A vehicle seatbelt assembly includes a load limiter having a seatbelt attachment portion and a seatbelt tension control mechanism that is configured to increase the length of a shoulder portion of a seatbelt in response to rapid or sudden deceleration of a vehicle, thereby reducing a level of tension experience by a seatbelt.

A vehicle seatbelt assembly includes a first member, a second member, a buckle mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The first member is configured to attach to one of a vehicle floor structure and a seat structure. The second member is supported on the first member. The second member is configured for limited sliding movement relative to the first member. The buckle mechanism is attached to the second member for movement therewith. The buckle mechanism has a latch device configured to releaseably retain a seatbelt latch tongue member. The clutch mechanism is disposed between the first member and the second member and is operable to switch between a dis-engaged state and an engaged state. In the dis-engaged state, the clutch mechanism allows movement of the second member relative to the first member. In the engaged state, the clutch mechanism prevents movement of the second member relative to the first member.

A vehicle seatbelt assembly includes a first member, a second member, a buckle mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The first member is configured to attach to one of a vehicle floor structure and a seat structure. The second member is supported on the first member. The second member is configured for limited sliding movement relative to the first member. The buckle mechanism is attached to the second member for movement therewith. The buckle mechanism has a latch device configured to releaseably retain a seatbelt latch tongue member. The clutch mechanism is disposed between the first member and the second member and is operable to switch between a dis-engaged state and an engaged state. In the dis-engaged state, the clutch mechanism allows movement of the second member relative to the first member. In the engaged state, the clutch mechanism prevents movement of the second member relative to the first member.

A seat belt system for a vehicle comprises a first seat belt buckle mounted at a first location, a second seat belt buckle mounted at a second location and a seat belt retractor mounted at a third location, a seat belt and a circuit. The third location is spaced along a seat for an occupant from the second location. The seat belt is extendable from the seat belt retractor and has a tongue. The seat belt is extendable to connect the tongue to the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle. The circuit interconnects the first seat belt buckle, the second seat belt buckle and the seat belt retractor. The circuit is configured to change an operating mode of the seat belt retractor when (1) the seat belt tongue is removed from the first seat belt buckle and/or (2) the seat belt tongue is removed from the second seat belt buckle. An optional indicator can be provided to indicate to the vehicle operator that the operating mode of the retractor has been changed.

An enclosure for positioning within a vehicle and having a secure holding cell for housing one or more persons. The enclosure includes a body that forms the holding cell to contain the persons. Benches are positioned within the interior space to accommodate the persons. An area below the benches forms a storage compartment. Access doors to the storage compartments are positioned outside of the holding cell along an exterior side of the enclosure. Doors that enclose the holding cell are movable between open and closed positions and include notches to provide access to the storage compartments.

An enclosure for positioning within a vehicle and having a secure holding cell for housing one or more persons. The enclosure includes a body that forms the holding cell to contain the persons. Benches are positioned within the interior space to accommodate the persons. An area below the benches forms a storage compartment. Access doors to the storage compartments are positioned outside of the holding cell along an exterior side of the enclosure. Doors that enclose the holding cell are movable between open and closed positions and include notches to provide access to the storage compartments.

A restraint system for restraining a lower body portion of an individual within a seat including a rigid member configured to selectively restrain the lower body portion such that the lower body portion of the individual is movable only within a predefined area of movement. The rigid member is mounted to the seat and is capable of movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. The lower body portion is restrained by the rigid member when in the deployed position. A locking mechanism locks the rigid member in the stowed position and the deployed position. A release mechanism is associated with the locking mechanism. The release mechanism is located at a predetermined distance from the locking mechanism such that the release mechanism is located outside of the area of movement.

Disclosed is a method of use of a movable seat for a law enforcement vehicle. A method of restraining a detainee within a vehicle may include the steps of: opening a door on a vehicle comprising a movable seat; retracting the movable seat from a first position in the vehicle to a second position adjacent the door of the vehicle; seating a detainee in the movable seat of the vehicle; wherein the detainee's hands are restrained behind its back; positioning the detainee's hands in an opening in a back of the movable seat; restraining the detainee in the movable seat with a seat belt coupled to the movable seat; returning the movable seat to the first position inside the vehicle; and closing the door on the vehicle.

A seatbelt buckle system for law enforcement use, wherein the female portion of the buckle is located at the end of a segment which is in a generally upright and readily-accessible position to assure the safe and expeditious restraint of an individual. The individual securing the occupant is advantageously less prone to adverse events such as unwanted contact with or from the occupant, injury to the back or other part of the anatomy, or unwarranted charges of sexual harassment.

A seatbelt buckle system for law enforcement use, wherein the female portion of the buckle is located at the end of a segment which is in a generally upright and readily-accessible position to assure the safe and expeditious restraint of an individual. The individual securing the occupant is advantageously less prone to adverse events such as unwanted contact with or from the occupant, injury to the back or other part of the anatomy, or unwarranted charges of sexual harassment.