Inventor takes 'hands on' approach to device
After suffering with the pain, Tyler had difficulty twisting in the driver seat of his vehicle to reach over his shoulder and grab his seat belt. As a truck driver and someone who spends a great deal of time on the road, the situation created quite a problem for the Arnold resident.
Taking hold of the innovative American spirit, Tyler invented a contraption to combat his driving blues.For now, he calls it the Seatbelt Assist and Reminder. It is a long, thin, flexible plastic strip that loops around one's seatbelt and extends toward the driver. A person can easily reach across his or her shoulder to take hold of the device and, subsequently, the seatbelt.
Tyler believes his invention will remind negligent people to buckle up and allow others who could not wear their seatbelts because they could not reach the strap to drive in safety as well.
"Something so simple and so cheap could save so many lives," Tyler said.
For Tyler, however, the journey to market the seatbelt assist has been far more difficult than developing the idea itself.
Benjamin Franklin might have said it best when he said, "The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness-you have to catch it yourself."
Pursuit has not been uncommon for Tyler since he received his patent two years ago. Successfully locating interested parties, on the other hand, has been rare.
Tyler has contacted AAA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), driver's education classes, Ford, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation, NASCAR and countless other organizations in search of someone who wants to purchase his device.
"I don't know what they don't see," Tyler said.
Despite his disappointment, Tyler battles on. He believes companies and organizations would be more comfortable working with a corporation than an individual, so he is in the process of hiring a marketing firm.
Unfortunately, such an endeavor requires several thousand dollars, and Tyler admitted he has already invested every dime he can into his invention.
While Margie Sammons, administrator of the Rock Township Ambulance District, cannot help Tyler market the seatbelt assist, she supports the invention wholeheartedly. In fact, Sammons invited Tyler to speak to the Arnold Chamber of Commerce when she served as president.
"It is a very good piece of equipment," Sammons said. "It's a great way to get a hold of your seatbelt."
She believes the device would be especially beneficial to the elderly or disabled but admitted it would be important for people in any age group.
Tyler's family supports him as well, backing his vision completely.
As a driver for Conway Freight, Tyler sees scores of people on the roads who do not use their seatbelts, and maybe his seatbelt assist would remind them to buckle up.
"If it could save one life, what more could you ask for?" Tyler asked.
He continues to pursue, waiting on happiness.
"I'm lost," Tyler said. "I'm beyond frustrated. I never thought that it would be this hard."
For more information about the Seatbelt Assist and Reminder, contact Tyler at tyler_paul@sbcglobal.net.
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