A restraint system includes a seat defining a centerline and including a seat bottom and a seatback. A pair of upper retractors are disposed on the seatback, a pair of lower retractors are disposed on the seat bottom, and a pair of middle retractors are disposed on the seat between the pairs of upper and lower retractors. Each pair of retractors includes one retractor disposed on each side of the centerline.

Systems and methods presented herein include an evacuation deterrence system that includes a vehicle having a member configured to deter evacuation of passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence system also includes an evacuation deterrence device configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence device includes an elongated main body, a handle portion, a latch mechanism configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the latch mechanism, and a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first location of the elongated main body relative to the vehicle. The elongated main body is configured to be extended relative to the vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body is fixed relative to the vehicle via the positioning mechanism.

Systems and methods presented herein include an evacuation deterrence system that includes a vehicle having a member configured to deter evacuation of passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence system also includes an evacuation deterrence device configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence device includes an elongated main body, a handle portion, a latch mechanism configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the latch mechanism, and a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first location of the elongated main body relative to the vehicle. The elongated main body is configured to be extended relative to the vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body is fixed relative to the vehicle via the positioning mechanism.

A seat system for a motor vehicle has at least one vehicle seat, which can be adjusted between a first position in the forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle, and a second position counter to the forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A safety belt device is provided to secure an occupant seated in the vehicle seat in the first and second position. An optimized system in terms of weight, complexity and manufacturing costs, has the safety belt device include a respective belt system, held on corresponding holding points on the motor vehicle body-in-white side, for the first and for the second position of the vehicle seat.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to reducing the likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. In one example, a system for reducing the likelihood of a passenger submarining, may include a restraining device for restraining the passenger. A second restraining device for further restraining the passenger may also be included in the system. A locking mechanism may be configured to prevent a seat back from reclining when the second restraining device is not activated.

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.

A vehicle seat belt system includes a retractable seat belt buckle, one or more buckle sensors, and a control unit. The control unit is communicatively coupled to the one or more buckle sensors and one or more drive systems of a vehicle. The retractable seat belt buckle is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The one or more buckle sensors are positioned to sense a position of the retractable seat belt buckle and output a signal indicative of the position of the retractable seat belt buckle. The control unit receives the signal from the one or more buckle sensors, determines the position of the retractable seat belt buckle based on the signal from the one or more buckle sensors, and transmits a stop signal to the one or more vehicle drive systems to cause the one or more vehicle drive systems to prevent motion of the vehicle when the retractable seat belt buckle is positioned in the extended position.

A method of using a vehicle restraint device, including a vehicle safety belt having an adjustable safety belt connected to a vehicle seat such that a first end of the safety belt is connected to a seat belt anchor and a second end of the safety belt is connected to an upper seat portion, a strap extension having a lower attachment device connected to a first end of the extension such that the lower attachment device is located between the seat belt anchor and a hip area of the end user and an upper attachment device is connected to a second end of the extension, wherein the lower and upper attachment devices are located on the extension in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the safety belt and the lower attachment device and the upper attachment device allow the extension to be removed from the safety belt.

A stowable harness system for a vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat has a storage area under a horizontal seat portion that pivots to provide access. The harness system includes a belt system for a child restraint. During use, the harness system is disposed on the vehicles seat. When stowed, the harness system is contained in the storage area.

A seat belt assist device for use with a seat belt having a webbing, a tongue and a buckle, the assist device including an upper sleeve for wrapping around a portion of the webbing adjacent the tongue, the upper sleeve having a first distinctive marker, a lower sleeve for wrapping around a portion of the webbing adjacent the buckle, the lower sleeve having a second distinctive marker, the second distinctive marker being the same as the first distinctive marker, a first sensor component disposed on the upper sleeve adjacent the tongue, and a second sensor component disposed on the lower sleeve adjacent the buckle, the first sensor and the second sensor being capable of signaling their position relative to one another.