I recently thought of a completely different set up for convertible shoulder harnesses, and I thought I would run it by all you folk for comments. Could the upper mounting point for the front seat shoulder belts be "reversed"-- that is, at the midline of the car? They would then cross over the opposite shoulder than usual and fasten at the rockers. This would keep them out of the way of access for back seat passengers.

Perhaps the standard arrangements, with the belt crossing the "outboard" shoulder has advantages when it comes to keeping passengers inside the vehicle during crashes. However, the "belts-center" arrangement might work pretty slick and at least provide some level of security without having to make modifications to the interior side panels.

Comments?

You kinda answer your own question.
1. Midline mount could result in a higher probability of ejection in a crash.
2. If the belt is mounted to the trans tunnel, it would have a tendancy to roll off the shoulder unless it is threaded thru a device on the top of the seat back.

alan

Your lap belt prevents ejection. Your shoulder belt stops your forward motion in a frontal crash. I too think the tunnel mount would not let the belt go over your shoulder properly.

I am thinking of mounting a shoulder belt behind my left shoulder under the rear seat or maybe under the left rear bolt of the seat track. I know others think that the bolt mount would tear out but in tearing out it will absorb some of your forward motion and lessen the impact with the steering wheel/windshield. Better a lessened impact than a full one. JMO.

The problem with mounting a shoulder belt below the shoulder is that it creates a downward force in an impact, crushing your spine.

What about creating a tether that hooks to the car between the top of the rear seat and the top well. It would prevent spine pressure and not get in the way of rear passengers.

From your shoulder the rule of thumb is to not exceed 18 degrees up or down for the mount of a shoulder belt. As Rodder stated you will crush your spine in a crash with shoulder belts mounted to the floor.