EP0927525B1 - Sicherheitsvorrichtung für Sicherheitsgurt - Google Patents

Sicherheitsvorrichtung für Sicherheitsgurt Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0927525B1
EP0927525B1 EP19990300011 EP99300011A EP0927525B1 EP 0927525 B1 EP0927525 B1 EP 0927525B1 EP 19990300011 EP19990300011 EP 19990300011 EP 99300011 A EP99300011 A EP 99300011A EP 0927525 B1 EP0927525 B1 EP 0927525B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
buckle
safety device
cover element
seat belt
attachment portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19990300011
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0927525A1 (de
Inventor
Kerry Diane Williams
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Staysafe Child Products Ltd
Original Assignee
Staysafe Child Products Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9800084.7A external-priority patent/GB9800084D0/en
Application filed by Staysafe Child Products Ltd filed Critical Staysafe Child Products Ltd
Publication of EP0927525A1 publication Critical patent/EP0927525A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0927525B1 publication Critical patent/EP0927525B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
    • A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
    • A44B11/2503—Safety buckles
    • A44B11/2569—Safety measures
    • A44B11/2573—Locking means preventing an unauthorised opening, e.g. by children
    • A44B11/2576—Buckle covers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a safety device for a vehicle seat belt buckle.
  • WO-A-84/01275 discloses a safety device for the buckle of a vehicle seat belt, the buckle comprising a tongue carried by the seat belt and a body part having a socket for receiving the tongue and also having a release button which is depressible for releasing the tongue therefrom: the safety device comprises a housing for enclosing the body part of the buckle and an internal lever which can be actuated for depressing the release button.
  • a safety device for the buckle of a vehicle seat belt comprising a tongue carried by the seat belt and a body part having a socket formed therein to receive the tongue, the body part also having a release button which is depressible for releasing the tongue therefrom
  • the safety device comprising an attachment portion for attachment of the device, and a cover element for overlying the release button of the buckle, characterised in that the attachment portion of the device serves to attach the device to the seat belt adjacent the tongue of the buckle, in a manner permitting the device to be slid along the seat belt but against frictional resistance, in that the cover element overlies the release button of the buckle only when the tongue is engaged within said socket of the body part, and in that the cover element is pivotable outwardly and away from said body part to gain access to said release button.
  • this device In use of this device, it is an easy matter for an adult to pivot the cover element of the device outwardly to gain access to the release button, then depress this button to release the buckle. However, it is difficult for a small child to reach down sufficiently far to grasp the cover element and pivot it outwardly, and additionally depress the release button: this is particularly the case as the cover element must be pivoted outwardly from its upper end and, even once the cover element is pivoted outwardly, it still lies between the child and the release button.
  • the device is therefore child-proof: the device also provides effective protection where the seat is used by a handicapped person.
  • the attachment portion is formed with at least two transverse slots arranged for the seat belt to pass through successively, such that sliding movement of the device along the belt is frictionally resisted: at least one edge of at least one of these slots may be serrated or otherwise configured to increase the resistance to sliding relative to the belt.
  • the safety device may comprise a rigid member, arranged so that as it is pivoted outwardly from the buckle body part, its attachment portion pivots inwardly, correspondingly deflecting the portion of the seat belt to which it is attached.
  • the cover element may be hinged relative to the attachment portion of the device.
  • the device may be formed in one-piece from relatively rigid or inflexible sheet material, which is provided with at least one transverse fold to permit the cover element to hinge relative to the attachment portion.
  • the safety device may be arranged for use with a buckle which has the release button positioned in the top end of the body part of the buckle.
  • the attachment portion of the safety device lies in a first plane, for engagement with the seat belt
  • the cover element comprises a flap which lies in a second plane, spaced from the plane of the attachment portion, and connected to the attachment portion by a transition portion: in use, the flap lies against or alongside the outer side of the buckle body part and the transition portion lies over the top end of the release button.
  • the cover element may comprise a curved portion joined to the attachment portion and curved outwardly and downwardly and finally inwardly.
  • the cover element may be formed with an aperture to enable an able adult to insert his or her finger(s) to depress the buckle release button: this may allow the buckle to be released more quickly, to free the child or handicapped person who is restrained by the seat belt, than either pivoting the cover element outwardly or sliding it along the seat belt.
  • the aperture may be arranged to prevent or substantially inhibit access to the buckle release button on the part of the child or handicapped person who is restrained by the seat belt: preferably an upper part of the cover element is closed, to close across the top of the body part of the buckle, and the aperture in the cover element is formed in a part of the cover element which extends down the side of the buckle body part.
  • At least the cover element of the safety device is of a transparent or semi-transparent material, so that the buckle remains visible.
  • a safety device 20 for a vehicle seat belt buckle 10,14 comprises a body part 10 mounted to the upper end of a stalk 12, and a tongue 14 carried by the belt 16 and inserted downwardly into a socket formed in the top of the body part 10.
  • the body part 10 houses a mechanism for locking the tongue 14 within its socket, and is furthermore provided with a button 18 which is depressible for releasing the tongue 14, thereby releasing the buckle.
  • the safety device 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is attached to the seat belt 16 just above the tongue 14 and includes a cover portion 24 for overlying the release button 18 when the tongue 14 is engaged with the body part 10 such that the belt 16 is in its normal, lightly-tensioned condition.
  • the safety device 20 comprises a one-piece member of plastics material, having a flat, generally rectangular portion 22 by which the device is attached to the seat belt 16, and a flat, generally rectangular portion 24 which lies in a plane substantially parallel to but spaced from the attachment portion 22: the two portions 22,24 are joined to each other by a curved transition 23.
  • the cover portion 24 extends away from the attachment portion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the device.
  • the attachment portion 22 is formed with two transverse slots 26 and with a slit 27 which extends longitudinally of the device from the free end edge of portion 22 to the inner of the two slots 26.
  • the slit 27 allows for insertion of the seat belt 16, in order to engage the belt to the device 20 such that (as shown) the belt 16 passes forwardly through the inner slot 26, then rearwardly through the outer slot 26.
  • the device 20 is frictionally engaged with the belt 16: although the device can be slid along the belt, it is relatively resistant to this movement.
  • This resistance to sliding movement may be increased by providing serrations or otherwise configuring at least one edge of at least one of the slots 26.
  • the release button is not directly accessible for depression to release the buckle.
  • the release button may be readily accessed by pivoting the cover portion 24 of the device away from the body part 10 of the buckle: the device 20 is a rigid member and this outward pivoting movement of the cover portion 24 produces corresponding inward pivoting movement of the attachment portion 22 and inward deflection of the belt 16, all shown by the arrows A in Figure 1.
  • the device 20 may be slid along the belt 16 away from the buckle tongue 14, against the above-mentioned resistance to movement, before inserting the tongue into its socket in the body part 10 of the buckle, after which the device 20 may be slid along the belt in the opposite direction, to the position shown in Figure 1 in which it overlies the release button of the buckle.
  • the device 20 may be slid upwardly along the belt in order to uncover the release button: however, a child or handicapped person would find it difficult to slide the device along the belt.
  • Figure 3 shows a safety device which is formed from a single sheet of relatively rigid or inflexible plastics material which has two transverse fold lines to provide an attachment portion 32, a cover portion 34 and an intermediate or transition portion 33.
  • the attachment portion 32 is formed with two transverse slots 36 and a slit 37 corresponding to the slots 26 and slit 27 of the device 20 of Figures 1 and 2, enabling the device to be attached to a seat belt in the same manner.
  • the device of Figure 3 is used similarly: however, to gain access to the buckle release button, it is only necessary to hinge the cover portion 34 outwardly, relying on the flexibility of either or both of the transverse fold lines of the device. This enables an adult to access the release button quickly and easily, but it still presents difficulties for a child or handicapped person.
  • Figure 4 shows a device which is the same as the device of Figure 3, except that the attachment portion 42 is formed with two transverse slots 46 extending from the opposite side edges of the device.
  • the seat belt is, in use, engaged with the device in similar manner, i.e. by passing upwardly through one slot 46 and then downwardly through the second slot. It will be appreciated that other arrangements of slots, different from those shown in Figures 3 and 4, may be provided for attachment of the device to the seat belt.
  • Figure 5 shows a safety device which comprises a one-piece member of plastics material, having a flat, generally rectangular portion 62 by which the device is, in use, attached to the seat belt: in particular, the portion 62 is formed with an arrangement of transverse slots 66 and a longitudinal slit 67, similar to the device of Figures 1 and 2; it may instead be formed with an arrangement of slots similar to the device of Figure 4.
  • the device further comprises a cover portion 64 which extends from the lower edge of the attachment portion 62, the cover portion 64 curving outwardly and downwardly and finally inwardly.
  • the cover portion 64 is formed with a window 65 the upper edge of which is spaced from the lower edge of the attachment portion 62.
  • the cover portion 64 overlies the top end and outer side of the buckle body, including its release button.
  • the device thus prevents a child or handicapped person, who is restrained by the seat belt, from gaining direct access to the buckle release button.
  • an able adult is able to pivot the device outwardly and upwardly, about its point of attachment to the seat belt, in order to gain access to the buckle release button: alternatively, the able adult may be able to slide the device along the belt.
  • the device of Figure 5 offers the opportunity for the above adult, wishing to release the buckle and free the child or handicapped person with minimal delay, to insert his or her fingers through the aperture 65 and depress the buckle release button. It will be appreciated that it is extremely difficult for the child or handicapped person, restrained by the seat belt, to reach downwardly over the top, closed part of the curved cover portion, then pass his fingers inwardly through the aperture 65 and depress the buckle release button.
  • the device is preferably formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material, so that the buckle which underlies the device remains visible.

Landscapes

  • Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Sicherheitseinrichtung für das Schloß eines Fahrzeugsicherheitsgurts (16), welches Schloß eine Zunge (14), die durch den Sicherheitsgurt (16) gehalten wird, und einen Hauptteil (10) aufweist, der eine darin ausgebildete Fassung aufweist, um die Zunge (14) aufzunehmen, wobei der Hauptteil auch einen Löseknopf (18) hat, der niederdrückbar ist, um die Zunge (14) davon zu lösen, wobei die Sicherheitseinrichtung einen Befestigungsteil (22) zum Befestigen der Einrichtung und ein Abdeckelement (23, 24) aufweist, das über dem Löseknopf (18) des Schlosses liegen soll, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Befestigungsteil (22) der Einrichtung dazu dient, die Einrichtung am Sicherheitsgurt (16) nahe bei dem Zungenteil (14) des Schlosses auf eine Weise zu befestigen, die es ermöglicht, daß die Einrichtung entlang dem Sicherheitsgurt (16) verschoben werden kann, während sie reibungsmäßig damit in Eingriff ist, daß das Abdeckelement (23, 24) über dem Löseknopf (18) des Schlosses nur liegt, wenn die Zunge innerhalb der Fassung des Haupteils (10) in Eingriff ist, und daß das Abdeckelement (23, 24) nach außen und weg von dem Hauptteil (10) schwenkbar ist, um Zugang zu dem Löseknopf (18) zu erhalten.
  2. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Befestigungsteil (22) wenigstens zwei Querschlitze (26) aufweist, die so ausgebildet sind, daß der Sicherheitsgurt (16) durch jeden Schlitz nacheinander hindurchlaufen kann.
  3. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens ein Rand von wenigstens einem der Querschlitze (26) gezackt ist oder anders ausgebildet ist, um den Widerstand gegenüber Gleiten relativ zum Gurt (16) zu erhöhen.
  4. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie ein starres Glied aufweist, das so ausgebildet ist, daß es nach außen vom Schloßhauptteil (10) schwenkbar ist, wobei sein Befestigungsteil (22) nach innen schwenkt und entsprechend den Teil des Sicherheitsgurts (16) umlenkt, an dem es angebracht ist.
  5. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abdeckelement (23, 24) relativ zum Befestigungsteil (22) der Einrichtung scharnierartig angebracht ist.
  6. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie einstückig aus starrem oder unflexiblem Blatt- oder Blechmaterial gebildet ist, das mit wenigstens einer Querfaltung versehen ist, damit das Abdeckelement (23, 24) relativ zum Befestigungsteil (22) scharnierartig verschwenken kann.
  7. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Befestigungsteil (22) in einer ersten Ebene für Eingriff mit dem Sicherheitsgurt (16) liegt und das Abdeckelement (23, 24) eine Klappe oder Lasche (24) aufweist, die in einer zweiten Ebene, beabstandet von der Ebene des Befestigungsteils (22) liegt und mit dem Befestigungsteil (22) durch einen Übergangsteil (23) so verbunden ist, daß bei der Benutzung die Klappe oder Lasche gegen die oder entlang der äußeren Seite des Schloßhauptteils (10) anliegt und der Übergangsteil (23) über dem oberen Ende des Hauptteils (10) des Schlosses liegt.
  8. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abdeckelement einen gekrümmten Teil (64) aufweist, der mit dem Befestigungsteil (62) verbunden ist und nach außen und nach unten und schließlich nach innen gekrümmt ist.
  9. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abdeckelement (64) mit einer Öffnung (65) versehen ist, in die eine oder mehrere Finger eingeführt werden können, um den Schloßlöseknopf (18) niederzudrücken.
  10. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein oberer Teil des Abdeckelements (64) geschlossen ist, um über die Oberseite des Hauptteils (10) des Schlosses zu schließen, und die Öffnung (65) im Abdeckelement (64) in einem Teil des Abdeckelements (64) ausgebildet ist, der sich an der Seite des Schloßhauptteils (10) nach unten herunter erstreckt.
  11. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens das Abdeckelement (23, 24) der Sicherheitseinrichtung aus durchsichtigem oder halbdurchsichtigem Material besteht.
EP19990300011 1998-01-05 1999-01-04 Sicherheitsvorrichtung für Sicherheitsgurt Expired - Lifetime EP0927525B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9800084.7A GB9800084D0 (en) 1998-01-05 1998-01-05 Seat belt safety device
GB9800084 1998-01-05
GB9810414A GB2335228B (en) 1998-01-05 1998-05-15 Seat belt buckle safety cover
GB9810414 1998-05-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0927525A1 EP0927525A1 (de) 1999-07-07
EP0927525B1 true EP0927525B1 (de) 2003-10-01

Family

ID=26312879

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19990300011 Expired - Lifetime EP0927525B1 (de) 1998-01-05 1999-01-04 Sicherheitsvorrichtung für Sicherheitsgurt

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EP (1) EP0927525B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69911664D1 (de)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10304712B4 (de) * 2003-02-06 2006-02-09 Daimlerchrysler Ag Steckzunge
GB2435294A (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-08-22 Nissan Technical Ct Europ Ltd Device to obscure release button of seat belt
AU2009101314B4 (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-04-07 Sebastian Micheli Buckle guard 2
FR3017583B1 (fr) 2014-02-14 2016-03-18 Midi Moulages Plast Dispositif pour ceinture de securite

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3484908A (en) * 1968-04-04 1969-12-23 John H Lamb Safety belt cover
WO1984001275A1 (en) * 1982-09-30 1984-04-12 Frank A Catalano Seat belt buckle cover
GB2236794A (en) * 1989-09-27 1991-04-17 Kerrie Lorraine Flight Vehicle seat belt release mechanism cover
GB2307711A (en) * 1995-11-29 1997-06-04 Terence Heath Seat belt child safty arrangement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0927525A1 (de) 1999-07-07
DE69911664D1 (de) 2003-11-06

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