Abstract: A latch plate assembly (10) comprising: a plate (12) having a tongue (14) formed at one end (16) thereof, a back portion (18) opposite the tongue (14) and a first opening formed in the back portion (18); a web guide (40), is positioned about the back portion (18) which includes an elevated member (44) spaced above the back portion (18) and a lower member (42) positioned below the back portion (18). The members (42, 44) cooperate to define a web guide slot (46) which laterally extends relative to the plate (12) to receive the seat belt webbing (36). The elevated member (44), includes a sloped surface (48) extending away from the first opening (34) and a first engagement surface (50) extending laterally positioned across a rear side of first opening (34). The latch plate assembly further includes: a cover (70) slidingly received about plate (12) relative to the web guide ( 40).

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: The buckle includes: at least three laminate plates, a movable latch means, a manually operable actuation means, and a no false latch biasing means. The biasing means includes: a tongue engaging portion which may be at least one upper arm, an energy storage means which may be at least one coil torsion spring, and a latch engaging portion which may be at least one lower arm. The biasing means moves the latch means into engagement with the tongue when the tongue is substantially inserted in the buckle and ejects the tongue upon movement of the latch means by the actuation means. The buckle offers low resistance to insertion of the tongue until the tongue nears its fully inserted position and thereby avoids a problem of "false latching".

Abstract: A safety belt buckle is provided with plural locking features that increase its holding strength and decrease fastening and release effort. The buckle has a housing containing means for receiving the tongue of a seat belt. A latching means engages the tongue and cooperates with a locking means to hold it within the housing. The buckle is small, light, strong, reliable, easy to fasten and unfasten, comfortable to wear and inexpensive to produce.