Shoulder belt positioner

A shoulder belt positioner is provided for vehicles, and the like of the type having safety belt restraint systems. The positioner comprises a flexible strap having a hanger bracket at one end, and an open hook at the other end. The hanger bracket releasably supports the positioner on the door of the vehicle, preferably by an inverted U-shaped clip that is closely received in the window slot of the vehicle door. The positioner hook has a generally V-shaped configuration to releasably engage the shoulder belt in the extended, locked position, and pull the same slightly off of the user's shoulder to provide improved comfort. The positioner hook automatically releases the shoulder belt when the belt is moved to its retracted, storage position. The positioner preferably moves with the door as it is opened to an out of the way location to permit unobstructed exit from and entry into the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to safety belts and harnesses, and in 
particular to a shoulder belt positioner for vehicles and the like. 
Safety belts and harnesses are well known in the art as an occupant 
restraining device for passenger vehicles. Such devices typically include 
a shoulder strap, which crosses diagonally across the front of the user's 
body. The lower end of the shoulder strap is usually anchored in the 
vehicle near the center of the user's seat, and the outer end of the belt 
passes over the shoulder of the user and is anchored at a location 
generally above and behind the user. 
Contact between the shoulder belt and the shoulder of the user can cause 
chaffing of the skin, and other discomfort and/or annoyance. This 
discomfort is particularly exacerbated during hot weather, when the user's 
shoulder is normally not covered by clothing. The constant pressure 
applied by the shoulder belt to the user's shoulder can annoy the user, 
and distract the driver of the vehicle. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a shoulder belt 
positioner for vehicles and the like of the type having a safety belt 
restraint system. The positioner comprises a flexible strap having a 
hanger bracket at one end, and an open hook at the other end. The hanger 
bracket supports the positioner on the door or window portion of the 
vehicle alongside the user's seat. The hook has a generally V-shaped 
configuration to releasably engage the shoulder belt in the extended, 
locked position, and pull the same slightly off of the user's shoulder for 
improved user comfort. The hook automatically releases the shoulder belt 
when the belt is moved into its retracted, storage position. 
Preferably, the positioner is attached to the door of a vehicle, such that 
it bodily moves with the door as it is opened to an out-of-the-way 
location, thereby permitting unobstructed exit from and entry into the 
vehicle. 
The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a positioner 
for shoulder belts that accords the user greater comfort. The positioner 
pulls the shoulder belt slightly off of the shoulder of the user to 
prevent skin chaffing, and other related discomfort and annoyance. The 
positioner automatically releases the shoulder belt when the belt is moved 
into the retracted storage position, and preferably moves with the door to 
an out-of-the-way location to permit unobstructed exit from and entry into 
the vehicle. The positioner has an uncomplicated construction, and is 
particularly economical to manufacture, efficient in use, capable of a 
long operating life, and well adapted for the proposed use. 
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention 
will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by 
reference to the following written specification, claims and appended 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," 
"left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof 
shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1-3. However, it is to 
be understood that the invention may assume various alternative 
orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. 
The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates a shoulder belt 
positioner embodying the present invention. Positioner 1 is particularly 
adapted for use in conjunction with vehicles and the like, such as the 
illustrated automobile 2 (FIG. 5), which has a safety harness restraint 
system 3, comprising a combination shoulder belt 4 and seat belt 5. 
Positioner 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a flexible strap 6, having a hanger 
bracket 7 at one end, and an open hook 8 at the other end. Hanger bracket 
7 is attached to a side portion of automobile 2, such as at the window 
slot portion of vehicle door 9. Positioner hook 8 has a generally V-shaped 
configuration to releasably engage shoulder belt 4 in the extended, locked 
position, and pull the same slightly off of the user's shoulder, as shown 
in FIG. 3, to provide improved user comfort. Positioner hook 8 
automatically releases shoulder belt 4 when the belt is moved to its 
retracted, storage position, as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, positioner 1 
is attached to a door 9 of vehicle 2, such that positioner 1 moves with 
vehicle door 9 as it is opened to an out-of-the-way location, as shown in 
FIG. 6 to permit unobstructed exit from and entry into automobile 2. 
Positioner 1 is adapted to be used in conjunction with a wide variety of 
different types of automobiles and safety harness arrangements. One such 
application of the present invention is illustrated in the attached 
drawings, wherein FIG. 1 shows vehicle door 9, which has a conventional 
construction. The illustrated vehicle door 9 includes inner and outer door 
panels 14 and 15 respectively, between which a window slot 16 is defined. 
A window pane or panel 17 is positioned within window slot 16, and extends 
and retracts within vehicle door 9 in a conventional manner. Window seal 
strips 18 and 19 are mounted on the upper portions of door panels 14 and 
15, and abut the opposite surfaces of window pane 17 to form a 
weathertight seal therebetween. A cover panel 19 is mounted on interior 
side of door panel 14. 
The illustrated hanger bracket 7 has an inverted, generally U-shaped 
configuration when viewed in side elevation, as shown in FIG. 1. More 
specifically, hanger bracket 7 includes opposite flanges 24 and 25 and a 
connecting web 26. Flanges 24 and 25 are oriented substantially parallel, 
and are mutually perpendicular to web 26. Inner flange 24 forms a clip 
that is shaped to be closely received in the window slot 16 of vehicle 
door 9, as described in greater detail hereinafter. Preferably, inner 
flange 24 has a width which is sufficiently less than window slot 16 to 
permit positioner 1 to be manually slid lengthwise along the window slot. 
The outer flange 25 of hanger bracket 7 is longer than inner flange 24, 
and includes an aperture 27 through the lower end thereof in which 
flexible strap 6 is positioned. Hanger bracket 7 has a generally rigid 
construction to maintain its desired shape, and may be constructed of 
formed sheet metal, molded plastic, or other comparable materials. 
Positioner hook 8 has a generally V-shaped configuration when viewed in 
side elevation as shown in FIG. 1, and includes opposite legs 30 and 31. 
Leg 30 is slightly longer than leg 31, and includes an aperture 32 
therethrough at its upper end in which flexible strap 60 is positioned. 
Positioner hook 8 has a generally arcuately shaped base 33, and a smooth 
interior surface that permits shoulder belt 4 to slide freely thereover. 
In the illustrated example, hook legs 30 and 31 are oriented at an angle 
in the range of 20 to 40 degrees apart, and preferably around 30 degrees 
apart. Positioner hook 8 has a generally rectangular front elevational 
shape, as best shown in FIG. 2. Positioner hook 8 has a generally rigid 
construction to maintain its V shape, and may be constructed of formed 
sheet metal, molded plastic, and other similar constructions. Positioner 
hook 8 may also be inelastically deformable by hand, such that the user 
can manually adjust the angle between hook legs 30 and 31 to adapt 
positioner 1 for different applications. 
Flexible strap 6 connects hanger bracket 7 with positioner hook 8, and is 
preferably adjustable to adapt positioner 1 for a wide variety of 
different types of vehicles and users. In the illustrated example, 
positioner strap 6 is constructed from a strip of woven elastic material, 
such that it can be stretched lengthwise along its longitudinal axis. The 
upper end of positioner strap 6 extends through the aperture 27 in hanger 
bracket 7, with the terminal end doubled back and attached to itself by a 
fastener 40, such as staples, stitching, or the like. Preferably, 
positioner strap 6 is adjustable longitudinally to vary its effective 
length. In the illustrated example, a conventional clasp-type buckle 41 is 
mounted on the central portion of positioner strap 6. Buckle 41 includes a 
clip 42 which detachably mounts buckle 41 along the length of positioner 
strap 6, and a toothed clasp 43 which is adapted to engage the free end of 
positioner strap 6. The lower end of positioner strap 6 is threaded 
through the aperture 32 in positioner hook 8, with the free end of strap 6 
inserted through clasp 43. The effective length of positioner strap 6 is 
adjusted not only through the elasticity in the strap, but also by varying 
the position of the free end of strap 6 with respect to buckle 41. A 
protector strip 44 is attached to the terminal end of strap 6 to prevent 
fraying. 
In operation, shoulder belt positioner 1 is particularly adapted to be 
attached to door 9 of automobile 2. The inner flange 24 of hanger bracket 
7 is inserted into window slot 16, so as to support positioner 1 on the 
inside of vehicle door 9. It is noteworthy that hanger bracket 7 can be 
moved longitudinally along the entire length of window slot 16 to locate 
positioner 1 at a convenient and comfortable position. The user then 
buckles safety harness 3 by pulling the free end of shoulder belt 4 
downwardly, and locking the same in the buckle (not shown) in the fully 
extended position. With the user facing in a comfortable, forwardly 
oriented position, the user grasps the hook portion 8 of positioner 1, and 
attaches the same to a medial portion of shoulder belt 4, in the manner 
illustrated in FIG. 3. The position of hanger bracket 7 on vehicle door 9, 
and the effective length of flexible strap 6 are then adjusted by the 
seated user so as to pull shoulder belt 4 slightly off of the shoulder of 
the user, as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the user of positioner 1 is the 
driver of automobile 2. However, it is to be understood that positioner 1 
can also be adapted for use in conjunction with shoulder straps associated 
with passengers in automobile 2. In the illustrated example, when the 
user/driver is oriented in the forwardly facing position illustrated in 
FIG. 3, positioner 1 holds the upper portion of shoulder belt 4 slightly 
away from the user's shoulder. In the event that the user/driver turns in 
his seat to back up automobile 2, or for some other reason shifts his body 
to look over his right shoulder toward the rear of the vehicle, as 
illustrated in FIG. 4, hook 8 is shaped so as to maintain its grasp on 
shoulder belt 4. When the user/driver returns to the forwardly facing 
position illustrated in FIG. 3, positioner 1 will return to its initial 
position. 
When the user is ready to exit automobile 2, the user releases shoulder 
belt 4 is unlocked, and permitted to move upwardly to its retracted, 
storage position, as shown in FIG. 5. Typically, a spring loaded retractor 
(not shown) automatically pulls shoulder belt 4 upwardly into the fully 
retracted storage position, such that the user simply unlocks the buckle, 
and guides shoulder belt 4 with his inside hand, across the front of his 
body toward the adjacent door 9 of vehicle 2. As shoulder belt 4 moves 
toward the retracted storage position, positioner 1 automatically releases 
shoulder belt 4, as shown in FIG. 5 and assume the generally vertical 
orientation illustrated in FIG. 6. More specifically, translation of 
shoulder belt 4 into the retracted storage position causes the forward end 
of the belt to move upwardly, rearwardly, and toward the door of the user, 
as illustrated in FIG. 5. It is this motion which causes positioner 1 to 
disengage from shoulder belt 4, and fall under gravitational forces to the 
hanging storage position illustrated in FIG. 6. Since shoulder belt 
positioner 1 is attached to or hangs on vehicle door 7, it moves with 
vehicle door 9 as it is opened to an out-of-the-way location to permit 
unobstructed exit from and entry into automobile 2. 
Shoulder belt positioner 1 provides improved user comfort, and 
automatically releases from shoulder belt 4 when the belt is moved into 
its retracted storage position. Positioner 1 is fully adjustable to adapt 
to a wide variety of different vehicles and users, and has an 
uncomplicated construction that is economical to manufacture, and 
efficient in use. By attaching positioner 1 to door 9 of automobile 2, the 
positioner moves with the door as it is opened to a convenient, 
out-of-the-way location which permits unobstructed exit from and entry 
into the automobile. 
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those 
skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without 
departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be 
considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by 
their language expressly state otherwise.