GB2182838A

GB2182838A - Seat belt cover

Info

Publication number: GB2182838A
Application number: GB08528076A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-14
Filing date: 1985-11-14
Publication date: 1987-05-28
Also published as: GB8528076D0

Abstract

A cover (14) for a seat belt (6). comprising diagonal and waist strap portions (8 and 10) respectively, is afforded by an elongate strip of an appropriate material which is provided at each end portion with a pair of securing means afforded conveniently by press-stud elements (15 and 16) the disposition of the elements (15 and 16) is such that the cover (14) may be wrapped around the strap portion (8) of the seat belt, and the elements (15 and 16) press fitted together exteriorly of the strap portion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Seat belts Description of invention This invention is concerned with improvements relating to seat belts.

Whilst the compulsory wearing of vehicle seat belts may be highly desirable, the inability readily to clean orcoverthem can on occasion be disadvantageous.

For example when a car is being driven during the day by a working man, the seat belt may pick up dirt or grease which can then be transferred to the clothes of the next user of the vehicle. This can particularly be the case in view ofthe nature of the seat belt mounting, since a one handed operation involves dragging ofthe seat belt diagonally across the chest of the user. This operation can quite easily dirty oreven damage e.g. afineeveningdressoradress shirt, to the extent that there is a tendency under these ci rcumstances for a seat belt not to be worn.

According to this invention there is provided a coverfor a seat belt, comprising an elongate strip of material, and means to enable to strip temporarilyto be secured to the seat belt.

Thesecuring means may involve the use of "velcro" orthe like self securing material applied to side edge portions of the strap whereby a strip may bewrapped aroundthe extended seat beltstrap and secured in position, or the use of clipping means such as press studs. Desirably howeverthe cover is also secured to the seat belt strap itself, to reduce tendencyforthe cover to move lengthwise ofthe seat belt strap.

In this manner a clean cover may quickly be applied to the seat belt strap to protect the clothes of the wearer of the seat belt. The cover may be of part icularlyfine material, such as fur, rendering the wearing of a seat belt more pleasing.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a particular form of execution ofthe in- vention which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa schematic view showing the preferred embodiment; and Figure2 is a schematic sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and an enlarged side.

The preferred form of execution ofthis invention involves the use of generally conventional seat belt 6, comprising diagonal and waist strap portions 8,10 respectively looped through a central mounting 12.

A cover 14 is provided for each of the strap portions 8 and 10, the cover 14 being afforded by an elongate strip of an appropriate material, and which is provided at each end portion with a pair of securing means, conveniently in the form of elements 15,16 of a press-stud assembly.

The disposition of the elements 15 and 16may be such that a cover 14 may be wrapped around (say) the strap portion 8, and the elements 15 and 16 pressfitted together exteriorly of the edge of the strap portion. Preferably howeverthe elements 15 and 16 are so positioned asto be interengaged through are- inforced hole 18 provided in the strap portion 8, which may be afforded by a simple eyeletting operation. Inthis mannerwhen the cover 14 is mounted on the strap portion, tendency for it to slip down tow ardsthemounting 12 isresisted.

It will be appreciated that the eyeletted apertures 18 present no obstruction to rewinding oftheseat belt, and are afforded by a distortion of the webbing of the strap portion, rather than by the punching of a holetherethrough,which could tend toweaken the seat belt.

However alternatively the inside edge of the cover may have secured thereto one or more portion of a self-securing material such as "velcro", enabling the cover to be wrapped around and secured to itself whilst in position on the strap portion 8, the velcro conveniently also engaging with the strap portion 8 and reducing tendency for the cover to slip down the strap portion.

It will be appreciated that on the strap portion 10 the requirement for means to prevent slippage is not present, at least to the same extent.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, ora class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A cover for a seat belt, comprising an elongate strip of material, and means to enable to strip tem porarilyto be secured to the seat belt.

2. A cover according to Claim 1 wherein the securing means is afforded by self-securing material applied to side edge portions of the strip whereby the strip may be wrapped around the extended seat belt strap and secured in position.

3. A cover according to Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises clipping means such as press-studs.

4. A cover according to any one of the precediny claim comprising means whereby the cover may also be secured to the seat beltstrap.

5. A seat belt cover constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Seat belts Description of invention This invention is concerned with improvements relating to seat belts. Whilst the compulsory wearing of vehicle seat belts may be highly desirable, the inability readily to clean orcoverthem can on occasion be disadvantageous. For example when a car is being driven during the day by a working man, the seat belt may pick up dirt or grease which can then be transferred to the clothes of the next user of the vehicle. This can particularly be the case in view ofthe nature of the seat belt mounting, since a one handed operation involves dragging ofthe seat belt diagonally across the chest of the user. This operation can quite easily dirty oreven damage e.g. afineeveningdressoradress shirt, to the extent that there is a tendency under these ci rcumstances for a seat belt not to be worn. According to this invention there is provided a coverfor a seat belt, comprising an elongate strip of material, and means to enable to strip temporarilyto be secured to the seat belt. Thesecuring means may involve the use of "velcro" orthe like self securing material applied to side edge portions of the strap whereby a strip may bewrapped aroundthe extended seat beltstrap and secured in position, or the use of clipping means such as press studs. Desirably howeverthe cover is also secured to the seat belt strap itself, to reduce tendencyforthe cover to move lengthwise ofthe seat belt strap. In this manner a clean cover may quickly be applied to the seat belt strap to protect the clothes of the wearer of the seat belt. The cover may be of part icularlyfine material, such as fur, rendering the wearing of a seat belt more pleasing. There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a particular form of execution ofthe in- vention which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa schematic view showing the preferred embodiment; and Figure2 is a schematic sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and an enlarged side. The preferred form of execution ofthis invention involves the use of generally conventional seat belt 6, comprising diagonal and waist strap portions 8,10 respectively looped through a central mounting 12. A cover 14 is provided for each of the strap portions 8 and 10, the cover 14 being afforded by an elongate strip of an appropriate material, and which is provided at each end portion with a pair of securing means, conveniently in the form of elements 15,16 of a press-stud assembly. The disposition of the elements 15 and 16may be such that a cover 14 may be wrapped around (say) the strap portion 8, and the elements 15 and 16 pressfitted together exteriorly of the edge of the strap portion. Preferably howeverthe elements 15 and 16 are so positioned asto be interengaged through are- inforced hole 18 provided in the strap portion 8, which may be afforded by a simple eyeletting operation. Inthis mannerwhen the cover 14 is mounted on the strap portion, tendency for it to slip down tow ardsthemounting 12 isresisted. It will be appreciated that the eyeletted apertures 18 present no obstruction to rewinding oftheseat belt, and are afforded by a distortion of the webbing of the strap portion, rather than by the punching of a holetherethrough,which could tend toweaken the seat belt. However alternatively the inside edge of the cover may have secured thereto one or more portion of a self-securing material such as "velcro", enabling the cover to be wrapped around and secured to itself whilst in position on the strap portion 8, the velcro conveniently also engaging with the strap portion 8 and reducing tendency for the cover to slip down the strap portion. It will be appreciated that on the strap portion 10 the requirement for means to prevent slippage is not present, at least to the same extent. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, ora class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. CLAIMS