- Drop Stop
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Drop Stop is a device designed to prevent items from falling down in between a car's front seats and center console. It was invented by Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon of Los Angeles.[1]
Drop Stop is constructed out of black Neoprene filled with polyester fiberfill.[2] It has a slot sewn into it where the seat belt latch can fit through. This anchors the device, allowing the car seat to slide back-and-forth freely. According to Newburger and Simon, the space between the center console and the front seats is always in dark shadow and thus the black color of Drop Stop matches any car's interior.[3] However, some cars, for example the BMW M3 and Volkswagen Jetta, don’t have enough space in the gap to fit the Drop Stop in place.[4] Also, the device is considered expensive for what it is.[2]
The idea was born after the inventors dropped a mobile phone down the gap while driving and almost caused a serious accident trying to retrieve it.[5][6]
References
- ^ "Inventors Have Solution To Vehicles' Black Holes". Los Angeles: CBS Broadcasting Inc.. 3 December 2009. http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=7179292. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ a b Markley, Stephen (16 April 2009). "Drop Stop Prevents Items From Falling Under Your Seat". Miami: The Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/159/story/1002992.html. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ^ Romero, Ric (18 December 2009). "Invention blocks drops into console crevice". Los Angeles: ABC Inc.. http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=7179292. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ "Automotive Accessories: How to Keep Your Car Nicer Longer - Gear Box". Car and Driver. September 2009. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q3/automotive_accessories_how_to_keep_your_car_nicer_longer-gear_box. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ Lamas, Jonathan. "The Original Drop Stop Car Wedge". About.com. http://mustangs.about.com/od/accessories/a/dropstop-profile.htm. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
- ^ "Car Accessory Aim to Reduce Crashes". AAA. August 2009. http://www.homeandawaymagazine.com/content.cfm?n=758. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
External links
Categories:- American inventions
- Automotive safety technologies
- Automotive accessories
- Automotive part stubs
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