Child safety seatbelt securement device
OwnerDale W. Ortoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The child safety seatbelt securement device of the present invention includes a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle so that direct access to the release button is substantially restricted. The housing includes a mechanism for releasably securing it onto a conventional female seatbelt buckle. Finally, the housing includes an actuator mechanism which is actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of the female seatbelt buckle on which the housing is secured. The same actuator mechanism is difficult, if not impossible, for a young child to operate, however, due to its complicated or multi-step operation or the force required for actuating it.
Claims14
A child safety seatbelt securement device for use with a female seatbelt buckle of the type having an opening in one end for receiving a male seatbelt buckle therein and a depressible release button on the top surface thereof, said device comprising,
- a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle whereby direct access to the release button is substantially restricted, said housing having open opposite ends for permitting access to the female seatbelt buckle opening through one end and for passage of a seatbelt through the opposite end,
- said housing comprising an open bottomed channel member engageable over the top surface of a female seatbelt buckle and having side edges depending on each side of said female seatbelt buckle,
- means for securing said housing onto a female seatbelt buckle comprising strap means affixed at one end to one side edge of said channel member and engageable with the underside of a female seatbelt buckle and the other end releasably attached to the opposing side edge of said channel member, said strap means being releasable and attachable by an adult, and
- actuator means on said housing and actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of a female seatbelt buckle on which said housing is secured.
A child safety seatbelt securement device for use with a female seatbelt buckle of the type having an opening in one end for receiving a male seatbelt buckle therein and a depressible release button on the top surface thereof, said device comprising,
- a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle whereby direct access to the release button is substantially restricted, said housing having open opposite ends for permitting access to the female seatbelt buckle opening through one end and for passage of a seatbelt through the opposite end,
- means for securing said housing onto a female seatbelt buckle,
- actuator means on said housing and actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of a female seatbelt buckle on which said housing in secured,
- wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator button,
- means for supporting the actuator button on said housing above the release button of a female seatbelt buckle secured therein,
- and a releasable lock member movable between a locked position in engagement with said actuator button for preventing downward movement to depress the release button for preventing downward movement to depress the release button and a release position in clearance relation from the actuator button whereby the actuator button may be moved downwardly for depressing the release button.
A child safety seatbelt securement device for use with a female seatbelt buckle of the type having an opening in one end for receiving a male seatbelt buckle therein and a depressible release button on the top surface thereof, said device comprising,
- a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle whereby direct access to the release button is substantially restricted, said housing having open opposite ends for permitting access to the female seatbelt buckle opening through one end and for passage of a seatbelt through the opposite end,
- means for securing said housing onto a female seatbelt buckle,
- actuator means on said housing and actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of a female seatbelt buckle on which said housing is secured,
- wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator button,
- means for supporting the actuator button on said housing above the release button of a female seatbelt buckle secured therein,
- a releasable lock member movable between a locked position in engagement with said actuator button for preventing downward movement to depress the release button and a release position in clearance relation from the actuator button whereby the actuator button may be moved downwardly for depressing the release button,
- wherein said housing has a side opening and said releasable lock member comprises a lock finger having one end pivotally connected to the housing, and
- a forward portion accessible through said side opening for moving said lock finger between said locked position and release position.
A child safety seatbelt securement device for use with a female seatbelt buckle of the type having an opening in one end for receiving a male seatbelt buckle therein and a depressible release button on the top surface thereof, said device comprising,
- a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle whereby direct access to the release button is substantially restricted, said housing having open opposite ends for permitting access to the female seatbelt buckle opening through one end and for passage of a seatbelt through the opposite end,
- means for securing said housing onto a female seatbelt buckle,
- actuator means on said housing and actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of a female seatbelt buckle on which said housing is secured,
- wherein said actuator means comprises a large opening through said housing top wall positioned in registration with the seatbelt buckle release button, the opening large enough for an adult to actuate the release button with a finger, and
- a hinged latch pivotally connected to the housing for movement between a locked position substantially covering the housing top wall large opening and an actuator means releasing position pivoted upwardly away from said top wall opening.
A child safety seatbelt securement device for use with a female seatbelt buckle of the type having an opening in one end for receiving a male seatbelt buckle therein and a depressible release button on the top surface thereof, said device comprising,
- a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle whereby direct access to the release button is substantially restricted, said housing having open opposite ends for permitting access to the female seatbelt buckle opening through one end and for passage of a seatbelt through the opposite end,
- means for securing said housing onto a female seatbelt buckle,
- actuator means on said housing and actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of a female seatbelt buckle on which said housing is secured, and
- wherein said actuator means comprises a portion of the housing top wall engageable with the release button and movable downwardly in response to downward pressure on the housing top wall for actuating the release button.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.