# US 8,465,055 B2 · Seatbelt relief device

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- Number: US 8,465,055 B2
- Document ID: US8465055B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/564,715
- Filed: 2012-08-01
- Published: 2013-02-07
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-01
- Assignees: A&N Corporation
- Applicants: Gary Hill
- Inventors: Gary Hill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465055B2

## CPC

- B60R 22/14: incorporating enlarged restraint areas, e.g. vests, nets {, crash pads, optionally for children (crash pads for occupants' safety on vehicles in general B60R21/02)}
- B60R 22/19: with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions {(included in the retractor B60R22/44)}
- B60R 2022/006: {Sleeve or tubular members enveloping the seat belt for enhancing comfort or protection}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A seatbelt relief device for a seatbelt having a shoulder harness utilized by a driver sitting on a seat in a motor vehicle behind a steering wheel. The device comprises a sleeve that fits over a chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt. A cord assembly extends from the sleeve. A mechanism is for releasably mounting the cord assembly centrally to the steering wheel in a pivotable manner, whereby the sleeve will pull the chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt slightly away from the chest of the driver to reduce pressure on the chest of the driver.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seatbelt relief device for a seatbelt having a shoulder harness utilized by a driver sitting on a seat in a motor vehicle behind a steering wheel, the device comprising:
a) a sleeve that fits over a chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt;
b) a cord assembly extending from the sleeve; and
c) means for releasably mounting the cord assembly centrally to the steering wheel in a pivotable manner, whereby the sleeve will pull the chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt slightly away from the chest of the driver to reduce pressure on the chest of the driver.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises:
a) a rectangular piece of flexible material;
b) a first ZIPPER having two interlocking sides, each located along one long edge of the rectangular piece of flexible material to secure the rectangular piece of flexible material about the chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt;
c) an elongated pocket centrally affixed onto an inner surface of the rectangular piece of flexible material;
d) a second ZIPPER affixed onto the elongated pocket to open and close the elongated pocket; and
e) a pair of eyelets longitudinally spaced apart and centrally located through the rectangular piece of flexible material at the elongated pocket.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the cord assembly comprises:
a) an elongated cord that extends through the pair of eyelets and formed in a V-shaped configuration;
b) a first block member having a central aperture therethrough, located within the elongated pocket on the rectangular piece of flexible material, whereby ends of the elongated cord extending through the eyelets will go through the central aperture in the first block member and then be tied together, so that the length of the elongated cord can be adjusted; and
c) a second block member having the apex of the elongated cord connected thereto externally from the rectangular piece of flexible material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the releasably mounting means comprises:
a) a pivot joint component extending from the second block member;
b) a first VELCRO fastener member connected centrally to the pivot joint component;
c) a second VELCRO fastener member connected centrally to the steering wheel of the motor vehicle to retain the first VELCRO fastener member thereto; and
d) a third VELCRO fastener member connected to an outer surface of the rectangular piece of flexible material to retain the first VELCRO fastener member thereto when not in use.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the rectangular piece of flexible material and the elongated pocket are both comprised out of vinyl.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the rectangular piece of flexible material and the elongated pocket are both comprised out of cloth.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The device as recited in claim 2, wherein the rectangular piece of flexible material measures approximately ten inches by three inches by one half inch.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the elongated cord is fabricated out of elastic material.