WHY can't we use outboard anchors for a middle install?

[dimsumdaddy]

I know most car manuals say not to do it, but I was wondering what the reason is, if anyone knows. I get the feeling the car manufacturers just didn't bother to test it in that position and therefore for liability reason say "don't do it".

I'm talking about a car where the rear seat only has LATCH for left and right outboard, but none for the middle seat. If a middle seat is used (and the outboard anchors aren't being used) then what wrong with the middle seat using the inside LATCH of each outboard position?

In my situation, a seat installed to the middle gets a better install with the outboard LATCHes than with the regular belt. Because my car is small, the outboards' inside LATCHes are actually positioned perfectly as if they would have been if they were intended for the middle seat; ie, the angle of the LATCH strap is not angled much at all (like may 5 degrees, if even that)

 

[Judi]

There are two ways latch is made in a car, one is to have one long bar, all the way across. If that it the case, then, they probably allow you to borrow for the center. The other way it a short bar for each outboard position. It that case, they usually don't let you borrow.