Seat belt extension apparatus

• US 5,248,187 A
• Filed: 10/04/1991
• Issued: 09/28/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rick G. Harrison
• Original Assignee: Rick G. Harrison
• Inventors: Harrison, Rick G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US07/771,120
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 297/468, 297/482, 297/464, 297/487, 297/488, 280/801, 280/808, 280/751
• US Class Current: 297/482
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/006 Sleeve or tubular members enveloping the seat belt for enhancing comfort or protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/30 Coupling devices other than buckles, including length-adjusting fittings or anti-slip devices adaptations of manual three-point seat belt systems for use by small passengers using other means than belt anti-slip devices B60R22/024; buckles A44B11/00; releasable fastenings in general F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A seat belt extension apparatus to accommodate elongate adjustment of a seat belt relative to an associated vehicular passenger seat, to include a central web with a rear buckle plate and forward buckle assembly securable to the existing seat belt structure. A modification includes an enlarged abutment plate assembly formed with a padded exterior surface to accommodate and apply pressure to an enlarged area, wherein the pressure plate is vertically and adjustably slidable relative to the central web. Further, an accessory belt structure is arranged to provide for a timer assembly in association with an audible alarm to effect periodic audible signals to maintain driver alertness.

Claims

1. A seat belt extension apparatus, comprising,

a flexible elongate web, the web including a rear distal end and a forward distal end, the rear distal end including a rear loop and the forward distal end including a forward loop, and

a latch assembly mounted to the forward loop, and

an apertured latch plate mounted to the rear loop, and

an abdomen protector longitudinally and transversely adjustable relative to the elongate web mounted to the web, wherein the abdomen protector includes a semi-rigid support plate, the semi-rigid support plate including a plurality of spaced parallel slots arranged transversely relative to the elongate web and extending above and below the transverse web to permit sliding adjustment of the plate transversely relative to the web, and the web directed through the slots to permit longitudinal adjustment of the web relative to the plate, and a foam pad arranged in a surrounding relationship relative to the plate, and a flexible covering layer arranged in surrounding relationship relative to the foam pad, the flexible covering layer including a forward opening and a rear opening directed into respective forward and rear sides of the covering layer aligned relative to one another to effect longitudinal sliding and adjustment of the abdomen protector relative to the web.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the web further includes a plurality of coin receiving housings mounted thereon, each coin receiving housing including a "U" shaped slot in a front wall, and a front wall opening directed to the front wall in communication with the slot to permit manual access to the "U" shaped slot and the coin positioned within the "U" shaped slot, and at least one pouch assembly mounted to the web adjacent the plurality of coin receiving housings, wherein the pouch assembly includes a pocket and a cover flap pivotally mounted over the pocket, wherein the cover flap includes a cover flap fastener cooperative with a pocket fastener.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including a second belt web, the second belt web including a second belt web forward loop and a second belt web rear loop, the second belt web forward loop including a second latch assembly and a second belt web rear loop including a second latch plate, and an audible alarm mounted to the second belt web between the second latch assembly and the second latch plate, wherein the audible alarm includes a housing, the housing mounted to the second belt web including a battery, a timer, and a speaker, the battery, the timer, and the speaker arranged in electrical communication relative to one another, and including a first electrical transmission line and a second electrical transmission line in series communication with the speaker, the battery, and the timer, wherein the respective first and second electrical transmission line project exteriorly of the housing, and a second latch plate coupler mounted to the second latch assembly, the second latch plate coupler including a second socket and a second projection arranged in a parallel relationship relative to one another, and the first electrical transmission line directed to the second socket, and the second electrical transmission line directed to the second projection, and a first latch plate coupler mounted to the web adjacent the latch plate, wherein the first latch plate coupler including a first projection cooperative with the second socket, and a first socket cooperative with the second projection, with an electrical transmission coupling line in electrical communication between the first projection and the first socket, whereupon mechanical coupling of the first latch plate coupler with the second latch plate coupler effects electrical communication between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and the electrical transmission coupling line permitting actuation of the audible alarm.