A restraint system for moving a vehicle seat and occupant toward the vehicle floor. A fluid cylinder pivotally mounted to the floor has an extendable piston rod connected to a linkage mounted to the vehicle seat. A three point belt assembly mounted to the seat is connected to the cylinder rod. Retraction of the cylinder rod pretensions or tightens the three point buckle assembly and subsequently moves the seat towards the vehicle floor.

A vehicle occupant restraint having an adjustable web tether utilizes a first section of webbing that is tautly positioned between the vehicle floor and an upper mounting location. A second section of webbing extends from a floor-mounted (or wall- or seat-mounted) emergency locking retractor (ELR) and through a turning point at the upper mounting location, after which the second webbing section transitions to a shoulder belt for the occupant. In order to provide a pivot point for the shoulder belt, an adjustable web tether is mounted to the first webbing section and captures the second webbing section in sliding engagement by means of a ring. The ring of the web tether therefore provides a pivot point for the shoulder strap. The vertical position of the web tether upon the first webbing section is adjustable, so that the height of the shoulder strap pivot point, and therefore the trajectory of the shoulder strap across the occupant, is adjustable.

A three-point belt assembly is mounted to the seat frame removably mounted to a vehicle. The upper portion of the belt extends through a guide having a tongue thereon releasably lockable with a buckle mounted to the vehicle frame above the seat. In one embodiment, the guide tongue is pivotally constructed to facilitate swinging movement of the belt whereas in an alternate embodiment, the buckle is pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame above the seat facilitating pivotal web movement.

A passenger restraint with an automatic locking tether. A three point belt assembly includes a retractor mounted to the vehicle with the belt extendable therefrom having an outer end attached to a bracket movably mounted to a first automatic locking tether. A buckle mounted to the opposite side of the seat is movably mounted to a second automatic locking tether secured to the seat. Both tethers include a cam member pivotally mounted thereto having a locking pad movable against a web extending into the tether. One end of the web is fastened to the vehicle floor whereas the opposite end of the web is attached to a spring biased reel. A spring urges the pad apart from the web allowing for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the seat. Passenger loading during a crash moves the cam member with pad against the web anchoring the tether and seat to the vehicle floor via the web.

A passenger restraint with an automatic locking tether. A three point belt assembly includes a retractor mounted to the vehicle with the belt extendable therefrom having an outer end attached to a bracket movably mounted to a first automatic locking tether. A buckle mounted to the opposite side of the seat is movably mounted to a second automatic locking tether secured to the seat. Both tethers include a cam member pivotally mounted thereto having a locking pad movable against a web extending into the tether. One end of the web is fastened to the vehicle whereas the opposite end of the web is attached to a spring biased reel. A spring urges the pad apart from the web allowing for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the seat. Passenger loading during a crash moves the cam member with pad against the web anchoring the tether and seat to the vehicle floor via the web. The spring biased reel is slidably mounted to move toward the cam member when all of the web is fully withdrawn therefrom with the reel then contacting the cam member forcing the locking pad against the web and limiting further web pressure against the reel.