GB2312147A

GB2312147A - Releasably securable seat belt cover

Info

Publication number: GB2312147A
Application number: GB9607844A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Auchterlonie Reid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-04-16
Filing date: 1996-04-16
Publication date: 1997-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-16
Also published as: GB9607844D0; GB2312147B

Abstract

A seat belt cover 10 is in the form of a sleeve 11 of flexible material, a longitudinal seam of the sleeve 11 being secured by releasable fastening means so that the cover 10 may be located around a portion of the webbing 17 of the seat belt. Means may be provided to secure the cover 10 in a predetermined axial position relative to the webbing 17, for instance by fixing the cover 10 to the upper anchorage 19 of the seat belt. A plain or patterned reflective material may be provided on the front surface of the cover 10.

Description

SEAT BELT COVER The present invention relates to seat belts for motor vehicles and in particular to covers for seat belts.

According to one aspect of the present invention a seat belt cover comprises a sleeve of flexible material, a longitudinal seam of the sleeve being secured by releasable fastening means, so that the cover may be located around a portion of the webbing of the seat belt.

The cover may extend fully or partially between the buckle and anchorage of the seat belt, so that in use it will be disposed over the upper chest and shoulder of the occupant. Means may be provided for locating the cover axially of the belt. For example, means may be provided at the upper end of the cover bv which it mav be releasablv secured to the

upper ancnorage ot a seat belt. Alternatively, a velcro tao may be A provided on the cover for engagement of the corresponding tab which may be adhered to the seat belt at an appropriate position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover has a reflective material on at least a front surface thereof, so that at night the cover will be illuminated by the headlights of other vehicles, thus identifying the occupants of the vehicle and, from a policing point of view, indicating that the seat belts are in use.

The reflective material may be in the form of a plain or patterned strip or may be in the form of logos or names of, for example, car manufacturers, football teams etc.

The cover may furthermore be made of a resilient material, for example sponge rubber or fabric filled with soft interlayer, for cushioning purposes. Any suitable fastening means may be used although care must be taken that the fastening means, which will normally be located on the back of the cover between the occupant and the seat belt,~does not present a

safety hazard in an accident. Preferably, velcro|type~fastening means are used.

The fact that the cover may be removed will enable it to be cleaned periodically, so that dirt from the belt will not be transferred to the occupants clothing.

In accordance with an alternative aspect of the invention a reflective element may be secured directly to or formed directly on the webbing of the seat belt.

An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a seat belt cover in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a section through the seat belt cover illustrated in Figure 1.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a seat belt cover 10 comprises a sheet of laminated material having fabric inner and outer layers 12 and 1 13 and a

resilient toam Intermediate layer 14. t he cover 1 U has velcro tastening means 1 5 and 16 along the longitudinal edges, by which the cover 10 may be secured in the form of a sleeve 11, about the webbing of the seat belt 17 between the buckle 18 and upper anchorage 19 of the seat belt

17, the velcro fastening 15, 1 6 being located on the rear of the seat belt 17.

A luminous reflective strip 20 is secured to the front face of the seat belt cover 10, so that when the seat belt 17 is worn, the strip 20 will be illuminated by the head lamps of other vehicles.

The seat belt cover 10 will thereby identify the occupants of the vehicle in the dark and will also provide an indication that the seat belts 17 are in use.

While in the above embodiment, the foam intermediate layer 14 of the cover 10 will provide cushioning for the seat belt 17, this is not essential and a plain fabric material may be used to form the cover 10.

Claims

1. A seat belt cover comprising a sleeve of flexible material, a longitudinal seam of the sleeve being secured by releasable fastening means, so that the cover may be located around a portion of the webbing of the seat belt.

2. A seat belt cover according to Claim 1 in which the cover extends fully between the buckle and other anchorage of the seat belt, so that in use it will be disposed over the upper chest and shoulder of the occupant.

3. A seat belt cover according to Claims 1 or 2 in which means is provided for locating the cover axially of the belt.

4. A seat belt cover according to Claim 3 in which means is provided for releasably securing the cover to the upper anchorage of the seat belt.

5. A seat belt cover according to Claim 3 in which a velcro tab is provided on the cover for engagement of a corresponding tab which may be adhered to the seat belt at an appropriate position.

6. A seat belt cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cover has reflective material on at least a front surface thereof.

7. A seat belt cover according to Claim 6 in which the reflective material is in the form of a plain or patterned strip.

8. A seat belt cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cover is made of a cushioning material.

9. A seat belt cover substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.