Importance

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Abstract

A seat belt system is provided for use in the rear seating area of a vehicle. The system has first and second tongue and buckle sets that are identical on outboard seats or either side of the center seat. The first and second sets are for use with a standard three-point shoulder and lap restraint system. The center seat also has a three-point restraint system but uses third and fourth tongue and buckle sets therefor with both tongues mounted to a single length of belt so that when disconnected from their corresponding buckles, the center seat back rest can be pivoted down without interference from the center seat belt restraint system. In addition, the tongues will only releasably lock in their corresponding buckles. To this end, the fourth tongue and buckle have a key and keyway mating fit to prevent the fourth tongue from locking in the other buckles. The fourth buckle uses one of the ejectors of the other buckles and lengthens the housing lower cover slightly over the standard length of the housing of the other buckles to prevent the other tongues from being releasably locked therein.

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First Claim