Child Passenger Safety Glossary of Terms
This area is designed to provide consumers with a generalized view of important child passenger safety terms.
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- Safety Belt
The webbing, anchor, and buckle system that restrains the occupant in the vehicle. A seat belt.
- Seat Bight
The intersection between the bottom vehicle seat cushion and the back cushion. The seat crack.
- Second Generation Air Bag
A term used to describe some air bag systems that have been depowered or adjusted by the manufacturer to a lower inflation power level.
- Secondary Prevention
Minimizing the harm to the body after an injury has occurred.
- Sewn-On Latchplate
A latchplate on a lap belt or a L/S belt that has the webbing permanently stitched in place.
- Shield Booster Seat
A platform that raises the child and positions a small convex shield across the lap and lower abdomen to restrain the child. A vehicle lap belt restrains the booster seat. Some models have removable shields and convert to BPBs.
- Shell
The molded plastic structure of the child restraint. In some models, the shell is attached to or reinforced by a metal frame.
- Shoulder Belt Adjusters
Devices (some built in and some add-ons) that can be used to reposition shoulder belts so they fit across the shoulder rather than across the neck.
- Shoulder Harness Slots
Slots in the back of the child restraint through which shoulder straps are routed.
- Sliding Latchplate
A latchplate that moves freely on a continuous loop of belt webbing.
- Smart Air Bags
SRS with deployment adjustments to better protect children and improperly positioned adults.
- Structural Integrity
The ability of a device to retain its structure under the stress of crash forces.
- Submarine
The motion of a body during a crash under certain conditions. The body slides, legs first, often causing the lap belt to ride up onto the abdomen.
- Switchable Retractor
A retractor that usually functions as an ELR or can be transformed into an ALR to secure a child restraint.
- T-Shield
Part of the restraint system in a CSS. A roughly triangular or "T" shaped pad that is attached to the shoulder harness, fits over the child's abdomen and hips, and buckles between the legs.
- Tether Anchor Hardware
The kit or set of hardware used to secure the tether anchor bracket at the designated anchor bracket at the designated anchor point in the vehicle. The tether strap and hook attach directly to the anchor bracket.
- Tether Straps
A piece of belt webbing that anchors the top of the CR to the vehicle frame. It keeps the restraint from tipping forward on impact and can provide an extra margin of protection. Can be optional or factory installed.
- Tough Choices
The term used for a number of CPS concepts and principles that underlie the sometimes conflicting instructions and advice that parents are faced with. Tough choices may not always have clear, concrete answers, may reflect rapidly changing technology or new data.
- Tray Shield
Part of the restraint system in a CSS. A wide, curved padded surface that swings down around the child's body and is attached to shoulder harness and crotch buckle. It looks like a padded armrest, but is an integral part of the harness system. Often (erroneously) perceived by parents as "safer" than a 5-point harness alone.
- Turn-Around Time
The point at which the young child's body has developed enough so he or she can be turned from rear facing to forward facing in the vehicle. Also, the weight designated by the manufacturer at which the convertible restraint should be turned to face forward.
Supplimental information provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For further information, go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/.
