Aid for threading a seat belt through a child safety restraint

摘要

A device helps the user pull a vehicle seat belt mechanism through a child safety restraint seat to secure the seat in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated handle member and a pocket member located at one end of the handle member. This pocket member includes: (a) at least one wall that defines a chamber to receive a portion of a seat belt mechanism, (b) an open face of sufficient size to allow the portion of the seat belt mechanism to enter into the chamber, and (c) a slot defined in the wall. The slot allows a restraining band portion of the seat belt mechanism to extend outside the chamber and retains the portion of the seat belt mechanism within the chamber when the handle member is pulled. In another embodiment, the device includes an elongated handle member having a first end and a second end and a spring hook mechanism located proximate the second end. This spring hook mechanism includes: (a) a base portion connected with the elongated handle member and (b) a free hook end extending from the base portion toward the second end of the elongated handle member. The free hook end includes a hook member for engaging a portion of the seat belt mechanism. In this embodiment, the distance between the hook member and the first end of the elongated handle member is greater than the distance between the base portion and the first end of the elongated handle member. Preferably, the devices according to the invention are integrally formed from a rigid but flexible material, such as a strong plastic.