional cycles of

webbing withdrawal and retraction between 50 and 100 per cent extension.

The locking mechanism of an emergency locking retractor shall be

actuated at least 10,000 times within 50 to 100 percent extension of

webbing during

[[Page 685]]

the 50,000 cycles. At the end of test, compliance of the retractors with

applicable requirements in S4.3 (h), (i), and (j) shall be determined.

Three retractors shall be tested for performance.

S5.3 Assembly performance--(a) Type 1 seat belt assembly. Three

complete seat belt assemblies, including webbing, straps, buckles,

adjustment and attachment hardware, and retractors, arranged in the form

of a loop as shown in Figure 5, shall be tested in the following manner:

(1) The testing machine shall conform to the requirements specified

in S5.1(b). A double-roller block shall be attached to one head of the

testing machine. This block shall consist of two rollers 102 mm in

diameter and sufficiently long so that no part of the seat belt assembly

touches parts of the block other than the rollers during test. The

rollers shall be mounted on antifriction bearings and spaced 305 mm

between centers, and shall have sufficient capacity so that there is no

brinelling, bending or other distortion of parts which may affect the

results. An anchorage bar shall be fastened to the other head of the

testing machine.

(2) The attachment hardware furnished with the seat belt assembly

shall be attached to the anchorage bar. The anchor points shall be

spaced so that the webbing is parallel in the two sides of the loop. The

attaching bolts shall be parallel to, or at an angle of 45[deg] or

90[deg] to the webbing, whichever results in an angle nearest to 90[deg]

between webbing and attachment hardware except that eye bolts shall be

vertical, and attaching bolts or nonthreaded anchorages of a seat belt

assembly designed for use in specific models of motor vehicles shall be

installed to produce the maximum angle in use indicated by the

installation instructions, utilizing special fixtures if necessary to

simulate installation in the motor vehicle. Rigid adapters between

anchorage bar and attachment hardware shall be used if necessary to

locate and orient the adjustment hardware. The adapters shall have a

flat support face perpendicular to the threaded hole for the attaching

bolt and adequate in area to provide full support for the base of the

attachment hardware connected to the webbing. If necessary, a washer

shall be used under a swivel plate or other attachment hardware to

prevent the webbing from being damaged as the attaching bolt is

tightened.

(3) The length of the assembly loop from attaching bolt to attaching

bolt shall be adjusted to about 1295 mm, or as near thereto as possible.

A force of 245 N shall be applied to the loop to remove any slack in

webbing at hardware. The force shall be removed and the heads of the

testing machine shall be adjusted for an assembly loop between 1220 and

1270 mm in length. The length of the assembly loop shall then be

adjusted by applying a force between 89 and 98 N to the free end of the

webbing at the buckle, or by the retraction force of an automatic-

locking or emergency-locking retractor. A seat belt assembly that cannot

be adjusted to this length shall be adjusted as closely as possible. An

automatic-locking or emergency locking retractor when included in a seat

belt assembly shall be locked at the start of the test with a tension on

the webbing slightly in excess of the retractive force in order to keep

the retractor locked. The buckle shall be in a location so that it does

not touch the rollers during test, but to facilitate making the buckle

release test in S5.2(d) the buckle should be between the rollers or near

a roller in one leg.

(4) The heads of the testing machine shall be separated at a rate

between 51 and 102 mm per minute until a force of 22,241 222 N is applied to the assembly loop. The extension of

the loop shall be determined from measurements of head separation before

and after the force is applied. The force shall be decreased to 667

45 N and the buckle release force measured as

prescribed in S5.2(d).

(5) After the buckle is released, the webbing shall be examined for

cutting by the hardware. If the yarns are partially or completely

severed in a line for a distance of 10 percent or more of the webbing

width, the cut webbing shall be tested for breaking strength as

specified in S5.1(b) locating the cut in the free length between grips.

If there is insufficient webbing on either side of

[[Page 686]]

the cut to make such a test for breaking strength, another seat belt

assembly shall be used with the webbing repositioned in the hardware. A

tensile force of 11,120 111 N shall be applied to

the components or a force of 22,241 222 N shall be

applied to the assembly loop. After the force is removed, the breaking

strength of the cut webbing shall be determined as prescribed above.

(6) If a Type 1 seat belt assembly includes an automatic-locking

retractor or an emergency-locking retractor, the webbing and retractor

shall be subjected to a tensile force of 11,120 111 N with the webbing fully extended from the

retractor.

(7) If a seat belt assembly has a buckle in which the tongue is

capable of inverted insertion, one of the three assemblies shall be

tested with the tongue inverted.

(b) Type 2 seat belt assembly. Components of three seat belt

assemblies shall be tested in the following manner:

(1) The pelvic restraint between anchorages shall be adjusted to a

length between 1220 and 1270 mm, or as near this length as possible if

the design of the pelvic restraint does not permit its adjustment to

this length. An automatic-locking or emergency-locking retractor when

included in a seat belt assembly shall be locked at the start of the

test with a tension on the webbing slightly in excess of the retractive

force in order to keep the retractor locked. The attachment hardware

shall be oriented to the webbing as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of

this section and illustrated in Figure 5. A tensile force 11,120 111 N shall be applied on the components in any

convenient manner and the extension between anchorages under this force

shall be measured. The force shall be reduced to 334 22 N and the buckle release force measured as prescribed

in S5.2(d).

(2) The components of the upper torso restraint shall be subjected

to a tensile force of 6,672 67 N following the

procedure prescribed above for testing pelvic restraint and the

extension between anchorages under this force shall be measured. If the

testing apparatus permits, the pelvic and upper torso restraints may be

tested simultaneously. The force shall be reduced to 334 22 N and the buckle release force measured as prescribed

in S5.2(d).

(3) Any component of the seat belt assembly common to both pelvic

and upper torso restraint shall be subjected to a tensile force of

13,344 134 N.

(4) After the buckle is released in tests of pelvic and upper torso

restraints, the webbing shall be examined for cutting by the hardware.

If the yarns are partially or completely severed in a line for a

distance of 10 percent or more of the webbing width, the cut webbing

shall be tested for breaking strength as specified in S5.1(b) locating

the cut in the free length between grips. If there is insufficient

webbing on either side of the cut to make such a test for breaking

strength, another seat belt assembly shall be used with the webbing

repositioned in the hardware. The force applied shall be 11,120 111 N for components of pelvic restraint, and 6,672

67 N for components of upper torso restraint.

After the force is removed, the breaking strength of the cut webbing

shall be determined as prescribed above.

(5) If a Type 2 seat belt assembly includes an automatic-locking

retractor or an emergency-locking retractor the webbing and retractor

shall be subjected to a tensile force of 11,120 111 N with the webbing fully extended from the

retractor, or to a tensile force of 6,672 67 N

with the webbing fully extended from the retractor if the design of the

assembly permits only upper torso restraint forces on the retractor.

(6) If a seat belt assembly has a buckle in which the tongue is

capable of inverted insertion, one of the three assemblies shall be

tested with the tongue inverted.

tested for resistance to abrasion by each buckle or manual adjusting

device normally used to adjust the size of the assembly. The webbing of

the assembly to be used in this test shall be exposed for 4 hours to an

atmosphere having relative humidity of 65 per cent and temperature of 18

[deg]C. The webbing shall be pulled back and forth through the buckle or

manual adjusting device as shown schematically in Figure 7. The anchor

end of the webbing (A) shall be attached to

[[Page 687]]

a mass (B) of 1.4 kg. The webbing shall pass through the buckle (C), and

the other end (D) shall be attached to a reciprocating device so that

the webbing forms an angle of 8[deg] with the hinge stop (E). The

reciprocating device shall be operated for 2,500 cycles at a rate of 18

cycles per minute with a stroke length of 203 mm. The abraded webbing

shall be tested for breaking strength by the procedure described in

paragraph S5.1(b).

[[Page 688]]

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[[Page 689]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AU91.091

[[Page 690]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AU91.092

[[Page 691]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AU91.093

[44 FR 72139, Dec. 13, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 29048, May 1, 1980; 46

FR 2620, Jan. 12, 1981; 48 FR 30140, June 30, 1983; 49 FR 36508, Sept.

18, 1984; 51 FR 9813, Mar. 21, 1986; 51 FR 31774, Sept. 5, 1986; 52 FR

44912, Nov. 23, 1987; 56 FR 15299, Apr. 16, 1991; 56 FR 56325, Nov. 4,

1991; 59 FR 17994, Apr. 15, 1994; 61 FR 20171, May 6, 1996; 63 FR 28936,

May 27, 1998; 63 FR 51003, Sept. 24, 1998; 64 FR 27206, May 19, 1999]

Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 48894, Aug. 22, 2005, Sec. 571.209

was amended by revising S4.1(a) and (b), S4.3(j), and S5.2(j); adding

S5.4; and adding Figure 8 after Figure 7 of Sec. 571.209, effective

Oct. 21, 2005. For the convenience of the user, the revised and added

text is set forth as follows:

Sec. 571.209 Standard No. 209; Seat belt assemblies.

* * * * *

S4 Requirements.

S4.1(a) Incorporation by reference. SAE Recommended Practice J211-1

rev. December 2003, ``Instrumentation for Impact Test--Part 1--

Electronic Instrumentation,'' is incorporated by reference in S5.2(j)

and is hereby made part of this Standard. This incorporation by

reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of SAE

Recommended Practice J211-1 rev. December 2003, ``Instrumentation for

Impact Test--Part 1--Electronic Instrumentation'' may be obtained from

the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive,

Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. Copies may be inspected at the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Technical Information Services,

400 Seventh Street, SW., Plaza Level, Room 403, Washington, DC 20590, or

at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For

information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202)

741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--

federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.

(b) Single occupancy. A seat belt assembly shall be designed for use

by one, and only one, person at any one time.

* * * * *

S4.3 Requirements for hardware.

* * * * *

(j) Emergency-locking retractor.

(1) For seat belt assemblies manufactured before February 22, 2007.

Except for manufacturers that, at the manufacturer's option, voluntarily

choose to comply with S4.3(j)(2) during this period (with said option

irrevocably selected prior to, or at the time of, certification of the

seat belt assembly), an emergency-locking retractor of a Type 1 or Type

2 seat belt assembly, when tested in accordance with the procedures

specified in paragraph S5.2(j)(1)--

[[Page 692]]

(i) Shall lock before the webbing extends 25 mm when the retractor

is subjected to an acceleration of 7 m/s\2\ (0.7 g);

(ii) Shall not lock, if the retractor is sensitive to webbing

withdrawal, before the webbing extends 51 mm when the retractor is

subjected to an acceleration of 3 m/s\2\ (0.3 g) or less;

(iii) Shall not lock, if the retractor is sensitive to vehicle

acceleration, when the retractor is rotated in any direction to any

angle of 15[deg] or less from its orientation in the vehicle;

(iv) Shall exert a retractive force of at least 3 N under zero

acceleration when attached only to the pelvic restraint;

(v) Shall exert a retractive force of not less than 1 N and not more

than 5 N under zero acceleration when attached only to an upper torso

restraint;

(vi) Shall exert a retractive force not less than 1 N and not more

than 7 N under zero acceleration when attached to a strap or webbing

that restrains both the upper torso and the pelvis.

(2) For seat belt assemblies manufactured on or after February 22,

2007 and for manufacturers opting for early compliance. An emergency-

locking retractor of a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly, when tested

in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph S5.2(j)(2)--

(i) Shall under zero acceleration loading--

(A) Exert a retractive force of not less than 1 N and not more than

7 N when attached to a strap or webbing that restrains both the upper

torso and the pelvis;

(B) Exert a retractive force not less than 3 N when attached only to

the pelvic restraint; and

5 N when attached only to an upper torso restraint.

(D) For a retractor sensitive to vehicle acceleration, lock when

tilted at any angle greater than 45 degrees from the angle at which it

is installed in the vehicle or meet the requirements of S4.3(j)(2)(ii).

(E) For a retractor sensitive to vehicle acceleration, not lock when

the retractor is rotated in any direction to any angle of 15 degrees or

less from its orientation in the vehicle.

(ii) Shall lock before the webbing payout exceeds the maximum limit

of 25 mm when the retractor is subjected to an acceleration of 0.7 g

under the applicable test conditions of S5.2(j)(2)(iii)(A) or (B).

(iii) For a retractor sensitive to webbing withdrawal, shall not

lock before the webbing payout extends to the minimum limit of 51 mm

when the retractor is subjected to an acceleration no greater than 0.3 g

under the test condition of S5.2(j)(2)(iii)(C).

* * * * *

S5.2 Hardware.

* * * * *

(j) Emergency-locking retractor.

(1) For seat belt assemblies manufactured before February 22, 2007.

Except for manufacturers that elect to comply with S4.3(j)(2) and the

corresponding test procedures of S5.2(j)(2), a retractor shall be tested

in a manner that permits the retraction force to be determined exclusive

of the gravitational forces on hardware or webbing being retracted. The

webbing shall be fully extended from the retractor, passing over or

through any hardware or other material specified in the installation

instructions. While the webbing is being retracted, the lowest force of

retraction within 51 mm of 75 percent extension

shall be determined. A retractor that is sensitive to webbing withdrawal

shall be subjected to an acceleration of 3 m/s\2\ (0.3 g) within a

period of 50 milliseconds (ms) while the webbing is at 75 percent

extension, to determine compliance with S4.3(j)(1)(ii). The retractor

shall be subjected to an acceleration of 7 m/s\2\ (0.7 g) within a

period of 50 ms, while the webbing is at 75 percent extension, and the

webbing movement before locking shall be measured under the following

conditions: For a retractor sensitive to webbing withdrawal, the

retractor shall be accelerated in the direction of webbing retraction

while the retractor drum's central axis is oriented horizontally and at

angles of 45[deg], 90[deg], 135[deg], and 180[deg] to the horizontal

plane. For a retractor sensitive to vehicle acceleration, the retractor

shall be:

(i) Accelerated in the horizontal plane in two directions normal to

each other, while the retractor drum's central axis is oriented at the

angle at which it is installed in the vehicle; and

(ii) Accelerated in three directions normal to each other while the

retractor drum's central axis is oriented at angles of 45[deg], 90[deg],

135[deg], and 180[deg] from the angle at which it is installed in the

vehicle, unless the retractor locks by gravitational force when tilted

in any direction to any angle greater than 45[deg] from the angle at

which it is installed in the vehicle.

(2) For seat belt assemblies manufactured on or after February 22,

2007 and for manufacturers opting for early compliance. A retractor

shall be tested in a manner that permits the retraction force to be

determined exclusive of the gravitational forces on the hardware or

webbing being retracted.

(i) Retraction force: The webbing shall be extended fully from the

retractor, passing over and through any hardware or other material

specified in the installation instructions. While the webbing is being

retracted, measure the lowest force of retraction within 51 mm of 75 percent extension.

[[Page 693]]

(ii) Gravitational locking: For a retractor sensitive to vehicle

acceleration, rotate the retractor in any direction to an angle greater

than 45 degrees from the angle at which it is installed in the vehicle.

Apply a force to the webbing greater than the minimum force measured in

S5.2(j)(2)(i) to determine compliance with S4.3(j)(2)(i)(D).

(iii) Dynamic tests: Each acceleration pulse shall be recorded using

an accelerometer having a full scale range of 10 g

and processed according to the practices set forth in SAE Recommended

Practice J211-1 rev. December 2003, ``Instrumentation for Impact Test--

Part 1--Electronic Instrumentation,'' Channel Frequency Class 60. The

webbing shall be positioned at 75 percent extension, and the

displacement shall be measured using a displacement transducer. For

tests specified in S5.2(j)(2)(iii)(A) and (B), the 0.7 g acceleration

pulse shall be within the acceleration-time corridor shown in Figure 8

of this standard.

(A) For a retractor sensitive to vehicle acceleration--

(1) The retractor drum's central axis shall be oriented at the angle

at which it is installed in the vehicle 0.5

degrees. Accelerate the retractor in the horizontal plane in two

directions normal to each other and measure the webbing payout; and

(2) If the retractor does not meet the 45-degree tilt-lock

requirement of S4.3(j)(2)(i)(D), accelerate the retractor in three

directions normal to each other while the retractor drum's central axis

is oriented at angles of 45, 90, 135, and 180 degrees 0.5 degrees from the angle at which it is installed in

the vehicle and measure webbing payout.

(B) For a retractor sensitive to webbing withdrawal--

(1) The retractor drum's central axis shall be oriented horizontally

0.5 degrees. Accelerate the retractor in the

direction of webbing retraction and measure webbing payout; and

(2) The retractor drum's central axis shall be oriented at angles of

45, 90, 135, and 180 degrees 0.5 degrees to the

horizontal plane. Accelerate the retractor in the direction of the

webbing retraction and measure the webbing payout.

subjected to an acceleration no greater than 0.3 g occurring within a

period of the first 50 ms and sustaining an acceleration no greater than

0.3 g throughout the test, while the webbing is at 75 percent extension.

Measure the webbing payout.

* * * * *

S5.4 Tolerances on angles. Unless a range of angles is specified or

a tolerance is otherwise explicitly provided, all angles and

orientations of seat belt assemblies and components specified in this

standard shall have a tolerance of 3 degrees.

* * * * *

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22AU05.016