Seat Belt Applicator for Remote Latch Plate Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seat belt systems are difficult and dangerous to apply, especially when securing prisoners, as they require manual manipulation of the latch plate and extensive belt webbing extraction, posing risks to officers and occupants.

Innovation Solution

A seat belt facilitator with a handle region and receiving region, allowing remote coupling of the latch plate to the buckle assembly, enabling single-handed operation and reducing the need for extensive belt webbing extraction, thereby enhancing safety and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional seat belt systems are used with manual latch plate manipulation, then the seat belt can be fastened, but the officer is vulnerable to attack and the operation is dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of officer and occupantVSAvoiddifficulty of applying seat belt

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a seat belt applicator as an intermediary device between the officer and the prisoner. The applicator includes a handle, a body with a latch plate receiving chamber, and a belt webbing receiving chamber. The officer operates the applicator from a safe distance, using the handle to manipulate the latch plate into the buckle without direct hand-to-hand contact with the prisoner, thereby reducing vulnerability to attack while maintaining the ability to fasten the seat belt securely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat belt system is segmented into distinct functional components: the applicator device with separate chambers for latch plate and belt webbing, the belt webbing with latch plate, and the buckle assembly. This segmentation allows the officer to manipulate each component independently through the applicator mechanism, enabling remote operation and reducing the need for direct contact with the prisoner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If extensive belt webbing extraction is performed to engage the ratchet mechanism, then the occupant is securely restrained, but the operation becomes awkward and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of restraintVSAvoidtime required for seat belt application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator device is pre-configured with a belt webbing receiving chamber that can hold a substantial portion of the belt webbing before application. This preliminary preparation allows the officer to load the belt webbing into the applicator in advance, reducing the need for extensive manual extraction and manipulation during the actual restraint process, thereby saving time while ensuring proper ratchet engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator serves as a mediator that manages the belt webbing extraction process. The belt webbing receiving chamber in the applicator body holds and organizes the extracted webbing, allowing the officer to control the deployment of the belt systematically rather than pulling extensively by hand, thus reducing both time and awkwardness of the operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the officer must be in close proximity to manipulate the latch plate, then the seat belt can be fastened, but the officer is exposed to potential attacks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to fasten seat beltVSAvoidvulnerability to attack

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator device acts as a mechanical intermediary that extends the officer's reach and control. The handle of the applicator can be operated from a distance, allowing the officer to guide the latch plate into the buckle without placing hands in vulnerable positions. The applicator body serves as a barrier between the officer's hands and the prisoner, reducing exposure to potential attacks while maintaining operational effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator introduces a spatial dimension to the seat belt application process. By using the handle and body structure, the officer can operate from a different spatial position relative to the prisoner, maintaining control of the latch plate and buckle engagement from a safer distance, thus changing the dimensional relationship between officer and prisoner during the restraint process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7503587B2Apparatus and methods for facilitating seat belt fastening

Publication Date: 2009.03.17 PRO GARD PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A seat belt facilitator for use with a passenger restraint system having a belt webbing, a latch plate coupled to the belt webbing, and a buckle assembly adapted to be releasably coupled to the latch plate. The facilitator includes a latch plate receiving region adapted to releasably couple the facilitator to the latch plate. The facilitator further includes a web coupling region adjacent the latch plate receiving region and adapted to slidably couple the facilitator to the belt webbing. Additionally, the facilitator includes a handle region separated from the receiving region at least by the web coupling region. The facilitator is adapted to enable a user to couple the latch plate to the buckle assembly from a position remote from the buckle assembly.