Supplemental restraint system

ABSTRACT

A supplemental restraint system that is easy to use in a vehicle is provided. The user of the system is prevented from the damaging effects of being restrained by a shoulder seat belt combination that provides inadequate support to most of the body and can produce injury at the point of contact with the body during an accident. Further, the supplemental restraint system of the present invention provides the user with a harness to better hold the user to the seat and restraint system of the vehicle. The present invention provides a means of dressing an adult or a child in a restraint harness that may be easily attached within a vehicle and provides the user with restraints that fit the user's height and weight requirements.

INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings a number of presently preferred embodiments that are discussed in greater detail hereafter. It should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section of this application (“Detailed Description of an Illustrative Embodiment”) relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and should not be found to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 3 show, schematically, the results of an accident in a vehicle equipped with the restraint systems of the prior art (FIG. ), and of the present invention (FIGS. and ). Vehicle comprises a body , wheels a passenger seat , a shoulder and seat belt a steering wheel and an air bag . As can be seen in FIG. 1, the impact of an accident in a vehicle traveling at a speed of 50 kph at the moment of impact, causes the deployment of air bag , generally at 30 kph, out of steering wheel towards the passenger . As a result of the accident, passenger is thrown forward by the inertia of the accident and is held by belt . It may be seen in FIG. 1, that passenger has had its head thrown forward by the impact because passenger's torso has been restrained by belt . It will be understood by persons having skill in the art, that while the terms automobile and vehicle are used, somewhat interchangeably within the specification and claims, herein, the device of the present invention can be used in any type of vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, off-road vehicles, utility vehicles, sport utility vehicles, snow-mobiles, motorcycles, ATV's, boats, other water vehicles, airplanes, jets, rocket ships and other vehicles useable on land, in the water, in the air or in space, without limitation, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a similar accident in a vehicle equipped with the supplemental restraint of the present invention. As can be seen, passenger is restrained against seat by the jacket , shown in FIG. 6, of the present invention. Head is thrown forward, however, it is restrained from striking steering wheel (or the dash board or other surface for such a system deployed in the front passenger or other seating location in the vehicle) by air bag . In the device of the present invention, however, air bag does not travel towards passenger , but instead travels with passenger , such that upon deployment, away from passenger , passenger 's head is gently supported by air bag . FIG. 3 shows another embodiment, wherein the passenger travels in a special seat , which allows passenger to face away from the general direction of travel. Such travel has been found to be safer than forward facing travel, and in combination with the supplemental restraint of the present invention, provides an extremely safe manner of travel.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a restraint jacket is shown. Restraint jacket comprises a seat back sleeve , which in operation is placed onto the seat back of a vehicle seat (FIG. ). Restraint jacket further comprises shoulder bars having head protection air bags and main air bag . A system of jacket securing means are also provided, as are means to anchor jacket to a vehicle. FIG. 5 shows the placement of jacket onto a vehicle seat and the position of jacket on a person. FIG. 6 shows jacket in a deployed condition, with air bags and deployed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a more conventional jacket which provides similar protection as jacket , but which may be worn as a wind breaker or other jacket when not used in a vehicle. It is noted that for small children, jacket allows the child to be dressed at home, and then installed into the vehicle, while being worn, such that placement of a child into a safe restraint system is almost as easy as placing a child onto a seat. Jacket further comprises head protection air bags and a main body air bag . Jacket may be fashioned such that it may be closed using buttons or a zipper in a conventional manner. It is envisioned that various types of materials, including leather, vinyl, nylon, wool, cotton and other man made and natural fabrics may be used in the construction of jacket , such that jacket is functional, comfortable (in all weather conditions) and stylish, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. Jacket further comprises a back sleeve for securing jacket and passenger to a car seat in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. . It is envisioned that sleeve may be made of the same material as jacket , so as to hide sleeve when the jacket is worn away from the vehicle or may be made of contrasting materials, colors, or textures, to create a fashion statement of its own, all without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. Sleeve may also be made such that it may be detached from jacket is such a manner as to not effect the integrity of the restraint system of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of the restraint jacket of the present invention is shown. Restraint jacket comprises a seat back strap system , which comprises a number of straps , having buckling mechanisms , attached to jacket and arranged such that in operation jacket may be placed onto the seat back of a vehicle seat (shown more clearly in FIG. ). In this manner, restraint jacket may be anchored to the car through seat back . In a further embodiment of the present invention, the restraint jacket further comprises shoulder bars having head protection air bags and main air bag, as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this manner, jacket may be equipped with supplemental restraint systems similar to those described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-15, another embodiment of the supplemental restraint system of the present invention, comprising a harness , is shown. In the present embodiment, a series of belts -, of the type used to make seatbelts are used to form harness for use about a person. As shown in FIG. 11, a first belt and a second belt are placed in a relative vertical orientation. Belts and are of a sufficient length such that they can reach from the front waist height of a user to the rear waist height of the user, passing over the user's shoulders, in a manner similar to that of a pair of suspenders or brace. It will be seen that belts and include an undulated belt segment and . In a preferred embodiment, the front portion of belts and are generally parallel to each other and the rear portions cross one over the other such that the rear portions forms an “X”. It will be understood by persons having skill in the art that a different configuration of belts and , including a configuration where the belts remain parallel in front and back, can be made without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. A third belt is placed in a relative horizontal orientation relative to belts and . It will be seen that belt includes undulated belt segments . As will be understood by persons having skill in the art, third belt is attachable to belts and in manners well known in the art. Belt comprises a first end having a female lock receptor , a second end having a male lock portion , an outside surface and an inside surface . Belt is further provided with supplemental belt segments and , which are attached to belt . Belt segment is attached to the inside surface near first belt end and belt segment is attached to the outside surface near second belt end . Belt segment comprises a free end having a male lock portion and belt segment comprises a free end having a female lock receptor . It will be seen that the attached combination of belt and belt segments and are of a sufficient length to exceed the circumference of the user's waist. It will be understood by persons having skill in the art that means to expand and contract the length of each of belts , and can be provided, in a manner well known in the art, such that the series of belts is completely adjustable to the height and girth of any user.

In a preferred manner of using the harness , the user places belts and about the shoulders and secures the belt combination , and such that male lock portion on second belt end is attached to female lock receptor on first belt end and male lock portion at end of belt segment is attached to female lock receptor at end of belt segment , forming a cross-over belt configuration. It will be understood that a harness that does not include belt segments, such as belt segments and can be used, with the ends of the single belt joining one another in a non-cross-over pattern, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, two preferred concepts of using the harness of the present invention are shown and described. Referring to FIG. 12, the harness , which is illustrated in FIG. 11, is provided with means for attaching the harness to the seat and shoulder belt system of an automobile. In FIG. 12, a plastic belt clip is shown attached to belt of harness , though a first opening and shows a shoulder belt slipped within a second opening . When attached in this manner, harness is secured to the automobile's restraint system, providing security for the user. FIGS. 12and illustrate different attaching means and . It will be seen that attaching means comprises a carabineer type latch with a ring loop latch . The two latches thus provided and , provide the same means of attachment as clip and can be used to secure a shoulder belt to belt of harness . FIG. 12shows a single carabineer type latch having an opening for attachment of a belt to shoulder belt of lap belt (not shown). It will be understood by persons having skill in the art that while plastic clips are shown and described, clips made of other materials, including metals, wood, synthetics and others, can be substituted without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the harness , which is provided with the attaching means shown in FIG. 12, is also provided with tether means . In another embodiment, tether means , comprised of belts of a type similar to those making up harness , are included in the second preferred concept. As illustrated, a first tether , comprising a “Y” shaped member having a tether clip (for use with a National Transportation Safety Board required tether anchor) and two attachment means , is provided. It will be understood that attachment means can comprise any type of attachment device, including rings, carabineers, D-ring connectors, or other loop type fasteners, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. First tether is attachable to a tether anchor, at clip and to two corresponding attachment locations on harness . A second tether and third tether , each having a tether clip, respectively and are provided, as well as attachment means, respectively and , for use in a manner similar to that described above for first tether , attachment means and each being attachable to one of two attachment points . Persons having skill in the art will understand that the harness of the present invention can include one or both additional tether means or neither tether means , while still providing protection superior to that presently available, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

In another embodiment extra harness support means are shown and described. While the use of these extra harness means may be desirable in some situations, it will be understood that the they are provided as redundant restraint systems. It will be seen, in FIG. 13, that a second harness means and a third harness means , each of which can be comprised of belts similar to those of first harness means , are provided as an alternative to first tether , second tether and third tether . It will be understood that second and third harness means are particularly useful in older automobiles that do not have the newly required tether anchors. In the use of second and third harness means, second harness means is draped about the automobile seat such that first end segments are hung over the top of the seat and second end segments are placed below the automobile seat. Third harness is provided with means, at first end segments , for attachment to attach locations at the front ends of belts and , in a manner similar to the attachment of first tether described above. Third harness is then attachable to second harness using a male-female locking means such as those previously discussed. Second harness means is also attachable to first harness , at attachment locations , in a manner similar to that previously described above with respect to first tether .

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate various accessories and systems for attaching the various components to the supplemental restrain systems described herein. It will be understood, by persons having skill in the art, that other types of connection means and systems can be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 14, harness is shown in use with a Y-shaped tether . It will be seen that harness and tether may be connected using D-ring connectors . It will be understood by persons having skill in the art, that any type of connector, including but not limited to all of those previously discussed, and others, may be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. It will also be understood that tethers comprising single straps (FIG. 15) and comprising four straps , as well as other tethers, can be utilized to secure harness to a vehicle, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, tether can be of the type having adjustment means , such that tether may be made larger or smaller as needed or desired. Tether is also shown as having a self locking hook of a type well known in the art and now associated with vehicle anchor tethers required in newer vehicles.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a foam backrest is provided to allow a smaller person, or child, to sit on the vehicle seat and be placed in position to have the vehicle shoulder belt reach the correct location on the user's shoulder. It will be understood by persons having skill in the art, that backrest may be constructed of any type of cushioning and resilient materials without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. A second backrest is also show and can be attached, with such means as hook and eye fasteners , to first backrest , to allow for the use of a neck restraint in association with the harness of the present invention. Further, as another accessory, a four point harness tether is shown. It will be understood that harness tether can be places about the back of a vehicle seat with its ends being brought towards the front of the vehicle seat such that end can be connected to various connection points (such as points ) on harness , without the need for a tether anchor in the automobile. The use of harness tether is particularly useful in older vehicles and in vehicles where tethers are not provided in front seats and in other locations where tether anchors are not available.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automobile accident showing the results of an accident in an automobile having restraint systems of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an automobile accident showing the results of an accident in an automobile having a restraint system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an automobile accident showing the results of an accident in an automobile having a restraint system of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a supplemental restraint system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the supplemental restraint system of FIG. 4 placed on an automobile seat and being used by a person.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the supplemental restraint of FIG. 5 in a deployed position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the supplemental restraint system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another view of the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the supplemental restraint system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is another view of the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 11 is perspective view of another embodiment of the supplemental restraint system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a method of use of the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another method of use of the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of various accessories for use with the supplementan/restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 14is a perspective view of various accessories for use with the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of various accessories for use with the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

FIG. 15is a perspective view of various accessories for use with the supplemental restraint system of FIG. .

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S patent application Ser. No. 09/968,066, filed Oct. 1, 2001 now abandoned, and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/236,854, filed Sep. 29, 2000.

CLAIMS

1. A supplemental restraint system for use in a vehicle comprising: a harness comprising a first and second generally vertically oriented belt and a generally horizontally oriented belt the harness further comprising clips, the clips providing attachment of the harness to a restraint system of an automobile; the generally vertically oriented belts each having an undulated belt sections; the generally horizontally oriented belt having at least one undulated belt section; the harness being wearable by a rider in the vehicle such that when the rider wears the harness the rider can be secured to a seat of the automobile such that the rider remains secured against the seat of the automobile notwithstanding the motion of the vehicle; wherein the belts of the harness are arranged such that the vehicle restraint system, comprising a lap belt section and shoulder belt section, works in conjunction with the harness, such that the shoulder belt section of the automobile restraint system is secured to the harness by a clip on one of the generally vertically oriented belts and the seat belt section of the automobile restraint system is secured to the harness by a clip on the generally horizontally oriented belt so as to form a five-point restraint system; and, the shoulder belt section and seat belt section of the vehicle are attached within the clip, through the undulated belt sections of the harness.

2. The supplemental restraint system of claim 1, including one or more tethers securing the harness to the seat.

3. The supplemental restraint system of claim 1, wherein the restraint system of the vehicle includes at least one tether anchor and the supplemental restraint system includes at least one tether attachable to the harness and the tether anchor.

4. The supplemental restraint system of claim 3, wherein the tether comprises a strap having a first and second end, the first end of the strap being attachable to the harness and the second end of the tether being attachable to the tether anchor.

5. The supplemental restraint system of claim 3, wherein the tether is Y-shaped such that upper two parts of the Y-shaped tether can be attached to the harness and the lower single part of the Y-shaped tether can be attached to the tether anchor.

6. The supplemental restraint system of claim 1, wherein said harness is worn about the upper torso of a user, such that said generally horizontally oriented belt is worn approximately about the waist of the user and at least one of the generally vertical belts is attached to said generally horizontal belt and extends over a shoulder of the user.

7. The supplemental restraint system of claim 1, wherein said generally vertically oriented belts are a first shoulder strap, having a first and second end, and a second shoulder strap, having a first and second end, said shoulder straps being spaced apart and generally parallel to one another at said first end of each of said shoulder straps, such that said first and second shoulder straps extend from approximately waist-height at the front of a user, over the shoulders of the user, to approximately waist-height at the rear of the user, and wherein the generally horizontal belt having a first and second end, is attached to said first and second ends of both said first and second straps, generally perpendicularly, at said front and rear of said user, such that said generally horizontal belt extends circumferentially about said user, at about waist-height, said generally horizontal belt having first and second end attachment points and being of a length such that said first and second ends of said generally horizontal belt may be attached to the attachment points such that said first and second ends of said generally horizontal belt overlap one another.

8. The supplemental restraint system of claim 7, wherein said first and second shoulder straps of said harness are arranged such that said first shoulder strap crosses over said second shoulder strap at the rear of said user, forming an X-shape.

9. The supplemental restraint system of claim 5, wherein at least one of said belts is adjustable.

10. The supplemental restraint system of claim 1 wherein the harness can be adjusted to fit persons of a plurality of sizes.

11. A supplemental restraint system for use in a vehicle having a restraint system including a lap belt and shoulder belt, comprising: a harness comprising a first and second generally vertically oriented belt and a generally horizontally oriented belt the harness further comprising a plurality of clips, said clips providing attachment of the harness to a restraint system of a vehicle; at least one of the straps being adjustable such that the harness can be worn by a variety of persons; the generally vertically oriented belts having undulated belts sections; the generally horizontally oriented belts having at least one undulated belt section; the straps being attachable by the clips to both lap and shoulder belts of the vehicle; the harness being wearable by a rider in the vehicle such that when the rider wears the harness, and the harness is secured to the lap and shoulder belt of the vehicle, the rider is secured to a seat of the vehicle, in a five-point restraint system, such that the rider remains secured against the seat of the vehicle notwithstanding the motion of the vehicle; and, the shoulder belt and seat belt of the vehicle are attached within the clip through the undulated belt sections of the harness.

12. The supplemental restraint system of claim 11, wherein said generally vertically oriented belts are a first shoulder strap, having a first and second end, and a second shoulder strap, having a first and second end, said shoulder straps being spaced apart and generally parallel to one another at said first end of each of said shoulder straps, such that said first and second shoulder straps extend from approximately waist-height at the front of a user, over the shoulders of the user, to approximately waist-height at the rear of the user, and wherein the generally horizontal belt having a first and second end, is attached to said first and second ends of both said first and second straps, generally perpendicularly, at said front and rear of said user, such that said generally horizontal belt extends circumferentially about said user, at about waist-height, said generally horizontal belt having first and second end attachment points and being of a length such that said first and second ends of said generally horizontal belt may be attached to the attachment points such that said first and second ends of said generally horizontal belt overlap one another.

13. The supplemental restraint system of claim 12, wherein said first and second shoulder straps of said harness are arranged such that said first shoulder strap crosses over said second shoulder strap at the rear of said user, forming an X-shape.

14. The supplemental restraint system of claim 11, wherein the restraint system of the vehicle includes at least one tether anchor and the supplemental restraint system includes at least one tether attachable to the harness and the tether anchor.

15. The supplemental restraint system of claim 14, wherein the tether comprises a strap having a first and second end, the first end of the strap being attachable to the harness and the second end of the tether being attachable to a tether anchor.

16. The supplemental restraint system of claim 14, wherein the tether is Y-shaped such that upper two parts of the Y-shaped tether can be attached to the harness and the lower single part of the Y-shaped tether can be attached to a tether anchor.

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