Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-14
2001-08-14
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S808000, C297S482000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273467
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to personal body shields and more particularly to a protective shield for reducing rubbing of a vehicle restraint system belt upon a sensitive or physically impaired body area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The safety benefits of a vehicle restraint system belt are well known and undisputed. Most states require drivers and occupants to wear shoulder and lap belts. Although there has been a substantial increase in belt usage, many physically disadvantaged drivers and passengers refuse or are unable to wear belts because of pain and discomfort. Tender body areas are irritated by the restraint system belt rubbing on implants, such as heart pacers, chemotherapy ports, and defibrillators or sensitive body areas, including mastectomy scars, thoracotomy scars, appendectomy scars, laparotomy scars, chest injuries, skin rashes, and pregnancies. Areas with bandages and medications have also discouraged drivers and passengers from using restraint system belts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention completely overcomes the objections of physically disadvantaged persons to wearing restraint system belts. The invention resides in the ability of applicants' protective shield to eliminate or reduce rubbing of a restraint system belt on a sensitive or physically impaired body area by spacing the belt away from the sensitive or physically impaired body area. One further benefit is that the invention does not require changes to current restraint systems. Another benefit is that it is easy to use. A still further benefit is that it is applicable to both seat and shoulder belts. A still further benefit is that it has little, if any, effect on restraint system effectiveness.
In a first embodiment of the invention, a resilient annular pad is joined to a thin flat bracket. The thin bracket has a pair of slotted apertures for attaching the protective shield to a lap or shoulder belt. In the installed condition, the lap or shoulder belt rests on the top of the bracket. The location of the protective shield on the belt is adjustable to position the shield opposite the sensitive or physically impaired body area.
In a second embodiment of the invention, a second pair of slots are provided in a shield of similar construction to the first embodiment for rotating the shield 90 degrees on the belt.
In a third embodiment of the invention, a thin unitary single piece shield has an elongated center portion for supporting a portion of a belt and slotted downward extending opposite end portions for retaining the shield on the belt and spacing the belt away from a sensitive or physically impaired body area.
In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the length of the elongated center portion of the second embodiment is selectively adjustable.
In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a sensitive or impaired body area is shielded by a pair of pads which space a portion of the belt away from the concerned body area.
In a sixth embodiment of the invention, the spaced apart pads of the fourth embodiment are connected by a thin narrow resilient band to space an extended portion of a restraint system belt away from a large sensitive or physically impaired body area such as the abdominal region of a pregnant woman.
Further objects, benefits and features of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description and drawings which illustrate and describe the invention. The best mode which is contemplated in practicing the invention together with the manner of using the invention are disclosed and the property in which exclusive rights are claimed is set forth in each of a series of numbered claims at the conclusion of the detailed description:
REFERENCES:
patent: 2551255 (1951-05-01), Engel
patent: 4741574 (1988-05-01), Weightman et al.
patent: 5322349 (1994-06-01), Gianino
patent: 5584536 (1996-12-01), White
patent: 5620234 (1997-04-01), Gunby
patent: 5664843 (1997-09-01), Gleason
patent: 5795030 (1998-08-01), Becker
patent: 5911479 (1999-06-01), Atkinson
patent: 6017094 (2000-01-01), Syiek
patent: 2 624 458 (1987-12-01), None
Berke Joseph J.
Michael Charles T.
Berke Joseph J.
Dickson Paul N.
Rhodes Alex
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