TACTICAL-GEAR-ACCOMMODATING SEATBELT SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method adapted to provide enhanced safety and easier, more reliable means of engaging and disengaging the seatbelt for persons wearing tactical gear on the waist and chest, by providing an extender unit having an extender strap coupled with and extending from the standard seat-level receptacle or anchored in lieu of the standard seat-level receptacle, and a sure-release receptacle attached to the free end of the extender strap such that the double receptacle sits generally in front of the lower torso in use, and having receptacle fittings to accommodate separate lap and shoulder straps anchored at lower and upper anchor points, respectively, with free ends terminated in buckle tabs, thereby allowing easier and safer engagement and disengagement of the seatbelt system for a person wearing tactical gear.

Claims

1. A tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus for use in a vehicle by a person wearing tactical gear upon waist and front torso, said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system comprising: (i) an extender strap ultimately anchored at a first end to a floor of the vehicle through or in place of a standard seat-level receptacle; (ii) a sure-release receptacle attached to a second end of said extender strap having two receptacle fittings; (iii) a shoulder strap having at a first end an anchor point approximately at shoulder level and behind the person, and at a second end a buckle tab; and (iv) a lap strap having at a first end an anchor point approximately at floor level of the vehicle and behind the person, and at a second end a buckle tab; where said sure-release receptacle is adapted to couple and uncouple with the buckle tabs of said shoulder strap and said lap strap such that the coupling will hold securely under strain and will freely uncouple after such strain; where said sure-release receptacle, in use, is located toward the front of the person's lower torso, and is easy to find by sight or feel, and easy to manipulate for coupling or uncoupling; and where the uncoupling of the buckle tabs of said shoulder strap and said lap strap from said sure-release receptacle allows said shoulder strap and said lap strap to be retracted separately and independently each of the other, thereby avoiding catching on the tactical gear.

2. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, further adapted to be implemented as an original seatbelt installed in a new vehicle.

3. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, further adapted to be implemented as a retrofit replacement for an existing standard three-point seatbelt.

4. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, where said extender strap ultimately anchored at a first end to the floor of the vehicle further comprises being anchored directly to the floor of the vehicle.

5. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, where said extender strap ultimately anchored at a first end to the floor of the vehicle further comprises being attached to a standard seat-level receptacle that is in turn anchored to the floor of the vehicle.

6. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, where said sure-release receptacle further comprises a rotary partial-turn release control.

7. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, where said sure-release receptacle further comprises an internal coupling and uncoupling mechanism having at least one cam.

8. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, where said sure-release receptacle further comprises an internal coupling and uncoupling mechanism having at least one pawl.

9. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, further comprising providing a locking retractor, pretensioner, or web clamp on said shoulder strap.

10. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus of claim 1, further comprising providing a locking retractor, pretensioner, or web clamp on said lap strap.

11. A tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method for use in a vehicle by a person wearing tactical gear upon waist and front torso, said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system method comprising: (i) providing a tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system comprising: (a) an extender strap ultimately anchored at a first end to a floor of the vehicle through or in place of a standard seat-level receptacle; (b) a sure-release receptacle attached to a second end of said extender strap having two receptacle fittings; (c) a shoulder strap having at a first end an anchor point approximately at shoulder level and behind the person, and at a second end a buckle tab; and (d) a lap strap having at a first end an anchor point approximately at floor level of the vehicle and behind the person, and at a second end a buckle tab; where said sure-release receptacle is adapted to couple and uncouple with the buckle tabs of said shoulder strap and said lap strap such that the coupling will hold securely under strain and will freely uncouple after such strain; where said sure-release receptacle, in use, is located toward the front of the person's lower torso, and is easy to find by sight or feel, and easy to manipulate for coupling or uncoupling; and where the uncoupling of the buckle tabs of said shoulder strap and said lap strap from said sure-release receptacle allows said shoulder strap and said lap strap to be retracted separately and independently each of the other, thereby avoiding catching on the tactical gear; (ii) installing said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system apparatus in a vehicle; and (iii) utilizing said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system.

12. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system is further adapted to be implemented as an original seatbelt installed in a new vehicle.

13. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system is further adapted to be implemented as a retrofit replacement for an existing standard three-point seatbelt.

14. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said extender strap ultimately anchored at a first end of the floor of the vehicle further comprises being anchored directly to the floor of the vehicle.

15. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said extender strap ultimately anchored at a first end to the floor of the vehicle further comprises being attached to a standard seat-level receptacle that is in turn anchored to the floor of the vehicle.

16. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said sure-release receptacle further comprises a rotary partial-turn release control.

17. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said sure-release receptacle further comprises an internal coupling and uncoupling mechanism having at least one cam.

18. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said sure-release receptacle further comprises an internal coupling and uncoupling mechanism having at least one pawl.

19. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system further comprises providing a locking retractor, pretensioner, or web clamp on said shoulder strap.

20. The tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt method of claim 11, where said tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system further comprises providing a locking retractor, pretensioner, or web clamp on said lap strap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a right-front perspective conceptual view of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention in relation to an empty seat;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a left-front perspective view of the standard three-point seatbelt of the prior art, in use by a person wearing tactical gear;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a left-front perspective view of an embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention, in use by a person wearing tactical gear;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top-front perspective view of an embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention, in use by a person wearing tactical gear;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a top-front perspective view of an embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention, in use by a person wearing tactical gear;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a front view of a kit retrofit embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a left-front perspective conceptual view of a kit retrofit embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention in relation to an empty seat;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a front detail view of an embodiment of the sure-release receptacle and the extender strap of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a conceptual perspective detail view of different buckle tabs on extender straps suitable for various existing seat-level buckle receptacles;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a conceptual view of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method of the invention being manipulated by a person's hand;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a front detail view of an embodiment of the invention having a butterfly spinner release and a built-in extender strap;

[0028] FIG. 12 is a front detail view of an embodiment of the invention having both a trigger release and a thumb release;

[0029] FIG. 13 is a front detail view of an embodiment of the invention having a thumb release;

[0030] FIG. 14 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the invention having a webbed strap with a buckle tab as the extender strap;

[0031] FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the invention having a cable as the extender strap;

[0032] FIG. 16 is a front view of an embodiment of the cover of the sure-release receptacle of the invention for driver-side and passenger-side seats;

[0033] FIG. 17 is a cutaway view of a three-point embodiment of the sure-release receptacle of the invention for driver-side and passenger-side seats;

[0034] FIG. 18 is a cutaway view of a two-point embodiment of the sure-release receptacle of the invention for driver-side and passenger-side seats;

[0035] FIG. 19 is a cutaway view of an alternative three-point embodiment of the sure-release receptacle of the invention for driver-side and passenger-side seats;

[0036] FIG. 20 is a cutaway view of a four-point embodiment of the sure-release receptacle of the invention for driver-side and passenger-side seats; and

[0037] FIG. 21 is a cutaway view of a five-point embodiment of the sure-release receptacle of the invention for driver-side and passenger-side seats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 and all figures generally, embodiments of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method 10 of the invention are illustrated.

[0039] Referring briefly to prior art FIG. 2, the standard three-point seatbelt, when used by a person wearing tactical gear on the waist and chest, has a disadvantage in that the standard seat-level receptacle is difficult to locate, reach, and manipulate with tactical gear, which may include a pistol holster for right-handed persons, or an electroshock weapon or radio transceiver for a left-handed person. This problem can lead to delays in getting a vehicle underway and delays in persons being able to exit a vehicle quickly when responding to a situation. The difficulty in locating, reaching, and manipulating this standard seatbelt could also possibly trap a person in a vehicle when unable to release the three-point seatbelt. A related problem is the tendency of the one-piece, three-point seatbelt to become caught or snagged upon one or more protruding pieces of tactical gear.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, & FIG. 4, the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method 10 provides an extender unit made up of a sure-release receptacle 1 attached to one end of an extender strap 2. The extender strap 2 is anchored to the vehicle frame or chassis by either directly attaching, replacing the standard seat-level receptacle, for some embodiments, or by attaching to the existing standard seat-level receptacle for other embodiments, such as a retrofit embodiment.

[0041] Taking the place of the lap and shoulder portions of the one-strap standard three-point seatbelt are a separate shoulder strap, anchored at a point generally equivalent to the point where a three-point seatbelt would change directions at an anchored point, which is generally at shoulder level, and a separate lap strap, anchored at a point generally equivalent to the anchor point of a standard seatbelt, which is generally at floor level. The shoulder strap anchor unit 4 and the lap strap anchor unit 6 can be provided with a locking retractor, pretensioner, or web clamp, as known in the art.

[0042] The ends of the shoulder strap 3 and lap strap 5 opposite their respective anchor points are provided with buckle tabs which securely and removably attach to the sure-release receptacle 1. In use, the sure-release receptacle 1 sits at a point along the line of the lap belt that is essentially in front of the person's lower torso. This frontal location of the sure-release receptacle, as well as the flexibility of the extender strap 2, make the extender unit easy to find by sight or by feel, allowing for easier and quicker engagement and disengagement of the seatbelt. The sure-release receptacle 1 is adapted to provide a secure attachment which will not jam or seize up, even after application of force, such as from a wreck. In a preferred embodiment, the sure-release receptacle 1 has a rotary, partial-turn release control of a size large enough to be manipulated both by the hand of the person wearing the seatbelt, or by a different person either inside or outside the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the sure-release receptacle 1 is provided internally with one or more cams or pawls to provide a securing of the buckle tabs of the shoulder strap 3 and the lap strap 5 that will withstand the force of a wreck, but will not jam, and can be released under all circumstances.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the shoulder strap anchor unit 4 can be located at a place other than the actual effective anchor point, and can be passed through a fitting that allows a change of direction of the strap. Such an arrangement is especially useful when the invention is implemented as a retrofit, because the existing anchor and retractor for the standard three-point seatbelt can be utilized, with only a cutting of the shoulder strap at the proper place and secure attachment of a buckle tab. A simple retrofit can be made by providing an extender unit with an extender strap 2 that fits into a standard seat-level receptacle, by cutting the single strap of the three-point seatbelt at the proper location, by attaching a buckle tab to each cut end of the strap, by leaving the lap strap anchor unit 6 as a simple anchor point, and by re-using the existing locking retractor, pretensioner, or web clamp for operation upon the shoulder strap 3. In such a retrofit, with no retractor at the lap strap anchor point 6, means should be provided for adjusting the length of the lap strap 5.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 6 & FIG. 7, an embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system can be provided as a kit for implementing the retrofit into existing vehicles. In the case of such a kit, the extender strap 2 is attached at its end opposite the sure-release receptacle 1 to the vehicle's existing seat-level receptacle. Referring additionally to FIG. 8, it is noted that among vehicle manufacturers there are slight variations of the size, shape, and placement of the hole in the buckle tab. Accordingly, a retrofit kit embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system will either need to be provided with a variety of buckle tabs, or will need to be provided in various versions, each with a buckle tab matched to specific vehicle manufacturers.

[0045] In a retrofit kit embodiment, a shoulder strap anchor unit 4 containing a shoulder strap 3 is provided to be attached generally at shoulder level, usually to the body of the vehicle, and sometimes to the seat itself. A lap strap anchor unit 6 containing a lap strap 5 is provided to be attached generally at the floor level of the vehicle, again usually to the body of the vehicle, and sometimes to the seat itself. Such a retrofit kit embodiment of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system could be installed in a fleet of vehicles during initial fitting of newly purchased vehicles or during scheduled maintenance, retrofitting, or refurbishment of existing vehicles.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 9 & FIG. 10, the sure-release receptacle 1 is coupled with the extender strap 2 in a generally permanent or non-removable attachment, and is designed to be removably coupled with the buckle tabs of the shoulder strap 3 and the lap strap 5. The sure-release receptacle 1 needs to be easy to find and to operate both by the occupant of the seat or, in an emergency, by another person inside or outside of the vehicle, and possibly with the vehicle in an unusual location or position. The extender strap 2 can be stiffened by, for example, the addition of a leather covering or an additional layer of plastic, which will tend to hold the sure-release receptacle 1 up and away from the crease between the back and bottom of the seat, so that it remains in an expected position whether in use or not.

[0047] Referring additionally to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, & FIG. 13, the sure-release receptacle 1 should be designed to be closed, capturing the shoulder strap 3 and lap strap 5, by a partial turn of the front of the receptacle, and then remain closed, and to be opened, releasing the shoulder strap 3 and lap strap 5, by a partial turn of the front of the receptacle, and then remain open. The circumference of the front of the receptacle can be grooved or knurled in order to improve gripping and turning, and the front of the receptacle can be provided with grip-improving protrusions such as the illustrated butterfly spinner, thumb lever, and trigger lever. Such protrusions also give both a visible and a tactile indication of the open or closed state of the sure-release receptacle 1. Such protrusions can be painted in red or in a contrasting color in order to increase visibility, especially in circumstances where a person outside the vehicle is trying to extricate an occupant. The simple lock-and-stay-locked and open-and-stay-open operation of the sure-release receptacle 1 is also of benefit under such circumstances.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 14 & FIG. 15, the extender strap 2 can be a standard webbed strap terminated in a buckle tab to be captured by the sure-release receptacle 1, or can be a cable with an integrated connector to be captured by the sure-release receptacle 1. The capturing of the buckle tab or integrated connector is done with a pin in the illustrated embodiments. This coupling is not meant to be uncoupled during the normal operation of the system. Both the webbed strap and the cable can be covered with a material such as leather.

[0049] In preferred embodiments of the tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system, the sure-release receptacle 1 is operated by a central cam mechanism raising and lowering pins to engage the buckle tabs of the shoulder strap 3 and the lap strap 5. Optionally, the pins can be configured to allow the one-way insertion of buckle tabs while the sure-release receptacle 1 is closed. In the alternative, the sure-release receptacle 1 may be operated by a central cam mechanism in conjunction with a spring or springs to control release of the buckle, as is known in the art.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 16 & FIG. 17, the nominally left-side and right-side seats of a vehicle require a bilaterally asymmetrical arrangement of the controls and mechanisms of the sure-release receptacle 1, and mirror-image versions for the appropriate side.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 18, the sure-release receptacle 1 can be provided in an embodiment configured for an always-connected extender strap 2 and just one attachable and removable buckle tab, which in turn might be attached to just one or two more belts.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 19, the sure-release receptacle 1 can be provided in an embodiment configured for the attachment of two extender straps or the attachment of one extender strap 2 at two points.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 20, the sure-release receptacle 1 can be provided in an embodiment configured for the attachment of an always-connected extender strap plus three attachable and removable buckle tabs, providing a four-point system.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 21, the sure-release receptacle 1 can be provided in an embodiment configured for the attachment of an always-connected extender strap plus four attachable and removable buckle tabs, providing a five-point system.

[0055] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.