SEAT BELT GUIDE

Abstract

A seat belt guide includes first and second walls each having opposite top and bottom ends. A pair of generally parallel end walls extends from the first wall. The end walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in a transverse direction. A pair of generally parallel side walls extends from the second wall. The side walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in the transverse direction. First and second lips protrude outwardly for maintaining the seat belt spaced apart from the second wall to minimize friction associated with sliding of the seat belt through the guide. A pair of retaining walls extends toward each other from the pair of side walls, the retaining walls being spaced apart from the second wall for retaining the seat belt therebetween.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of tie present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat belt guide according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the seat belt guide of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A seat belt guide for guiding a seat belt of a vehicle seat, said seat belt guide comprising: first and second walls each having opposite top and bottom ends;a pair of generally parallel end walls extending from the first wall, the end walls being spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in a transverse direction;a pair of generally parallel side walls extending from the second wall, the side walls being spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in the transverse direction;a pair of retaining walls extending toward each other from the pair of side walls, the retaining walls being spaced apart from the second wall for retaining the seat belt therebetween; andfirst and second lips protruding outwardly for maintaining the seat belt spaced apart from the second wall to minimize friction associated with sliding of the seat belt through the guide.

2. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the first wall and the top end of the second wall are spaced apart to define an opening therebetween.

3. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 29 wherein the first lip extends along the bottom end of the first wall.

4. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 3, wherein the second lip extends along the bottom end of the second wall.

5. A scat belt guide as set forth in claim 2, wherein the retaining walls extend over the opening.

6. A scat belt guide as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first and second lips are disposed on opposite sides of the opening.

7. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second wall is configured to be fixedly secured to the vehicle seat.

8. A scat belt guide as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are nonparallel to each other.

9. A seat belt guide as set fort in claim 1, wherein each retaining wall includes a distal end, the distal ends being generally parallel and spaced apart to allow the belt to be inserted therethrough to an operative position in the guide and to prevent the belt from exiting therefrom during use.

10. A seat belt guide for guiding a seat belt of a vehicle seat, said seat belt guide comprising: first and second walls each having opposite top and bottom ends, the bottom end of the first wall and the top end of the second wall being spaced apart to define an opening therebetween;a pair of generally parallel end walls extending from the first wall, the end walls being spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in a transverse direction;a pair of generally parallel side walls extending from the second wall, the side walls being spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in the transverse direction; anda pair of retaining walls extending toward each other from the pair of side walls, the retaining walls being spaced apart from the second wall for retaining the seat belt therebetween, the retaining walls being positioned over the opening defined between the bottom end of the first wall and tile top end of the second wall so as to minimize friction associated with the belt passing under the retaining walls.

11. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 10, wherein each retaining wall includes a distal end, the distal ends being generally parallel and spaced apart to allow the belt to be inserted therethrough to an operative position in the guide and to prevent the belt from exiting therefrom during use.

12. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 10 including first and second lips protruding outwardly for maintaining the seat belt spaced apart from the second wall to minimize friction associated with sliding of the seat belt through the guide, the lips being positioned on opposite sides of the opening.

13. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 12, wherein the second lip extends along the bottom end of the second wall.

14. A seat belt guide as set forth in claim 12, wherein the second lip extends along the bottom end of the second wall.