Color Code Tabs For Mating Seat Belt Ends

Abstract

Color coded tabs are provided for attachment to the fastening elements of seat belt straps. Matching pairs of the straps have a common color for simplifying the process for selection of matching pairs of straps. The tabs may be applied to the fastening elements as by an adhesive, and are advantageously in the form of pointers pointing in the direction where mates the fastening element matched with the fastening element on which a particular tab is arranged.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to color coded tabs for mating seat belt ends for simplifying the selection of matching straps of the seat belts, and in particular to such tabs for automotive seat belts where the chance of confusion is great as to which seat belt straps are matched to one another.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The trend toward seat belts in automobiles frequently results in confusion as to which straps are matched with one another. The seats can be a maze of as many as ten straps. As a consequence, many people do not use the belts and shoulder straps, especially children and elderly persons. Thus, the safety benefits of the seat belts are lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for designating matching pairs of seat belt straps for simplifying the selection of matching straps and facilitating selective mating thereof.

This and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing each strap with a tab arranged on the fastening element of the strap. These tabs are preferably in the form of pointers arranged pointing away from a strap receiving portion and toward the interlocking portion, in the direction where mates the fastening element matched with the fastening element on which a particular tab is arranged. The tabs designate matched pairs of seat belt straps by being color coded, each matching pair of straps being provided with a different color.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automobile seat having seat belts provided with the color coded tabs according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary group, top plan view showing two pair of seat belt ends provided with color coded tabs according to the present invention, one pair being shown unbuckled and the other pair buckled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a conventional automobile seat 10 provided with a plurality of seat belts 12 formed from matched pairs of straps 14. Straps 14 are anchored to the automobile frame (not shown) in a conventional manner. Each one of straps 14 has one of fastening elements 16, 18 provided with a strap receiving portion mounted on an end 20 thereof; specifically the end not attached to the vehicle frame. Each fastening element 16, 18 has an interlocking portion adapted for attachment to a complementing fastening means 18, 16 on an associated, or matched strap 14. The construction of the fastening elements 16, 18 is conventional, and therefore the details thereof are not disclosed herein. Basically element 16 is a buckle and element 18 a tongue which engages with the buckle.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, tabs 22 are attached to fastening elements 16, 18 for designating matching pairs of straps 14. The use of tabs 22 simplifies the selection of matching straps 14 by being color coded. Each matching pair of straps 14 is provided with a different color than the other matching pairs of straps 14. Tabs 22 may be provided with an adhesive backing (not shown), of a type which is well known, for attachment to fastening elements 16, 18. In this manner, tabs 22 may be easily applied to all types of fastening elements, and will remain thereon indefinitely. An example of the type of construction suitable for tabs 22 is the self-adhesive tabs (not shown) commonly used on automobile license plates (not shown) for revalidating the plates in lieu of making new plates. These tabs generally come with a backing over the adhesive which is removed before the tab is applied to a surface.

Advantageously, tabs 22 are in the form of pointers which are arranged pointing away from the strap receiving portion and toward the interlocking portion, in the direction where mates the fastening element 16, 18 matched with the fastening element 18, 16 on which the particular tab 22 is arranged. One advantage of such configuration for tabs 22 is that it will help instruct children in learning to use the seat belts 12.

Tabs 22 may be made from a luminescent material so as to make them easier to identify in the dark.

Tabs 22 according to the present invention encourage the use of seat belts 12 by simplifying selection of matching ends 20 of straps 14. They will speed up the proper choice of matching ends 20, and result in greater safety. They can be applied to any seat belt in a, for example, motor vehicle, including those in the rear as well as the front seats.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a. a plurality of seat belts including matched pairs of straps and associated fasteners, each strap provided with a fastening element having a strap receiving portion mounted on the strap and an interlocking portion arranged for selective attachment to a complementing fastener on a matching strap; and

b. tab means in the form of pointers mounted on the fastening elements, one to each element, and arranged pointing away from the strap receiving portion and toward the interlocking portion, the tabs being color coded, with each fastening element of each matching pair of straps being provided with a different color, for simplifying the process of selecting matching straps and facilitating selective mating thereof.