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SmartBelt(TM) - Seat Belts That Think Like Airbags

29 April 2000

Introducing the SmartBelt(TM) - Seat Belts That Think Like Airbags

Charlotte, NC - The BFGoodrich Company announces the launch of 
SmartBelt(TM) systems - seat belts that think like airbags.

While automotive safety advances like anti-lock brakes and airbags have 
been helping to save lives for years, it has been quite some time since a 
breakthrough safety innovation has been introduced. It's an aerospace 
company, BFGoodrich, that's bringing a new technology to the automotive 
market with the potential to protect hundreds upon thousands of drivers and 
passengers. This patented technology was originally designed for use in 
aircraft.

The SmartBelt(TM) systems work with existing vehicle airbags. During a 
significant crash, the system rapidly inflates a bladder that runs the 
length of the belt from the buckle to the point where it enters the upper 
part of the seat or pillar.

The systems are expected to be available to the public within two years. In 
initial applications, SmartBelt(TM) systems will provide added protection 
in cars for backseat passengers. BFGoodrich expects the product to become a 
standard feature in cars and even planes, trains and school buses within a 
few years.

SmartBelt(TM) systems were designed by the safety systems division of 
BFGoodrich Aerospace. "The inflatable seatbelt is a giant step forward for 
passenger safety because it provides airbag-like qualities while deploying 
away from the wearer and then cradling him or her into the impact," said 
Mike Vecchio, Safety Consultant for BFGoodrich.

Advanced safety benefits of the new technology:

SmartBelt(TM) systems actually work in concert with airbags creating 
additional protection for smaller occupants and especially children. 
Because SmartBelt(TM) systems inflate within the first 10 milliseconds of a 
crash, and airbags deploy after 25-30 milliseconds the wearer becomes 
"prepositioned" by the SmartBelt(TM) system to more safely accept the force 
of the airbag. Therefore the airbag's ability to protect is optimized.  In 
side-impact crashes, SmartBelt(TM) systems out-perform airbags and 
seatbelts. Tests have conclusively shown that with SmartBelt(TM) systems a 
driver or passenger would sustain considerably less head injury than if 
they were using traditional airbag/seatbelt combinations.  SmartBelt(TM) 
systems offer superior rollover protection, even in convertibles.  The 
SmartBelt(TM) system feels just like a traditional  seat belt. And, because 
it is a seat belt as well as an inflatable restraint, SmartBelt(TM) systems 
can be adjusted for comfort and for maximum protection.  Seatbelts protect 
but can also cause pain and in some cases even severe injury. That's 
because the force between a body and a seatbelt can be tremendous, up to 55 
times the force of gravity. SmartBelt(TM) systems provide two benefits to 
reduce this effect. Additional cushion for the occupant is provided and 
force is distributed over a wider area on the body since the belt's bladder 
expands to a full six inches wide.

  "Lap belts and shoulder belts are good in the back seat, but inflatable 
belts are better." explained Don Lewis, Innovation Consultant for 
BFGoodrich and inventor of SmartBelt(TM) systems. Lewis also noted that 
that seatbelts save lives, and that SmartBelt(TM) systems are the next 
generation of this important safety technology applicable to a wide variety 
of vehicles from aircraft to school buses.

  Vecchio, formerly a Ford safety engineer and an 18-year  veteran in the 
crash safety field, says that when deployed, the SmartBelt(TM) system 
gently pushes an occupant back in his/her seat. Children sometimes lean 
against the door and slouch in their seat, but SmartBelt(TM) systems, when 
used properly, remain in position regardless.

According to Bill Walthall, President BFGoodrich Safety Systems Division, 
"The opportunity to bring advanced aerospace technology to the automotive 
market is another way of putting the BFGoodrich commitment to innovation 
into action while leveraging our technology."

The SmartBelt(TM) system is basically a seatbelt that thinks like an 
airbag. Its proprietary Direct-Thermal(TM) inflator forms the foundation of 
this sophisticated technology along with the integration of space age 
materials. These materials are both strong and light allowing this new 
innovation to produce its improved safety benefits. The BFGoodrich Company 
hopes that the introduction of SmartBelt(TM) systems will give motorists 
one more good reason to buckle up.

About The BFGoodrich Company

BFGoodrich Aerospace is one of the world's leading suppliers of components, 
systems and services to the aerospace industry. It is the largest business 
at The BFGoodrich Company, which had total 1999 sales of $5.5 billion 
including its other major businesses, Performance Materials and Engineered 
Industrial Products. The company was recently included as number six in 
Fortune magazine's top 10 ranking of the most admired companies in the 
aerospace industry. The BFGoodrich Company has its headquarters in 
Charlotte, North Carolina, and employs 27,000 people worldwide.  BFGoodrich 
exited the automotive tire industry in 1986 after selling its tire business 
to Michelin. Michelin still manufactures and markets tires under the 
BFGoodrich label.

The Technology Inside the Innovation

The technology behind SmartBelt(TM) systems is the Direct-Thermalä inflator 
, a proprietary BFGoodrich Aerospace innovation. The Direct-Thermal(TM) 
inflator's ultra-high thermal efficient design allows for the use of less 
propellant than traditional inflators, which in turn yields a smaller 
package size. In addition, it has a unique gas discharging method, 
permitting a wide range of gas diffusing options - radially, axially, 
transfer tubes. This allows maximum flexibility for integration into 
upstream module applications in all safety system locations.