Abstract: According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system includes a housing having a base wall with flanges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored in the generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower end of the belt.

Abstract: An improved tongue assembly is used in a safety apparatus having a belt for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle. The tongue assembly includes a base having an opening through which the belt extends. A metal bar spans the opening in the base so that the belt extends through the opening, across the bar and back through the opening. A cover interconnects the base and opposite end portions of the bar. The belt engages an intermediate portion of the bar. In one embodiment of the invention, the bar and cover are slidable together relative to the base. In another embodiment of the invention, the bar slides relative to the cover and the base.

Abstract: A tongue assembly is used in a safety apparatus having a belt for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle. The tongue assembly includes a base having a flat leading end portion, a flat trailing end portion which is offset from and extends parallel to the leading end portion, and a connector portion extending between the leading and trailing end portions. The base has an opening which extends through the trailing end portion and through the connector portion. A locking bar spans the opening in the base. The belt extends through the opening, across the bar and back through the opening. When the tongue assembly is disconnected from a buckle, the belt extends through the tongue assembly so that the belt has first and second straight portions with the angle between the first and second straight portions of the belt being at least 154.degree..

Abstract: An anti-creep bar for holding a web. A seat belt buckle or tongue has a pivotally cam bar which receives a seat belt or web. The cam bar is positioned adjacent a web stop and pinches the web therebetween when in the locked position. A pair of wire springs urge the cam bar to the locked position, but are yieldable to allow the cam bar to pivot away from the web stop when the free end of the web is pulled outwardly.

Abstract: A device to lift objects with a single strap including a center panel attached directly to a handle, the panel sliding up and down between a pair of housing panels with alignable slot openings through the two panel members and the center panel, the combined opening being sufficient to receive a free end of the strap with the other end of the strap securely fastened to the opposite side of the device so that when the strap is wrapped around the object to be lifted, and the free end inserted through the combined openings lifting on the handle immediately grabs the strap and releasing of the handle immediately releases the strap.

Abstract: A safety buckle which is comprised of two, releasable, interlocking portions. One portion has outward flexing lateral arms with tabs connected to their leading ends. Positioned between the lateral arms is a central safety arm which flexes vertically and has a latching hook connected to its leading end. The arms flex slightly to facilitate insertion into the receiving portion. When fully inserted the tabs of the lateral arm protrude into corresponding openings located on opposite sides of the receiving portion whereas the hook of the safety arm locks into a corresponding slot located on the back of the receiving poriton. Release of the interlocked portions is best accomplished by use of two hands; the thumb and first finger of one hand depressing the tabs of the lateral arms, and a finger of the other hand depressing the hook of the safety arm sufficient to permit release.

Abstract: A two part, over center buckle for belting. The buckle has a retention member on one part of the buckle which will engage a detent on the second part of the buckle when the buckle is closed. The retention member holds the buckle closed against normal vibration and jarring.

Abstract: A buckle for a strap comprises a rectangular body formed with a window defined by a planar rectangular frame with a fixed bar at an edge of the body, and a pair of guide walls extending generally perpendicularly to the fixed bar, and a movable bar in the window parallel to the fixed bar and defining therewith a gap into which a strap can be passed and which can clamp the strap against the fixed bar. The movable bar is provided with wedge-shaped formations tapering toward the fixed bar bordering the window, the walls being formed with lateral slots respectively receiving the wedge-shaped formations with clearance and tapered correspondingly with substantially the same angle of taper and such that movement of the formations in the respective slots in a direction opposite the direction of taper thereof increases play between the formations and the slots whereas movement of the formations in the respective slots in an opposite direction wedges the formations without play in the slots.

Abstract: A restraint belt guide loop assembly for deflecting a belt from a retractor to a diagonal position across the occupant upper torso includes a mounting frame pivotally mounted on the vehicle body with the belt passing between upper and lower belt clamping shoes movably mounted on the frame so that downward acting tension on the belt urges the lower shoe downwardly. A pair of C-shaped levers are mounted on the bracket adjacent the ends of the shoes. Each lever includes an upper arm bearing on the upper shoe and a lower arm supporting the lower shoe so that downward movement of the lower shoe by the tension on the belt pivots the lever and forces the upper shoe downwardly toward the lower shoe. The upper arm is longer than the lower arm so that the pivoting movement of the lever causes the downward movement on the upper shoe to be greater than the downward movement of the lower shoe so that the upper shoe overtakes the lower shoe and clamps the belt between the shoes against sliding movement through the frame.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing a belt against slipping from a holding clamp by forming a loop in the belt and inserting same into a slot of a clamp or a device, a wedge is then inserted into said loop. By pulling the free end of the belt, the loop and wedge enter into said slot.

Abstract: A separable connector for strap ends has a tapered tongue guided in a socket member between guide ribs so that passages are formed outwardly of these ribs for deflectable tongues which lodge in slits of the socket member. The plug member of the connector or, more generally, a buckle for a strap end, can have a movable bar about which the strap can be looped and which has wedge-shaped formations at its ends guided in wedge-shaped slots so that canting of the bar is prevented when the bar clamps the strap end against the movable bars.

Abstract: A reversible buckle has a body with two side pieces that define the buckle's upper and lower faces, means for securing the buckle to a workpiece, and means for adjustably securing a strap to the buckle. The adjustably securing means includes substantially parallel first and second cross-members. The first cross-member has a substantially convex region and the second cross-member has a substantially concave region disposed substantially opposite the convex region so that the concave and convex regions are capable of cooperatively engaging and adjustably securing a strap threaded therethrough from the lower face or from the upper face.

Abstract: A molded sliding bar buckle of the type comprising a strap retainer bar slidably mounted on an open rectangular connector frame having a grip base and a connecting bar on opposite sides of the strap retainer bar. The strap retainer bar includes a central strap engagement portion for retaining therearound one end portion of a strap and having on its back a sloped flat or substantially flat surface facing away from the grip base. The sloped surface has an upper end disposed adjacent to the connecting portion and a lower end disposed adjacent to the grip base, the upper end lying in a plane extending through a center of the thickness of the strap engagement portion. With this construction, when the strap is longitudinally tensioned with its one end portion looped around the strap engagement portion, a tensioning force is transformed substantially into a force or a vector acting in said plane in a direction to tend to move the strap retainer bar linearly toward the grip base.

Abstract: A low friction self-locking adjust tongue having a pair of depressed lands provided in the tongue plate either side of the web aperture to form a lock bar well. Cutouts provided in the tongue plate's upstanding flanges form in conjunction with said depressed lands a bi-level lock bar slot extending rearwardly and upwardly from the lock-bar well to above the plane of the tongue plate. In the unlatched position of the tongue plate, the lock bar rests in the lock bar well permitting the seat belt webbing to pass thereover with negligable friction. In the locked position, the lock bar is displaced towards the rear of the bi-level lock bar slot which raises the lock bar above the plane of the tongue plate. In this position, the friction between the lock bar and the seat belt webbing is sufficient to lock the seat belt webbing in the tongue plate after it is snuggly adjusted about the occupants pelvic region.

Abstract: In combination, a support belt and a buckle having a frame with a pair of opposed forward and rearward transverse members, the latter being secured to one end of the belt. The other end of the belt is adapted to pass through the frame and has means thereon for engagement with the outside of the belt after such passage. The frame has a slidably, rotatable tubular member movable towards and away from the forward transverse member and the tubular member has a pair of opposed planar faces joined by a pair of opposed curved faces, said faces providing a pair of opposed, relatively sharp edges.

Abstract: A fitting for flexible fabric type web slings.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a seat belt comprising: a base plate having a base and a pair of side walls, said base having a webbing inserting hole through which a webbing is passed, said pair of side walls extending upward from both sides of said base and bent toward the inside at the end portions thereof; an adjusting bar provided between said both side walls and relatively movable against the base plate; and a metal protector mounted to said base plate, said protector including a portion located above the adjusting bar.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an over center strap buckle of the type commonly used in cargo hold-down systems wherein straps connected to the cargo are tensioned to prevent shifting during transport. The buckle includes a handle pivotally mounted upon a U-shaped body, and the tension strap is looped through the handle wherein pivoting thereof between open and closed positions tensions the strap. A manually operated wire latch mounted upon the handle cooperates with notches defined upon the body when the handle is pivoted to the closed strap tensioning position, and the latch includes finger engagable portions for manually displacing the latch from the body notches to release the handle for pivoting to the open tension-release position.

Abstract: The upper back portion of a seating sheet is suspended from the handle of a baby carriage by a slidable clip arrangement including a first loop clip suspended from the carriage handle and a second loop clip adjustably secured to the upper portion of the seating sheet.

Abstract: A seat belt connecting device for connecting an outer belt composed of a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion to an inner belt, comprises a frame member, to which the inner belt is fastened, an outer belt supporting member which is rotatably and slidably supported by the frame member, an elastic member which is provided between the frame member and the outer belt supporting member and a locking member which is formed in the frame member for locking the outer belt supporting member. When the outer belt is tensioned due to the load applied by the occupant at an emergency time, the outer belt supporting member slides while being rotated, overcoming a pushing force of the elastic member until the outer belt supporting member is locked by the locking member. Consequently, the outer belt is stopped from being shifted with respect to the seat belt connecting device.

Abstract: A sling fastening buckle comprising a buckle frame in the form of a bottom plate in which is formed an aperture, the marginal portions of said plate being angularly bent to form two channels, in which two bars are displaceable. The bars have an essentially oblong cross-sectional shape with rounded edges. A sling is placed about a load so as to encircle the latter while the two end parts of the sling are passed through the aperture, between the bars and arranged around the associated bar. The end parts of the sling are then passed between the bars and the edge limiting the aperture. After tightening the sling about the load, the bars are forced outwards towards the edges of the aperture, thus applying a clamping action on the sling which is thus locked in position.The locking ceases when a pulling force is applied on the end parts of the sling and the sling may then be further tightened. The sling is released by positioning the buckle frame at an angle relative to the support.

Abstract: A lock tongue for safety belts with a belt strap of the safety belt being adapted to pass through the lock tongue and be firmly attached to the belt strap so as to be safe against displacement at a certain location of the belt strap due to a loop-around friction occuring under load. The attachment is effected by repeated deflection of the belt strap by means of a component separate from the lock tab or tongue cooperating with the later. The lock tab or tongue includes two passage openings which are separated from each other by a central web, with the passage openings being adapted to accommodate the belt strap. A clamping bracket may be attached, preferably in a releasable fashion, into one of the passage openings.

Abstract: A clasp used with a swimming article for tightening a strap wherein the clasp comprises two main portions: a frame member formed of a resilient material having longitudinal recesses along two opposite sides of the frame member and having two cutaway portions formed on the same sides of the plane of the frame member and at diagonally opposite corners thereof, and a movable bar whose opposite ends are adapted to slide in the recesses in the opposite sides of the frame member and which is adapted to be inserted into the frame by passing the ends of the bar through the cutaway portions, and into the recesses. The movable bar is snap fitted while being placed on the diagonal of the rectangle with its ends engaging with the cutaway portions, and is capable of sliding along the longitudinal recesses. A clasp in accordance with this invention is particularly useful in a diving mask or flippers.

Abstract: An improved self-locking adjust tongue plate including a sleeve surrounding a lock bar extending in slots provided on side flanges of the tongue. The sleeve spaces the lock bar from the walls of the slots so as to avoid metal to metal contact, which may adversely affect the lock-up angles of the adjust tongue.

Abstract: An automatic seatbelt system for automatically fastening an outer webbing and an inner webbing to an occupant upon being seated, wherein opposite ends of the outer webbing are engaged with the upper and lower portions of a vehicle door, respectively, the base portion of the inner webbing is wound into a retractor provided at substantially the central portion of the vehicle, and, in an emergency of a vehicle, the intermediate portion of the inner webbing is directly locked, so that the inner webbing can be prevented from being wound out of the retractor.

Abstract: A junction device is connected to an anchor belt retractably mounted inboard an occupant seat and slidably encircles a continuous-loop belt having upper and lower ends mounted on the door to define lap and shoulder belt portions. A yieldable spring, preferably a rubber O-ring, is sewn to the anchor belt and hooked over the junction device to establish the junction device at a normal angular position relative the anchor belt in which the junction device assumes a streamlined lie-flat position with respect to the occupant torso to thereby facilitate low interference travel of the junction device across the occupant torso during movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt system including a retractor with a static loop snubber operative to normally freely pass webbing and to lock under predetermined belt load thereby eliminating occupant excursion incident to belt tension on the retractor side of the static loop snubber.

Abstract: A fastening device is structured so that one half thereof is symmetrical with the other and includes a casing, with a pair of inwardly folded portions, and a pair of symmetrical block-members, each having a bar-member and accommodated within the casing such that one end of each block-member is respectively outwardly biased toward the lateral open ends of the casing. Respective end portions of strings or the like are wound around the respective bar-member and respectively abut the respective folded portions as long as the respective ends of the block-members remain outwardly biased and are not pushed inwardly by a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to plate type buckles for safety belts of the kind formed of flat webbing and is particularly concerned with such a buckle wherein engagement between the two parts can only occur when the webbing is not twisted in a way which would lead to slipping occurring when a load is applied to the belt. The buckle comprises a main plate which is attached to one end of the belt and a top plate which is slidably attached in a manner allowing adjustment of the working length of the belt. The belt is turned back in a loop around a webbing bar in the top plate and the main plate has an aperture therethrough capable of passing the loop and a slot in each of opposed longitudinally extending sides of said aperture to extend the width of the aperture for facilitating passage of said top plate in edgewise orientation with respect to said main plate.

Abstract: An automatic locking belt carried safety belt take-up reel includes a U-shaped body member provided with longitudinal side arms having a spring biased belt take-up reel journalled between its rear portions and having parallel track grooves formed in the confronting faces of its front portion. A tongue plate slidably engages the grooves and has a transverse rear and a lock bar slidably rests on the tongue plate across the slot and includes upwardly forwardly projecting side legs. A top wall extends between the top forward portions of the side arms and terminates in a front depending lip extending to the level of the groove tops. A safety belt has one end connected to the reel and extends from the bottom thereof upwardly through the slot rearward of the lock bar, about the lock bar and then downwardly between the lock bar and the slot front edge and rearwardly to a vehicle anchor point.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle and tongue combination with means limiting relative motion between the combination frame and the belt or web attached thereto. A roller bar is slidably mounted to the combination frame with the opposite ends of the bar extending into slots on the frame. A pair of helical springs are positioned in the slots to urge the roller bar toward a stop edge on the frame to secure the web against the stop edge and limit relative motion between the web and the roller bar. A pair of clips secure the springs within the slots.

Abstract: A lifting device for filled sacks comprises a frame in which a pair of parallel clamping bars are mounted to be revolved in unison by a crank about a common horizontal axis parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axes of the bars. One of the bars is individually rotatable about its own longitudinal axis and is displaceable towards and away from the other bar. The gathered top of a sack is introduced between the bars when these are separated and automatically becomes wrapped around the bars and clamped therebetween as the crank is turned, whereafter the sack can be lifted by raising the frame.

Abstract: An automatic locking belt carried safety belt take-up reel includes a U-shaped polymeric resin body member having a cross web and side arms and a spring biased reel journaled between the side arms proximate the cross web. A buckle coupling tongue is longitudinally slidably engaged between the confronting outer ends of the side arms and projects forwardly thereof and is provided with a wide transverse slot between the side arms. A knurled locking bar longitudinally slidably rests on the end borders of the slot and a safety belt has one end anchored to the reel and extending from the bottom thereof upwardly through the slot rearward of the lock bar, about the lock bar and then downwardly between the lock bar and the front edge of the slot and then rearwardly through a guide formed proximate the cross web bottom edge and then to a vehicle anchor point.

Abstract: A buckle includes separable cooperating receptacle and clasp members. The receptacle member includes a pair of locking slots formed in opposing sides thereof. The clasp member includes a pair of resilient arms having locking tabs thereon for releasably engaging the locking slots of the receptacle member. The receptacle member also includes a pair of grooves for slidably engaging cooperating raised ridges formed on a central arm of the clasp member for guiding said clasp member during insertion into and removal from the receptacle member. The central arm of the clasp member also includes a pair of laterally extending edges for defining a limit to the inward bending of the resilient arms. The receptacle also includes a belt end termination member including a slide member for adjusting the length of a belt looped around said slide member. The clasp member also includes a base member joining the three arms thereof and including a through slot for terminating a belt end or the like.

Abstract: A buckle includes an open rectangular frame having a passage lying in the plane of the frame, together with a locking washer slidably disposed in the passage. Means are provided, in the form of complemental construction on the frame and washer, preventing the locking washer from falling out of the frame at least in one direction. One strap end can be secured to one transverse portion of the frame, while another strap end can be directed through the opening in the frame, around one side of the locking washer, and back through the same opening. The other side of the locking washer can extend through the other side of the frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to clamping devices and more particularly to a quick release clamping device capable of holding adjustable length means in adjusted effective length between an anchor element and the clamping device.

Abstract: Apparatus for the adjustment to various lengths of a belt, preferably of a safety belt on motor vehicles or the like, with a frame having a longitudinal aperture and, displaceable in the frame and transversely with respect to the longitudinal aperture, a thrust piece which has a transverse web with a locking edge set at a small angle to its main plane and lateral guide panels extending transversely to the locking edge.

Abstract: A buckle having a male member insertable into a female member, the male member having a rigid portion and the female member having a flexible portion which engages the rigid portion to produce the locking action and the male member has a separate flexible portion which overlies the flexible female portion so that pressure applied to the flexible male portion moves the flexible female portion to unlock the buckle by moving it away from the rigid male portion.

Abstract: Deflection device for a safety belt with a bar around which the safety belt passes, a pivotable arm in which the bar can slide in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the belt and a stop for the bar, the arrangement being such that the belt can normally pass freely around the bar from the belt collector but that the belt becomes clamped between the bar and the stop when subjected to abnormal forces, such as a collision or extreme deceleration.

Abstract: An easily released belt fastener can be constructed utilizing an elongated body having an opening extending through the body intermediate the ends of the body. A clamping bar is movably mounted on the body so as to extend across the opening adjacent to and parallel to a clamping surface. This clamping bar is mounted in such a manner that it is capable of being moved between a clamping position in which it is spaced from the clamping surface and a non-clamping position in which it is also parallel to the clamping surface but is located further from the clamping surface than in the clamping position. The body is formed so that an end of it may be secured in an operative position in which it can be rotated about an axis which is substantially parallel with the clamping surface. A belt may be inserted through the opening around the clamping bar and between this bar and the clamping surface then back underneath the body along itself.

Abstract: A releasable locking type buckle is made of two pieces of essentially flat material, the pieces forming two members which cooperate with preferably webbed type belts to form a securing assembly usable as a cargo securing device. One of the locking members receives a preferably webbed type belt fixedly secured thereto, while the other locking member includes a loop receiving portion, an end of which is fixedly secured. The second member is slidable along the first member between a locking position and an unlocking position. The loop includes a first leg positioned against the underside of the first member and is looped over the loop receiving portion of the second member with a second leg of the loop spaced from the first leg.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a strap of a safety belt for vehicles and like craft comprises a latch in the form of a bar which is transversely movable with respect to a base plate. The base plate is formed with an opening through which the strap is passed about the bar for clamping the strap between the bar and the base plate when the strap is subjected to pull. At a heavy pull at the strap, the bar is adapted to be shifted laterally of the opening in the direction of pull. Between the base plate and the bar the device has a thin flat member which is associated with the base plate and adapted, at a heavy pull at the strap, to be carried along by the bar when the latter is shifted laterally of the opening. At said shifting movement the flat member lies between the strap and the base plate so that the strap is protected against abrasion under the heavy load.

Abstract: A continuous loop slip tongue element having an integral channel housing portion which is provided with a seat belt webbing aperture having a transverse lock buttress edge portion. A round bar element is rollably mounted within the channel housing across the seat belt webbing aperture and has a seat belt webbing slot therethrough. A seat belt webbing is freely positioned through the housing seat belt webbing aperture to slidably pass through the round bar seat belt webbing slot so that the continuous loop slip tongue element is freely movable along the seat belt webbing until the slip tongue element is moved to its operative use position in engagement with a buckle assembly which causes the webbing to reverse itself in direction. This action of the webbing moves and rotates the round bar element to a lockably stressed position within the channel housing so as to lockably retain the seat belt webbing against the lock buttress edge portion defined by the channel housing aperture.

Abstract: A parachute riser buckle is provided on the parachute harness for a quick release of the parachute risers from the harness. Blocking means on the buckle body has a latch position in which it blocks removal of the riser connecting portion and an unlatched position for permitting removal of the riser connecting portion. A latch preventing member is provided which has a position in which it prevents the blocking means from returning to its latched position from its unlatched position except when the riser connecting portion is inserted in the buckle body to prevent incorrect and non-positive latching of the blocking means with the riser connecting portion. A handle is provided to rotate with the blocking means and has a surface which prevents the latch preventing member from moving to its latch preventing position except when the handle moves the blocking member to its unlatched position.

Abstract: A buckle component of a vehicle occupant restraint belt system is slidably disposed on a restraint belt of the system in an improved manner. The buckle component may take the form of a female buckle or a male D-ring that secures the belt in an occupant restraining position. The buckle component includes a housing with an outwardly facing rectilinear locking portion extending transversely with respect to the elongated direction of the belt. An external lock bar extends alongside the locking portion with the belt received therebetween. The lock bar has a slightly greater length than the width of the belt and has end portions extending about the side edges of the belt and back toward each other in generally U-shaped configurations. These end portions are pivotally mounted on the housing of the buckle component.

Abstract: Apparatus for curing a tire repair wherein an electrical heater pad is placed against the repair area on the inside of the tire, and is supported by a flat air bag which lies against the inside of the tire, and is supported by a sausage-shaped air bag. Another electrical heater pad is placed against the repair area on the outside of the tire, and is held against the tire by another flat air bag which is held against the tire by straps passing around the tire cross-section. A buckle is shown which allows the straps to be pulled up as tight as possible by hand; the bags are then inflated to hold the heater pads firmly against the tire. The repair is then cured by passing currents through the heater pads.