GB2426996A

GB2426996A - Seatbelt release mechanism guard

Info

Publication number: GB2426996A
Application number: GB0511824A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Debra Kime
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-10
Filing date: 2005-06-10
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Also published as: GB0511824D0

Abstract

A seatbelt release mechanism guard (201) configured to inhibit operation of the release mechanism of a seatbelt buckle (106) when the guard is in an engaged position, said guard comprising: locating means (304,305) configured to locate the guard upon a seatbelt such that the guard is movable along the seatbelt, and engaging means (301,302) configured to make retaining contact with the seatbelt buckle whilst the guard is in the engaged position. Said retaining contact provides a resistance to force applied to move the guard from the engaged position, and said guard is configured to be released from the engaged position by the application of force above a predetermined value. The locating means may comprise a pin (304) and a roller (305). The engaging means may comprise ridges (301) and a rubber portion (302). The guard may be moulded from plastic.

Description

Preventing the Unfastening of a Seatbelt The possibility that a child may

undo a seatbelt whilst the vehicle they are travelling in is in motion is a real concern for parents and carers. Young children frequently like to fiddle with things and press buttons and if they undo their seatbelt they are at a much higher risk of injury in the event of an accident. This is a particular issue when one adult is driving with one or more child passengers as the adult would have to find somewhere safe to stop the vehicle to make sure the child's seatbelt was safely re-fastened.

The present invention relates to apparatus Which can be engaged to prevent the accidental unfastening of a seatbelt used to restrain a child in a seated Position in a moving vehicle. An adult can disengage the apparatus when it is safe for the child to exit the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a fastened seatbelt; Figure 2 shows a seatbelt release mechanism guard in accordance with the present inventionS Figure 3 shows an inverted view of a seatbelt release mechanism guard as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a representation of the guard shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 fits on the seatbelt shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows the guard shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 in an engaged position on the seatbelt shown in Figure 1 Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a fastened seatbelt of the type found in most motor vehicles.

Seatbelt 101 consists of a sash belt 102 and a lap belt 103. The seatbelt 101 passes through end bracket 104 which has a tongue 105 configured to fit into buckle 106. Buckle 106 has a release mechanism including button 107.

Buckle 106 is fixed by stalk 108 to an anchorage point in the vehicle.

Once inserted, tongue 105 is held in position in buckle 106 unless the release mechanism is activated by depressing button 107.

Figure 2 A seatbelt release mechanism guard in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2. In the present embodiment, the guard 201 consists of a front panel 202 and two side panels 203 and 204. In this embodiment guard 201 is moulded from plastic. The front panel 202 is angled to allow it to be positioned over a seatbelt buckle such as buckle 106 whilst retaining movable contact with sash belt 102, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows an inverted view of a seatbelt release mechanism guard as shown in Figure 2. Ridges 301 are provided on side panels 203 and 204 to go behind the buckle, thus forming engaging means to make retaining contact with the seatbelt buckle while guard 201 is in an engaged position.

Also provided as engaging means in this embodiment is a rubber portion 302 (on front panel 202) to help to grip the guard in place when engaged.

Alternative configurations could exclude rubber portion 302 and/or ridges 301 in favour of alternative engaging means.

A recess 303 is provided in each side panel 203 and 204 to receive locating means which remains behind the seatbelt to locate the guard 201 on the seatbelt such that the guard is movable along it. In an alternative embodiment another means of receiving locating means could be present, such as a hole or ridge instead of recess 303.

In the present embodiment locating means are provided in the form of a pin 304 and roller 305. The guard 201 is fitted by placing the shell 202 on top of the sash belt 102 and then fitting pin 304 including roller 305 into position in shell 202.

Pin 304 can be fitted by several possible means. In this embodiment, guard 201 is made from relatively flexible material such that side panels 203 and 204 can be temporarily splayed slightly to allow pin 304 to be inserted. In an alternative embodiment, pin 304 is spring loaded such that it is compressed for insertion and then extends to bridge the gap between side panels 203 and 204 when in place.

Roller 305 is free to rotate about pin 304 thus allowing guard 102 to be moved along the seatbelt. In an alternative embodiment the locating means could be provided by a different mechanism, such as a slit to receive the seatbelt.

Once fitted the guard 201 can be moved in a forward direction into the engaged position as desired. The shell 202 is configured to cover the buckle of the seatbelt so as to inhibit operation of the release mechanism, when the guard 201 is in an engaged position.

In a preferred embodiment the guard 201 is moulded from plastic and pin 304 and roller 305 are manufactured separately and fitted once the guard is attached to a seatbelt. The guard 201 is made from a material which could be broken apart by an adult in the event of a road traffic accident, to ensure that the child could be safely evacuated from the vehicle.

Figure 4 Figure 4 shows a representation of how guard 201 fits on sash belt 102.

Sash belt 102 passes behind the pin 304 and roller 305 can rotate about pin 304 so that guard 201 can move along sash belt 102. In an alternative embodiment there would be a larger gap between sash belt 102 and pin 304, and therefore roller 305 would not be necessary.

Figure 5 Figure 5 shows guard 201 in an engaged position over buckle 106. Button 107 is covered by guard 201 so that the release mechanism is inhibited when guard 201 is in the engaged position. The location of recess 303 is indicated by dotted lines to illustrate the position of the recess and therefore the location of pin 304 and roller 305 when guard 201 is engaged.

In the present embodiment, once in the engaged position, retaining contact is maintained due to ridges 301 and rubber portion 302. The guard 201 is configured to be released from the engaged position by the application of force above a predetermined value in the reverse direction along the seatbelt, in this example sash belt 102. This is to enable an adult to disengage guard 201 when desired, but prevent a child from disengaging it when it is unsafe to do so.

Claims

Claims 1. A seatbelt release mechanism guard configured to inhibit

operation of the release mechanism of a seatbelt buckle when the guard is in an engaged position, said guard comprising: locating means configured to locate the guard upon a seatbelt such that the guard is movable along the seatbelt, and engaging means configured to make retaining contact with the seatbelt buckle whilst the guard is in the engaged position, wherein said retaining contact provides a resistance to force applied to move the guard from the engaged position, and said guard is configured to be released from the engaged position by the application of force above a predetermined value.
2. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to claim 1, wherein said guard is movable in a forward direction along the seatbelt into said engaged position, and in a reverse direction along the seatbelt out of said engaged position.
3. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said locating means takes the form of a pin.
4. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to claim 3, including a roller which can rotate about said pin.
5. A seatbeft according to any preceding claim, including a recess for the pin to be inserted into.
6. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to claim 1, wherein said locating means takes the form of a slit in the guard.
7. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to any preceding claim, wherein said engaging means comprises raised ridges on the guard configured to grip the buckle.
8. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to any preceding claim, wherein said engaging means comprises a rubber portion configured to grip the buckle.
9. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to any preceding claim, wherein said predetermined value of force is calculated such that a child cannot remove the guard but an adult can.
10. A seatbelt release mechanism guard according to any preceding claim, moulded from plastic.