Seatbelt Adaptor

• US 20080036581A1
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey M. Bunims
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey M. Bunims
• Inventors: Bunims, Jeffrey M.
• Application Number:
  US11/463,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036581A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4736 Buckle connected

Abstract

An adaptor for modifying a seatbelt configuration includes a proxy seatbelt tongue. The proxy seatbelt tongue engages a sensor within a seatbelt buckle, thereby preventing the activation of a “fasten seat belt” warning or alarm. In various embodiments, the adaptor is coupled to an ignition key, contains a warning indication thereon, and is coupled to an alternative seatbelt or safety harness.

Claims

1. An adaptor for modifying a seatbelt configuration within an automobile, comprising a proxy seatbelt tongue, said tongue being adapted to reversibly engage a seatbelt buckle attached to said automobile'"'"'s seating, that includes a surface displaying a warning indication thereon.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said warning indication comprises to remove the adaptor when exiting said automobile.

3. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue further is adapted to be detected by a sensor that detects a fastened seatbelt and is harbored within said seatbelt buckle, thereby preventing a seatbelt warning indicator from activating.

4. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue is beltless.

5. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue further includes a tether coupled thereto.

6. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue is coupled to an alternative seatbelt or harness.

7. An apparatus, comprising a proxy seatbelt tongue coupled to an automobile ignition key.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue is coupled to said key with a tether.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said tether is elastic.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue further includes a surface displaying a warning indication thereon.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said warning indication comprises to remove the adaptor when exiting said automobile.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue further is adapted to be detected by a sensor that detects a fastened seatbelt and is harbored within said seatbelt buckle, thereby preventing a seatbelt warning indicator from activating.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue is beltless.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said proxy seatbelt tongue further is coupled to an alternative seatbelt or harness.

15. A method for facilitating alternative seatbelt use in an automobile, comprising the steps of:

providing a proxy seatbelt tongue adapted to engage a seatbelt buckle,

engaging said seatbelt buckle in said automobile with said proxy seatbelt tongue; and

providing an alternative seatbelt or harness within said automobile.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein step (a) comprises providing a proxy seatbelt tongue adapted to be detected by a sensor harbored within said seatbelt buckle such that the automobile detects a fastened seatbelt, thereby preventing a seatbelt warning indicator from activating.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (a) includes providing a proxy seatbelt tongue coupled to an ignition key.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein step (a) includes providing a proxy seatbelt tongue that includes a surface displaying a warning indication thereon

19. The method of claim 15, further including the step of removing the proxy seatbelt tongue from the seatbelt buckle before exiting said automobile.

20. A method for facilitating alternative seatbelt use in an automobile, comprising the steps of:

providing a proxy seatbelt tongue adapted to engage a seatbelt buckle; and

engaging said seatbelt buckle in said automobile with said proxy seatbelt tongue, wherein the proxy seatbelt tongue is adapted to be detected by a sensor harbored within said seatbelt buckle such that the automobile detects a fastened seatbelt, thereby preventing a seatbelt warning indicator from activating.