Abstract:
A belt shortening device for winding and unwinding a vehicle seat belt includes an L-shaped spindle mounted in a frame and connected to a crank arm to facilitate winding. The spindle includes a longitudinally extending slot which communicates with a laterally extending entry opening. A seat belt is insertable, edge first, into the longitudinally extending slot via the laterally extending entry opening. Once the vehicle seat belt is positioned within the longitudinally extending slot, the closure closes the entry opening and the crank arm is manipulated to, thereby, rotate the spindle to wind the belt therearound. The laterally extending entry opening is positioned at one end of the length of the longitudinally extending slot. A guide tab or pair of guide tabs may also be employed to further secure the belt during winding and unwinding.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/526,593, filed Mar. 16, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to belt shortening devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices suitable for shortening seat belt webbing. In addition, the present invention relates to the removal of slack from seat belt webbing retaining a baby seat in place on a supporting vehicle seat. 
     In the prior art, lengths of belt material or webbing are commonly used to retain a structure in place. For example, belts are frequently used to retain stacked articles in place on a pallet. Belts are also commonly employed in vehicles to secure an occupant for safety purposes. In particular, these existing belts in vehicles are typically used to secure a baby&#39;s seat to the supporting vehicle seat. While belts are effective for security, they suffer from the disadvantage of having unwanted slack which decreases the effectiveness of the belt&#39;s ability to secure and retain the baby seat in place. 
     To address the inherent problem of slack in belts for retaining, there have been many attempts in the prior art to reduce or eliminate such slack. For example, ratcheted spindles have been available in the prior art. The belt webbing is typically routed around the spindle and wound about the spindle with the assistance of the ratchet. Further, the ratchet provides additional leverage and locking to enable the belt to be tightened and released as desired. Also, spring clips have been provided to grip excess portions of the belt to thereby shorten the belt. 
     However, these prior art devices suffer from many disadvantages which makes them undesirable to use. These prior art devices commonly require that a free end of the belt be routed through the device to enable winding of the belt by the device to effectuate shortening. Other devices permanently incorporate the ratchet take-up mechanism directly on the belt itself. Such devices are commonly used on special belt systems for retaining articles on a pallet. As can be understood, the foregoing prior art devices are unsuitable for shortening vehicle seat belts because vehicle seat belts are not capable of being routed onto a ratchet take-up mechanism due to the presence of bulky buckles, both male and female, present on the free ends of the belts. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for a belt shortening device which is well suited for shortening vehicle seat belts. There is a particular demand for a belt shortening device that can be easily retrofitted to an installed baby seat without disengaging the existing belt connection. In addition, there is a demand for a belt shortening device that is compact, inexpensive and easy to operate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art belt shortening devices. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available devices and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available devices. 
     The invention is generally directed to a novel and unique belt shortening device that can be easily mounted to an existing belt without detaching the belt from its existing connection. The device includes an L-shaped spindle rotatably mounted in a frame and connected to a crank arm to facilitate winding. The spindle includes a longitudinally extending slot which communicates with a laterally extending entry opening. A spring-biased closure is connected to the spindle to close the laterally extending entry opening during winding. When the closure is open and access to the laterally extending entry opening is available, a seat belt is insertable, edge first, into the longitudinally extending slot via the laterally extending entry opening. Once the vehicle seat belt is positioned within the longitudinally extending slot, the closure closes the entry opening and the crank arm is manipulated to, thereby, rotate the spindle to wind the belt therearound. The laterally extending entry opening is positioned at one end of the length of the longitudinally extending slot. A securing tab or pair of tabs may also be employed to secure the belt during winding and unwinding. 
     For installation and operation, the belt to be shortening is slid, edge first, into the device of the present invention. Such a belt, for example, may be employed to secure a baby seat to a vehicle seat. The belt webbing is inserted into the slot of the device with the entire width of the belt residing completely within the spindle of the device. The belt is threaded into the rotating spindle via the entry opening after first exposing the entry opening by opening the spring-biased closure. The belt is also routed below the guide tabs which are spaced apart from the spindle. The handle of the ratchet mechanism is repeatedly pulled by the user to rotate the spindle and, thus, rotate the spindle which contains the belt. Rotation of the spindle causes the belt to be wound about the spindle reducing the overall length of the belt. 
     When the desired tension is achieved, pulling of the handle is stopped thus ceasing any further winding of the belt webbing. The ratchet mechanism is provided with a suitable locking device to prevent unwinding of the belt from the spindle. In addition, a lock release is provided to permit the belt to be unwound from the spindle, such as for when removal of the device from the belt is desired. Once the belt is completely unwound, the device can be easily removed. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device that can shorten a belt such as a seat belt. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a belt shortening device suitable for shortening a seat belt retaining a baby seat in place on a vehicle seat. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a belt shortening device that can be easily retrofitted to an existing belt web without detaching the belt from its existing connection. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a belt shortening device that requires no additional belt webbing or additional buckles. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a belt shortening device that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Another object of present invention is to provide a belt shortening device that is easy to install and operate. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a belt shortening device that is compact and portable. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a belt shortening device that can remove undesirable and unsafe slack present in a seat belt that is securing a baby seat to a vehicle seat. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention&#39;s preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the belt shortening device of the present invention with spindle closure in an open position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt shortening device of FIG. 1 with a belt residing therein and the spindle closure in a closed position; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the belt shortening device of FIG. 1 in the process of winding a belt for shortening the length thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the spindle shown in FIG. 5 with the belt being wrapped therearound; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred ratchet mechanism for controlling the rotation of the spindle showing an first alternative spindle with no closure; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with second alternative spindle closure configuration; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with first alternative spindle configuration and first guide tab configuration with a single guide tab; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention with first alternative spindle configuration and second guide tab configuration with a pair of guide tabs; 
     FIG. 11 is a another alternative embodiment of the present invention with a single guide tab running the length of the device with entry opening of the spindle being on the same side as the entry opening of the guide tab; 
     FIG. 12 is yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention with a pair of guide tabs running the length of the device with a central guide tab entry opening; 
     FIG. 13 is another embodiment of the present invention with a pair of guide tabs where the tab on the side of the entry opening to the spindle is shorter than the opposite guide tab; and 
     FIG. 14 is another embodiment of the present invention with a pair of guide tabs where the tab on the side of the entry opening of to the spindle is longer than the opposite guide tab. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the belt shortening device  10  of the present invention is shown. The device  10  includes a frame  12  which supports a rotatable spindle  14 . Rotation of the spindle  14  is controlled by a crank handle  16 . Details of the control of the rotation of the spindle  14  will be discussed in more detail below. The spindle  14  is of a substantially L-shaped configuration with a retractable closure  18 . Preferably, the closure  18  is spring-biased into a closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the closure  18  is a spring-biased member which may be a cap affixed to the free end of the top portion of the spindle  14 . The closure  18  is opened, against the forces of a spring  20 , to thereby allow access to an entry opening  22  which, in turn, provides access to a longitudinal slot  24  which houses a belt  26  for shortening. It is also possible to omit the spring-biasing of the closure  18 , however, this would require the user to manually return the closure  18  to a closed position. 
     When the closure  18  is in an open position, a belt  26  may be inserted, edge first, into the longitudinal slot  24  via the entry opening  22 . As shown in FIG. 2, the closure  18  is then released to secure the belt  26  within the spindle  14 . When the closure  18  is in a closed position, it preferably rests in a seat  28  to add integrity to the spindle  14 . Also, for further protection of the belt  26  during the winding process, an additional guide tab or guide tabs  30  may be provided. In FIGS. 2, by way of example, a pair of guide tabs  30 , which emanate from opposing sides of the frame  12 , are provided. In this embodiment, a central opening  32  is provided to allow access by the belt  26  by folding the belt  26  in half and inserting the belt  26 , edges first, therein. These guide tabs  30  are located above the floor  34  of the frame  12  a selected distance to form and define a longitudinal guide track  36 . The free ends  30   a  of the guide tabs  30  are separated from one another to define the lateral entry opening  32  to access the guide track  36  between the tabs  30  and the floor  34  of the frame  12 . Essentially, the spindle  14  forms an “L-slot” that is rotatable to wind up the belt  26  residing therein. As shown in FIG. 2, a “T-slot” is provided that is stationery to serve as a guide to control and secure the belt  26  during winding. In FIG. 2, the belt  26  is routed into the “L-slot” of spindle  14  and the stationery “T-slot”. Once the belt  26  is loaded, as in FIG. 2, it is in preparation for winding. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, winding and shortening of the belt  26  is shown. Cranking of the handle  16  in an upward direction, as shown by the arrow in dotted lines, causes the spindle  14  (now hidden by wound belt) to rotate thus winding the belt  26  therearound. As shown by the indicated arrows, the belt  26  is shortened and wound about the spindle  14 . As the belt  26  is wound about the spindle  14 , the belt has a tendency to lift out of the frame  12 . With the additional guide tabs  30  of the present invention, the belt  26  is maintained within the frame  12  and proximal to the floor  34  of the frame  12 . As a result, during winding, the belt  26  is maintained in control at all times to effectively avoid derailing and jamming of the device  10 . FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the belt  26  being wound about the spindle  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, the ratchet mechanism  38  for controlling the rotation of the spindle  14  is shown in detail. In particular, the spindle  14  is affixed directly to a primary gear  40  with teeth  42  thereon. When handle  16  is moved in the direction of the indicated arrow, a rotation pawl  44 , which is spring-biased in a downward direction toward the primary gear  40 , engages a tooth  42  of the primary gear  40  to cause the primary gear  40 , thus the spindle  14 , to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow about the spindle  14 . As a result, the belt  26  is wound a partial turn about the spindle  14 . For additional winding, the handle  16  is moved downward in a direction opposite to the direction of the indicated arrow in preparation for additional winding. When the handle  16  is moved downward, the rotation pawl  44  rides over the teeth  42  of the primary gear  40 . To prevent unwinding of the spindle, a lock pawl  46 , which is spring-biased toward the primary gear  40 , is provided which engages with a tooth  42  of the primary gear  40  to prevent rotation of the spindle  14  in an unwinding direction. For a subsequent rotation, the rotation pawl  44  engages another tooth on the primary gear  40  and the lock pawl  46  rides over the teeth  42  until the stroke of the handle  16  is completed. The handle  16  is cranked until the desired winding and shortening of belt  26  is achieved. While this ratchet mechanism  38  is preferred for the present invention, other ratchet mechanisms may be employed. By way of example and for clarity, the belt  26  is not shown and a spindle is illustrated in FIG. 7 that does not include a spring-biased closure  18 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment  100  of the present invention is shown. In particular, an alternative spring-biased closure  102  configuration is shown to include a hinge mounted door  104  which is spring-biased into a closed position against the spindle  106  by a coil spring  108 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, two alternative configurations  200  and  300  of the belt shortening device of the present invention is shown. In these embodiments  200  and  300 , a spring-biased closure is omitted and, as a result, the lateral entry opening remains open at all times. This open L-slot spindle configuration is physically operable but is dangerous and subject to jamming because it allows for the belt  26  to slide out of the longitudinal slot through the entry opening. To further control the positioning of the belt within the device of the present invention, at least one guide tab is preferred. 
     In FIG. 9, alternative embodiment  200  includes a single guide tab  202  emanating from one side of the frame to create an entry opening  204  on the opposing side of the device  200 . Preferably, the single guide tab  202  emanates from the side of the frame  206  so as to form a guide track entry opening  204  that is cross-corner to the lateral entry opening  208  in the spindle  210 . Such cross-corner configuration will make it virtually impossible for the belt  212  to be ejected during use of the device  200 . Of course, it is possible to have the guide tab  202  emanate in the opposite direction where the guide track opening  204  is on the same side of the device  200  as the lateral entry opening  208  in the spindle  210 . In FIG. 10, a further embodiment  300  is shown where the device  300  includes an L-shaped spindle  302  without a spring-biased closure and including a pair of guide tabs  304 . The guide tabs  304  operate as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 to control belt  306 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 11-14, alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown to include modifications to the guide tab configurations relative to the spindle. In general, these guide tab configurations provide for different ways to safely secure the belt within the apparatus of the present invention. These alternative embodiments illustrate the various guide tabs configurations within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that these alternative embodiment operate to shortened a belt as described above in connection with the preferred embodiment; however, the structure for retaining the belt within the apparatus is modified as shown and described below. 
     For example, FIG. 11 shows a belt shortening device  400  with a frame  402  with a rotatable spindle  404  with a spindle entry opening  406  on the left side of the device  400 . Similar to FIG. 9 above, a guide tab  408  emanates from the frame  402  leaving a guide tab entry opening  410  for receiving the belt  412  therein. In FIG. 11, the spindle entry opening  406  and the guide tab opening  410  are on the same side of the device  400  as one another thus facilitating the loading a belt  412  into the apparatus  400  for shortening. The belt  412  is loaded into the apparatus  400  by inserting the right edge  412   a  of the belt  412  first through the spindle entry opening  406  and guide tab entry opening  410 . The belt  412  is then slid to reside within the spindle  404  and underneath the guide tab  408 . The guide tab  408  is configured to run substantially the entire length of the apparatus  400  thus ensuring that the belt  412  remains safely contained within the apparatus  400  during use of the apparatus  400 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 12, a further alternative embodiment  500  is shown to provide an apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 10; however, the guide tabs  502   a  and  502   b  are elongated to run the entire length of the apparatus  500  to further improve retention of the belt  504  within the apparatus  500  when routed through spindle  506 . 
     FIG. 13 provides yet another alternative embodiment  600  which is a further modification to the embodiment of the apparatus  500  shown in FIG.  12 . In FIG. 13, the elongated guide tabs  602   a  and  602   b  are modified whereby the guide tab  602   b  on the side of the spindle entry opening  604  is shortened to facilitate the loading of the belt  606  into the apparatus  600 . The belt  606  is loaded in similar fashion to that described in connection with FIGS. 10 and 12. The shortened guide tab  602   b  facilitates routing of the belt  606  into the spindle entry opening  604  of spindle  608 . 
     FIG. 14 illustrates an apparatus  700  which is a further modification to the embodiment  500  shown in FIG.  12 . In FIG. 14, the elongated guide tabs  702   a  and  702   b  are modified whereby the guide tab  702   a  on the side opposite to the spindle entry opening  704  of spindle  706  is shortened. The belt  708  is loaded in similar fashion to that described in connection with FIGS. 10 and 12. The shortened guide tab  702   a  facilitates loading into the guide tabs  702   a  and  702   b  while making loading into the spindle  706  more difficult. As a result, the belt  708  will be securely and safely retained with the apparatus  700 . 
     In view of the foregoing, the configuration and arrangement of the guide tabs may be modified to suit the particular application at hand and the dimensions and material of the belt to be wound. 
     It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.