Seat belt system having shoulder height support

Claim 2

A seat belt apparatus for a vehicle having lower anchor means at first and second sides of a seat of the vehicle, and an upper anchor means at the first side of the seat above and behind a back of the seat, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first belt anchored to the anchor means at the first side of the seat and retractably anchored to the upper anchor means; (b) coupling means connected to the lower anchor means at the second side of the seat; (c) buckle means on the first belt, the buckle means being adapted for releasable engagement with the latch means; (d) rear anchor means below and behind the seat; (e) a second belt anchored to the rear anchor means and having a free end; and (f) means for releasably connecting the free end of the second belt to the first belt between the buckle means and the upper anchor means with the second belt in supportive contact with the top of the seat back.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably connecting the second belt comprises receptacle means fixed on the first belt and latch means on the second belt for engaging the receptacle means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 comprising a plurality of the receptacle means for permitting connection of the second belt at a selected location along a first belt.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the receptacle means comprises a grommet forming a reinforced opening in the first belt.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the latch means on the second belt comprises a hook member for protruding the grommet.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a moveable member on the latch means, the movable member being biased for releasably preventing withdrawal of the hook member from the grommet.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably connecting comprises a loop member formed in the second belt, and a releasable member for closing the loop member about a portion of the first belt.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably connecting comprises releasable clamp means on the second belt for gripping the first belt at a selected location thereon.

Claim 10

A seat belt apparatus for a vehicle having lower anchor means at first and second sides of a seat of the vehicle, and an upper anchor means at the first side of the seat above and behind a back of the seat, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first belt anchored to the anchor means at the first side of the seat and retractably anchored to the upper anchor means; (b) coupling means connected to the lower anchor means at the second side of the seat; (c) buckle means on the first belt, the buckle means being adapted for releasable engagement with the latch means; (d) rear anchor means below and behind the seat; (e) a second belt anchored to the rear anchor means and having a free end; and (f) means for releasably connecting the free end of the second belt to the first belt between the buckle means and the upper anchor means, comprising: (i) receptacle means fixed on the first belt, comprising a plurality of grommets, each grommet forming a reinforced opening in the first belt; (ii) latch means on the second belt for engaging a selected one of the grommets, the latch means comprising a hook member for protruding the selected grommet and a moveable member proximate the hook member, the moveable member being biased for releasably preventing withdrawal of the hook member from the grommet.

Claim 11

A seat belt apparatus for a vehicle having lower anchor means at first and second sides of a seat of the vehicle, and an upper anchor means at the first side of the seat above and behind a back of the seat, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first belt anchored to the anchor means at the first side of the seat and retractably anchored to the upper anchor means; (b) coupling means connected to the lower anchor means at the second side of the seat; (c) buckle means on the first belt, the buckle means being adapted for releasable engagement with the latch means; (d) rear anchor means below and behind the seat; (e) a second belt anchored to the rear anchor means and having a free end; and (f) means for releasably connecting the free end of the second belt to the first belt between the buckle means and the upper anchor means, comprising: (i) receptacle means fixed on the first belt, comprising a plurality of grommets, each grommet forming a reinforced opening in the first belt; (ii) latch means on the second belt for engaging a selected one of the grommets, the latch means comprising a hook member for protruding the selected grommet and a moveable member proximate the hook member, the moveable member being biased for releasably preventing withdrawal of the hook member from the grommet.

Claim 12

A kit for modifying a seat belt apparatus for a vehicle having lower anchor means at first and second sides of a seat of the vehicle, an upper anchor means at the first side of the seat above and behind a back of the seat, a first belt anchored to the anchor means at the first side of the seat and retractably anchored to the upper anchor means, latch means connected to the lower anchor means at the second side of the seat, and buckle means on the first belt, the buckle means being adapted for releasable engagement with the latch means, the kit comprising: (a) rear anchor means below and behind the seat; (b) a second belt anchored to the rear anchor means and having a free end; and (c) means for releasably connecting the free end of the second belt to the first belt between the buckle means and the upper anchor means.

Claim 13

A kit for modifying a seat belt apparatus for a vehicle having lower anchor means at first and second sides of a seat of the vehicle, an upper anchor means at the first side of the seat above and behind a back of the seat, a first belt anchored to the anchor means at the first side of the seat and retractably anchored to the upper anchor means, latch means connected to the lower anchor means at the second side of the seat, and buckle means on the first belt, the buckle means being adapted for releasable engagement with the latch means, the kit comprising: (a) rear anchor means below and behind the seat; (b) a second belt anchored to the rear anchor means and having a free end; and (c) means for releasably connecting the free end of the second belt to the first belt between the buckle means and the upper anchor means.

Claim 14

The kit of claim 10 wherein the means for releasably connecting the second belt comprises: (a) receptacle means comprising a plurality of grommets for mounting in the first belt between the buckle means and the upper anchor means and forming reinforced openings in the first belt; and (b) latch means on the second belt for selectively engaging the grommets.

Claim 15

The kit of claim 11 wherein the latch means on the second belt comprises a hook member for protruding a selected grommet.

Claim 16

The kit of claim 11 further comprising tool means for installing the grommets.

Claim 17

The kit of claim 10 wherein the means for releasably connecting comprises a loop member formed in the second belt, and a releasably member for closing the loop member about a portion of the first belt.

Claim 18

The kit of claim 10 wherein the means for releasably connecting comprises releasable clamp means on the second belt for gripping the first belt at a selected location thereon.

Claim 21

The method of claim 16 comprising the further step of installing a grommet for forming a reinforced opening in the first belt; and wherein the latch means on the second belt comprises a hook member for protruding the grommet.