The reminder device for seat belt use relates to a character figure wearing a seat belt having means to attach the character figure to a vehicle seat belt so as to act as a reminder to people to wear a seat belt.

A passenger-restraining system, in particular for children and wheelchair occupants in motor vehicles. The restraining system includes at least one safety-belt arrangement with a lap belt and an associated cushion element. The cushion element has a body made of at least one cushion material which can be deformed, absorbing energy in the process, and has a guide slit for the lap belt. The element also has an insert which is embedded in the deformable cushion material and surrounds the guide slit. In order to convert a large amount of kinetic energy into deformation work in the cushion element, and thus to dissipate said kinetic energy, without there being any risk of injury to the individual secured by the restraining system, the insert includes, a plurality of layers of a thin, flexible foil, sheet material and/or fabric which are separated from one another by a layer of the cushion material.

A child safety belt sleeve for use with an existing automobile safety belt. The sleeve includes a pliable funnel-shaped frame structure in which the safety belt may be releasably inserted prior to the fastening of the safety belt. The sleeve facilitates in the proper orientation of the safety belt across the lap and chest area of a child. The funnel-shaped frame structure may include an adjustment to ensure that the sleeve is oriented in accordance with the particular girth of the child being restrained. The funnel-shaped structure may be provided with a protective cover which also enhances the aesthetic appearance of the sleeve. The sleeve provides a frontal barrier for children who have outgrown safety restraint seats yet are still not physically mature enough to effectively use a factory installed seat belt.

An improved restraint device is provided which is characterized by its relative ease of use and comfort to occupants while providing effective and enhanced protection to occupants of motor vehicles or the like. The restraint device includes an open ended tubular guide member which is generally cylindrical or elliptical in cross-section and in which the interior surfaces of the tubular member define a longitudinal passageway for receiving and engaging portions of both the shoulder harness and lap portions of a three-point vehicular restraint system. The guide member exerts a laterally displacing force on the shoulder harness portion of a three-point restraint system to re-orient the shoulder belt for use by adults of relatively small stature or children. In this manner, the repositioning of the shoulder belt for use by children in particular may be accomplished without adversely displacing the relative position of the lap belt particularly during impact conditions. The advantages of the restraint device are accomplished without adversely affecting the automatic adjustment capabilities of the existing automotive restraint apparatus or without requiring extensive modifications to the existing restraint.

A cushion for vehicle safety belts or harnesses comprising a cylindrical body of resilient material adapted to be detachably affixed to a shoulder belt adjacent the neck of the wearer. The cylindrical body is partially split along its longitudinal axis to provide a slot for reception of the belt, and a fabric sleeve is fitted over the two sections of the split cylindrical body. Fastening means are provided on the sleeve for securing the open side of the tubular body together with the belt encased therein. The cushion thus presents a broad, resilient, gently curved surface in all directions and prevents abrasive contact of the belt with the clothing and neck of the wearer.