- published: 18 Jan 2016
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A seat belt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop. A seat belt reduces the likelihood and severity of injury in a traffic collision by stopping the vehicle occupant from hitting hard against interior elements of the vehicle or other passengers (the so-called second impact), by keeping occupants positioned correctly for maximum benefit from the airbag, if the vehicle is so equipped, and by preventing occupants being ejected from the vehicle.
Seat belts were invented by George Cayley in the early 19th century, though Edward J. Claghorn of New York, was granted the first patent (U.S. Patent 312,085, on February 10, 1885 for a safety belt). Claghorn was granted United States Patent #312,085 for a Safety-Belt for tourists, painters, firemen, etc. who are being raised or lowered, described in the patent as "designed to be applied to the person, and provided with hooks and other attachments for securing the person to a fixed object."
A seat is place to sit, often referring to the area one sits upon as opposed to other elements like armrests.
A seat is also known as a a bench, a chair, a chaise lounge, chesterfield, a couch, a davenport or a settee.
The following are examples of different kinds of seat:
The word seat comes from Middle English sete and from Old Norse sæti; akin to Old English gesete seat, sittan to sit. The first known use of the word seat is in the 13th century.
Children's author Hugh Lofting referred to a seat in this passage from his novel The Story of Doctor Dolittle; “He came strolling down the gravel-walk, humming a sad song, till he reached a stone seat right under the tree where the parrot and the monkey were hiding.”
Children's author and playwright L. Frank Baum referred to a seat in this passage of his novel Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz; “At once a little girl rose from her seat and walked to the door of the car, carrying a wicker suit-case in one hand and a round bird-cage covered up with newspapers in the other, while a parasol was tucked under her arm.”
Belt may refer to: