Child seat belt safety cover

Abstract

A removable cover for a seat belt buckle is disclosed herein. In some versions, the removable cover includes a front panel, a pair of side panels extending from opposite sides of the front panel, and a top panel attached to a top side of the front panel. The removable cover attaches to the seat belt buckle and the top panel covers a release button thereof to prevent a child from pressing the release button. The top panel however is able to be depressed by an adult, enabling the adult to press the release button and unbuckle the seat belt from the child.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of seat belt buckles of existing art and more specifically relates to a child safety cover for a seat belt buckle.

[0003] Seat belts are essential safety devices designed to protect occupants in vehicles by restraining them during sudden stops or collisions. They consist of a strap, or webbing, that crosses the body; and a seat belt buckle, which securely fastens the strap in place. The strap typically comprises a male connector that engages with a female connector in the seat belt buckle, ensuring the belt remains securely fastened during travel. One of the key components of the seat belt buckle is the release button, strategically placed for easy access by occupants. This button allows users to disengage the buckle, facilitating entry and exit quickly and easily from the vehicle while providing a reliable means of release in emergencies.

[0004] However, children, especially younger ones, may be tempted to play with the release button during rides in vehicles. They may inadvertently or intentionally press the button, causing the seat belt to become unbuckled while the vehicle is in motion. This poses a significant safety issue as it compromises the effectiveness of the seat belt system in restraining the child during sudden stops or accidents. In the event of a collision, a child whose seat belt has been released prematurely may be at risk of being ejected from their seat or suffering severe injuries due to the lack of restraint. Accordingly, a suitable solution is desired.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known seat belt buckle art, the present disclosure provides a novel child safety seat belt cover. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a durable and rigid shield that attaches to a seat belt buckle and prevents a child from pressing a release button on the seat belt buckle.

[0006] A removable cover for a seat belt buckle is disclosed herein, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The removable cover may include a front panel configured to contact a front of the seat belt buckle; a pair of side panels attached to, and extending rearwardly from, opposite sides of the front panel and configured to contact opposite sides of the seat belt buckle; and a top panel attached to, and extending rearwardly from, a top side of the front panel and configured to cover a release button of the seat belt buckle. The top panel may include sufficient flexibility so as to allow depression of the top panel into the release button to press the release button; however, the depression of the top panel into the release button may require a force exceeding that exertable by a child, thereby preventing the child from pressing the release button.

[0007] According to one or more additional embodiments, a removable cover for a seat belt buckle is also disclosed herein. The removable cover according to these embodiments may include a clip mechanism for attaching to a main body of the seat belt buckle; and a top panel attached about the clip mechanism and sized to cover the release button of the seat belt buckle when the clip mechanism is attached to the main body of the seat belt buckle. Similar to above, the top panel may include sufficient flexibility so as to allow depression of the top panel into the release button to press the release button; however, the depression of the top panel into the release button may require a force exceeding that exertable by a child, thereby preventing the child from pressing the release button.

[0008] According to one or more additional embodiments, the removable cover for a seat belt buckle is also disclosed herein. The removable cover according to these embodiments may include a front panel; a pair of side panels extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the front panel and each including a gripping lip for gripping opposite sides of the main body of the seat belt buckle; and a top panel attached to, and extending rearwardly from, a top side of the front panel. The top panel covers a release button of the seat belt buckle and prevents a child from pressing the release button.

[0009] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0010] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a child seat belt safety cover, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a removable cover attached to a seat belt buckle during use of the seat belt buckle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the removable cover removed from the seat belt buckle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the removable cover removed from the seat belt buckle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the removable cover including a front panel, a pair of side panels and a top panel, the top panel being shown in a neutral position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the top panel in the neutral position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the top panel in a depressed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the top panel in the depressed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the removable cover taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a seat belt safety device and more particularly to a child seat belt safety cover. Generally, the child seat belt safety cover may include a durable shield device configured to clip onto a release mechanism, or release button, of a seat belt. With a flap of the durable device positioned over the release mechanism, a child is unable to press the release mechanism, whilst an adult is able to apply enough force to press the release mechanism if / when needed.

[0021] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-8, various views of a removable cover for a seat belt (“removable cover”100).

[0022] Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, there are shown front perspective views of the removable cover 100 and the seat belt buckle 5; and a side perspective view of the removable cover 100 removed from the seat belt buckle 5, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown here, the removable cover 100 may include a shape and size similar to that of the seat belt buckle 5, which may be contemplated to be a standard size seat belt buckle 5 known in the art. As shown in these figures, the removable cover 100 may include, in some embodiments, a front panel 110, a pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b and a top panel 130. As shown in FIG. 1 in particular, the top panel 130 covers the release button 9 of the seat belt buckle 5. In doing so, the top panel 130 prevents a child from pressing the release button 9, whilst allowing an adult to press the release button 9. In particular, depression of the top panel 130 into the release button 9 may require a force exceeding a force that is exertable (able to be exerted) by a child, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0023] The front panel 110 and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b may define a U-shaped cross-section, with the front panel 110 defining an (elongated) horizontal portion of the U-shape and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b defining vertical portions of the U-shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 110 may be configured to contact a front side 6 of the seat belt buckle 5. In particular, as above, the removable cover 100 may include a shape and size similar to that of the seat belt buckle 5. As such, the front panel 110 may include a rectangular panel covering an entirety of the front side 6 of the seat belt buckle 5. Each of the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b may extend rearwardly, and perpendicular to, a rear surface of the front panel 110. As shown in FIG. 1, each side panel 120 a, 120 b may be configured to contact opposite sides 7 a, 7 b of the seat belt buckle 5, such that the front panel 110 and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b encompass a main body 8 of the seat belt buckle 5. Further, in some embodiments, the removable cover 100 may include a clip mechanism 121 for securing the removable cover 100 to the main body 8 of the seat belt buckle 5.

[0024] Referring now also to FIGS. 4-7, illustrating front and rear perspective views of the removable cover 100. In some embodiments, as shown here, the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b may each include a gripping lip 122 a, 122 b opposite to the front panel 110 (i.e., opposite to the end of the side panels 120 a, 120 b that attach to the front panel 110), which may define the clip mechanism 121 along with the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b. As shown here, each gripping lip 122 a, 122 b may extend laterally (inward) and generally perpendicular from the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b, and may be configured to grip a rear side 10 of the seat belt buckle 5 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b may include at least some degree of flexibility, to enable the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b to flex and allow the removable cover 100 to ‘snap’ onto the seat belt buckle 5. This attachment means may particularly enable quick attachment and removal of the removable cover 100, allowing convenient transfer of the removable cover 100 between seat belt buckles or other vehicles.

[0025] As above, and as shown here, the front panel 110 may include a rectangular shape having a bottom side 113, a top side 111 and a pair of opposing left and right sides 112 a, 112 b. One of the side panels 120 a may be attached to the left side 112 a of the front panel 110; and another of the side panels 120 b may be attached to the right side 112 b of the front panel 110. The top panel 130 may be attached to the top side 111 of the front panel 110, extending rearwardly therefrom. Further, as shown in particular in FIGS. 4-7, a pair of top-side members 132 a, 132 b may be attached to, and extending rearwardly from, the top side 111 of the front panel 110 at opposite sides 112 a, 112 b of the top panel 130. FIGS. 4-7 also illustrate the top panel 130 in a neutral position (FIGS. 4-5) and a depressed position (FIGS. 6-7). As shown here, in the depressed position, the top panel 130 may be angled relative to the pair of top-side members 132 a, 132 b; and in a neutral position, the top panel 130 may be flush with the pair of top-side members 132 a, 132 b, thereby defining a cohesive, smooth top of the removable cover 100.

[0026] Referring now also to FIG. 8 which illustrates a cross-section view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1. As shown here, and as also shown in FIG. 1, the top panel 130 covers a release button 9 of the seat belt buckle 5 when the front panel 110 and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b encompass the main body 8 of the seat belt buckle 5, thereby preventing the release button 9 from being accessed. However, the top panel 130 may include sufficient flexibility so as to allow depression of the top panel 130 into the release button 9 without breaking or snapping the top panel 130 from the front panel 110. This enables the top panel 130 to flex up and down about the top side 111 of the front panel 110 when pressed with enough force. To aid in this, as shown in FIG. 8. a bottom surface of the top panel 130 may contact the release button 9, such that once the top panel 130 is pressed with enough force, the release button 9 is pressed. In other words, depression of the top panel 130 is able to depress the release button 9 and release the seat belt as normal.

[0027] As above, it is preferable that depression of the top panel 130 into the release button 9 requires a force exceeding a force exertable by a child. In other words, the top panel 130 is contemplated to be able to withstand a force that an average child is able to apply. For example, the top panel 130 may be configured to withstand (without depressing / deforming) a force of about 10 pounds or less (approximately 44 Newtons); and as such, this force may not be sufficient to depress the top panel 130.

[0028] Conversely, the top panel 130 is contemplated to depress, or deform, under a force that an average adult is able to apply. For example, a force of above 10 pounds may be sufficient to cause depression of the top panel 130 into the release button 9. In some embodiments, the top panel 130 may include a particular construction or material to withstand the force applied by the child. For example, a thickness of the top panel 130 may be sufficient to prevent the depression of the top panel 130 when the force exertable by the child is applied. For example, the thickness of the top panel 130 may be (but is not limited to) between 1-2 mm.

[0029] It should be appreciated that the thickness and amounts of force discussed above are provided as examples solely to provide understanding to the invention and should not limit the top panel 130 to a particular thickness or amount of force it is able to withstand.

[0030] In some embodiments, the top panel 130 may be constructed from a plastic material, having a durable rigidity but exhibiting sufficient flexibility to enable depression thereof under sufficient force by the adult. In some embodiments, the removable cover 100 may be of unitary construction. As such, the front panel 110 and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b may also be constructed from the plastic material. It should be appreciated however that the top panel 130, the front panel 110 and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b are not limited to being constructed from the same material; nor are the top panel 130, the front panel 110 and the pair of side panels 120 a, 120 b limited to plastic material.

[0031] It should be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed invention is described here in a few exemplary embodiments of many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

[0032] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the relevant patent offices and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A removable cover for a seat belt buckle, the removable cover comprising:a front panel configured to contact a front of the seat belt buckle;a pair of side panels, each side panel attached to and extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the front panel and configured to contact opposite sides of the seat belt buckle; anda top panel attached to and extending rearwardly from a top side of the front panel and configured to cover a release button of the seat belt buckle, the top panel including sufficient flexibility so as to allow depression of the top panel into the release button to press the release button, and wherein said depression of the top panel into the release button requires a force exceeding that exertable by a child, thereby preventing the child from pressing the release button.

2. The removable cover of claim 1, further comprising a pair of top-side members fixed to and extending rearwardly from the top side of the front panel at opposite sides of the top panel, wherein in a depressed position, the top panel is angled relative to the pair of top-side members, and wherein in a neutral position, the top panel is generally flush with the pair of top-side members.

3. The removable cover of claim 2, wherein the top panel and the pair of side panels define a generally U-shaped cross section.

4. The removable cover of claim 3, wherein the pair of side panels each include a gripping lip extending laterally and generally perpendicular to the pair of side panels, and wherein each gripping lip is configured to grip the seat belt buckle at a rear side thereof.

5. The removable cover of claim 4, wherein the top panel includes a thickness sufficient to prevent said depression of the top panel when a force exertable by a child is applied.

6. The removable cover of claim 5, wherein the thickness of the top panel is between 1-2 mm.

7. The removable cover of claim 6, wherein a force of about 10 pounds or less is not sufficient to depress the top panel into the release button.

8. The removable cover of claim 7, wherein the top panel is constructed from a plastic material.

9. The removable cover of claim 8, wherein the front panel and the pair of side panels are constructed from the plastic material.

10. A removable cover for a seat belt buckle, the removable cover comprising:a clip mechanism for attaching to a main body of the seat belt buckle; anda top panel attached about the clip mechanism, the top panel sized to cover a release button of the seat belt buckle when the clip mechanism is attached to the main body of the seat belt buckle;wherein the top panel includes sufficient flexibility so as to allow depression of the top panel into the release button to press the release button; andwherein said depression of the top panel into the release button requires a force exceeding that exertable by a child, thereby preventing the child from pressing the release button.

11. The removable cover of claim 10, further comprising a front panel and a pair of side panels attached to and extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the front panel, and wherein the clip mechanism is integral to the pair of side panels.

12. The removable cover of claim 11, wherein the top panel is attached to and extends rearwardly from a top side of the front panel.

13. The removable cover of claim 12, wherein the top panel includes a thickness sufficient to prevent said depression of the top panel when said force exertable by a child is applied.

14. The removable cover of claim 13, wherein the thickness of the top panel is between 1-2 mm.

15. The removable cover of claim 14, wherein a force of about 10 pounds or less is not sufficient to depress the top panel into the release button.

16. A removable cover for a seat belt buckle, the removable cover comprising:a front panel;a pair of side panels extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the front panel and each including a gripping lip for gripping opposite sides of the main body of the seat belt buckle; anda top panel attached to and extending rearwardly from a top side of the front panel; andwherein the top panel covers a release button of the seat belt buckle and prevents a child from pressing the release button.

17. The removable cover of claim 16, wherein the top panel includes sufficient flexibility so as to allow depression of the top panel into the release button to press the release button, and wherein said depression of the top panel into the release button requires a force exceeding that exertable by a child, thereby preventing the child from pressing the release button.

18. The removable cover of claim 17, wherein the top panel includes a thickness sufficient to prevent said depression of the top panel when a force exertable by a child is applied.

19. The removable cover of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the top panel is between 1-2 mm.

20. The removable cover of claim 19, wherein a force of about 10 pounds or less is not sufficient to depress the top panel into the release button.

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