NZ524779A - A belt adjuster - Google Patents

Abstract

A belt adjuster for a lap/diagonal seat belt used in a motor vehicle or in any other application where such a device may be used, the belt adjuster including an elongate flexible element with rigid reinforcing elements and fastening means whereby the elongate flexible element can be engaged about the lap section and diagonal section of a diagonal/lap seat belt adjacent the convergence thereof and fastened to form a loop to alter the disposition of the diagonal section relative to the lap section.

Description

52 4 779 No: 524779 Date: 17 March 2003 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A BELT ADJUSTER WE, PROJECT INNOVATIONS LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 30 Durham Drive, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand do hereby declare this invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z - 1 JUN 2004 RECEIVED 2 TITLE OF THE INVENTION A BELT ADJUSTER BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to a belt adjuster and more particularly an adjuster for adjusting the position of a diagonal belt relative to the lap belt of a diagonal/Lap safety belt as used in motor vehicles or in any other application where such a device may be used.

The so-called diagonal/lap seat belt is commonly used in motor vehicles for safety purposes. A problem, which arises with such belts, is that the position of the diagonal portion of the belt is often orientated, relative to the user, in an uncomfortable position. This can for example cause considerable discomfort or inconvenience to women using the seat belt or to users who may be short in stature.

While it is known that some motor vehicles have an adjustment at the upper anchorage point of the diagonal portion of the belt assembly, the extent of adjustment may not be sufficient to adjust the disposition of the SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 3 diagonal portion of the belt to a position where comfort is achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a belt adjuster which can be used with a diagonal/lap seat belt in a motor vehicle, and in any other application where such a device may be used, in order to alter the positioning or disposition of the diagonal portion of the belt relative to the lap portion.

According to one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a belt adjuster for a lap/diagonal seat belt used in a motor vehicle or in any other application where such a device may be used, the belt adjuster including an elongate flexible element with rigid reinforcing elements and fastening means whereby the elongate flexible element can be engaged about the lap section and diagonal section of a diagonal/lap seat belt adjacent the convergence thereof and fastened to form a loop to alter the disposition of the diagonal section relative to the lap section.

SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 4 In a preferred form of the invention there is provided two rigid reinforcing sections on the elongate flexible element, one rigid section being spaced from the other rigid section such that the elongate flexible element forms a hinge between the rigid sections.

According to one form of the invention an anchor section is attached to one end of the elongate flexible element. Preferably, the flexible elongate element forms a hinge between one of the rigid reinforcing sections and said anchor section.

Preferably the other of the rigid reinforcing sections includes engagement means, which, in use, are removably engageable with the anchor section. In one form the engagement means includes at least one projection, which can releasably engage in an opening in the anchor section. The anchor section preferably has a gripping area to facilitate release of the projection (s) from the anchor section.

In a preferred form of the invention the elongate flexible element is formed from an elastomeric material. Preferably, a surface of the flexible elongate element, SPEC478 (coiap) 31 May 2004 which makes contact with the seat belt sections, presents a non-slip surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following more detailed description of the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the belt adjuster according to the present invention when in its operative configuration, Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the seat adjuster in its operative configuration, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the belt adjuster in its non-operative configuration, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the reverse side of the belt adjuster, Figure 5 is a perspective view of second embodiment of the belt adjuster, SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 6 Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the belt adjuster as shown in Figure 5, and Figure 7 is an illustration of the belt adjuster in its operative configuration when mounted on a diagonal/lap seat belt of a motor vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the belt adjuster of the present invention is that it can be looped over the portions of the lap and diagonal belt sections adjacent where these belt sections converge. The adjuster can then be fixed into its operative configuration. This causes the point at which the diagonal belt section converges with the lap belt section to effectively be moved laterally along the lap belt section. This thereby changes the direction that the diagonal belt section locates over the shoulder and across the chest of the user.

To this end, the seat belt adjuster A according to the first embodiment as shown in Figures 1 to 4, includes an elongate generally rectangular length 10 of elastomeric material. As shown in Figure 3, a first rigid section 11 SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 7 is fastened to surface 12 of the elastomeric material 10. Spaced from this, but also attached to surface 12 of the elastomeric material 10 is a further rigid section 13. This rigid section 13 has a pair of spaced apart projecting lugs or pins 14.

The rigid sections 11 and 13 can be injection moulded in thermoplastic polymer.

At the other end of the length of elastomeric material 10 there is mounted a fastener portion 15 which, as can be seen in Figure 3, is spaced from the first rigid portion 11. This anchor section 15 includes a pair of spaced apart openings 16 which align with a pair of openings 16a formed in the elastomeric material 10. These aligned openings 16 and 16a are arranged and configured such that the projecting lugs or pins 14 can fit in a snap-lock or friction engagement within openings 16 in anchor portion 15.

The anchor portion 15 further includes a finger engagement or raised gripping section 17. This gripping section is effectively formed by a raised portion which provides a clearance 18 (when the belt adjuster is in the operative position as shown in Figures 1 and 2) between SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 8 the raised section 17 and the adjacent surface of second rigid portion 13 (see Figure 1).

Referring to Figure 4, the surface 19 of elastomeric material 10 (which is the reverse side relative to surface 12) is formed with a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs 20. In the preferred form of the invention, these ribs 20 are formed into groups which correspond with the part of the elastomeric material 10 to which the rigid portions 11 and 13 are attached.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the area of elastomeric material 10 which is exposed between the opposing ends of rigid elements 11 and 13, effectively forms a hinge 21. Likewise, the exposed portion of elastomeric material 10 between the opposed edges of rigid member 11 and anchor portion 15 forms a hinge 22. Accordingly, the rigid section 13 can be moved about hinge 21 to over-lie the rigid portion 11, while the anchor section 15 can be moved by virtue of hinge 22 to over-lie the end of the rigid portion 13 having lugs 14. This enables the lugs 14 to be inserted through openings 16 and 16a into a snap-lock or friction fit.

SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 9 This hinging of the elements 11 and 13 and fixing of the anchoring section 15 with lugs 14 will, in use, take place about the portions of the lap L and diagonal D seat belt sections adjacent where these two seat belt sections L and D converge (see Figure 7) . The result is that the presence of the belt adjuster A causes the direction "at which the diagonal seat belt section D converges with the lap seat belt section L, to be altered. The person applying the belt adjuster can thus position the adjuster along the lap belt section L to where the diagonal seat belt section D engages in the most convenient/comfortable position across the shoulder and chest of the user.

The presence of ribs 20 on surface 19 of the elastomeric material 10 create a gripping action with the sections L and D of seat belt with which contact is made so that when in position the seat belt adjuster will retain the position chosen by the user.

If at any time the user wishes to remove or adjust the position of the belt adjuster A, it is a simple matter of the user slipping his or her fingers into the recess 18 and applying a force to lift the anchor section 15 off the lugs 14.

SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 The second embodiment of the belt adjuster A as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is essentially the same as the first embodiment, however, the anchoring section 15 is more in the shape of a hood 17 into which the end of the elastomeric material 10 is inserted and fixed. This provides a tidier appearance and also provides a larger hood portion 17 so as to provide better access for the fingers of a user into the gripping area 18. In addition, according to this embodiment, the elastomeric material 10 is provided with a friction surface which does not include the plurality of ribs 20. Thus, for example, the type of elastomeric material selected can be one which provides a high friction surface.

In both embodiments of the invention, it will be observed that the rigid sections 11 and 13 are longitudinally curved, this being more particularly apparent from the view shown in Figures 2 and 6. This curvature is provided in the interest of comfort, as it provides a contour which largely will conform with the contour of the body of the user at the point that the belt adjuster is located in use. The curvature also provides a strengthening function in the rigid longitudinal sections 11 and 13.

SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 11 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is open to modification. For example, different methods of coupling the anchor section 15 and rigid section 13 can be employed. Different materials can be selected for the elastomeric material so as to provide a "tacky" type surface 19 to provide best gripping characteristics between the elastomeric material and the seat belt sections.

In an alternative construction the elastomeric material could be moulded over the rigid sections. Thus the rigid sections would be over-moulded by the elastomeric material except for the hood 17 which would be exposed for access hereto.

The present invention provides an easy to use, yet effective means of adjusting the disposition of the diagonal belt section relative to the lap section of a motor vehicle seat belt or any other application where such a device may be used. Accordingly, a user can in a simple and straightforward manner, adjust the position of the diagonal seat belt section for convenience and comfort, without adversely effecting the operation of the seat belt or its ability to provide a correct restraining force in the event of an accident.

SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 12

Claims (20)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A belt adjuster for a lap/diagonal seat belt used in a motor vehicle or in any other application where such a device may be used, the belt adjuster including an elongate flexible element with rigid reinforcing elements and fastening means whereby the elongate flexible element can be engaged about the lap section and diagonal section of a diagonal/lap seat belt adjacent the convergence thereof and fastened to form a loop to alter the disposition of the diagonal section relative to the lap section.

2. A seat belt adjuster as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two rigid reinforcing sections.

3. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 2 wherein one rigid section is spaced from the other rigid section such that the elongate flexible element forms a hinge between the rigid sections.

4. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein an anchor section is attached to one end of the elongate flexible element. SPEC478(corap) 31 May 2004 13

5. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 4 wherein the flexible elongate element forms a hinge between one of the rigid reinforcing sections and said anchor section.

6. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein a first of the rigid reinforcing sections includes engagement means which, in use, is removably engageable with the anchor section.

7. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 6 wherein the engagement means includes at least one projection, which can releasably engage in an opening in the second anchor section.

8. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 7 wherein the anchor section has a gripping area to facilitate release of the projection(s) from the anchor section.

9. A belt adjuster as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the elongate flexible element is formed from an elastomeric material. SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 14

10. A belt adjuster as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein at least part of the surface of the flexible elongate element, which makes contact with the seat belt sections, presents a non-slip surface.

11. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 10 wherein said surface has a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel spaced apart ribs.

12. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 11 wherein the ribs are formed in groups which correspond with the part of the elongate flexible element to which the rigid portions are attached.

13. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 10 wherein said surface is formed as a high friction surface.

14. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 13 wherein the elongate flexible element is made of an elastomeric material which provides a tacky type surface.

15. A belt adjuster as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each rigid section is elongate and of a curved longitudinal profile. SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 15

16. A belt adjuster as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein one end of the elongate flexible element is sandwiched between the anchor section and a rigid section.

17. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 16 wherein one end of the elongate flexible element is fixed into the anchor section.

18. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 17 wherein the anchor section is formed as one unit with a rigid section.

19. A belt adjuster substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A belt adjuster as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a lap/diagonal seat belt. PROJECT INNOVATIONS LIMITED By its Attorney DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES SPEC478(comp) 31 May 2004 - 1 JUN 20M RECEIVED Per: