These motorized belts did not comply with Canada's safety standards.

Handheld scanners use the same basic technology as a flatbed scanner, but rely on the user to move them instead of a motorized belt.

His company, which also markets treadmills, has found that some people are reticent about stepping onto the motorized belt of a treadmill.

He said the company held market research clinics with potential customers last spring and fall to help decide whether to use motorized belts or airbags.

Purchased from suppliers by the millions, airbags cost little more than the motorized belts found on many cars.

When a driver or front-seat passenger closes a car door and turns the ignition, the motorized belt diagonally crosses the chest.

For that reason, and because there are more motorized belts than nonmotorized in use, motorized belts have been the focus of more concern.

Warnings Are Posted Aware of the complaints, automakers plan to phase out the motorized belts by the mid-1990's.

But, like a lot of automobiles these days, Ford's Escort does have those infuriating motorized belts that trundle across the top of the door to provide shoulder protection.

But the wearer of a motorized automatic belt must manually buckle a second belt across the waist to receive full protection.