DE102020127760A1 - buckle cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a belt buckle cover for at least partially covering a belt buckle of a vehicle, having a covering device for at least partially covering a release button of the belt buckle, the covering device having a belt buckle opening for a belt buckle and a release opening for releasing the release button of the belt lock, and a fastening device for fastening the buckle cover on the buckle and/or a buckle anchorage.

Description

The invention relates to a device for a seat belt buckle of a vehicle.

For example, during a police operation, a detainee may be taken to the second row of seats in a vehicle and strapped in with his hands tied behind his back.

A police officer usually sits next to the arrested person. Depending on the type of vehicle, the belt buckle may be on the other side and therefore out of the police officer's field of vision.

It may therefore be possible for the arrested person to free himself or herself from the seat belt. Some of those arrested have already managed to press a release button on the seat belt buckle and thus remove the seat belt, even with their hands tied behind their backs.

For example, an electric belt buckle that can be operated via a central control panel was suggested as a possible solution.

However, this is associated with a great deal of effort and expense. Existing belt buckles cannot be retrofitted either.

It is therefore an object of the invention to create a device for a seat belt buckle of a vehicle, a seat belt buckle and methods which make it difficult to open the seat belt buckle in a simple and cost-effective manner.

This problem is solved by the objects and the methods of the independent claims.

According to the invention, the seat belt lock cover is designed to at least partially cover a seat belt lock of a vehicle and/or can be used for this purpose.

The vehicle can preferably be an emergency vehicle, for example a police vehicle, e.g. a patrol car.

The seat belt lock cover can be designed, for example, as a cover and/or housing for the seat belt lock. Preferably, the buckle cover covers at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the outer surface of the buckle.

The seat belt buckle cover has a covering device for at least partially covering a release button of the seat belt buckle.

Preferably, the covering device covers at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the outer surface of the release button.

The covering device has a buckle opening for a buckle and a release opening for releasing the release button of the buckle.

The belt buckle opening and/or the release opening can be designed in the form of a slit, for example.

The belt buckle opening and the release opening can be designed as separate openings. Likewise, the buckle opening and the release opening can also form a common opening.

The term opening is to be understood broadly in this context and, in addition to openings that are completely surrounded by the covering device, also includes openings that are only partially delimited.

The belt buckle can be inserted into the belt lock through the belt buckle opening and latch therein. The belt buckle opening is preferably dimensioned in such a way that the belt buckle is not obstructed. For example, the buckle opening can be congruent with the opening of the buckle.

The normal functionality for fastening the belt buckle in the belt lock is consequently not impaired by the covering device. The mobility of the seat belt buckle is also preferably not restricted.

By contrast, the covering device makes it more difficult to release the release button, since a part of the release button is covered.

However, the release opening still allows the release button to be released. However, the release opening is preferably designed in such a way that no finger can fit through it. For example, the release button can only be operated with a tool.

For example, the release opening above the release button only allows access with the help of a tool, e.g. another belt buckle. The other belt buckle can be, for example, the belt buckle of the front passenger seat or the seat of the policeman sitting next to it.

The buckle cover has an attachment device for attaching the buckle cover to the buckle and/or a buckle anchorage.

In order to prevent unauthorized release of the seat belt buckle cover, the seat belt buckle cover is fastened directly to the seat belt buckle and/or the seat belt buckle anchorage. The seat belt buckle is connected to the vehicle via the seat belt buckle anchorage.

An arrested person can be secured as usual with a seat belt. However, the buckle cover prevents the arrested person from pressing the release button.

The buckle cover can also be used as a child safety device, for example, so that a child cannot press the release button on its own.

The buckle cover is preferably designed in one piece.

For example, the buckle cover can form a partially open housing for the buckle. For example, the belt lock cover can be placed over the belt lock.

The seat belt buckle cover makes it difficult to open the seat belt buckle in a simple and cost-effective manner. Elaborate mechanical and/or electrical components are not necessary, for example.

Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment, the release opening is designed in such a way that only an indirect release of the release button is made possible.

A direct release with one or more fingers is therefore not possible. For example, an arrested person or a child cannot press the release button themselves.

According to a further embodiment, the width of the release opening and/or the belt buckle opening is at most 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm or 5 mm. For example, the width can be 4.96 mm or 4.6 mm.

The release opening is consequently so narrow that no finger can be put through it.

The length of the release opening and/or the belt buckle opening can be, for example, between 1 cm and 4 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 3 cm, for example 2.4 cm.

The release opening and/or the belt buckle opening can preferably be constructed in the same way.

According to a further embodiment, the fastening device has a hook-in, Velcro, adhesive, clamp, clamp, plug-in, snap-in, magnet, pin and/or screw device.

The attachment can preferably be done without tools.

For example, a combination of adhesive and latching device can be provided.

According to a further embodiment, the fastening device has at least one latching hook.

The latching hook can, for example, comprise or consist of a plastic and/or metal material.

The latching hook can preferably have an inwardly extending area and an upwardly extending area.

The latching hook can extend inwards for example between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 4 mm, for example 3.6 mm. At the end area, the latching hook can extend upwards, for example between 1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 2 mm, for example 1.7 mm.

The latching hook is preferably formed in one piece on the rest of the seat belt buckle cover.

According to a further embodiment, the belt lock cover comprises or consists of a plastic and/or metal material.

These materials are comparatively inexpensive and/or stable.

The thickness of the buckle cover can be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, for example.

According to a further embodiment, the seat belt lock cover is designed as a housing for the seat belt lock.

In the installed state, the seat belt buckle cover can preferably rest in a form-fitting manner on the seat belt buckle.

For example, the buckle cover may be slightly larger than the buckle to accommodate the buckle.

For example, the buckle cover can be between 5 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 7 cm and 8 cm high.

The width of the buckle cover can be, for example, between 3 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 4 cm and 5 cm.

The invention also relates to a seat belt buckle of a vehicle with a seat belt buckle cover according to the invention.

The seat belt lock can already be provided with the seat belt lock cover at the factory. Alternatively, a belt lock can also be retrofitted with a belt lock cover.

The invention also relates to a method for fastening a seat belt buckle cover according to the invention to a seat belt buckle of a vehicle.

Here, the buckle cover is pushed over the buckle and attached to it and/or to a buckle anchorage.

The seat belt lock cover can, for example, be latched and/or glued to the seat belt lock and/or the seat belt lock anchorage.

The belt buckle cover can therefore no longer come loose from the belt buckle unintentionally.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for triggering a release button of a seat belt buckle of a vehicle that is at least partially covered with a seat belt buckle cover according to the invention.

An object, preferably a belt buckle, is guided through the release opening to the release button for release.

The object is a tool and/or aid, for example the belt buckle of a seat that is adjacent or in front of it. A finger, on the other hand, does not represent an object within the meaning of the invention.

The release button cannot be pressed directly with the finger.

All of the embodiments and components of the devices described herein are preferably configured to be attached and/or used according to one or more of the methods described herein. Furthermore, all of the embodiments of the devices described here and all of the embodiments of the methods described here can be combined with one another, preferably also detached from the specific configuration in the context of which they are mentioned.

• 1 eine Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Gurtschlossabdeckung,
• 2 eine Vorderansicht der Gurtschlossabdeckung gemäß 1,
• 3 eine Draufsicht der Gurtschlossabdeckung gemäß 1,
• 4 eine Schnittansicht der Gurtschlossabdeckung gemäß 1, und
• 5 eine innere Perspektivansicht der Gurtschlossabdeckung gemäß 1.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a buckle cover according to the invention,
• 2 a front view of the buckle cover according to FIG 1 ,
• 3 a plan view of the buckle cover according to FIG 1 ,
• 4 a sectional view of the buckle cover according to FIG 1 , and
• 5 12 is an inside perspective view of the buckle cover according to FIG 1 .

First, it should be noted that the illustrated embodiments are purely exemplary in nature. Individual features can be implemented not only in the combination shown, but also individually or in other technically sensible combinations. For example, the features of one embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with features of another embodiment. Preferably other, additional and/or multiple fastening devices can be provided. Furthermore, the shape of the buckle cover can vary.

If a figure contains a reference number that is not explained in the directly associated descriptive text, reference is made to the corresponding preceding or following statements in the description of the figures. The same reference numbers are used for the same or comparable components in the figures and these are not explained again.

1 shows a seat belt lock cover which, in the assembled state, at least partially covers a seat belt lock (not shown) of a vehicle.

The seat belt lock cover is designed as a housing 10 . The housing 10 comprises a covering device designed as a cap 12 for at least partially covering a release button (not shown) of the seat belt buckle.

Furthermore, the housing 10 includes a side cover 14 which is formed in one piece with the cap 12 .

When assembled, the side cover 14 faces the seat, i.e. away from the door.

The housing 10 preferably has no side cover 14 on the side facing the door. This makes it easier to install the buckle cover.

Alternatively or additionally, the side cover 14 may face the door, i.e. away from the seat, when assembled. In this case, the side facing the seat may not have a side cover 14, for example.

However, it is also possible that both the side facing the seat and the side facing the door each have a side cover.

The side cover 14 can optionally have a depression 16 in which, for example, a label can be attached.

The side cover 14 can, for example, fork downwards. The two legs 18 can have undercuts 20 at the end regions, which ensure a secure hold on the buckle.

as well as in 2 can be seen, a fastening device 22 for fastening the buckle cover to the buckle is provided between the legs 18 .

The fastening device 22 has a latching hook 24 which can latch on the buckle.

Alternatively or additionally, a latching hook can be provided at the end regions of the legs 18 .

As in 3 is shown, the covering device 12 has a buckle opening 26 for a buckle and a release opening 28 for releasing the release button of the buckle.

The release button can only be actuated through the release opening 28 . However, the trigger opening 28 is so small that no finger can fit through it. A tool is therefore required to unlock the release button.

4 Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of the buckle cover. As can be seen, the latching hook 24 of the fastening device 22 protrudes inwards. The latching hook 24 can latch on the buckle.

Alternatively or additionally, the seat belt lock cover can also be glued to the seat belt lock. A combination of gluing and latching in particular offers reliable protection against an unintentional or unauthorized loosening of the seat belt lock cover.

In 5 An inside view of the buckle cover is shown. In an identification field 30 an identification, for example a type number and/or an article identification, of the seat belt lock cover can be specified.

reference list

10

enclosure

12

cap, covering device

14

side cover

16

deepening

18

leg

20

undercut

22

fastening device

24

latch hook

26

belt buckle opening

28

trigger hole

30

label field

Claims (10)

Belt lock cover for at least partially covering a belt lock of a vehicle, having a covering device (12) for at least partially covering a release button of the seat belt buckle, wherein the covering device (12) has a buckle opening (26) for a buckle and a release opening (28) for releasing the release button of the buckle, and an attachment device (22) for attaching the buckle cover to the buckle and/or a buckle anchorage. seat belt buckle cover claim 1 , characterized in that the release opening (28) is designed such that only an indirect release of the release button is enabled. seat belt buckle cover claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the width of the release opening (28) and / or the Gurtschnallenöff (26) is a maximum of 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm or 5 mm. Belt lock cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (22) has a hook-in, Velcro, adhesive, clip, clamping, plug-in, snap-in, magnet, pin and/or screw device. Belt lock cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (22) has at least one latching hook (24). Belt lock cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt lock cover comprises or consists of a plastic and/or metal material. Belt lock cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt lock cover is designed as a housing (10) for the belt lock. Belt buckle of a vehicle with a belt buckle cover according to one of the preceding claims. A method of attaching a buckle cover according to any one of Claims 1 until 7 on a vehicle buckle, in which the buckle cover slides over and attaches to the buckle and/or to a buckle anchorage. Method for triggering a release button with a seat belt buckle cover according to one of Claims 1 until 7 at least partially covered seat belt buckle of a vehicle, in which an object, preferably a seat belt buckle, is passed through the release opening (28) to the release button.

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