Method and apparatus for an adjustable safety system for a vehicle

• US 6,547,333 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Parenteau, Chantal S., Shah, Minoo Jaswantlal, Starner, Allen Richard, Gopal, Madana
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US09/848,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20020163243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 297/391, 297/397, 297/464, 297/485, 297/483, 297/473
• US Class Current: 297/397
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2851 provided with head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/882 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1818 Belt guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/001 Knee, leg or head belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/024 Adaptations for use by small passengers, e.g. children B60R22/20 takes precedence; using belt anti-slip devices B60R22/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/10 specially adapted for children or animals children's seats B60N2/24
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/14 incorporating enlarged restraint areas, e.g. vests, nets , crash pads, optionally for children crash pads for occupants' safety on vehicles in general B60R21/02

Abstract

A safety system for a vehicle, having an adjustable headrest with a belt guide. The belt guide realigns the path of travel of a torso belt of a vehicle. The adjustable headrest provides head support to smaller sized passengers while also positioning the torso belt for the smaller sized passenger.

Claims

1. A belt directing device for use with a smaller sized occupant or child in a vehicle having a seat with a headrest and a torso belt positioned for use with a vehicle occupant positioned on the seat, the belt directing device, comprising:

an adjustable headrest having a belt guide, said belt guide being positioned to realign a path of travel of the torso belt when the torso belt is received within said belt guide; and

a means for slidably securing said adjustable headrest to the seat, wherein said adjustable headrest is repositionable with respect to the seat and the headrest, said belt guide providing multiple positions for realigning the torso belt as said adjustable headrest is repositioned with respect to the seat and the headrest.

2. The belt directing device as in claim 1, wherein said means for slidably securing said adjustable headrest is an adjustable strap being slidably received within a plurality of openings positioned on a back surface of said adjustable headrest, said back surface facing the seat when said adjustable headrest is slidably secured thereto.

3. The belt directing device as in claim 2, wherein said adjustable strap further comprises a first securement end and a second securement end, said adjustable strap defining a loop portion, said loop portion depending away from one end of said adjustable headrest and said first securement end and said second securement end depending away from another end of said adjustable headrest.

4. A belt directing device for use with a smaller sized occupant or child in a vehicle having a seat with a headrest and a torso belt positioned for use with a vehicle occupant positioned on the seat, the belt directing device, comprising:

a headrest portion having a back surface facing the seat when said headrest portion is slidably secured thereto, said headrest portion being slidably mounted to a securement member having a first securement end and a second securement end, said securement member passing through a pair of openings disposed on said back surface and said securement member defining a loop portion, said loop portion depending away from one end of said headrest portion and said first securement end and said second securement end depending away from another end of said headrest portion;

a belt guide having an opening for receiving the torso belt when said headrest portion is slidably secured to the seat, said belt guide modifying a path of travel of the torso belt when the torso belt passes through said belt guide;

wherein said loop portion is disposed about the headrest when said headrest portion is slidably secured to the seat.

5. The belt directing device as in claim 4, wherein said securement member is a strap having resilient qualities.

6. The belt directing device as in claim 4, wherein said loop portion wraps around the headrest when said headrest portion is slidably secured to the seat at a position below the headrest.

7. The belt directing device as in claim 4, wherein said belt guide is positioned on a side portion of said headrest portion, said side portion being disposed between said one end and said another end of said headrest portion.

8. The belt directing device as in claim 7, wherein an opening of said belt guide is positioned away from a front surface of said headrest portion.

9. The belt directing device as in claim 4, wherein said first securement end and said second securement end have a hook portion.

10. The belt directing device as in claim 9, wherein said loop portion includes a hook portion.

11. The belt directing device as in claim 10, wherein said loop portion wraps around the headrest when said headrest portion is slidably secured to the seat at a position below the headrest.

12. The belt directing device as in claim 4, wherein said loop portion includes a hook portion.

13. The belt directing device as in claim 12, wherein said loop portion wraps around the headrest when said headrest portion is slidably secured to the seat at a position below the headrest.

14. The belt directing device as in claim 12, wherein said pair of openings are a pair of elongated openings passing through an interior of said headrest portion.

15. The belt directing device as in claim 4, wherein said pair of openings are a pair of elongated openings passing through an interior of said headrest portion.

16. The belt directing device as in claim 15, wherein said pair of openings are a pair of elongated openings passing through an interior of said headrest portion and said first securement end, second securement end and said loop portion each have a hook portion.

17. A method for adjusting a seat belt for use with a smaller occupant or child of a vehicle having a seat with a headrest, the seat belt positioned for use with a larger vehicle occupant positioned on the seat, comprising;

slidably securing an adjustable headrest to the seat by wrapping a securement member of said adjustable headrest around the head rest and securing a pair of securement ends of said securement member to the vehicle, said adjustable headrest being positioned on the seat at a location below the headrest;

routing the seat belt through a belt guide affixed to said adjustable headrest; and

locating the seat belt about the smaller occupant or child;

wherein the adjustable headrest is the only item secured in the vehicle.