Abstract:
Seat belt shoulder strap comfort and safety devices provide increased comfort and safety for the user. Embodiments of adjustable clips allow positioning of the clip on the seat belt shoulder strap away from the neck and onto the torso minimizing neck or head injury in an accident or near accident also allowing for focus to be maintained on the road or matters that require attention. Embodiments of two channeled clips provide one channel for the shoulder strap and another channel for the waist strap and are designed to guide the should strap in a comfortable direction while reducing the force on the adjustable clip and the passenger. Embodiments of adjustable clips with locking mechanism are combined with a two channeled clip for optimum safety, comfort, and durability. Some embodiments allow for easy installation and removal or adjustment, which allows the seat belt to be fully retracted and not left dangling.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to seat belts used in automobiles, in particular the invention relates to an adjustable, lightweight, comfortable, portable, low cost seat belt shoulder strap clips and devices which comfort and safety. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Automobile seat belts are designed for individuals of average height. Short adults or children, on the other hand, sit lower on the seat and consequently have the shoulder straps of the safety seat belts resting on the side of their neck causing discomfort by putting pressure on the neck and posing a safety risk for a neck or head injury in an accident or near accident. 
         [0005]    Attempts have been made to rectify this problem. Sheepskin or artificial fur shoulder pads wrap around the shoulder strap portion of the seat belt at the location where the shoulder strap meets the neck. These pads rest on the neck of the passenger merely masking the issue of discomfort and don&#39;t alter the position of the shoulder strap, which leaves the passenger susceptible to neck or head injury in an accident or near accident. In addition, they prevent the seat belt from fully retracting leaving it dangling which can cause potential damage to the seat belt by having it caught in the door. Clips have also been used to adjust the position of the shoulder strap away from the neck and onto the torso. While they achieve repositioning of the shoulder strap, they are inconvenient and prone to human error because they have to be removed and reapplied every time the seat belt is used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a device for seat belt shoulder comfort and safety that eliminates the discomforts of existing seat belt shoulder straps in vehicles while improving comfort and safety. The various embodiments include an adjustable clip and two channel adjustable clips that increase passenger comfort and maintain safety. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0007]    Accordingly, the present invention includes the following advantages:
       a) To provide an adjustable seat belt shoulder strap adjustment device.   b) To provide increased comfort by positioning an adjustable clip on a seat belt such that the shoulder strap is positioned away from the neck and onto the torso.   c) To provide increased safety by positioning an adjustable clip on a seat belt such that the shoulder strap is positioned away from the neck and onto the torso minimizing neck or head injury in an accident or near accident and allowing for focus to be maintained on the road or matters that require attention.   d) To provide increased ability to relax by positioning an adjustable clip on a seat belt to the desired position.   e) To provide an easy to use seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   f) To provide an easy to install seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   g) To provide an easy to uninstall seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   h) To provide an easy to transport seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   i) To provide an inexpensive seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   j) To provide a lightweight seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   k) To provide an easy to store seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap.   l) To provide a simple way to manufacture seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps.   m) To provide an inexpensive way to manufacture seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps.       
 
     
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows how shoulder straps on safety seat belts hit a short person in the side of the neck. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an adjustable clip that can be adjusted to change the angle of the shoulder strap to take it off of the neck and ensure that the strap is safely placed across the torso. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3A-3C  show various views of embodiments of an adjustable clip. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show embodiments of two channeled clips having a channel for each strap portion. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment where the adjustable clip is similar in design to the belt release. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the adjustable clip in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0027]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  2 
                 passenger 
               
               
                   
                  4 
                 neck 
               
               
                   
                  6 
                 seat belt 
               
               
                   
                  8 
                 shoulder strap 
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 waist strap 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 buckle 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 buckle release button 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 buckle inserting end 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 seat 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 headrest 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 door jam 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 adjustable clip 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 anchor 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 thumb release 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 front piece 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 latch top 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 back piece 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 latch top receiving end 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 double latch 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 shoulder channel 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 waist channel 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 two channeled clip 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 slide release button 
               
               
                   
                 48 (a-b) 
                 lock position 
               
               
                   
                 50 (a-b) 
                 channel slot 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 latch lever 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Seat Belt Safety and Comfort 
       [0028]    Shoulder straps on safety seat belts hit a short person in the side of the neck.  FIG. 1  shows a short passenger  2  sitting in seat  18  with a headrest  20  that is buckled into seat belt  6  comprising shoulder strap  8 , waist strap  10 , buckle  12  and anchors  26 . Given the angle at which the shoulder strap  8  attaches from door jam  22  to buckle  12  coupled with the height of passenger  2 , the shoulder strap  8  rests upon the neck  4  of passenger  2 . Not only is this uncomfortable for passenger  2 , but is also prone to causing neck or head injury in an accident or near accident by the shoulder strap. 
       Adjustable Clip 
       [0029]      FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but introduces an adjustable clip  24  that can be moved along shoulder strap  8  and waist strap  10  to change the angle of the shoulder strap  8  to take it from resting on neck  4  to placing it safely across the passenger&#39;s  2  torso. The left and right sides of the vehicle are preferably symmetrical, minor images. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  shows a front view of an embodiment of an adjustable clip  24  installed on shoulder strap  8  and waist strap  10 . It may be adjusted vertically along both shoulder strap  8  and waist strap  10  and locked down around straps  8  and  10  at the desired position. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3B  shows a side view cross section of the adjustable clip  24  embodiment of  FIG. 3A . To close and lock the adjustable clip  24  around shoulder strap  8  (not shown) and waist strap  10  (not shown), the front piece  29  with latch top  30  slides under the thumb release  28  and snaps into the latch top receiving end  32  on back piece  31 . To release and open, the thumb release  28  is lifted up providing clearance for the latch top  30  to be removed from the latch top receiving end  32 . The front piece  29  can then be opened. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3C  shows a more complex embodiment of adjustable clip  24  with two levers instead of one. The adjustable clip is preferably made from a strong, lightweight material such as metal. Front piece  29  contains a spring  36  and a double latch  34 . As in  FIG. 3B , the front piece  29  with latch top  30  slides under the top and snaps into the latch top receiving end  32  on back piece  31 . In addition, latch lever  52  folds down over front piece  29  and snaps into the double latch  34  on front piece  29 . This provides a more secure hold of the adjustable clip  24  in an accident or near accident while still maintaining ease of movement and adjustment. 
         [0033]    To remove, the double latch  34  is lowered by asserting a force opposing the spring  36 . This frees the latch lever  52  which in turn frees the front piece  29 . 
       Two Channel Clip 
       [0034]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show embodiments of two channeled clips  42  having a shoulder channel  38  and a waist channel  40  for shoulder strap  8  and waist strap  10 , respectively. Each two channeled clip  42  can be used independently, or preferably as in combination with the a locking mechanism, for example as part of adjustable clips  24  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 4A , shoulder strap  8  (not shown) and waist strap  10  (not shown) slide inside and through shoulder channel  38  and a waist channel  40 , respectively. The shoulder channel  38  directs the shoulder strap  8  to a comfortable angle. The two channeled clip  42  holds the shoulder strap  8  (not shown) and waist strap  10  together. When a vehicle decelerates the two channeled clip  42  absorbs the force of two portions of the seat belt ( 8  and  10 ) making it less likely for the position of the clip to move, and protecting the passenger  2  from harm. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 4B , the shoulder channel  38  and the waist channel  40  are enclosed such that the shoulder strap  8  (not shown) and waist strap  10  (not shown) must be passed through the two channeled clip  42  during manufacture or installation of the seat beat in the vehicle. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 4B , shoulder channel  38  and a waist channel  40  have channel slots  50   a  and  50   b , respectively. The shoulder strap  8  (not shown) and waist strap  10  (not shown) slide into shoulder channel  38  and a waist channel  40 , respectively, through the channel slots  50   a  and  50   b , respectively. The embodiment of  FIG. 4B  can be added as a after market device. It can easily be installed and removed at any time. 
         [0038]    These embodiments each reduce the force on the adjustable clip  24 . Any locking mechanism could be used in the locations with lock positions  48   a - b . The locking mechanism could be integrated or separate. 
         [0000]    Adjustable Clip with Two Channel Clip 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment where the adjustable clip  24  is similar in design to the belt release (buckle  12  with buckle release button  14 ). The adjustable clip  24  with a two channeled clip  42  is installed on seat belt  6  comprising shoulder strap  8 , waist strap  10 , buckle  12  and anchors  26 . When the slide release button  44  is depressed the adjustable clip  24  with two channeled clip  42  will slide horizontally along both the shoulder strap  8  and waist strap  10 . When the slide release button  44  is released the adjustable clip  24  will lock in place. 
         [0040]    When a passenger wants to release the belt they would depress the slide release button  44  and slide the adjustable clip  24  with two channeled clip  42  toward the buckle inserting end  16  and then press the buckle release button  14  on the buckle  12 . This allows the entire seat belt  6  to be retracted into the door jam  22 . 
         [0041]    Upon reentry of the vehicle the passenger(s)  2  would insert the buckle inserting end  16  into the buckle  12 , and then depress the slide release button  44  and slide the adjustable clip  24  with two channeled clip  42  away from the buckle inserting end  16  until the desired position is reached. When the slide release button  44  is released the adjustable clip  24  with two channeled clip  42  would lock into place. 
         [0042]    The left and right sides of the vehicle are preferably symmetrical, minor images. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the adjustable clip  24  with two channeled clip  42  in  FIG. 5 . Preferably the two channeled clip  42  has enclosed channels as shown in  FIG. 4A . Preferably the seat belt assembly is manufactured with the adjustable clip  24  with two channeled clip  42 . The slide release button  44  preferably matches the design style of the buckle release button  14  of the same assembly ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0044]    These embodiments decrease the extent of seat belt injury to the wearer due to better fit. 
       ADVANTAGES 
     Adjustable 
       [0045]    The preferred embodiments of these improved seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps with clips are adjustable to provide greater comfort for a wide variety of passenger weights and sizes. 
       Increased Comfort 
       [0046]    The configurability and adjustability of the embodiments provides increased comfort through changing the angle of the shoulder strap to rest squarely on the torso instead of the neck. 
       Increased Safety 
       [0047]    The configurability and adjustability of the embodiments provides increased comfort through changing the angle of the shoulder strap to rest squarely on the torso instead of the neck minimizing any neck or head injury in an accident or near accident. The increased comfort also takes the mind off the seat belt and allows for focus to be maintained on the road or matters that require attention, further increasing safety. 
       Increased Ability to Relax 
       [0048]    The configurability and adjustability of the embodiments provides increased comfort through changing the angle of the shoulder strap to the desired position increasing the ability to relax. 
       Easy to Use 
       [0049]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps are ideal for people, groups of people, and organizations, such as taxi cab companies, schools and churches, who transport short people and prefer a low maintenance and low cost seat belt shoulder comfort and safety strap. Some embodiments of seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices can be installed and removed by the purchaser. Seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices can also be adjusted by the purchaser or the user. 
       Easy to Install 
       [0050]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices can be easily installed by the purchaser, or by the manufacturer. 
       Easy to Uninstall 
       [0051]    Some embodiments of the seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices can be easily uninstalled by the purchaser to transfer to another safety belt or to store away. 
       Easy to Transport 
       [0052]    Some embodiments of the seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices are compact and easy to transport from one safety belt to another. 
       Low Cost 
       [0053]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices are low cost. They can be made with less material than the existing seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps. 
       Lightweight 
       [0054]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices are lightweight. 
       Easy to Store 
       [0055]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices are easy to store. 
       Simple to Make and Manufacture 
       [0056]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps are easy to make or to manufacture, having a simple set of parts and configuration. 
       Inexpensive to Make and Manufacture 
       [0057]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps are easy to make or to manufacture, having a simple set of parts and configuration thus making them inexpensive to manufacture. 
       Easy to Ship 
       [0058]    These seat belt shoulder comfort and safety straps can be shipped easily. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE 
       [0059]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the improved adjustable, lightweight, portable, low cost seat belt shoulder comfort and safety devices are easy to use and transport. 
         [0060]    While the above descriptions contain several specifics these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of some of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the devices and strap assemblies can be manufactured in different ways and/or in different shapes or styles to reduce material and simplify manufacturing. The variations could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the novel features of the present invention. 
         [0061]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the illustrated embodiments, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.