Shoulder
Belt Retractor Failures & Defects
Excessive Slack
in the Shoulder Belt / Seat Belt From Shoulder Belt Spool Out & Windowshade Device
|
|
|
|
|
Snug Belt - No impact
with Dash
|
2 Inches Slack- Partial
Impact
|
Full Slack- Severe
Impact
|
How does Excessive
Slack get into a Shoulder Belt ?
Seat belt retractors are designed
with an internal pendulum which swings forward during rapid deceleration as in
braking or upon impact. However, many times, the retractors fail to lock
allowing excessive amount of seat belt webbing to spool out causing serious
injuries. Even as early as the
1960’s the manufacturers knew of this problem and did little to correct it.
If the teeth on the retractor spool do not engage the latch plate quick
enough, then excessive slack is spooled out before locking, allowing the
occupant to come in contact with the dash or pillar, before locking.
In order to lessen this slack, manufacturers introduced pre-tensioning
devices.These devices sense the impact (deceleration)and create tension
(or take out excessive slack) immediately before impact.
Windowshade
Retractor - Adds to the Slack Problem
Windowshade
Device like a windshade found on a home, can add or introduce slack into
the seat belt system by allowing the occupants to move about the car.Unfortunately,
this extra slack creates a hazard to the user and actually
undermines the purpose of a seat belt system. In an accident this excessive
slack may result in the body or head being able to impact the steering
wheel, roof suppports or dash, thereby creating additional risk of injury
and death.
Shoulder
Belt Injuries Continue
Unfortunately,
there are still hundreds of thousands, if not millions of vehicles, without
these life saving devices, and until all cars are equipped with pre-tensioning
services, thousands upon thousands of people will continue to be injured
and killed.
Defective Shoulder Belt Lawsuits - Injuries & Deaths
 If
you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a defective
shoulder belt system, then you may have a right to file a products
liability case against the manufacturers of these dangerous seatbelts. Please
call for a free confidential consultation at 1-800-883-9858 or at (713)
654-4040 or Click
Here
|
