GB2536027A

GB2536027A - A vehicle seat device

Info

Publication number: GB2536027A
Application number: GB1503691.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenny Francis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-05
Filing date: 2015-03-05
Publication date: 2016-09-07
Also published as: GB201603884D0; GB201503691D0; GB2538142A; GB2538142B

Abstract

A vehicle seat device having an attachment mechanism 5, a nearside portion and an offside portion 2, 3 which are joined by either a rigid or flexible support. At least one of said portions 2, 3 has a clip 4 for receiving a safety belt tongue. The attachment mechanism 5 is attachable to a vehicle seat, preferably to an ISOFIX system between the seat back and seat base. The clip is configured to hold the safety belt under tension to ensure ease of access.

Description

A VEHICLE SEAT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat device, in particular a safety device for a vehicle seat belt; more particularly but not exclusively a seat belt restraint device for restraining the belt closely and conveniently at the seat when not in use.

Background

Increasing reliance of motor vehicle transport and population growth has led to increased traffic on the road and increased dangers in vehicular travel.

As a result in many societies compulsory wearing of safety belts in vehicular seats 15 has been legislated for. These belts are typically tensioned.

Belts can be difficult to put on for many users, as the belt needs clipping into a holster, until such time hanging loose to one side without tension until pulled across the user. This is inconvenient and can be difficult for those of limited mobility.

Many users therefore dislike safety belts, and refuse to wear them, causing dangers for themselves including physical and punitive.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted German patent DE 102 008 020 911 (KUHLENKAMP) discloses a device that has a holder which is attached firmly to the vehicle and a guiding arm which is movable against the holder between a resting position and a functional position. The guiding arm is swiveled around a swiveling axis against the holder. The guiding arm is swiveled around another swiveling axis against the holder. The latter swiveling axis is deflected from the former swiveling axis. An independent claim is included for a vehicle pillar with a recess.

United States patent application US 2004 080 203 (MELOUL) discloses a simple inexpensive one-piece device to aid one in acquiring the seatbelt within a motor vehicle. This one-piece flexible device is meant to be temporarily or permanently attached above the male member of the seatbelt buckle. The attachment may be 5 accomplished with a snap on method as seen in this preferred embodiment but may also be done by other methods as will be obvious to those trained in the art. When the seatbelt is in its retracted position a long handle protrudes towards the windshield so that it is visible to the driver or passenger. With either arm the seatbelt can be easily grabbed and pulled across the body to fasten the seatbelt with minimal 10 reaching. This is ideal for persons with back, neck, shoulder and arm pain.

Granted European patent EP 1 299 271 (TAME) discloses a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle, said seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion operatively connected to the motor vehicle for supporting a seat occupant on said seat assembly; a seat back pivotally coupled to said seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a forwardly folded dumped position against said seat cushion; a shoulder belt tower fixedly secured to said seat back for supporting a shoulder belt, said tower including a tower base and a tower extension, said tower, extension slidingly engaging said tower base; and a positioning device coupled between said tower base and said tower extension for automatically sliding said tower extension between a use position extending out from said seat back for positioning the shoulder belt above said seat back and a stowed position recessed within said seat back.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle seat device comprising: an attachment mechanism; a nearside portion; and an offside portion, in which at least one of said portions is configured in use with a clip for a safety belt tongue; wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to attach the device to a vehicle seat and the clip is configured in use to hold the safety belt under tension.

The clip may be a holster for clipping or maintaining the safety belt's metallic tongue 35 in place, wherein the clip is analogous with or similar to a standard vehicle safety belt clip, buckle or holster.

Some embodiments may have a clip in each portion. Other embodiments may comprise a displaceable clip.

In some embodiments the portions are joined permanently or in use by a support or member, wherein the seat attachment mechanism attaches and locates at least one of the portions or member on the seat, and the other portion may be located by at least one of the member or seat attachment mechanism.

In some embodiments said attachment mechanism is configured to attach to the seat between the seat back and seat base; wherein the portions are situated to either side of the seat. In this way the device is located in use onto the seat in a minimally intrusive manner, wherein a user is able to sit in the seat without contacting the device.

The clip advantageously allows a seatbelt or safety belt's tongue to be gripped or maintained in place, maintaining the belt under tension so as to prevent the belt retracting. Consequently the device provides an additional or alternative location for the safety belt to clip into, so ensuring that the belt is maintained in a preferred position. The belt's tension may provide a force to act against the clip so as to maintain the belt fabric in a tensioned and tidy manner.

In this way the device advantageously allows the user the ability to maintain the belt in a similar location to either side of the seat, such that the belt is easier to move from an unclipped position to a clipped position. The position is ideally similar to known holsters, allowing confident and easy access without needing to twist in the seat, and without requiring the user's shoulders to twist. Such twisting may be difficult or troublesome for the user particularly users of limited mobility.

In some embodiments the clip may be displaceable and emplaced in use in either portion. In this way the device may be easily, effectively and safely used on nearside or offside vehicular seats and parts are kept to a minimum for cost and practicality purposes.

The belt tongue in some such embodiments may be held by a flexible clip interchangeable between the left or right side of the device, depending on what side the user is sitting and the orientation of the belt. The belt and tongue are held by the device in a convenient position, which allows the user, a driver or passenger, to easily release the belt tongue, pass it over the user's body and clip the belt into the existing buckle of the car.

In some embodiments the portions may be comprised in a single unit or part, wherein the device comprises a single unit or part.

In other embodiments the portions may be embodied in two parts, wherein such parts 10 are spaced apart wherein such parts may be joined by an elongate support member. Such member may be displaceable from the portions.

Such support member or support may be rigid or flexible. Where the support is rigid the portions may be provided at a fixed spacing, so as to facilitate easy placement 15 into anchors.

In some embodiments the support may comprise gate displacement means or control of the attachment mechanism, wherein the gates may be displaced centrally and/or on the support. In some embodiments the means or control may comprise release of 20 the portions or clip(s).

In some embodiments the member is configured to provide a direct axial line between the portions. In this way the member may be used to grip and displace the portions.

In some embodiments the member is configured to provide a deviated axis, for example such that the support is hidden in use between the seat back and seat base. In preferred embodiments the portions may be displaceable from the member.

In some embodiments the portions may be joined by a flexible support. In this way the device is easier to transport and store without dismantling.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a reversible or temporary mechanism, such that the device is usable on a plurality of seats. In some embodiments and 35 according to a second aspect of the present invention the mechanism comprises a permanent attachment wherein the safety belt clip may be clipped into the device in a plurality of locations about the seat and at least to either side. In this way a user of limited or restrained mobility may be enabled to clip the belt in more than one location, and consequently is better enabled to access the belt at all times.

In some embodiments the attachment mechanism is operable with an anchor and latch mounting system such as ISOFIX. In this way the portions are configured with standardised spacing therebetween, such that the device may be used on any seat fitted with an anchor system. In this way the mechanism is easily compatible with all vehicles using a standardised anchoring system and configurations.

The attachment mechanism on the device may comprise a latch mechanism, which latch comprises a displaceable gate and rigid hook.

The attachment mechanism thereby comprises a rigid high tensile material such as steel or carbon fibre. The gate is ideally spring biased to close. The attachment mechanism therefore comprises a gate displacement control which allows a user to manually displace the gate. This may be operable at the attachment mechanism, member, or portions.

In some embodiments the portions may be provided with anchor attachment mechanisms and a secondary attachment mechanism for vehicles lacking anchor attachment systems. In this way the device is safely and effectively and easily usable in a plurality of vehicles.

In some such embodiments the attachment mechanism comprises a flexible loop, which loop may be passed around the seat in order to maintain the device on the seat.

In some embodiments the attachment mechanism may comprise extending tabs, for 30 example which tabs may be extended and/or inserted between the seat back and seat base. For example such tabs may be hinged to the parts or to the unit as appropriate. Or such tabs may be wholly displaceable.

In this way even seats not comprising an anchor system may be equipped with the 35 device, for example including a driver's seat.

In some embodiments the attachment mechanism comprises a permanent mechanism. For example in some embodiments the device may be installed on vehicles at manufacture or retail.

The device may in some embodiments comprise portions extending from the seat or adjacent the seat so as to provide an opposing counterpart to the vehicle belt clip, wherein the attachment mechanism is permanent and the portion comprises a second clip for storage of the seatbelt tongue.

In some embodiments the device comprises a single unit having two sides comprising the two portions.

In further embodiments the support bar is displaceable from the portions, such that the device may be minimised for transport or storage. In this way a user may be 15 enabled to take the device with them from one vehicle to another.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle seat comprising a device as previously described.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 4 show front and rear views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 5 show end views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figures 8 show isometric views the device as shown in Figure 1 comprising a 5 secondary attachment mechanism.

Detailed Description of Ficrures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising two end portions 2,3 and a connecting support member 1. The support member is rigid tubular metal or alloy. Further embodiments may include different, more flexible and/or thinner section members. For example in some embodiments the support may be provided by canvas webbing or a planar aluminium band.

In all embodiments it may be envisaged that the support or member is hidden in the hinge intersection between a seat back and a seat base cushion (not shown). The portions additionally include bevelled front facing profiles 11, with a rounded rear profile 13 for insertion into the hinge intersection, and a rounded front profile 12 to avoid snags on the user's clothing.

The attachment mechanism is comprised by the portions, which support jaws 5 that attach into ISOFIX anchor points in use. The jaws are provided in metal or alloy and comprise an upper jaw 51 and a lower jaw 52 defining a slot 53 intermediate, into which slot the anchor is passed, and wherein a displaceable tooth automatically displaces and locates over the anchor in use. The top jaw has a notch 54 so as to aid in placement and displacement.

The tooth is displaced manually by a slider so as to displace the jaw from the anchor in order to remove the device. In some embodiments the tooth is also displaced 30 manually in order to locate it over the anchor.

The portions are provided by a bipartite polyethylene or thermoplastics casing, and into which the clip 4 is secured. The clip may be secured into either portion, extending therefrom along an axis defined by the member, so as to provide a belt clip position adjacent an anchor, wherein the belt clip is accessible from above or below past extending lugs 42,43 into slots 41, so as to allow reversal of the clip, and wherein the slot includes a displaceable catch 44. In this way the belt when not in use may be clipped to a convenient location, near the user's hand and hip when seated.

The clip comprises a detachable part, which may be secured into the portion by a sliding movement, wherein the clip comprises a securement bayonet 55, and the casing provides a slot 56 with a run 6 into which the bayonet is slid for engagement of the clip in the portion.

The member includes bayonet ends, wherein a part 8 adjacent the end of the member is reduced and a segment 7 flattened so as to engage with collars 10, rotatable in the casings. The collars comprise a quick release means for the member so as to aid in dismantling the device for transport or storage.

The collars comprise rigid plastics such as polyethylene, and are rotated at a button 11 so as to allow the members distal ends to exit when the flattened segment is arranged to displace out of the collars.

With reference to Figures 8, the secondary attachment mechanism comprises a 20 flexible belt, looped from one portion to the other in use, through lanyard attachment points 101 to the distal sides of the portions.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A vehicle seat device comprising: an attachment mechanism; a nearside portion; and an offside portion, in which at least one of said portions is configured in use with a clip for a safety belt tongue; and wherein the attachment mechanism is attachable to a vehicle seat and in which the clip is configured in use to hold the safety belt under tension.
2. A vehicle seat device according to claim 1, in which each portion comprisesa clip.
3. A vehicle seat device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a displaceable clip.
4. A vehicle seat device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the portion embodied in two parts.
5. A vehicle seat device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the portions are joined by flexible support.
6. A vehicle seat device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the portions are joined by a rigid member.
7. A vehicle seat device according to claim 7, wherein the member extends in an axial line between the portions.
8. A vehicle seat device according to claim 7 wherein the member extends in a manner deviation from an axial line extending between the portions.
9. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to attach the device to the seat between the seat back and seat base.
10. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism cooperates with a vehicle's anchor attachment systems
11. A vehicle seat device according to claim 10 wherein the vehicle's anchor attachment system is ISOFIX.
12. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the portions are comprised in a single part.
13. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim comprising a secondary attachment mechanism.
14. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the secondary attachment mechanism is displaceable.
15. A vehicle seat device according to claim 14 wherein the secondary attachment mechanism comprises a flexible loop.
16. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a permanent mechanism.
17. A vehicle seat comprising a nearside portion and an offside portion to either side of the seat, said portions configured with a clip for a safety belt tongue; wherein the clip holds the safety belt under tension.
18. A vehicle seat device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.