Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Including member having distinct formations and mating...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-12-25
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Including member having distinct formations and mating...
C024S634000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332252
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to a device for keeping a seat belt buckled such that it cannot be released prematurely by a rider.
Seat belts save lives. Most persons wear seat belts and many states have enacted seat belt laws. Many laws require infant seats and child seats for persons below a specific weight. This device can be used with a seat belt alone or in combination with car seats, booster seats or harnesses used to retain passengers in a vehicle.
The problem addressed is that the belts can be released by bored or curious children or handicapped children and adults. The caretakers may not realize that the seat belt is unbuckled and this could increase the seriousness of injuries if involved in an accident. In the case of handicapped children or adults, the rider is coordinated enough many times to release the belt themselves, but not cognizant of the dangers of releasing the seat belt while riding in a moving vehicle. Other times, the riders may release the seat belt and amble about the moving vehicle or cause harm to other passengers, or interfere with the driver.
It is a serious problem when riders can release the seat belts themselves at inappropriate times. If the driver even notices the belt is released they must then stop the vehicle and reattach the belt. This is inconvenient at the least and can require stopping on a busy street or highway posing a hazard to the person who exits the car, if necessary, to reattach the seat belt. If there is another assistant or adult, they must unfasten their belt and lean over the seat or walk back to re-attach the released belt. This is inconvenient, dangerous and time consuming.
When the belt is re-attached, the rider will many times release the belt again requiring attention, to once again re-attach the belt.
Several devices in the art have addressed this issue of retaining the seat belt in the attached position. Many of the newer vehicle seat belts, seat belt recalls and retrofits have the release button on the top of the buckle. The embodiments disclosed are particularly effective for top release seat belt buckles. A user could use the device in multiple vehicles or while traveling on vacations in friends or rental vehicles and still deter the release of top release buckles.
Therefore, if a rider is traveling in a newer vehicle and coordinated enough to release the buckle this many times occurs with no known acceptable cost effective solution.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a Release Resistant Buckle Cover that will inhibit the release of the seat belt on belts with the release button on the top of the buckle.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, there is a need for a device that will prevent a rider from releasing the seat belt of a top release belt buckle.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a device that will inhibit the untimely release of top release button seat belts.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a device to discourage the untimely release of top release button seat belts.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is not unduly complicated, but discourages the untimely release of the seat belt.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device to discourage the release of top release button seat belts that is reasonably priced.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is relatively easy to manufacture.
It is yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that will function with the majority of the top release button seat belts.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is esthetically appealing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be manufactured from readily available materials.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device that does not require an inordinate amount of time to attach and release from the buckle.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device that is unlikely to wear out.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can readily be removed by rescue workers if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device that does not interfere with the safe operation of the seat belts.
It is a final object of the present invention to provide a device that is easily stored if removed from the seat belt buckle.
These together with other objects of this invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize this invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of this invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of this version of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4497094 (1985-02-01), Morris
patent: 4502194 (1985-03-01), Morris et al.
patent: 4674303 (1987-06-01), Salcone
patent: 4731912 (1988-03-01), Boriskie et al.
patent: 4878277 (1989-11-01), Portuese
patent: 5307544 (1994-05-01), Quarberg et al.
patent: 5415333 (1995-05-01), Wills
patent: 5416957 (1995-05-01), Renzi, Sr. et al.
patent: 2307505 (1997-05-01), None
Kilponen Ronald R.
Sakran Victor N.
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