And Interlocking With Independently Associated Or Dissociated Projection Members Patents (Class 24/632)
  • Patent number: 11839270
    Abstract: Ring and Wing Buckle is a new kind of fastener, which may be used to connect lose ends of belts, cords, wires, ropes, chains and the like in luggage, garment, fashion, jewelry, footwear, sports gear, construction, sailing, Recreation and similar fields of endeavor. It can be made in any size and of variety of materials like plastics, metals or wood, using flat, cut out slices layered together or as a solid body, using 3D printing, injection molding or casting. Flat and symmetrical body, allows multiple buckles to be layered together to form buckle hubs for harnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: San Ragip Besbelli
  • Patent number: 11452344
    Abstract: A chest buckle for a harness for carrying a handheld motor-driven work tool, the chest buckle including first and second parts, wherein the first and second part, each includes at least two mechanisms attaching straps of the harness thereto. The first part includes a recess defining a cavity arranged to accommodate the second part therein. The second part includes a resilient locking member arranged to protrude through a hole in the first part when the second part is accommodated in the cavity to lock the first and second parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Lennings, Emma Ekberg
  • Patent number: 11097685
    Abstract: A tactical-gear-accommodating seatbelt system and method adapted to provide enhanced safety and easier, more reliable means of engaging and disengaging the seatbelt for persons wearing tactical gear on the waist and chest, by providing an extender unit having an extender strap coupled with and extending from the standard seat-level receptacle or anchored in lieu of the standard seat-level receptacle, and a continuous two-way quarter-turn sure-release receptacle attached to the free end of the extender strap such that the double receptacle sits generally in front of the lower torso in use, and having receptacle fittings to accommodate separate lap and shoulder straps anchored at lower and upper anchor points, respectively, with free ends terminated in buckle tabs, thereby allowing easier and safer engagement and disengagement of the seatbelt system for a person wearing tactical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Donald Kennair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10772390
    Abstract: A buckle device comprises a main unit, a disk unit, a press unit, and an elastic unit. The main unit includes a housing. The disk unit includes at least one vertical disk. The press unit includes a press body. The elastic unit includes a first spring body. One end of the first spring body is disposed on the vertical disk. The other end of the first spring body is disposed on the press body. The first spring body is a thrust spring to extend the lifespan of the buckle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BROGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Kuang Chiu, Po-Tsun Chen, Juei-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 10596397
    Abstract: A harness system for harnessing a user to a suspension device. The harness comprises a strap system having a plurality of straps configured and operable to connect the suspension device to a back region of the harness, each strap having a back end portion at said back region and connectable to the suspension device, and a front end portion located in a front side of the harness. The straps extend from the back region to the front side of the harness and wrap around all sides of a torso of said user. A single connector assembly is used for quick connection of front end portions of at least some of the straps at the front side of the harness in a single interlocking operation, thereby to secure the harness to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SKYSAVER RESCUE LTD.
    Inventors: Baruch Eliezer Gross, Avner Farkash, Israel Daniel Minehart, Sasson Betzalel
  • Patent number: 10368615
    Abstract: A harness fastening system includes a first strap fastener, and a second strap fastener attachable to and detachable from the first strap fastener. The second strap fastener includes a casing body, a tongue and a release actuator. The casing body has an opening for passage of the first strap fastener. The tongue is disposed in the casing body, and includes a support base and at least one locking portion connected with each other, the support base being further connected with the casing body, and the locking portion being elastically deflectable relative to the support base for engaging and disengaging the first strap fastener. The release actuator is movably assembled with the casing body, and is operable to urge the locking portion to elastically deflect for disengaging from the first strap fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zhongjie Zhang
  • Patent number: 9867432
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle includes a base unit, a driving unit mounted on the base unit, and a torque device mounted on the driving unit. The base unit is provided with a plurality of insertion slots, a rotation shaft, and a positioning portion. The driving unit includes a circular cap and a driving handle. The torque device includes a ring, two balls, two compression springs and a fixed plate. In practice, when the driving handle is driven by a user, the circular cap is rotated to operate the two compression springs which press the two balls to increase a resistance to the circular cap, and to obstruct rotation of the driving unit, thereby preventing the driving unit from being driven freely by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Racing Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9521895
    Abstract: A single action four point harness for a backpack that conforms to the anatomy of the wearer is provided. The backpack includes a storage section and a harness section. The harness section includes a plurality of pliable shoulder arms and a plurality of pliable waist arms that are bendable to conform to the anatomy of the wearer. The harness section also includes a buckle with a plurality of releasable fasteners. At least one fasteners is connected to each of the plurality of pliable shoulder arms and the plurality of pliable waist arms by an adjustable length strap. The buckle comprises a single release button and a plurality of individual release buttons to allow for releasing all of the fasteners from the buckle, using the single release button, or to allow for releasing individual fasteners from the buckle, using the individual release buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Troy Stuart
  • Patent number: 9277788
    Abstract: Buckle assemblies with dual release features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage latch plates. The buckle assembly can include a top cover and a bottom housing collectively defining an operation space; a load plate having a plurality of apertures, an actuator configured to connect with the top cover, a plurality of pawls configured to operably enter the corresponding apertures so as to secure a plurality of latch plates, a release ring positioned adjacent to the pawls and connected with a release cord. The latch plates can be released by rotating the top cover or pulling the release cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Humbert, David T. Merrill
  • Patent number: 9072346
    Abstract: A buckle for use with a safety harness includes a plurality of slots each for receiving an end of a harness belt section, each slot having associated therewith a retainer which is moveable into and out of engagement with an abutment surface defined by the end of a belt section, first bias elements normally to urge the retainers to move to a position at which they each engage with an abutment surface of the end of a belt section following insertion into a slot, at least one of the retainers having associated therewith a lever which is pivotable against the action of the first bias elements to move the retainer to a release position at which it is free from engagement with the abutment surface, and an actuation member operable to act on the or each lever whereby the or each lever moves a retainer to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: WILLANS MARQUES LIMITED
    Inventors: John Greaves, Martin Roberts-Jones
  • Patent number: 8813322
    Abstract: A buckle includes a case connected to a restraint system lower belt. A coupling mechanism releasably engages tongue-like coupling elements connected to respective upper belts. An indicator indicates correct belt tensioning and has a visual symbol visible through openings in the case. The indicator moves in the case between a first position in which the visual symbol is not visible, for loose belts, and a second position in which the visual symbol is visible, for correctly tensioned belts. First springs urge the indicator towards the first position. A locking element in the case connects to an end of the lower belt. Second springs between the case and the locking element are resiliently deformed from tension on the lower belt. The locking element cooperates with the indicator so that when the indicator is in the second position, it is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Novarace S.r.l.
    Inventor: Paolo Novara
  • Patent number: 8720019
    Abstract: Personal restraint systems with buckle assemblies for use in vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a personal restraint system includes a connector configured to be coupled to a web. The restraint system also includes a buckle assembly configured to releasably retain the connector. In this embodiment, the buckle assembly includes a frame having a locking feature configured to engage a tongue of the connector. The buckle assembly also includes a locking member movably positioned adjacent to the frame that retains the tongue in a locked position. The buckle assembly further includes an actuator that can be actuated by a user to move the tongue out of the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
  • Patent number: 8656566
    Abstract: A buckle of a seat belt has a seat belt buckle body, a releasing button module, a spring module, and a buckle module. The releasing button module is pivotally mounted in the seat belt buckle body and has a spring recess and an abutted portion. The spring module has a buckle spring mounted in the spring recess and a buckle spring block mounted on the buckle spring. The buckle module engages the releasing button module, and abuts the buckle spring block. When the releasing button module is pressed and the buckle module disengages from the releasing button module, the buckle spring will spring the buckle spring block, the buckle module will depart from the seat belt buckle body, and then the buckle spring block is stopped on the abutted portion. As a result, the buckle spring will not spring out of the seat belt buckle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tung-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8631545
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary buckle assembly for harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. The buckle assembly includes a mechanism for automatically releasing the harness in the presence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ford, Kevin Holler
  • Patent number: 8468660
    Abstract: A rotary buckle assembly for a harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. Although the invention finds particular application for use with a five point harness, it can be adapted for use with other harness arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Holler
  • Patent number: 8434203
    Abstract: A web buckle 30 with a pivot pawl 40 to receive non-interlocking tongues insertable into the buckle. Push button 41 is biased upwardly by spring 39 within housing 44. Button 41 may be moved downward forcing pawl 40 to disengage the tongues. Pawl 40 is rockable to disengage the tongues one at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Morgan, Eugene R. Balensiefer, II
  • Patent number: 8381373
    Abstract: A housing assembly for twin latching mechanisms. The housing assembly includes two handles that can be pivoted to separately unlatch two belt connectors. The latching mechanisms are positioned within the housing such that when the handles are pivoted upwardly, their leading edges engage plunger mechanisms associated with the latching mechanisms. By engaging the plunger mechanisms, individual latches are disengaged and the associated belt connectors are ejected. A flange interconnects the two handles such that one or both handles are pivoted depending upon which handle is lifted by the operator. The housing provides a secure enclosure for the latch mechanisms and also shields the working components from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Jung
  • Patent number: 8214975
    Abstract: A litter strap that is easily adjustable to any length while simultaneously secure under tension includes an elongate strap extending between first and second parts of a two-piece buckle. The strap may be threaded through one of the buckle parts and manually slidable therethrough for adjusting a length of the litter strap assembly. A flexible pinch guard may be affixed to the strap so that the pinch guard substantially overlaps the first buckle part when the buckle parts are decoupled and may be wider than the strap and sized to substantially overlap the first and second buckle parts when the buckle parts are coupled. A keeper loop may encircle a middle portion of the strap and be slidable therealong and a pull tab may extend from the keeper loop to facilitate adjusting a position of the keeper loop along the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Skedco, Inc.
    Inventor: Carston R. Calkin
  • Patent number: 7992269
    Abstract: A child restraint assembly for a child vehicle seat includes a buckle assembly including a buckle and a pair of latches, a harness coupled to the buckle assembly, and a harness adjuster to adjust the harness. The buckle includes a buckle actuator slidable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the buckle to unlock the buckle assembly. The harness adjuster includes a housing and a harness adjuster actuator movable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the housing to unlock the harness adjuster. Movement of the buckle actuator from the first position to the second position is in the same direction as movement of the harness adjuster actuator from the first position to the second position. The buckle can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the buckle grip surface when actuating the buckle actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrizi, Patrick B. Nolan
  • Patent number: 7849571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckle device used in child seats of a baby carriage or high chair, comprising first and second waist-strap adjusting device, first and second plug for waist-strap, first and second shoulder strap-coupling device, a socket and a release button. Each of the first and second plugs for waist-strap includes a arm that can be inserted into the socket. Each of the plugs has, in between the arms, a resilient tongue that can be inserted into the socket. The socket has a hole for receiving the release button, and has resilient legs at the bottom thereof so that the release button may maintain in position. The release button includes cavities at both sides thereof for receiving the arms. The release button further includes inclined surfaces corresponding to the resilient tongue between the cavities. When the release button is pressed, the inclined surfaces will exert a force on the resilient tongue to eject the plug from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7770267
    Abstract: Two wedges extended from the first arm and the second arm of the waist-strap fastener respectively are utilized to engage with the waist-strap button. With inclined surfaces that face with each other on the first arm and the second arm, the mounting section of the waist-strap button is capable of squeezing through the gap between the first arm and the second arm. With the surfaces on the other side of the wedges respectively, the mounting section of the waist-strap button is securely held by the surfaces such that the waist-strap button is secured in the waist-strap fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 7752722
    Abstract: A litter strap that is easily adjustable to any length while simultaneously secure under tension includes an elongate strap extending between first and second parts of a two-piece buckle. The strap may be threaded through one of the buckle parts and manually slidable therethrough for adjusting a length of the litter strap assembly. A flexible pinch guard may be affixed to the strap so that the pinch guard substantially overlaps the first buckle part when the buckle parts are decoupled and may be wider than the strap and sized to substantially overlap the first and second buckle parts when the buckle parts are coupled. A keeper loop may encircle a middle portion of the strap and be slidable therealong and a pull tab may extend from the keeper loop to facilitate adjusting a position of the keeper loop along the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Skedco, Inc.
    Inventor: Carston R. Calkin
  • Patent number: 7596837
    Abstract: A passive restraint system for human occupants in a vehicle including separable belt buckles that are useful in one embodiment as a buckle for the passive restraint system that is commonly used in racing gear, such as automobile racing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: C & K Safety, LLC
    Inventor: Curt L. Tucker
  • Patent number: 7360287
    Abstract: A coupling device for restraining belts, particularly for children's safety seats for motor-vehicles, which includes a body intended to be connected to at least one belt branch and a pair of tongue elements intended to be connected to respective belt branches, each tongue element including an attachment portion for connection with the respective belt branch and a stem portion arranged to be received and locked in the body and forming a catch tooth for locking the tongue element in the body. Each tongue element further comprises a metal insert wholly covered by a plastic or rubber housing or coating to protect user from burning from the coupling device which has been exposed to the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: SABELT S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudia Cerruti, Bernardo Fassero
  • Patent number: 7263750
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle restraint system where the buckle assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of belt connectors, with the belt connectors being simultaneously released upon moving at least one handle to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Keene, David Thayer Merrill
  • Patent number: 7159284
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle, in particular for racing vehicles, having: a casing defining at least one slot engageable by an end member of a strap of a seat belt for connection; a lock mechanism housed in the casing and for releasably retaining the end member; and a release lever fitted to the casing and movable, from a rest position, along a path lying in an actuating plane to release the lock mechanism from the end member, the release lever having an end projecting from the casing in the actuating plane as the release lever moves along the path. The buckle also has a lever guard portion fitted to the casing and having a lateral surface, an ideal extension of which in a direction perpendicular to the actuating plane surrounds the end of the release lever in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Belt & Buckle S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Gastaldi
  • Patent number: 7117568
    Abstract: A buckle assembly is described. The buckle assembly includes a a buckle body having first and second openings, and first and second waist strap fasteners, each having a fastener coupling section configured to couple to the respective openings of the buckle body, each also having a shoulder strap coupling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Nolan
  • Patent number: 7065843
    Abstract: A safety belt latch for a car includes a base, a cover, and a rotation member. Thus, the flattened opening of the connecting plate is spaced from the fixed post so that the fixed post is fixed independently and is not moved with the connecting plate, and the fixed snap of the safety belt is secured to the base of the safety belt latch by the fixed post of the cover rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the fixed snap of the safety belt from detaching from the safety belt latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Wen-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 6922875
    Abstract: A buckle apparatus includes an insertion control subassembly press-operating an ejector when a pair of tongue parts are simultaneously inserted into a buckle body for allowing insertion up to an engaging position between the respective tongue parts and an engaging member while regulating the press operation by posture tilting of the ejector when only one tongue part is inserted. The insertion control subassembly includes a frame member having a guide rail part reciprocatively slidingly guiding the ejector along the direction of the press operation while including a stopper part separably coming into contact with the ejector in posture tilting from an insertion allowing posture for regulating movement in the direction of the press operation on the guide rail part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Sato, Naoki Toyokawa
  • Patent number: 6606770
    Abstract: Comprising, as is conventional, a base (1) and two headers (4) and (5) which couple by matching and insert in the housing defined in base (1), the buckle of the invention is mainly characterised in that button (12), which is mounted on body (1) and by means of which headers (6) and (7) are locked and released, incorporates two retaining teeth (16) and (17), considerably separated from each other, one placed frontally and the other laterally, which act on respective ledges (18) and (19) of sector (4), which they reach by means of the lateral displacement of said button (12) against the action of a spring (14), when sectors (4) and (5) of the headers are inserted in base (1), and which are released by a manual transverse operation of button (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Jordi Badrenas Buscart
  • Patent number: 6513208
    Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to receive a tongue and selectively engaging the tongue with a fixed latch. The buckle assembly includes a release button, a frame and an urging member. The release button receives the tongues and also slidably retains two ejectors. The frame has two fixed lathes that engage the latch receiving slots on the tongues when the tongues are at least partially inserted into the release button. In one embodiment, insertion of the tongues into the release button causes the displacement of two ejectors such that the urging member is able to urge the release button into a closed configuration in which the release button is flush with the frame. When the release button is urged into the closed configuration, the latch receiving slots are engaged by the fixed latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Wonderland Nursery Goods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James A. Sack, Arthur L. Gehr
  • Patent number: 6484373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a latch for coupling tether straps attached to child vehicle seats to anchorages provided on the vehicle, e.g., anchorages provided on the package shelf of the vehicle or anchorages located at the crease of the seat bottom and seat back. The latch provides advantages over the common “T” hook currently in use, including a push button remote from the hook of the latch. In addition, the latch may include an opening for attachment of the tether strap. In one preferred embodiment, the latch further includes a plate which is coupled to a strap length adjuster, the plate and adjuster being pivotally connected to permit side-to-side rotation of the adjuster relative to the latch to prevent bunching or twisting of the strap which can cause the belt to loose its ability to uniformly distribute a load across its width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6116696
    Abstract: A detachable three point seat belt system having an interlocking mechanism that requires the wearer to reattach a detached system to the seat prior to fastening the seat belt over the wearer's body. This invention specifically addresses the need of three point seat belt systems, which will operate at any seating position within the vehicle, including a front seat, a rear seat, a side seats and/or a center seat within the vehicle. This invention provides a nearly foolproof three-point continuous seat belt system while maintaining significant design flexibility, including detachability and seat adaptability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Widman, Dean Nightingale
  • Patent number: 6038747
    Abstract: A waist-belt and buckle assembly for mounting a pack on a person, preferably on a back side portion of a human torso, having two strap portions extendable forwardly from each side portion of the pack toward a front side portion of the person where the four strap portions are fastenable, for example with a buckle, and preferably with a buckle having substantially discrete accommodations for each strap portion. The strap portions are independently adjustable, and are loosenable independently without loosening other strap portions, preferably by moving a corner portion of the buckle away from the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Hamilton, John S. Pontaoe, Bryce Thatcher
  • Patent number: 5857247
    Abstract: A buckle system for release of a crew member's harness from a parachute. The buckle system has a frame which holds the harness. A tang assembly holds the parachute strap and snaps into the frame. The tang assembly is held by a latch which pivots between a closed position and an open position. The latch in turn is held by a lever which includes a cavity which holds the free end of the latch. When the lever is moved to an open position the latch is released. The latch has a spring which urges it into an open position. The result is a buckle system which can be opened with very little force being exerted on the lever. The lever is covered by a spring loaded cover. An automatic release is provided wherein a pyrotechnic charge opens the cover and lever and thereby releases the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: H. Koch & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Warrick, Jason L. Bulle
  • Patent number: 5813097
    Abstract: A dual tongue buckle includes a single latch member and a single ejection member housed within a buckle main body, and a pair of tongue members that are slidable relative to each other. When the first tongue is advanced sufficiently into the buckle main body over the latch member, the tongue forces the ejection member to rotate away from that side of the latch member allowing the latch member to lock to the first tongue, while the opposite end of the ejection member maintains the opposite end of the latch member in a pre-latched position. When the second tongue is advanced sufficiently into the buckle main body, it forces the opposite end of the ejection member away from the latching member to thereby lock the second tongue thereto. A releasing member depresses the latch member so that the ejection member at least partially ejects any of the tongue members latched therein from the buckle main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Woellert, Michael A. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 5699594
    Abstract: A buckle (20) comprises a base (80) which defines a cavity (88) for receiving first and second tongues (62, 64) of a vehicle seat belt system. A latch plate (102) is supported by the base (80) and is movable between a latched position connecting the first and second tongues (62, 64) with the base and a release position in which the first and second tongues are disconnected from the base. A pushbutton (222) is movable to an actuated position to move the latch plate (102) from the latched position to the release position. A spring (260) is located in the cavity (82) and is connected to the latch plate (102). The spring (260) has a portion (262) which urges the latch plate (102) toward the latched position. The spring (260) has another portion (264) which extends between the first and second tongues (62, 64) to urge the pushbutton (222) away from the actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Czank, Robert J. Desmarais, Stephen M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5606783
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle (24) includes a base (80) that defines a cavity (82) for receiving a pair of tongues (62, 64). A latch plate (100) is supported by the base (80) and is movable between a first position connecting the tongues (62, 64) with the base when the tongues are advanced a fully inserted distance into the cavity (82) and a second position at which the tongues are disconnected from the base. A blocking mechanism (200) has a portion located in a path of movement (P1, P2) of one of the tongues (62, 64). The blocking mechanism (200) is operable to block advancement of the tongues (62, 64) the fully inserted distance into the cavity (82) until both tongues are advanced into the cavity together a predetermined distance. The blocking mechanism (200) comprises a member (204) that is linear moveable relative to the base (80). A pivotable arm (206) carried by the member (204) has opposite end portions (266, 264) which engage the tongues (62, 64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Gillis, Gregory D. Heyboer
  • Patent number: 5604964
    Abstract: A buckle includes a female member having a main body provided at opposite ends with sockets, a belt retainer adapted for fastening one end of a belt thereto and provided on one side of the main body so as to extend between the sockets, an engaging member having engaging claws facing the sockets and projecting toward the belt retainer and elastic pieces which urge the engaging member toward the belt retainer, and a window for allowing a portion of the engaging member to project downward; and a pair of male members adapted for fastening one end of a pair of belts and insertable into the sockets of the main body to be retained thereby, each male member having an insert formed with an engaging claw which projects toward the inner wall of the main body on the side thereof opposite from the belt retainer and engages with the associated engaging claw of the engaging member when the male member is inserted into the associated socket, the engagement between the engaging claws of the female member and the engaging claw
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Aoshima
  • Patent number: 5588189
    Abstract: A buckle (20) for a vehicle seat belt system (22) comprises a base (102) at least partially defining a cavity (100) for receiving first and second tongues (64, 66) of the seat belt system along respective first and second insertion paths (P1, P2). A first latch plate (106) supported by the base (102) is movable between a latched position connecting the first tongue (64) with the base when the first tongue moves a fully inserted distance into the cavity (100) and a release position in which the first tongue is disconnected from the base. A second latch plate (128) supported by the base (102) is movable between a latched position connecting the second tongue (66) with the base when the second tongue moves a fully inserted distance into the cavity (100) and a release position in which the second tongue is disconnected from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Gorman, Phillip D. Yee, Mark F. Gray
  • Patent number: 5584107
    Abstract: A buckle device for an infant restraining seat of the present invention includes: a frame member which has a base plate and side plates; an engaging member which is pivotally supported by supporting members formed in the side plates of the frame member and is capable of engaging a pair of tongue plates inserted into the buckle; and a blocking plate which is rotatably supported on the base plate of the frame member and has a blocking member for preventing the pivotal movement of the engaging member when the blocking plate rotates. When only one of the pair of tongue plates is inserted into the buckle, the blocking plate rotates by the insertion of the one of the tongue plates. The blocking member thereby prevents the pivotal movement of the engaging member so as to prevent engagement between the engaging member and the one of the tongue plates. Therefore, it can prevent the false latching between the tongue plates and the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Koyanagi, Koji Hiramatsu, Osamu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5526556
    Abstract: A buckle (20) comprises a base (102) for receiving first and second tongues (64, 66). A pivotable latch plate (106) is mounted on the base (102) and is pivotable between a first position connecting the first and second tongues (64, 66) to the base and a second position permitting the first and second tongues to disconnect from the base. Biasing means (164) urges the latch plate (106) to pivot in a direction towards the first position. First blockout means (244) has a blocking position for holding the latch plate (106) in the second position against the biasing means (164) and is movable to a release position permitting the latch plate to pivot to the first position in response to the first tongue (64) being moved to a location relative to the base (102) at which the first tongue is connectable with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Czank
  • Patent number: 5432987
    Abstract: A central lock for multi-point safety belts or safety harnesses includes a housing with several insertion openings distributed over the circumference of the housing. Tongues connected to the belts can be inserted into the insertion openings. A holding plate for holding bolts interacting with the tongues is fixed in the housing. A rotatable release member mounted outside of the housing is provided for axially displacing a release plate against the force of a restoring spring. A mechanism is arranged between the release member and the release plate for transforming the rotary movement of the release member into an axial displacement of the release plate. The mechanism is formed by at least one tilting member arranged between the release member and the release plate which is located on the side of the holding plate facing away from the release member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Carl F. Schroth GmbH
    Inventor: Carl-Jurgen Schroth
  • Patent number: 5347694
    Abstract: A fastener that has an anchor that can be inserted into and locked within a female cage. The female cage includes at least two flexible spring members that each have a first portion and a second portion that is at an angle to the first portion. The cage also has a collar that extends around the first portions of the flexible members. The springs are adapted to move relative to the collar between first and second positions. When the springs are in the first position, the second portions are separated into an open position. Movement of the springs into the second position forces the second portions of the springs to move into a closed position. The second sides are constructed so that there is an aperture between the springs when the second portions are in the closed position. The anchor has a conical shaped barb with an apex and a base portion. The base portion of the barb is slightly larger than the aperture between the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventors: Richard W. Perkins, Bradley I. Read
  • Patent number: 5283933
    Abstract: A pair of interactive tongues are for latching to a dual-tongue belt buckle. The belt buckle includes false latching features that only permits the latching mechanism to trigger when both of the tongues are fully inserted into the buckle. The contact surfaces of the first and second tongues include interactive features that prevent the tongues from sliding past one another in the direction of the tongue bars when the contact surfaces are meshed. The interactive features of the contact surfaces are shaped and configured so that the contact surfaces can be meshed by moving the tongues toward each other in a plurality of different directions that are perpendicular to the direction defined by the tongue bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Wiseman, James R. Chinni
  • Patent number: 5269051
    Abstract: A buckle assembly (36, 36A) for use in a safety belt system (10) has a first insertion path for receiving a first tongue (38) and a second insertion path spaced from the first insertion path for receiving a second tongue (40). A latch (50) mounted on a base (44) is movable between an engaged position blocking movement of the tongues out of the buckle assembly and a release position allowing movement of the tongues out of the buckle assembly. The latch has a tab portion (108) disposed intermediate the first and second tongue insertion paths which maintains the tongues in engagement with the latch when the tongues are inserted in the buckle assembly. The latch may include first and second latch members (50A, 50B) mounted on the base, for independently controlling latching of the first and second tongues in the buckle assembly. A pushbutton (88) is pivotally mounted on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Bob L. McFalls
  • Patent number: 5189768
    Abstract: A snap fastener has a female member including a snap type resilient clamp having a dished resilient actuator plate and a plurality of legs depending from the periphery thereof having inwardly extending hooks on the free ends and a casing in which the clamp is positioned, and a male member having a hook receiving recess therearound and insertable into the space within the legs with the hook receiving recess in opposed relation to the hooks for causing the male member to be gripped by the hooks when the clamp is in a closed position and for freeing the male member for movement into and out of the space when the snap type resilient clamp is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Randolph-Rand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Riceman, Mitchell A. Medina
  • Patent number: 5182837
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle with ejector module and tongue stop. The buckle includes a ejector module assembly including a pair of ejector members or a single ejector member spring biased outwardly atop a pawl preventing the pawl from engaging the tongue. The buckle includes an opening through which the tongue is inserted contacting the ejector member or ejector members moving the members apart from the pawl allowing the pawl to latch to the tongue. The ejector module assembly includes a housing containing the ejector members and further includes a pair of helical springs urging the members outwardly. The ejector module assembly is mounted as a unit atop pegs extending upwardly from the buckle main body cavity. A pair of legs extend downwardly from a reinforcement plate located between the buckle main body and cover forming a pair of guides and stop surfaces for limiting movement of the tongue relative to the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Anthony, Michael A. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 5142748
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle with a pair of buckle tongues. The buckle includes a spring mechanism movable within the buckle housing from a position blocking engagement of a latch when a single tongue is inserted to a position away from the latch when both tongues are inserted allowing the latch to engage the tongues. In one embodiment, a latch indicator is slidably mounted to the buckle push button in the buckle cover and includes a lower end contacting the latch. The indicator is movable from a position flush with the buckle push button when the latch is not engaged with the tongues to an upraised position over the button when the latch moves up and engages the tongues. The tongues have mating portions, but are separable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Anthony, Michael A. Wiseman, Allan R. Lortz
  • Patent number: 5088163
    Abstract: A seat belt lock for a belt retaining system, in particular for a child's seat in an automotive vehicle, comprises two belt strap holding pieces having slots through which shoulder strap sections of a seat belt strap are passed to run through the slots. The shoulder strap sections continue beyond the slots as a lap belt section of the seat belt. The lock comprises a lock housing containing a lock mechanism, the holding pieces having at least one tongue for insertion through an insertion side of the lock housing into the lock mechanism. The holding pieces are shaped to engage along the insertion side of the housing and also at least partially along its longitudinal sides. The slots in the holding pieces are angled by about 45.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lock and are partially set back from the insertion side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Reiner van Riesen