Safety belt system and method of use thereof

Abstract

A warning system for use with a safety belt apparatus in a vehicle, said system configured to warn vehicle occupants and / or driver that an occupant has not fastened their safety belt. The system including a belt sensor means, a magnetic means and at least one monitoring means, wherein at least part of the magnetic means is configured to attach the same to the tongue or buckle housing of the safety belt in use, and the belt sensor means includes a wireless transmitter and a magnetic sensor. The wireless transmitter is in wireless communication with the monitoring means and the belt sensor means is located in use on, or in proximity to, the safety belt buckle housing or the tongue such that when the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle, the magnetic means interacts with the magnetic sensor and a wireless signal is sent from the wireless transmitter to the monitoring means.

Description

[0001] Safety Belt System and Method of use Thereof

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and apparatus to provide a warning that a safety belt or harness buckle is not engaged.

[0003] Although the following description refers exclusively to safety belt systems for use in ambulances, the skilled person will appreciate that the present invention can be used with many types of belts and harnesses and is not limited to use in relation to safety belts in vehicles.

[0004] In the UK there has been a low take up in the emergency vehicle industry to fit warning systems to vehicles, in particular ambulances, which indicate if a safety belt is in use and / or has been unbuckled during the journey.

[0005] Ambulances are typically operated for a period of seven years and include a bulkhead between the driver and the other occupants which means there is no audible or visual communication possible between the driver and the patient compartment and many of these vehicles will not be fitted with a system where the driver is alerted that the passengers are not wearing a seat belt or harness for the stretcher.

[0006] In addition, there is currently no way to monitor the status of the seat belt or shoulder harness on a stretcher as it cannot be hard wired into the vehicle warning system as the stretcher has to be removable from the vehicle.

[0007] There is also no way to fit sensors to PTS vehicles that have removable, tracking mounted seats. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a system that addresses the abovementioned problems.

[0008] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a system that can be retrofitted to existing vehicles that addresses the abovementioned problems.

[0009] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a warning system for use with a safety belt apparatus in a vehicle, said system configured to warn vehicle occupants and / or driver that an occupant has not fastened their safety belt, said system including a belt sensor means, a magnetic means and at least one monitoring means, wherein at least part of the magnetic means is configured to attach the same to the tongue or buckle housing of the safety belt in use, and the belt sensor means includes a wireless transmitter and a magnetic sensor, said wireless transmitter in wireless communication with the monitoring means and the belt sensor means is located in use on, or in proximity to, the safety belt buckle housing or the tongue such that when the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle, the magnetic means interacts with the magnetic sensor and a wireless signal is sent from the wireless transmitter to the monitoring means.

[0010] Typically the magnetic means is, or at least part of the same includes, a magnet.

[0011] As such, the magnetic means attached to the belt tongue provides a magnetic field or force in the region of the tongue with which the magnetic sensor interacts and / or detects and sends a wireless signal to the at least one monitoring means.

[0012] Preferably the system can be retrofitted to existing vehicles and ambulances. Typically all the components of the system are in wireless communication, removing the need for wired communication. In one embodiment the magnetic sensor includes a reed switch. Typically the magnetic sensor is a magnetic reed switch sensor.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment the belt sensor means is attached to the buckle housing in use.

[0014] In one embodiment the belt sensor means and / or the monitoring means are battery operated. Typically both the belt sensor means and the monitoring means are battery operated.

[0015] In one embodiment the wireless signals are Bluetooth™ signals. The skilled person will appreciate that other wireless signals and protocols can be used for communication between the belt sensor means and the monitoring means.

[0016] In one embodiment the system optionally includes one or more pressure sensor means. Typically the pressure sensor means are located on seats and / or stretchers to detect if the same is occupied. Further typically the pressure sensors means are in wireless communication with the monitoring means.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the monitoring means includes one or more outputs to indicate if the safety belt is engaged or not engaged from the signal received from the belt sensor means. Typically the monitoring means includes one or more outputs that indicate if a seat or stretcher is occupied from the signal received from the pressure sensor means. Further typically the monitoring means includes one or more outputs that show or indicate which seats and / or stretchers are in use and which of the safety belts of those occupied seats and / or stretchers have been engaged, disengaged, fastened and / or unfastened.

[0018] In one embodiment the system includes a plurality of monitoring means. In one embodiment the monitoring means includes a visual display output.

[0019] Typically the monitoring means includes one or more audio outputs.

[0020] Typically at least one of the monitoring means includes a control unit. Further typically the control unit includes one or more microprocessors and input means to enable the system to be configured and settings adjusted.

[0021] In one embodiment magnetic sensor means and / or pressure sensor means can be added or removed from the system. Typically additional monitoring means can be added or removed from the system.

[0022] Typically all sensors in the system are powered by batteries. Further typically the sensor means include battery state sensors that communicate the battery level to the monitoring means.

[0023] In a second aspect of the invention there is a method of retrofitting a safety or restraining belt warding system to a vehicle, particularly an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, system including a belt sensor means, attachment means and at least one monitoring means, wherein at least part of the attachment means is attached to the tongue or buckle housing of the safety belt, and the belt sensor means includes a wireless transmitter and a magnetic sensor, said wireless transmitter in wireless communication with the monitoring means and the belt sensor means is located in use on, or in proximity to, the safety belt buckle housing or the tongue such that when the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle, the magnetic means interacts with the magnetic sensor and a wireless signal is sent from the wireless transmitter to the monitoring means. Specific embodiment of the invention are now described with reference to the following figures wherein

[0024] The invention relates to a real-time wireless, visual and audible safety belt warning system.

[0025] The wireless safety belt reminder system (WBR) system automatically alerts drivers and occupants, via a screen and / or warning light and / or sound that the occupant has not fastened their safety belt. The system can also detect when an occupant is detected on a vehicle seat or stretcher (gurney).

[0026] The WBR system comprises, a wireless battery powered safety belt buckle sensor and an optional battery powered seat or stretcher pressure sensor which are connected to a screen, warning lights and / or a sounder such as a buzzer. The system is controlled through a central control unit (CCU) which can be separate or integrated into the screen. All the system components connect wirelessly with each other.

[0027] If safety belt tongue is not fastened to a buckle on a seat or stretcher, a wireless signal is transmitted to the CCU and a buckle fastening status is displayed on a screen or lights, via a buzzer, or in an audible warning. This signal can also switched through a speed or motion sensor so that a warning is only received when a vehicle is in motion.

[0028] The safety belt sensor comprises two components.

[0029] 1. The Safety Belt Sensor (SBS) is a battery powered and incorporates a wireless transmitter and a magnetic reed switch sensor in this example. The SBS is attached to the buckle of a safety belt. 2. The Magnet Sensor (MS) is a magnet that is attached to the tongue of the safety belt.

[0030] When the SBS ad the MS come into close proximity with each other the sensor will transmit a status signal to the CCU.

[0031] A pressure sensor can also be integrated into the system to confirm that a seat or stretcher is occupied, via a wireless signal, transmitted to the ICU. The seat and / or stretcher occupant status can be displayed on a screen or on a light system. This signal can be configured so that a safety belt warning is only received when a seat or stretcher is occupied.

[0032] Any number of screens can be used to notify the driver and occupants in real-time whether or not a seat or stretcher is occupied and if that seat or stretcher has the safety belt buckle fastened.

[0033] The WBR system sensors operate wirelessly. Thus, there is no need for wired electrical connections for installation meaning that the system can be simply retrofitted.

[0034] All sensors in the system are battery powered.

[0035] The system can detect battery state, a voltage of the battery of the sensor unit may be measured, and in the transmitted to the CCU. A low-voltage detection signal may be transmitted when the measured voltage of the battery is a low voltage, and a battery normality detection signal may be transmitted through the wireless communication in a case where the measured voltage of the battery is not the low voltage. Furthermore, if any wireless sensor signal and a battery-state detection signal cannot be received a status will be displayed or sounded to alert that the component is not connected to the CCU.

[0036] The WBR system usually has a silence alarm button either on screen or via a sperate button to acknowledge and silence the alarm instance.

[0037] The WBR has the ability to pair and unpair sensors.

[0038] The system can linked into telematic systems to record all data and statuses for use in accident investigation playbacks alongside journey and camera data.

[0039] Turning to figure 1 where there is shown a plan of a typical UK A&E ambulance 2, equipped with a removable stretcher 4 and three seats 6 in the patient bay area. The stretcher 4 and seats 6 are equipped with safety belts 8 and the stretcher includes a harness 10. Each of the belts 8 and the harness 10 are equipped with a safety device 12 shown in figures 2a and 2b. The device 12 includes a magnetic means 14, in these examples a magnet, that is attached to the buckle housing 16. A magnetic sensor 18 is attached to the buckle tongue 20, such that the sensor is triggered when it senses the magnetic field of the magnetic means 14. The skilled person will appreciate that the magnetic means could be placed on the buckle housing and the magnetic sensor on the tongue and the device would work in the same manner.

[0040] Once the buckle is fastened as shown in figure 2b and the magnet and sensor interact the wireless communication means contained within the magnetic sensor sends a wireless signal to a monitoring unit 22. Figure 3 shows a possible screen layout for the system where different illuminated pictures are highlighted depending on which sensors have been activated and their position in the vehicle. In this example the system includes optional pressure or seat occupancy sensors as well as battery level monitors. The monitoring unit 22 can also be equipped with audible alarms and notification sounds so that a driver does not have to take their attention away from driving to check if the occupants have engaged the safety belts and harnesses.

Claims

Claims1. A warning system for use with a safety belt apparatus in a vehicle, said system configured to warn vehicle occupants and / or driver that an occupant has not fastened their safety belt, said system including a belt sensor means, a magnetic means and at least one monitoring means, wherein at least part of the magnetic means is configured to attach the same to the tongue or buckle housing of the safety belt in use, and the belt sensor means includes a wireless transmitter and a magnetic sensor, said wireless transmitter in wireless communication with the monitoring means and the belt sensor means is located in use on, or in proximity to, the safety belt buckle housing or the tongue such that when the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle, the magnetic means interacts with the magnetic sensor and a wireless signal is sent from the wireless transmitter to the monitoring means.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic means is, or at least part of the same includes, a magnet providing a magnetic field or force in the region of the tongue with which the magnetic sensor interacts and / or detects and sends a wireless signal to the at least one monitoring means.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the system is configured to be retrofitted to existing vehicles and ambulances.

4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the components of the system are in wireless communication, removing the need for wired communication or wires to the monitoring means.

5. A system according to claim 2 wherein the magnetic sensor includes a reed switch.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the belt sensor means is attached to the buckle housing in use.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the belt sensor means and / or the monitoring means are battery operated.

8. A system according to claim 4 wherein the wireless signals are Bluetooth™ signals.

9. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the system includes one or more pressure sensor means.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the pressure sensor means are located on seats and / or stretchers to detect if the same is occupied.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the pressure sensors means are in wireless communication with the monitoring means.

12. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the monitoring means includes one or more outputs to indicate if the safety belt is engaged or not engaged from the signal received from the belt sensor means.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the monitoring means includes one or more outputs that indicate if a seat or stretcher is occupied from the signal received from the pressure sensor means.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the monitoring means includes one or more outputs that show or indicate which seats and / or stretchers are in use andwhich of the safety belts of those occupied seats and / or stretchers have been engaged, disengaged, fastened and / or unfastened.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the system includes a plurality of monitoring means.

16. A system according to claim 1 or 14 wherein the monitoring means includes a visual display output.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the monitoring means includes one or more audio outputs.

18. A system according to claim 15 wherein at least one of the monitoring means includes a control unit including one or more microprocessors and input means to enable the system to be configured and settings adjusted.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein magnetic sensor means and / or pressure sensor means can be added or removed from the system.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein additional monitoring means can be added or removed from the system.

21. A system according to claim 18 wherein all sensors in the system are powered by batteries.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein the sensor means include battery state sensors that communicate the battery level to the monitoring means.

23. A method of retrofitting a safety or restraining belt warding system to a vehicle, particularly an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, system including a belt sensor means, attachment means and at least one monitoring means, wherein at least part of the attachment means is attached to the tongue or buckle housing of the safety belt, and the belt sensor means includes a wireless transmitter and a magnetic sensor, said wireless transmitter in wireless communication with the monitoring means and the belt sensor means is located in use on, or in proximity to, the safety belt buckle housing or the tongue such that when the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle, the magnetic means interacts with the magnetic sensor and a wireless signal is sent from the wireless transmitter to the monitoring means.

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