GB2538142A

GB2538142A - A vehicle seat device

Info

Publication number: GB2538142A
Application number: GB1603884.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenny Francis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-05
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2016-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-07
Also published as: GB201603884D0; GB2538142B; GB201503691D0; GB2536027A

Abstract

A vehicle seat device comprising for securing a safety belt, so as to hold the safety belt under tension. The vehicle seat device has an elongated member 1 having a first portion 2, arranged on a first end of the member 1, and a second portion 3 arranged on a second end of the member 1, in which at least one of the said portions has an opening configured to receive a safety belt tongue, thereby holding the safety belt under tension when not in use, and in a position where it can more easily be reached. The device has an attachment means 5A & 5B for securing the vehicle seat device to a vehicle seat and ISOFIX system.

Description

A VEHICLE SEAT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat device, in particular to a safety device for a vehicle safety belt that enables the safety belt to be secured in a position that can be easily reached by a seated user.

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.

Safety belts can be difficult to put on for many users, especially those with limited mobility, as the belt needs clipping into a holster and this requires stretching and a degree of strength. When not in use the safety belt typically hangs loose to one side of the vehicle seat without tension until it is pulled across the user. This is inconvenient and can be difficult for those of limited mobility as they not be able to reach the safety belt.

Many users therefore dislike safety belts, and refuse to wear them, risking danger to 25 themselves and possibly other passengers travelling in a vehicle.

Prior Art

German patent DE 102 008 020 911 (Kuhlenkamp) discloses a device that has a 30 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.

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 35 vehicle. This one-piece flexible device is meant to be temporarily or permanently attached to the seatbelt buckle.

European patent EP 1 299 271 (Tame) discloses a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle. The seat assembly comprises: a seat cushion operatively connected to the motor vehicle for supporting a seat occupant on said seat assembly. A seat back is coupled to said seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a forwardly folded dumped position against the seat cushion. A shoulder belt tower is fixedly secured to said seat back for supporting a shoulder belt.

German Patent application DE-A-3435678 (Grote) discloses a seat belt lifting decide 10 for the front seats of passenger cars.

French patent application FR-A3-2982558 (Renault) discloses an arrangement for arranging storage of male elements on part of rear quarter panel and/or roof of car.

International patent application WO-A-00/21801 (Joalto Design) discloses a restraint presentation system that includes a moveable presenting member, such as an armrest, that moves between a presenting positon and a storage positon and a restraint belt is connected to a tensioning mechanism.

US Patent US-B-870250 (Patel) discloses a seat belt adjusting apparatus mounted on the seat below the head rest of a vehicle seat which catches a seat belt buckle.

UK Patent GB 966 895 (Ottoson) discloses an arrangement in vehicles equipped with safety belts where two straps are detachable fastened together by means of a buckle 25 including a locking tongue on one strap and a lock housing on the other.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle seat device for locating a safety belt comprising: an elongate member having a first portion arranged on a first end of the member and a second portion arranged on a second end of the member, at least one of said portions has at least one opening configured to receive a safety belt tongue and thereby hold the safety belt under tension; and an attachment means for securing the vehicle seat device to a vehicle seat.

In this way a safety belt can be located on the device when not in use so that the safety belt is more easily accessible to a user when seated in the vehicle seat. This avoids the need for a passenger to have to reach back or twist in the seat so as to reach the safety belt that. This twisting may be uncomfortable or in some cases not possible, in particular for users who have restricted mobility.

The present invention therefore provides a simple adaptation device that can be fitted to any vehicle seat in order to enable easier use of a safety belt.

The clip may be a holster, for receiving and maintaining a tongue of the safety belt in place. Ideally the clip is dimensioned and shaped to be analogous with or similar to a standard vehicle safety belt clip, buckle or holster.

Some embodiments of the vehicle seat device may have a clip in each portion for 15 receiving a safety belt tongue. Other embodiments of the device may include a displaceable clip so as to permit removal of the clip from the device.

Preferably the portions are joined permanently to the elongate member so as to provide a strong, flexible and durable device. In other embodiments the portions are detachable from the elongate member. Advantageously this may enable the portions to be interchanged so as to fit a particular vehicle or to be changed if they become damaged.

The attachment means enables the device to be located and secured to a vehicle 25 seat so as to prevent or limited movement of the device in use. Preferably the attachment means is arranged on each portion so that the device is secured to the vehicle seat at two locations for enhanced strength and security. In other embodiments the attachment means may extend from the elongate member.

Preferably the attachment means is configured to attach to the seat between the seat back and seat base. In this arrangement portions are situated either side of the seat so as to be accessible to the user. Ideally the device is located in use on the seat in a minimally intrusive manner. In this arrangement a user is able to sit in the seat without contacting the device.

For example the portions may be arranged to be located at least as wide as the vehicle seat so that they do not impinge a user whilst seated.

Preferably the attachment means may comprise a hook that is received by a support 5 of part of the body or frame of a vehicle seat. For example a vehicle seat as support bars that provide integral strength to the vehicle seat and the hooks may be arranged and dimensioned so as to be received by one of the support bars.

Ideally the, or each, hook may include a lock means so as to fix the hook to the vehicle seat and prevent erroneous removal. For example the attachment means on the device may comprise a latch mechanism, which may include a displaceable gate and rigid hook. The gate is ideally spring biased to close. The gate is arranged so as to allow a user to displace the gate during fitting as the gate is pushed against a surface and therefore displaced by force.

In an alternative embodiment a control mechanism may be provided to permit manual displacement the gate when activating. For example a lever, button or tab may be activated so as to displace the gate. This may be operable at the attachment means, member, and/or portions.

In some embodiments a control mechanism may be provided to release the portions or clip(s) from the device. For example the clip may be displaceable and placed in use in either portion. In this way the device may be easily, effectively and safely used on nearside or offside vehicle seats and parts are kept to a minimum for cost and practicality purposes.

The safety belt tongue or buckle may be held by an opening (clip) interchangeable between the left or right side of the device, depending on what side of the vehicle the user is sitting and the orientation of the belt. In this way the belt and tongue are always held by the device and presented in a convenient manner which allows the driver or passenger, to easily release the belt tongue, pass it over the user's body and clip the belt into the existing buckle that is anchored to a car.

In an alternative embodiment the attachment means may comprise a reversible or 35 temporary mechanism, such that the device is usable in conjunction with a plurality of seats.

In some embodiments the device includes more than one opening for receiving a safety belt tongue/clip so that 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 restricted mobility is 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 opening may provide a slot for receiving the safety belt body as opposed, or in addition to, the tongue In this way the device may be used 10 to secure different parts of the safety belt.

In some embodiments the attachment means is operable with an existing vehicle anchor and latch mounting system such as ISOFIX (RTM). 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 attachment means is easily compatible with all vehicles using a standardised anchoring system and configurations.

In some embodiments the portions may be provided with anchor attachment means and a secondary attachment means for vehicles lacking anchor attachment systems. In this way the device is safely, effectively and easily usable in a plurality of vehicles. For example even seats not comprising an anchor system may be equipped with the device, for example including a driver's seat.

For example, in some such embodiments the secondary attachment means may comprise a flexible loop, which loop may be passed around the seat in order to maintain the device on the seat.

It is appreciated that the flexible loop may also be provided as the primary 30 attachment means.

In other embodiments the attachment means may comprise extending tabs, for example which tabs may be extended and/or inserted between the seat back and seat base. The tabs may be hinged to the device so as to permit variation of 35 orientation. The tabs may be displaceable.

In some embodiments the attachment means enable permanent fitting to a vehicle seat. For example in some embodiments the device may be installed on vehicles at manufacture or retail.

The opening (which may be a clip) advantageously allows a seatbelt or safety belts tongue to be gripped or maintained in place, so as to maintain 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 opening may include a latch mechanism to aid with securing the safety belt on the device. Tension in the belt may provide a force to act against the opening and/or the latch mechanism in the opening, so as to maintain the belt fabric in a tensioned and tidy manner.

In a preferred embodiment a portion is provided at each end so that the device is suitable for use in driver or passenger side seats. 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 portions of the device are ideally positioned in a similar location to known holsters that receive a safety belt tongue, 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 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 are spaced apart wherein such parts may be joined by an elongate support member. Such member may be displaceable from the portions.

The elongate member may be rigid or flexible. Where the elongate member is rigid the portions may be provided at a fixed spacing, so as to facilitate easy placement into anchors. Where the elongate member is flexible the position of the portions may be changeable along the elongate member so as to permit adjustment to suit a particular vehicle.

In some embodiments the elongate member is configured to provide a direct axial 5 line between the portions. In this way the elongate member may be used to grip and displace the portions.

In another embodiment the member is configured to provide a deviated axis, for example such that the elongate member is substantially U-shaped so that it may be 10 more easily located in use between the seat back and seat base, so that part of the elongate member is concealed in use.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the portions may be displaceable from the elongate member. In other embodiments the portions may be joined by a flexible elongate member, for example wherein the portions are moveable along the elongate member and/or wherein the elongate member is foldable or telescopic so as to be capable of compaction and extension. In this way the device is easier to transport and store without dismantling In some embodiments the device comprises a single unit having two sides 20 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 enabled to take the device with them from one vehicle to another.

The device is preferably formed from a rigid high tensile material such as a metal, metal alloy, composite or carbon fibre.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle seat 30 including a device as previously described.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which:

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 3A and 3B show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 4A and 48 show front and rear views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 5A and 5B 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; Figures 8A, 8B and 8C show isometric views the device as shown in Figure 1 comprising a secondary attachment mechanism; Figures 9A and 9B show isometric views of a second embodiment of the vehicle seat device; Figure 10 shows an end view of the second embodiment of the vehicle seat device; 25 and Figures 11A, 118 and 11C show various side views of the second embodiment of the vehicle seat device.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figures 1 to 8 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 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 (RTM) anchor points in use. The jaws 52 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 52 from the anchor in order to remove the device. In some embodiments the tooth is also displaced 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 30 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, 35 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 flexible belt, looped from one portion to the other in use, through lanyard attachment points 101 to the distal sides of the portions.

Figures 9 to 11 show a second embodiment of the vehicle seat device. The device has an elongate member 1, two portions 2, 3, an opening 9 arranged on each portion and attachment means 5.

The elongate member 1 is substantially U-shaped, so that an straight mid-section 15 can be arranged between the seat base and seat back in use in order for the elongate member to be concealed and so as for it not to interfere with a user.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments the elongate member may be arcuate, for example to match the curvature of a vehicle seat. The elongate member 1 is cylindrical. The elongate member may be solid or hollow.

Portions 2, 3 are fixed to each end of the elongate member 1. The portions 2, 3 are substantially disc shaped so as to have no sharp edges exposed to a user.

Each portion 2, 3 includes an opening 9 for receiving a tongue of a safety belt. The tongue is slotted into the opening 9 so that the tongue and thereby the belt is held in the device. The openings 9 are dimensioned to receive a safety belt tongue.

Each portion 2, 3 have an attachment means 5 extending therefrom. The attachment means 5 comprises a hook 5A with a displaceable gate 5B. The displaceable gate 5B is resiliently deformable so as to displace from a first (closed) position to a second (open) position in order to enable the hook 5A to be received by a vehicle seat (not shown). Once the hook 5A is located on the seat the displaceable gate 5B returns to the first position and the device is therefore fixed to the seat.

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 as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A vehicle seat device for locating a safety belt comprising: an elongate member having a first portion arranged on a first end of the member and a second portion arranged on a second end of the member, in which at least one of said portions has an opening configured to receive a safety belt tongue and hold the safety belt under tension; and an attachment means for securing the vehicle seat device to a vehicle seat.
2. A vehicle seat device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member extends in an axial line between the portions.
3. A vehicle seat device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member is substantially U-shaped so that each end of the elongate member deviates from an axial line extending between the portions.
4. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim in which each portion comprises a clip.
5. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim comprising a displaceable clip.
6. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein each portion is embodied in two parts.
7. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim, wherein the portions are joined by flexible support.
8. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate member is rigid.
9. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means extend from each portion.
10. A vehicle seat device according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means comprises a hook for locating about part of a vehicle seat so as to secure the device to the vehicle seat.
11. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means cooperates with a vehicle's anchor attachment system.
12. A vehicle seat device according to claim 10 wherein the attachment means comprises at least one jaw for connection to an ISOFIX (RIM) system.
13. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means is configured to attach the device to the seat between a seat back and a seat base
14. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim including a secondary attachment means.
15. A vehicle seat device according to any preceding claim wherein the secondary attachment means is displaceable.
16. A vehicle seat device according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the secondary attachment means comprises a flexible loop.
17. A vehicle seat device substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures.