Seat belt inhibitor

Abstract

Inhibitor for a seat belt which includes a lock, connector and release. The inhibitor comprises a cover having a pair of opposing sidewalls extending perpendicular from the cover and a top extending perpendicular from the cover to partially overlap the opposing sidewalls. A pair of flanges extends perpendicular from the sidewalls toward each other in a spaced relation wherein the cover, sidewalls, top and flanges are sized and shaped to be removably engaged with the lock. The present invention also relates to a method of inhibiting release of a seatbelt which includes a lock, a connector and a release comprising positioning an inhibitor near the lock and inserting portions of the lock between the flanges which are spaced apart from contacting each other. Next, the user rotates the flanges to overlap the portions of the lock to engage the lock.

1 . An inhibitor for use with a seat belt which includes a lock, connector and release, comprising: 
 a cover having a pair of opposing sidewalls extending perpendicular from the cover;    a top extending perpendicular from the cover to partially overlap the opposing sidewalls; and    a pair of flanges, the pair of flanges extending perpendicular from the sidewalls toward each other in a spaced relation the cover, sidewalls, top and flanges being sized and shaped to be removably tightly engaged with the lock.    
   
   
       2 . The inhibitor according to  claim 1 , further comprising an aperture positioned through the top.  
   
   
       3 . The inhibitor according to  claim 2 , wherein the aperture is a slot.  
   
   
       4 . The inhibitor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tab positioned on the inhibitor to slidably connect the inhibitor with the seat belt.  
   
   
       5 . The inhibitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover, sidewalls, top and flanges are integrally formed.  
   
   
       6 . The inhibitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the top is adapted to extend to overlap the release to prevent access to the release.  
   
   
       7 . The inhibitor according to  claim 6 , wherein the top extends over the release.  
   
   
       8 . The inhibitor according to  claim 7 , wherein the top is positioned free from contacting the connector.  
   
   
       9 . The inhibitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the flanges partially overlap portions of the lock.  
   
   
       10 . An inhibitor for use with a seat belt which includes a lock, connector and release, comprising: 
 a cover having a pair of opposing sidewalls extending perpendicular from the cover and having an aperture positioned through the cover;    a top extending perpendicular from the cover to partially overlap the opposing sidewalls; and    a pair of flanges, the pair of flanges extending perpendicular from the sidewalls toward each other in a spaced relation, the flanges partially overlapping portions of the lock while the cover, sidewalls, top and flanges are sized and shaped to be removably engaged with the lock.    
   
   
       11 . The inhibitor according to  claim 10 , further comprising a tab positioned to slidably connect the inhibitor with the seat belt.  
   
   
       12 . The inhibitor according to  claim 10 , wherein the cover, sidewalls, top and flanges are integrally formed.  
   
   
       13 . The inhibitor according to  claim 10 , wherein the top abuts the connector.  
   
   
       14 . The inhibitor according to  claim 10 , wherein the top extends toward the flanges.  
   
   
       15 . The inhibitor according to  claim 10 , wherein the flanges are positioned free from contacting each other.  
   
   
       16 . An inhibitor for use with a seat belt which includes a lock and connector which are fastened to seat belt portions, the connector being insertable into the lock wherein a release on the lock engages and disengages the connector with the lock, comprising: 
 a cover having a pair of opposing sidewalls extending perpendicular from the cover;    a top extending perpendicular from the cover to partially overlap the opposing sidewalls to prevent slippage between the top and the lock; and    a pair of flanges, the pair of flanges extending perpendicular from the sidewalls toward each other in a spaced relation and free from contacting each other, the flanges partially overlapping portions of the lock to be removably engaged with the lock such that the flanges, top and cover are sized and shaped to prevent access to the release in an engaged position while allowing access between the lock and connector in a disengaged position.    
   
   
       17 . The inhibitor according to  claim 16 , further comprising an aperture which allows access to the release in the engaged position.  
   
   
       18 . The inhibitor according to  claim 17 , wherein the aperture is positioned through the cover.  
   
   
       19 . The inhibitor according to  claim 17 , wherein the aperture is positioned through the top.  
   
   
       20 . The inhibitor according to  claim 16 , wherein the top extends to overlap the release and prevents access to the release.  
   
   
       21 . The inhibitor according to  claim 16 , wherein the top is positioned free from contacting the connector.  
   
   
       22 . The inhibitor according to  claim 16 , wherein the top extends in abutment to the connector.  
   
   
       23 . A method of inhibiting release of a seatbelt which includes a lock, a connector and a release wherein the connector is releasably insertable into the lock and the release engages and disengages the connector to the lock, comprising: 
 positioning an inhibitor near the lock;    spacing flanges of the inhibitor free from contacting each other;    inserting portions of the lock between the flanges; and    rotating the flanges to overlap the portions of the lock to engage the lock.    
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of extending the top over the release.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of extending the top free from contacting the connector.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of rotating the flanges to release the lock.