Interpretation ID: nht72-1.39

DATE: 03/23/72

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Richard B. Dyson; NHTSA

TO: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: In your letter of March 3, 1972, you asked for our interpretation of how a rigid bracket installed on the B-pillar to guide the shoulder belt would be treated under Standard 210.

Although the bracket in question does not perform all the functions of the anchorage, in that it would sustain only a fraction of the total force imposed on the anchorage in an accident, it performs a significant anchorage function by controlling the angle at which the shoulder belt crosses the occupant's chest. It is therefore considered a part of the anchorage and must fall within the acceptable range for upper torso anchorage locations specified in Standard 210.

If you have information to indicate that the acceptable zone could be extended forward of its present position without lessening the effectiveness of the shoulder belt, we would be most interested in obtaining it for review.