Security belt

• US 6,868,941 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Hermann
• Original Assignee: Michael Hermann
• Inventors: Hermann, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, HUGH B
• Application Number:
  US10/130,236
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 182/3, 182/231, 182/236, 182/10, 182/16, 182/19, 182/36, 182/6, 182/7, 182/233, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 182/3
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/0037 Attachments for lifelines and lanyards lifelines, lanyards A62B35/0043
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3855 carried in a belt or harness

Abstract

The invention relates to a security belt, in particular for personal protection, which can be attached and fixed to the human body. The belt comprises at least two belt sections which enable the security belt to be fitted and removed and a fixing element for connecting the belt sections in a secure and detachable manner. The security belt has at least one fixing device for various security and safety elements, which is connected to at least one of the belt sections in a fixed manner. The weight and dimensions of the security belt which encompasses the fixing device are configured in such a way that the security belt is very comfortable to wear and allows extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

Claims

1. A safety belt comprising:

(a) at least two belt parts; and

(b) a fastening element for securely and releasably connecting the belt parts, said fastening element comprising at least one fastening device for various security and safety elements connected to at least one of the belt parts;

said safety belt being comfortable to wear and allowing extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities;

wherein the fastening device is securely connected to at least one cable having a free end and being capable of manual unrolling and rolling up of the cable;

wherein the fastening device is securely connected to at least one braking element which can be coupled to the cable and having a drag clutch for braking the cable;

wherein the braking element is provided with a braking-force transmitting means for transmitting the braking force to the cable, said braking-force transmitting means having a setting means for variably setting the level of the braking force; and

wherein the setting means is coupled to a mechanism which permits the level of the braking force to be set as a function of at least one variable selected from the group consisting of body positions and cable stress.

2. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is connected to a signal transmitter for emitting an alarm signal controlled manually or by at least one sensor.

3. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is connected to an electrical alarm system and to an independent power source for supplying the alarm system with electrical power.

4. Safety belt according to claim 3, wherein the alarm system comprises a transmitter or a receiver.

5. Safety belt according to claim 3, wherein the alarm system comprises a global positioning satellites system permitting satellite-supported locating of said safety belt.

6. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is connected to a manually activated safety aid for breaking panes of glass.

7. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the safety belt has a receptacle device for holding a safety cover.

8. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device has a security mark for personal identification, which cannot be viewed when the safety belt is being worn.

9. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device has a device for the wire-free transmission of voice.

10. Safety belt according to claim 9, wherein said device for the wire-free transmission of voice comprises a hands-free device which permits voice to be transmitted.

11. Safety belt according to claim 10, wherein the fastening device has a separate compartment for the hands-free device which can be detachably connected to it.

12. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is adapted to receive security and safety elements in a way that prevents removal without destruction of the security and safety elements.

13. Safety belt according to claim 1 wherein the fastening device is connected to a cover part so that in the state in which the safety belt is being worn, said cover part covers the fastening element and prevents opening of the safety belt by unauthorized parties without destroying the fastening device or the cover part.

14. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is adapted to protect security and safety elements received thereon from liquids.

15. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device has a shape selected from the group consisting of a plate and a box.

16. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein the safety belt is embodied as a hip belt.

17. Safety belt according to claim 1, wherein in the state in which a wearer wears the safety belt, the fastening device is adapted to receive security and safety elements arranged ventrally or abdominally with respect to the wearer.

18. Safety belt according to claim 1 wherein the fastening device is adapted to receive security and safety elements so as to form a common unit when the safety belt is being worn.

19. A safety belt comprising:

(a) at least two belt parts;

(b) a fastening element for securely and releasably connecting the belt parts, said fastening element comprising at least one fastening device for various security and safety elements connected to at least one of the belt parts; and

(c) a signal transmitter connected to the fastening device for emitting an alarm signal controlled manually or by at lest one sensor designed to sense ambient conditions selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, composition of the air, and smoke content;

said safety belt being comfortable to wear and allowing extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

20. Safety belt according to claim 19, wherein the fastening device is securely connected to at least one cable having a free end and being capable of manual unrolling and rolling up of the cable.

21. Safety belt according to claim 20, wherein two cables are provided.

22. Safety belt according to claim 20, wherein in the state in which the safety belt is being worn each cable is assigned lateral force-transmitting points which are formed under load and which are at a distance from one another.

23. Safety belt according to claim 20, wherein the cable has a cross section and material properties permitting said cable to bear at least the weight of a human body without tearing.

24. Safety belt according to claim 20, wherein the fastening device is securely connected to at least one braking element which can be coupled to the cable and having a drag clutch for braking the cable.

25. Safety belt according to claim 24, wherein the braking element is provided with a braking-force transmitting means for transmitting the braking force to the cable, said braking-force transmitting means having a setting means for variably setting the level of the braking force.

26. Safety belt according to claim 25, wherein the setting means is manually adjustable.

27. Safety belt according to claim 20, wherein the fastening device is securely connected to a cable pulley for rolling up and unrolling the cable, said pulley comprising a restoring element supporting the rolling up of the cable.

28. Safety belt according to claim 20, wherein the safety belt is connected to another fastening element element for fastening a force-transmitting element, said safety belt being connected so that, in a closed state of the safety belt, the another fastening element is arranged in a region of the safety belt opposite one or more force-application points of said at least one cable when said at least one cable is placed under load.

29. A safety belt comprising:

(a) at least two belt parts;

(b) a fastening element for securely and releasably connecting the belt parts, said fastening element comprising at least one fastening device for various security and safety elements connected to at least one of the belt parts; and

(c) a hands-free device for the wireless transmission of voice electrically connectable to the fastening device comprising a contact plug adapted to fit an electrical mating contact plug of the fastening device;

said safety belt being comfortable to wear and allowing extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

30. A safety belt comprising:

(a) at least two belt parts;

(b) a fastening element for securely and releasably connecting the belt parts, said fastening element comprising at least one fastening device for various security and safety elements connected to at least one of the belt parts;

(c) a device for the wireless transmission of voice electrically connectable to the fastening device; and

(d) a keypad arranged on the fastening device or a cover part connected thereto for activating the device for the wireless transmission of voice;

said safety belt being comfortable to wear and allowing extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

31. A safety belt comprising:

(a) at least two belt parts;

(b) a fastening element for securely and releasably connecting the belt parts, said fastening element comprising at least one fastening device for various security and safety elements connected to at least one of the belt parts; and

(c) a cover part coupled with a security mechanism to the fastening device so that in the state in which the safety belt is being worn, said cover part covers the fastening element and prevents opening of the safety belt by unauthorized parties without destroying the fastening device or the cover part, said security mechanism being activated by at least one settable security code that permits opening of the safety belt only by using said security code;

said safety belt being comfortable to wear and allowing extensive freedom of movement over long periods of time during daily activities.

32. Safety belt according to claim 31, wherein the security code can be input using a keypad accessible from the outside when the safety belt is being worn, said keypad being arranged on the fastening device or the cover part.