Apparatus for reducing adverse restraining belt impact to apparel and restraining belt discomfort

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing adverse impact to apparel by restraining belts while providing comfort to the restraining belt user is provided. The apparatus comprises a cushion assemblage attached to a restraining belt, wherein the cushion portion thereof is positioned on the side of the restraining belt adjacent to the restraining belt wearer's body and contains a built-in bulge or protrusion under a curved surface adjacent to the restraining belt user's body which holds and smoothes the apparel while lifting the seat restraining away from the user's body thereby providing protection against the restraining belt causing wrinkling and/or abrasion or other contact damage to the user's apparel. Further this protection is provided by a device that may also provide enhanced personal comfort to the user.

1 . A cushion assemblage for a restraining belt comprising: 
 a cushion including a first cushion portion having a convexly curved surface and a second cushion portion having a substantially flat surface, wherein the convexly curved surface of the first cushion portion protrudes in a direction substantially normal to the substantially flat surface of the second cushion portion;    a base material fixedly contacting the cushion; and    a fastener system in communication with the base material wherein when the cushion assemblage is contacted with the restraining belt, the fastener system secures the cushion assemblage to the restraining belt in a position wherein the substantially flat surface of the second cushion portion abuts the restraining belt and at least a portion of the convexly curved surface of the first cushion portion abuts a restraining belt user's body.    
   
   
       2 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 1  wherein the fastener system fixedly attaches the cushion assemblage to the restraining belt.  
   
   
       3 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 1  wherein the cushion assemblage is positionally adjustable on the restraining belt.  
   
   
       4 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 1  wherein the substantially flat surface of the second cushion portion has a width less than or substantially equal to the width of the restraining belt and a length of about 7 inches or less.  
   
   
       5 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 1  further comprising a protective pad attached to the convexly curved surface of the first cushion portion.  
   
   
       6 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 1  wherein the second cushion portion has at least one side which is rounded.  
   
   
       7 . A cushion assemblage for a restraining belt comprising: 
 a cushion including a first cushion portion having a convexly curved surface and a second cushion portion having a substantially flat surface, wherein the convexly curved surface of the first cushion portion protrudes in a direction substantially normal to the substantially flat surface of the second cushion portion, and wherein the substantially flat surface of the second cushion portion has a notch, the notch having a width substantially equal to the width of the restraining belt.    
   
   
       8 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 7  further comprising an insert positioned in the notch wherein the insert is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of a molded material, a plastic, a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a material with a slippery surface and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 7  or  8  further comprising a base material fixedly contacting the cushion; and a fastener system in communication with the base material wherein when the cushion assemblage is contacted with the restraining belt, the fastener system secures the cushion assemblage to the restraining belt in a position wherein the notch of the second cushion portion abuts the restraining belt and at least a portion of the convexly curved surface of the first cushion portion abuts a restraining belt user's body.  
   
   
       10 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 7  wherein the cushion assemblage is positionally adjustable on the restraining belt.  
   
   
       11 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 7  wherein the substantially flat surface of the second cushion portion has a width greater than the width of the notch and a length of about 7 inches or less.  
   
   
       12 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 7  wherein the fastener system fixedly attaches the cushion assemblage to the restraining belt.  
   
   
       13 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 7  further comprising a protective pad attached to the convexly curved surface of the first cushion portion.  
   
   
       14 . A cushion assemblage for a restraining belt comprising: 
 a rod shaped cushion having a diameter less than the width of the restraining belt and a length of about 7 inches or less; and    a fastener system in communication with the rod shaped cushion.    
   
   
       15 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 14  wherein the fastener system fixedly attaches the cushion assemblage to the restraining belt.  
   
   
       16 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 14  wherein the cushion assemblage is positionally adjustable on the restraining belt.  
   
   
       17 . The cushion assemblage of  claim 14  further comprising a base material fixedly contacting the cushion.  
   
   
       18 . An protection system for use with a restraining belt comprising: 
 at least one cushion assemblage of claims  1 ,  7  or  14  or a combination thereof.    
   
   
       19 . The protection system of  claim 18  wherein at least one cushion assemblage is fixedly attached to the restraining belt.  
   
   
       20 . The protection system of  claim 18  wherein at least one cushion assemblage is positionally adjustable on the restraining belt.