Seat Belts and Air Bags

Air bags protected occupants in ways that seat belts alone cannot. The air bag spreads out the violent impact of a crash and kept occupants from smashing against the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. Having an air bag and wearing an effective seat belt is the best protection. By this, you are protected from frontal crashes by the air bag -- you are also protected by the seat belt in all other types of crashes. With an "effective" safety belt, your body will stop, in a crash, before you hit or go through the windshield and parts of your car. Seat belts are especially important in small cars, because your chances of being killed or badly hurt in a collision with a big car is eight times greater. Wearing your belt will greatly improve your chances of survival. Air bags can reduce the risk of death in a head-on collision by 26%% and in all serious accidents by 13%.

Without a Belt, Air Bags are of Slight Benefit Air bags are only useful in frontal crashes, so it is not a good idea to skip your seat belt because you have an air bag. Air bags provide very effective protection in frontal crashes, inflating instantly to protect the driver or passenger that has an air bag. They spread the impact of the crash over the individual's head and chest and protect fragile body parts from the car's hard surfaces. Many basic improvements have been introduced into cars in recent years. These include anti-burst door latches, safety glass, energy-absorbing steering wheels and columns, head restraints and various seat belt systems. The benefits of the three-point seat belts have been firmly established: over 50%% of fatal and serious injuries to car occupants would be avoided if all occupants wore their seat belts.

Seats

There are basically two types of seats; bench seats or bucket seats. A bucket seat is a low, separate seat for one person. Although we think of them as relatively new, it is interesting to note that in 1905 Henry Ford's first model had bucket seats. Bench seats are a continuous cushion and backrest across the width of the car (although some vans might have them running along the length of the van). Bucket seats are single units with a separation between the left and right seats. Usually vinyl leather and fabric are used for upholstery.

"Flatsprings" are used for comfort, which are pieces of wire bent into a zigzag pattern. Both ends of the wire are attached to the seat frame, with additional lengths added every six inches. Foam padding is used to cover the flatsprings. The front seats ride on rails that are bolted to the floor. This arrangement allows the seats to move backwards and forwards to suit the driver or passenger. The seat adjustment lever is attached to a latch that fits into teeth along the rail. Moving the lever releases the seat, and allows the seat to move. At any point of the seat's movement, releasing the lever engages the latch with one of the teeth. Usually there is also a pull-spring; this draws the seat forward when the latch is released. The rear seat usually doesn't move, because it is secured to the floor of the car. It's backrest is attached to the partition between the passenger compartment and trunk.

Secondary Brake Shoe

The Secondary brake shoe is the shoe in a set that is energized by the primary shoe. A brake shoe is a carrier to which the brake lining is attached, used to force the lining in contact with the brake drum or rotor. When brakes are applied, the brake shoes or friction pads are forced into contact with the brake drums or rotors to slow the rotation of the wheels. The vehicle slows down as a result of the friction between the tires and the road surface.

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