A restraint/safety belt for operators of motor vehicles to be used in conjunction with the ignition key/keys of said motor vehicles. Said restraint/safety belt to be installed as a permanent part of the motor vehicle so as to prevent the operators from leaving their respective vehicles without removing their keys from the ignition switch.

This invention is directed to safety belts and is particularly concerned 
with restraints for operators of motor vehicles, to be used in conjunction 
with the ignition keys in motor vehicles to ensure that they are safely 
removed from the vehicle when departing same. 
The problem of providing operators of motor vehicles with a means and a 
reminder to remove their keys from the motor vehicle ignition switch and 
the motor vehicle itself is a long standing problem. The manufacturers of 
motor vehicles realizing this problem have incorporated many visual and 
audio systems in their vehicles in an attempt to call this matter to the 
attention of the operators. But none have here-to-fore employed the direct 
or positive restraint method in conjunction with the ignition key as 
described and disclosed in this invention. They have failed to provide a 
complete solution to the problem, consequently, leaving tremendous numbers 
of operators still locking or leaving their keys in their vehicles when 
departing same. This is causing them much grief and financial losses due 
to locksmith services and damage to the vehicle doors and windows in their 
own attempts to retrieve the keys. And they suffer higher losses as most 
often many vehicles are stolen when the keys are left or locked in the 
vehicle and left unattended. 
This invention in no way presents an obstruction to the operator while the 
vehicle is in use, however, it does gently but effectively prevent or 
restrain the operator from leaving the vehicle while the restraint/safety 
belt is connected to the ignition key or key ring containing said key in 
the ignition switch. The use of this invention encourages and induces the 
operator to be ever mindful of the drastic consequences for leaving the 
keys in the vehicle, and provides a positive means for overcoming this 
problem. 
It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide a new and 
more useful method that would effect a positive and physical connection 
between the operator of the motor vehicle and the ignition key in the 
ignition switch, thereby setting up a restraint that would necessitate the 
removal of same before the operator could freely leave the motor vehicle; 
subsequently calling attention to the operator to remove the keys from the 
ignition switch and the motor vehicle itself. 
Another object is to prevent the operator from locking the ignition 
key/keys in his or her vehicle, thus saving them the grief of waiting for 
a locksmith to arrive to open the vehicle, and also saving them the 
financial burden for these services as well as for the repairs to the 
damaged doors or windows of the vehicle in their own attempts to open 
same. 
Another object is to reduce the numerous amounts of vehicles that are being 
stolen each year as a result of the ignition keys being left in these 
unattended vehicles, so that the insurance companies might consider the 
reduction of the higher premiums being paid by all operators of motor 
vehicles due to these infractions. Further and more detailed objects of 
this invention will in part be pointed out and in part be apparent as the 
description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings procedes.

Considering first the principal embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 shows 
the assembly of a ratchet type, button release, retractable reel unit 1 
with an integral hook configuration 2, flat restraint/safety belt 3 with 
stop 8 and female snap button 4 along with male prongs 6 and 7, special 
restraint retainer 5 containing openings 5a. 
Unit 1 with various designed integral hook configurations 2 can be made 
from ferrous and/or non-ferrous materials with button, cam release ratchet 
or free, spring loaded return. Said unit 1 would contain a flat 
restraint/safety belt 3 made from various materials and would contain a 
stop 8 thereon made from various materials and designed to create a tight, 
slide fit along the restraint/safety belt 3 for the desired stop locations 
for unit 1 assembly. The length of the restraint/safety belt 3 would be 
appropriately long enough to run from the back of the operators' front 
seat section, across the top of the seat cushion and over to the ignition 
key or key ring containing said key in the ignition switch of all makes 
and models of motor vehicles. The loose end of the restraint/safety belt 3 
would contain a female snap button 4 and male prongs 6 and 7 for fastening 
purposes to the special restraint/safety belt retainer 5 which can be 
designed in various ways and made from various materials. 
Unit 1 assembly with hook configuration 2 and component parts as described 
above are designed to be assembled to the operators' front seat section in 
motor vehicles by placing the special retainer 5 behind the operators' 
seat, passing the restraint/safety belt 3 through and between the movable, 
up-right back and lower seat sections and then lacing the restraint/safety 
belt 3 through the openings 5a in the special retainer 5 and then locking 
same, back on to itself by means of the female snap button 4 being snapped 
on to the male prong 6 or 7 whichever is most appropriate. This assembly 
is to be located to approximate being between the operators' legs, and 
with special retainer 5 being pulled up snug against the back of the 
operators' seat section, restraint/safety belt 3 lays on and across the 
top of the operators' seat cushion with stop 8 being positioned on the 
restraint/safety belt 3 to allow unit 1 assembly to hang freely over the 
front and slightly below the top of the operators' seat in a ready to use 
position as shown in FIG. 2 in the drawings. 
Before starting the motor vehicle, and similar to buckling the seat belt in 
place, the operator places the hook configuration 2, of the retractable 
unit 1, into the opening of the ignition key or key ring containing said 
key in the ignition switch. This sets up the required restraint as 
intended by the invention. This will stay in place without any 
interference to the operator during the operation of the motor vehicle. 
But the restraint/safety belt 3 being between the operators' legs will 
obstruct/restrain and prevent the operator from leaving the vehicle when 
the vehicle is stopped, until he or she removes it from the ignition key 
or key ring containing said key in the ignition switch. This action calls 
direct attention to the keys and the need to safely remove them from the 
ignition switch and the motor vehicle itself. 
The loose end of the restraint/safety belt 3 can accomodate various 
alternate holding, fastening devices. 
In a fixed back, front seat arrangement as shown in FIG. 3, the 
restraint/safety belt 3 is laced and fastened to the special retainer 5 
prior to any installation, and then, from the front, it is pressed back, 
into position between the sections of the up-right back and the lower seat 
cushion. Location is also to approximate being between the operators' legs 
and adjacent to his position to be adjusted for use in the same manner as 
described in FIG. 2 installation. 
FIG. 5 illustrates the invention as described in FIG. 1, with the loose end 
of the belt installed inside and beneath the operators' seat section in 
conjunction with an electrical circuit that controls the operation of the 
ignition switch. 14 is a spring loaded flap arrangement in the front 
section of the operators' seat. This flap 14 remains closed when the 
restraint/safety belt 3, is in the retracted position, pulling the holding 
unit 1 up against the front panel. The spring flap 14 can be made from 
various materials to suit the decor of the vehicle. At this point, 
micro-switch 13 or any other control mechanism is then in a normal "open" 
sequence which kills the electric charge to the ignition switch, making it 
impossible to start the motor vehicle until the restraint/safety belt 3, 
with holding unit is utilized as designed and intended and as previously 
described. 
When restraint/safety belt 3 is pulled forward, along with its component 
holding parts and attached to the ignition key or key ring containing said 
key in the ignition switch, the holding pressure against the spring loaded 
flap 14 is relieved, allowing the button end of the flap 14 to swing open. 
The opposite end of the flap 14 is formed to create a panel 18 which comes 
in contact with the micro-switch 13, or any other control mechanism, as it 
rotates in this direction in the opening process. It also acts against the 
inside portion of the operators' seat section 18a to serve as a stop for 
flap 14, to keep it in line with the front portion of the seat section. 
When panel 18 makes contact with the micro-switch 13, as described above, 
this "closes" the circuit to the ignition switch, allowing the normal 
starting and operation of the motor vehicle. This assembly is to be 
installed in the appropriate location in the operators' seat section so 
that the restraint/safety belt 3, can be pulled up between the operators' 
legs, setting up the necessary restraint to serve the purpose of the 
invention. 
FIG. 6 illustrates the electrical circuit arrangement and parts as 
described utilizing the principal invention as described in FIG. 1. The 
exception being that the loose end of the restraint/safety belt 3, is 
fastened directly to the inside and beneath the operators' seat section as 
shown, and is located to approximate being between the operators' legs. 
The operation of the ignition switch is controlled in the same manner with 
all parts moving and being utilized as described in FIG. 6. In each 
instance the purpose of the invention is served; setting up a restraint 
against the operator when the holding units and their component parts are 
connected to the ignition key or key ring containing said key in the 
ignition switch. 
Each of the above embodiments as described and disclosed are utilitarian to 
carry out the objects of the invention with varying degrees of 
versatility, effectiveness and interest stimulation. The invention 
effectively encourages and induces through positive restraint, the pursuit 
of consciousness and rememberance on the part of the operators of motor 
vehicles to remove the ignition key/all keys from the ignition switch and 
the motor vehicle itself before departing same. This offers peace of mind 
to the operator and also assures the relative safe handling of the keys 
and the subsequent safety of the motor vehicle itself.