TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a safety restraint device, more specifically to a safety restraint device that can be used in a vehicle for infants and young children.

BACKGROUND ART

Children’s safety in a vehicle, such as a car, is a major concern and the existing three-point seat belt found in most cars is not suitable for children, as the shoulder strap crosses above the child’s head or close to his neck, which carries the risk of choking the child in case of accident. Although using a child car seat is one of the solutions to ensure children’s safety when riding in a car, it takes out at least one adult passenger’s space on the back seat.

US4,787,677A shows a similar invention to the present invention that is an infant vehicle safety restraint. However, this invention is not suitable for young children as it is specifically design for infants.

US5,909,927A shows another example of similar invention of an airplane passenger and lap child restraint system. However, this type of restraint is fundamentally different from the present invention and may not be suitable to use in a car.

The above problems suggest requirements for further developing a safety restraint device for infants and young children to address these kinds of problems. Thus, it is desirable to provide a safety restraint device for infants and young children without compromising the space for adult passengers and at a relatively lower cost compared to installing a child car seat.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure. SUM MARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described throughout this patent specification. According to the invention, it is a safety restraint device for use in combination with standard vehicle seat belt to secure a child comprising at least a pair of securing means attached to a belt band through at least two belt holders; characterized in that each of said belt holder having a slot for holding said belt band; and each of said belt holder is pivotally connected to said securing means.

In accordance with one aspect, the securing means further comprises of a lower panel, an upper panel and a locking panel, wherein one end of said upper panel and locking panel are pivotally connected to one end of said lower panel and the said locking panel is located between said lower panel and upper panel.

According to another aspect of the invention, the lower panel further comprises of an aperture at one end of the bottom portion of lower panel to accommodate said belt holder.

Preferably, the lower panel further comprises a flat surface portion that is engageable by said locking panel for holding and locking the seat belt.

In another object of the invention, the lower panel further comprises a securing plate with recess on another end of said lower panel that is perpendicular to said flat surface portion.

In a further object of the invention, the lower panel further comprises a gripping teeth member on both sides of said flat surface portion to further secure the seat belt.

Preferably, the locking panel further comprises a base that is engageable to said flat surface portion and an opening on both sides of said base that corresponds to said gripping teeth members on said lower panel. According to another aspect of the invention, the locking panel further comprises a pressing lever mounted on top of said base and a protruding panel on one end of said pressing lever wherein said protruding panel is inserted in said recess of said securing plate when said securing means is in locking position.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the upper panel further comprises a push button that is engageable to said protruding panel on said locking panel for unlocking said securing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is the safety restraint device of the present invention. Figure 2 is an example of a first application of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an example of a second application of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an example of a third application of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an example of a fourth application of the present invention.

Figure 6 is the securing means of the present invention. Figure 7 is the side view of the securing means of the present invention.

Figure 8 is the side view of the complete assembly of the securing means of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Depending on the context of the sentence, the reading of this patent specification should be done with the same concept as“reject the absurd”, wherein if possible, a specification should be construed so as not to lead to a foolish result or one which the patentee could not have contemplated. It is to be understood that the singular forms“a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a securing means” includes reference to one or more of such securing means.

When riding in a car, children often do not use the seat belt. This is very dangerous in case of sudden braking or accident. While using the child car seat is encouraged for the safety of children, not all child car seat are equally comfortable. Moreover, child car seat takes up space and prevents more passengers from occupying the back seat. This create problems for large families. Figure 1 is the safety restraint device 10 as in the present invention comprising a pair of securing means 11 and a belt band 12 connecting to both securing means 11. The securing means 11 are attached to the belt band 12 through belt holders 13. A length adjuster 14 on the belt band 12 is used to adjust the proper length required by the user.

Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 show examples of application of the safety restraint device 10 of the present invention used with the existing standard seat belt 15 to secure a child 16 in tandem with an adult passenger 17 on the car’s back seat. The safety restraint device 10 comprises of a pair of securing means 11 that grips the adult’s seat belt 15 and attached to a belt band 12 that restrains across the front torso of the child 16. In Figure 2 and Figure 3, two securing means 11 are being used, making a two-point tandem seat belt. Figure 2 shows the application when used horizontally hip to hip across the lower abdomen as a two-point tandem seat belt when both securing means 11 are gripping the lower seat belt 19. Figure 3 shows the application when used diagonally across the torso. The first securing means 11 gripping the upper seat belt 18 above or below the child’s shoulder depending on the child’s comfort and the second securing means 11 gripping the lower seatbelt 19.

In Figure 4, three securing means 11 are being used, together with a longer belt band, making a three-point tandem seat belt. It restrains the child horizontally hip to hip across the lower abdomen and diagonally across the torso. The first securing means 11 gripping the upper seat belt 18 above or below the child’s shoulder depending on the child’s comfort and the second and third securing means 11 gripping the lower seat belt 19.

Figure 5 shows another example of application of the safety restraint device 10 as in the present invention. Due to height reason, using the three-point seat belt 15 in a car may not be comfortable for children, as the upper belt 18 is usually close to the neck and face of a child 16. The safety restraint device 10 could also be used as a seat belt adjuster. The first securing means 11 gripping the upper seat belt 18 and the second securing means 11 gripping the lower seat belt 19. A length adjuster 14 is used to adjust the length of the belt band required 12 to achieve proper and comfortable position of seat belt 15.

Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate the securing means 11 as in the present invention comprising of three main components, which are the lower panel 20 the upper panel 21 and the locking panel 22. The upper panel 21 and locking panel 22 are pivotally connected by a hinge 23 to one end of lower panel 20. The locking panel 22 is located between the lower panel 20 and upper panel 21. The lower panel 20 has an aperture 24 at one end of the bottom portion of lower panel 20 to accommodate the belt holder 13. The belt holder 13 is pivotally connected to securing means 11 on this aperture 24. Belt holder 13 also has a slot 25 for holding the belt band 12. The lower panel 20 has a flat surface portion 26 that is engageable by the locking panel 22 for holding and locking the seat belt 15. A gripping teeth member 27 is also located on both sides of the flat surface portion 26 to further secure the seat belt 15. A securing plate 28 with recess 29 is on another end of lower panel 20 and is perpendicular to the flat surface portion 26.

The locking panel 22 has a base 30 that is engageable to flat surface portion 26 when the securing means 11 is in locking position. An opening 31 located on both sides of base 30 corresponds to the gripping teeth members 27 on the lower panel 20. The locking panel 22 also has a locking arm 32 with a pressing lever 33 mounted on top of base 30. A pair of first resilient means 34 provides a retractable movement between locking arm 32 with pressing lever 33. A second resilient means (not shown) also installed under the locking arm 32 with a pressing lever 33 to enhance further retractable movement. There is a protruding panel 35 on one end of pressing lever 33. The protruding panel 35 is inserted in the recess 29 of securing plate 28 when the securing means 11 is in locking position.

The upper panel 21 of the present invention has a push button 36 that is engageable to the protruding panel 35 on the locking panel 22 for unlocking the securing means 11. The user only need one finger to easily push the push button 36 which is very convenient to use.

The safety restraint device 10 as in the present invention is rather having no sharp edges. The securing means 11 is preferably having round edges to avoid injuries during application. The lower panel 20 also has a rounded base 24a as a safety precaution against any unintended injury that could be inflicted to the user. In the present invention, the lower panel 20 and the upper panel 21 are preferably made of plastic and the locking panel 22 is preferably made of metal. However, safety restraint device 10 could also be made of an all metal depending on design preference and recommended applications.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or more various embodiments include the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects and are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various embodiments may be employed. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings and the disclosed various embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.