AU2009100829A4 - A safety belt - Google Patents

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A SAFETY BELT" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 TITLE A SAFETY BELT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a safety belt. In particular, the invention 5 relates to a safety belt to make a person more visible at night when exercising. However, it should be appreciated that the safety belt may be used for other purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Physical exercise is an important aspect of overall health. Regular 10 exercise boosts the immune system, prevents heart disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health and helps prevent depression. However, most people must exercise before or after work. This often means exercise must be conducted in the dark especially during winter. 15 Cycling is a popular and common form of exercise. When riding on a road at night, it is often difficult for motorists to see cyclists. When a motorist hits a cyclist, this typically results in injury for the cyclist and in many cases death. Therefore, cyclists often use devices which make themselves more visible to motorists. 20 Lights are often used in order to make a cyclist more visible at night. However, lights typically require batteries which run out frequently. Further, lights can be damaged relatively easily. Reflective vests are another option which cyclists use. However, many of these vests are uncomfortable and hot to wear and difficult to carry if lighting conditions change.

2 OBJECTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with the useful or commercial choice. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a safety belt comprising: a reflective portion for reflecting light; an elastic portion for location around a user; 10 wherein the reflective portion is attached to the elastic portion to form a loop. The elastic portion is typically longer than the reflective portion. The reflective portion is normally made from a prismatic reflective material. The reflective portion may also include a porting material to hold the belt in a 15 desired position. Preferably, ends of the reflective portion are removably attached to respective ends of the elastic portion. A closure may be used to form the loop. The closure may be in the form of a clip, clasp, Velcro® or a like device. The closure is typically located adjacent an end of the elastic portion and 20 adjacent an end of the reflective portion. The closure may enable the size of the loop to be varied. A label may be located on the loop for location of contact details. The label may include the name, address and/or telephone number of a person using the safety belt.

3 The safety belt may also include carriers for food and/or drink. Typically, these carriers are located on the elastic portion. The loop may also include a race number connector for a race number. 5 EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION An embodiment, by way of example only, will be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which; FIG. 1A is a rear view of a safety belt according to a first embodiment of the invention; 10 FIG. 1B shows a front view of the safety belt according to FIG. 1A; FIG. 1C shows a further front view of the safety belt being stretched; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a safety belt as shown in FIG. 1A; FIG. 3 shows the safety belt of FIG. 1A being worn by a user; FIG. 4A shows a back view of a safety belt according to a second 15 embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4B is a front view of the safety belt according to FIG. 4A; FIG. 4C is a front view of the safety belt of FIG. 4A being stretched; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a safety belt according to a third 20 embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS 1A to 1C and FIG. 2 show a safety belt 10 for use when exercising. The safety belt is formed from an elastic portion 20 which is attached to a reflective portion 30.

4 The elastic portion 20 is similar in length to the reflective portion 30 with the elastic portion 20 being slightly longer than the reflective portion 30. The width and length of both the elastic portion 20 and the reflective portion 30 may be varied depending on use and design. The elastic portion 20 is 5 able to be stretched as shown in FIG. 1C. The reflective portion 30 includes an outward face that is made from reflective material 31. The reflective material 31 is a prismatic reflective material. The reflective portion 30 may also include a backing material (not shown) to assist in holding the safety belt 10 in position. 10 A closure 40 is formed at ends of both the elastic portion 20 and reflective portion 30 in order that the safety belt can be secured in a loop 11 as shown in FIG. 2. The closure 40 in this embodiment is formed using a hook and loop fastener 41 in which a series of hooks 42 are formed on the elastic portion and a series of loops 43 are formed on the reflective portion 15 30. As the overall size of the series of loops cover a larger area than the overall size of the series of hooks, the size of the loop of the safety belt is adjustable. A details label 50 is located on the elastic portion in order for a person to locate their personal details on the belt. These details can be used in an 20 emergency. In use, the safety belt 10 is located around a user so the reflective portion 30 is located adjacent the back of the person as shown in FIG. 3. The safety belt can be quickly and easily removed and adjusted using the closure 40. In the event of an accident, the contact details 50 can be used in order to 5 contact a user's next of kin. FIGS 4A to 4C show a second embodiment of a safety belt 100. Like numerals have been used to describe like components. In this embodiment, the hook and loop closure 40 has been replaced with a buckle type closure 5 known in the art. Again, the length of the safety belt 10 can be adjusted using the buckle. FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a safety belt 200. In this embodiment, carriers 60 are located on the elastic portion 20 for location of food and/or drink satchels. The elastic portion 20 also includes a race 10 number connector 70 for attaching race numbers. This includes two lines 71 that extend outwardly from the elastic portion 20 and have spring loaded clasps 72 which hold a race number on to the elastic portion 20. A pocket 80 is also provided to carry items, such as keys. It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications 15 may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A safety belt comprising: a reflective portion for reflecting light; an elastic portion for location around a user; 5 wherein the reflective portion is attached to the elastic portion to form a loop.

2. The safety belt as claimed in claim 1 wherein a closure is located adjacent an end of the elastic portion and adjacent an end of the reflective portion to form the loop. 10

3. The safety belt of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the closure is in the form of a hook and loop fastener.

4. The safety belt of any one of the preceding claims wherein a label is located on the loop for location of contact details.

5. A safety belt as herein before described with reference to the 15 accompanying drawings.