ANTI-TAMPER DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE SEAT-BELTS

摘要

An anti-tamper device (26) is described for use with a seat-belt clasp (18) and buckle (14) of the type in which the buckle has a narrowed tongue (16) projecting from a belt loop (12) and the clasp has an opening (22) into which the tongue can be lockably inserted and a release element (24) that is manually operable to unlock the buckle from the clasp. A first portion (28) of the device has an aperture (58) through which the tongue can be inserted into the opening in the clasp to that, when the tongue is locked in the clasp, the first portion is trapped between the clasp and the belt loop of the buckle. A second portion (30) is mounted relative to the first portion for movement between a closed position in which, when the first portion is trapped between the clasp and the belt loop, the second portion covers the release element, and an open position in which the release element is accessible. A child-proof locking arrangement (48,50,54) releasably locks the first and second portions in the closed position. When the device is no longer required, it can simply be removed, when the seat-belt is undone, because the device is no longer trapped between the clasp and the belt loop, and the device can then be stored in a safe place.