Including Pivotally Connected Element On Receiving Member Patents (Class 24/636)
  • Patent number: 11540597
    Abstract: A belt buckle system includes a belt buckle frame member having an internal shaft, a first elongated actuator member slidingly positioned within the internal shaft, and a first latch member positioned within the buckle frame. The latch member rotates between an extended position and a retracted position and has a latch portion that extends outward from the belt buckle frame when the first latch member is in the member extended position and wherein the latch portion of the first latch member is positioned within the frame when the latch member is in the retracted position. The first elongated actuator actuates to transition the first latch member between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TEAM NexBelt Operating, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Rowland, Tom Hunsucker
  • Patent number: 10182934
    Abstract: A belt-like hip-girdling pelvic sling device for maintaining a desired amount of tension surrounding a person's hips and pelvis to securely support and stabilize a fractured pelvis, including a force-controlled buckle that automatically latches to control the tension and that includes a releasable latching mechanism. The latching mechanism maintains engagement of the buckle with a strap at the required position of the strap with respect to the buckle. The latching mechanism includes a movable member of the buckle that is moved to and latched in a position in which the buckle engages the strap, once a desired amount of tension is reached, limiting and maintaining the required tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: The Seaberg Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance David Hopman, Lane Michael Johnson, Eric E. Batdorf, Brian Lux, Nolan Brophy, Aaron Lundquist, Matthew Malone, Kenneth J. Courian
  • Patent number: 9113679
    Abstract: A buckle and a method for preventing the buckle from being released by an impact are described. The buckle may include a frame, a tongue inserted into the frame and locked with the frame, an ejector provided in the frame to push the tongue outward from the frame, a holder that prevents the ejector from pushing the tongue outward from the frame by being displaced forward the ejector, thereby maintaining locking of the tongue, and a withdrawal prevention unit that prevents the holder from moving back beyond withdrawing and being displaced backward the ejector when an impact is applied from an outside of the frame, thereby preventing the locking of the tongue from being released by the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Wooshin Safety Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Sang Lee, Taek Lim Song, Young Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8876161
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle for receiving a tongue connected to a seat belt webbing. The buckle includes a first ejector spring in a position out of an area ? of the path of movement of an engagement portion of the tongue and an imaginary extended area ? extended from the area ? in the direction of movement of the engagement portion, and on the outer side of a base. A second ejector spring is provided in a position out of at least one of the area ? and the imaginary extended area ?, and on the outer side of the base 8. A bracket for fixing the buckle to the vehicle body can be provided closer to a tongue insertion hole, thereby reducing the length of the buckle in the tongue insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Kawai
  • Patent number: 8448308
    Abstract: A buckle includes a buckle body, two first retainers, and two second retainers connected respectively and detachably to the first retainers. The buckle body includes an insert groove having two upwardly facing openings, two stop portions, and a resilient pressing arm. The first retainers are inserted into the insert groove via the openings, respectively. Each of the first retainers includes a resilient retaining plate biased to a retaining position to prevent removal of the corresponding first retainer from the buckle body. Each of the resilient retaining plates is removable from the retaining position. When the resilient pressing arm is pressed, each of the resilient retaining plates is removed from the retaining position by the resilient pressing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nuna International B.V.
    Inventors: Jonathan Kirk Mountz, Nathanael Saint
  • Patent number: 8375531
    Abstract: A shockproof device installed to a seatbelt buckle, which is provided in an automobile, airplane, etc, fastened around a seat to keep a passenger safely secured, is installed behind a release button and lock pin, to prevent the release button from being unexpectedly released when the release button is moved in a non-release direction. Even when the release button and lock pin are moved in a release direction, on the basis of a rotation angular velocity of the inertia lever rather than a rotation torque thereof, surface contact between the lock pin and the inertia lever is accomplished and simultaneously, owing to an anti-rotation configuration thereof, the inertia lever reliably prevents unexpected disengagement between the tongue plate and the buckle under the influence of any magnitude of inertial force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsong Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Chan Lee, Sang Hee Park, Il Hwan Park, Jang Chun Kong
  • Patent number: 8312603
    Abstract: A buckle includes a base engaged with a body of swimming/diving goggle. A head strap is extended through a slot in a rear end of the base. A cover is engaged with the body. A space is defined between the cover and the base. A button is mounted in a groove of the cover and made of flexible material. An engagement plate is formed on the button and includes a catch releasably engaging with teeth of the head strap. First and second supporting points are defined between the button and the base. A pressing section is formed between the first and second supporting points. The catch can be disengaged from the teeth of the head strap to allow movement of the head strap in a loosening direction by pressing the pressing section or manually moving the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Terry Chou
  • Publication number: 20120102689
    Abstract: A press release buckle includes a base member defining an accommodation chamber, a front opening and a retaining gap defined between the front opening and the accommodation chamber, a press member supported on a conical compression spring in the accommodation chamber and movable vertically between the top and bottom sides of the accommodation chamber to close/open the retaining gap, and a connection member having a coupling shaft insertable into the accommodation chamber and then the retaining gap, a mounting block for fastening to an external strap member and a neck connected between the coupling shaft and the mounting block and positionable in the front opening of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Tsung-Ming KUNG
  • Patent number: 8042235
    Abstract: A buckling device for safety belts includes a buckle made of metal material and bent to form a projected holder. A wider segment of the holder is used to insert a side of the safety belt to the buckle. On each of two sides of a narrower segment of the holder is mounted a second side plate. Between two second side plates is defined a locking unit by using a shank. On an upper rim of the second side plate is a recess. The locking unit includes an engagement member in which a rotary member, a fixing piece, a compression spring, a mounting member, and a torsion spring are received. A fastening member includes a bottom sheet, with a wider segment thereof being used to insert another side of the safety belt. The fastening member further includes a retaining pore secured on a narrower segment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Racing Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Yuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20110185546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shock-absorbing seat belt buckle (1) including a housing, a push-button (2) displaceably mounted in the housing, a linearly guided inertia mass (3), and a transmission lever (4) pivot-mounted to the housing, which transmission lever is coupled to the inertia mass (3) by an arm (4a) and supports the push-button (2) against the opening direction with another arm (4b), wherein a sound-absorbing elastic layer (11) is provided between the transmission lever (4) and the inertia mass (3), at least in the region of contact between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Anatoli Neumann, Matthieu Louvet
  • Patent number: 7614124
    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: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Keene, David Thayer Merrill
  • Patent number: 7523530
    Abstract: A buckle device is provided with a lock plate that engages with a tongue plate that is inserted into the device body and that holds the tongue plate inside the device body, and a lock member that engages with the lock plate and prevents the lock plate from moving to a released position, and the lock member has a body portion and a shaft that supports the body portion within the device body. The body portion of the lock member is formed from a sintered metal, and the shaft is formed from a metal and is integrally press fit into the body portion. The strength of the shaft, which receives the load of the body portion, is secured and at the same time it is possible to achieve miniaturization and weight securement of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Tetsushi Muromachi
  • Patent number: 7426774
    Abstract: A buckle device including a lock bar pushed by a release button for moving to a second position allowing rotation in a direction to release the engagement of a hook member, and a lock member rotated by a release button toward an unlock position at the time of releasing operation of a tongue plate. When the lock bar is butted against a first engagement part where the lock member is at a lock position, the lock member is rotated toward and held at the lock position, and a second engagement part enters a movement area of the lock bar, while an inertial force of the tongue plate in the direction of insertion thereof is exerted at a value exceeding a predetermined value, the release button is butted against a third engagement part to prevent the lock member from being rotated toward the unlock position to hold the lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7178208
    Abstract: A seat belt improvement providing seat belt buckling assistance and automatic release of the seat belt. The seat belt assembly includes an electromagnet located in the seat belt buckle that aligns and draws the seat belt tongue into the seat belt buckle when the seat belt tongue is in close proximity to the seat belt buckle. A solenoid located in the seat belt buckle is used to release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. When the vehicle transmission is in the “park” position, the ignition is turned off, and the key is removed, the solenoid is energized to release the seat belt tongue. Further, a switch may be conveniently located in the vehicle such as on the seat belt buckle, near the window, on the door, or the like to activate the solenoid and release the seat belt assembly without having to turn off the vehicle ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventors: Calvin R Bentsen, Robert G Walker
  • Patent number: 7155785
    Abstract: A buckle device includes a buckle body that includes a bottom plate and a pair of side walls with a tongue plate being inserted and retained between the side walls, and a release button that includes an operation portion that is push-operated along the insertion direction to release the retention of the tongue plate. Elongated holes along the insertion direction of the tongue plate are formed in the pair of side walls of the buckle body. The release button also includes a pair of arm portions that extend in the insertion direction from both width-direction ends of the operation portion, a pair of extension portions that have a predetermined elasticity and extend from width-direction ends of the pair of arm portions toward the bottom plate, and pawl portions that protrude from ends of the pair of extension portions toward the side walls and movably fit into the elongated holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Tetsushi Muromachi
  • Patent number: 7146653
    Abstract: A side buckle structure of swimming goggles includes a side buckle casing, a press-button seat, a press button, and a head strap. The side buckle casing has a press-button hole, and the press-button seat has a latching hook, a strap hole, placing holes, and elastic devices. Rotating axes, a pressing piece, and a supporting piece are contained in the press button, which is installed on the press-button seat and then inserted into the side buckle casing. According to the aforementioned structure, the side buckle structure is easy to assemble, difficult to dismantle, and very convenient to adjust in usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: First Rank Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Fang Chou
  • Patent number: 7124481
    Abstract: A buckle device capable of reducing an impact noise generated when a tongue plate (2) is inserted and eliminating a coil spring member energizing a release button (50) and a lock pin holder so as to simplify a structure, wherein a lock bar (30) has both end parts inserted into slots (16) and is mounted on a pair of side plate parts (12), both end parts of the lock bar (30) are engaged with a pair of guide grooves (54) in a pair of guide wall parts (52) of a synthetic resin release button (50) and, when the tongue plate (2) is inserted, the lock bar (30) is moved rapidly to the front end part of the slots (16) and, in this case, the end parts of the lock bar (30) are supported on a supporting part (55) at the end of the guide groove (54), not on the end of the slots (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Sato, Naohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 6983518
    Abstract: A buckle for belts comprises a first shell unit having a releasing piece, a second shell unit connected under the first shell unit, a locking element pivotally connected to a seat of the second shell element, and a moving element movably installed behind the locking element. When a strap-connecting element is inserted into the buckle from a front end thereof, the locking element is pushed and is pivotally rotated by the strap-connecting element to make the locking element lock the strap-connecting element. Simultaneously, the moving element is moved to support the locking element so that the state of the locking element firmly securing the strap-connecting element is maintained. When the releasing piece of the first shell unit is actuated, the moving element is cooperated by the releasing element and no longer supports the locking element to release the state of the engagement between the locking element and the strap-connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 6742229
    Abstract: A buckle device in which it can be detected whether or not a tongue plate inserted into a case is locked, and in which reliability of such detection is high. In the buckle device, a magnetic plate is provided at a leg portion which moves together with the tongue plate which is inserted into an interior of the case. Changes in orientation of a magnetic field of a magnet of a sensing section, which orientation varies due to the magnetic plate approaching and moving away from the magnet, are detected at an MRE sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masakata Kanbe, Masahiro Taniguchi, Katsuya Kogiso, Masaya Tajima
  • Patent number: 6708380
    Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, Pontus Soderstrom
  • Patent number: 6694577
    Abstract: A buckle for a safety belt with three branches where one of the branches includes a rocking lever, which is pivotably connected at one end, having an opposing free end, an intermediate groove and an intermediate projection. A dependent portion or appendage of a push button is provided including a V-shaped notch with a cam surface that cooperates with the intermediate projection of the lever. When the buckle device is un-buckled, the push button is kept at a resting position by the intermediate projection of the lever movement along the cam surface and into the V-shaped notch, where the lever is prevented from rotating but is oscillated about its pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Belt & Buckle S.r.l.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Buffa Di Perrero
  • Patent number: 6662413
    Abstract: A two-piece harness retainer is adapted to hold a pair of harness straps in side-by-side relation. A tether is provided to limit pivoting movement of a pivotable latch arm included in one of the pieces included in the harness retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Glover
  • Publication number: 20030204941
    Abstract: This invention relates to the seat belt fixing device which is combined by the housing, two seat belt plugs and the push-hold lock unit, characterized in that the push-hold lock unit integrates cleverly the push end, the lock end, and the axis trough, so the push-hold can make the swinging movement by the pillar as the center of the circle and the above structure can be made by one-step with the same function as button, the hold lock structure, flexible unit and flexible delivery component of the prior art. The present invention reduces the manufacture cost of the components and has less trouble in the assembly in order to increase the producing speed of products for falling their selling price. The failure rate of such products will be reduced and its safety will be improved due to the simplification of such components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: KINGSTAR BABY CARRIAGE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuei-Ling Liu
  • Patent number: 6591465
    Abstract: A latching apparatus for an inflatable belt device which achieves reduction in the gas leakage without losing the smoothness of insertion of a tongue into a buckle, or which achieves reduction in the manufacturing cost and the weight of the latching apparatus. A tongue and a buckle of a latching apparatus for an inflatable belt device have pipes (a tongue pipe, a buckle pipe), through which gas for deploying an inflatable belt flows. The end of the buckle pipe is covered by a buckle cap which is broken when an inflator is actuated. The buckle cap is biased upwardly by a spring fitted around the buckle pipe. A space between the pipes is eliminated by the buckle cap, thereby achieving the reduction in gas leakage. Therefore, the need for excess gas is eliminated, thereby enabling miniaturization of the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yoji Suyama
  • Patent number: 6554327
    Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a cover to a container comprises a base for mounting to the container cover adjacent to an edge thereof, a cover member secured to the base and a slider slidable between the base and cover member between a latched position wherein a portion of the slider interfits with the container and an unlatched position wherein the slider portion is disengaged from the container. A headed spring member interposed between the slider and the base interfits with holes or recesses in the slider to signal when the slider has reached its latched and unlatched positions and to releasably retain the slider at those positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Riley Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward D. Riley
  • Patent number: 6543101
    Abstract: A multi-point buckle assembly includes a body having a top opening on a top surface, a plurality of side openings, and a plurality of channels, a release button disposed within the top opening, a plurality of main tongues, and a plurality of side tongues, wherein each of the plurality of main tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of side openings and each of the plurality of side tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James A. Sack, Arthur L. Gehr, Jr., Glenn E. Gehr
  • Patent number: 6477753
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved buckle for a vehicle safety restraint from which more accurate and reliable information on seat belt usage can be obtained. The buckle comprises a buckle head with a passageway for receiving a buckle tongue, and releasable means for locking the tongue in the passageway. A tag such as a coded magnetic strip or a microchip is provided encapsulated in the material of the tongue and a detector is provided in the buckle head in close proximity to the tongue passageway. A detector is provided to suitably read the tag code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David Burke
  • Patent number: 6463639
    Abstract: A buckle that can be manufactured at lower cost and is not unlocked even when a tongue plate is pushed in a locked state is obtained. An intermediate arm 60 is fixed to a lock spring 54 attached to a button 28. Facing walls 68 of leg portions 66 of the intermediate arm 60 face distal ends of horn pieces 26 of an ejector 22. In the locked state, a predetermined clearance 72 is formed between the facing walls 68 and protrusions 70 of the horn pieces 26. Accordingly, even if a tongue plate 20 is moved further in the direction of the arrow A, the facing walls 68 are not moved in the direction of the arrow A. The button 28 is not moved in an unlocking direction (the direction of the arrow A), either, and movement of a latch 48 in a disengaging direction (the direction opposite to the arrow B) is certainly prevented. As protrusions 38 can be formed in a small size, a buckle 10 is formed in a small size, and the buckle 10 can be manufactured at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Siesakusho
    Inventor: Shinji Mori
  • Patent number: 6438810
    Abstract: A seat restraint buckle assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame having an open forward end defining a passage to receive a latch plate. The seat restraint buckle assembly also includes a locking member operatively connected to the frame and pivotal between a latched position in which the locking member retains the latch plate within the passage and an unlatched position in which the locking member is held clear of the passage. The seat restraint buckle assembly includes a release button slidably mounted on the frame above the passage for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The seat restraint buckle assembly further includes a blocking lever operatively connected to the frame and pivotal to contact the locking member and urging the locking member towards the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Walker Rogers, Jr., John R. Rice, David Gerard Hlavaty, James Lloyd Webber
  • Patent number: 6427297
    Abstract: A buckle is formed of a base having two side walls, a cover for accommodating and supporting the base, and having a tongue insertion hole formed at one end side of the two side walls of the base, and guide portions provided on each of the two side walls to protrude inwardly therefrom for leading a tongue to be inserted through the tongue insertion hole. The guide portions lead a tip of the tongue smoothly without blocking even when the tongue is inserted from the tongue insertion hole at a maximum slant posture defined by the tongue insertion hole relative to the buckle. The tongue can be smoothly inserted into the buckle to improve the manipulation feeling in inserting the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Takata Corporation.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamaguchi, Akihiro Shiota, Yoshihiko Kawai, Tadayuki Asako, Takaaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6301757
    Abstract: A buckle comprises a male member and a female member. The male member is provided with an insertion portion adapted to be inserted into the female member and an insertion hole formed inside of the insertion portion. The female member is provided with a recess in which the insertion portion is to be fitted, and an accommodating portion adapted to communicate with the insertion hole. The accommodating portion is provided therein with an engaging piece swingable in an inserting direction to the insertion hole. The engaging piece is provided with an engaging portion which is to be inserted through the insertion hole. The insertion hole of the male member is formed with a locking surface against which the engaging portion is adapted to abut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Kunii, Tomohisa Ishida
  • Patent number: 6292988
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle of the general type disclosed in GB-A-2238074 in which the slider (44) has extending downwardly from its body (46) clips (76) having side flanges (78), the flanges being formed with chamfers (80). The body (74) of the locking member (24) is provided with elongate slots (72), into which the clips (76) can be pressed, the flanges (78) retaining the slider in place. The length of the slots (72) and of the clips (78) is chosen to allow adequate sliding movement of the slider (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: European Components Co. Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Jackson, Mark John Harrison
  • Patent number: 6055708
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle (12) includes a buckle base (34) having a passage (36) for receiving a tongue (16) by movement of the tongue in a first direction into the passage. An ejector (40) in the passage (36) is biased in a second direction opposite the first direction. The ejector (40) moves in the first direction against the bias upon insertion of the tongue (16) into the passage (36). A latch (42) latches the tongue (16) in the passage (36). The buckle (12) includes structure (24, 32) defining an opening (22) through which the tongue (16) is inserted into the passage (36). A shield (60) blocks the opening (22) and blocks foreign matter from passing through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Ellis, Duan W. Chisnell
  • Patent number: 5839175
    Abstract: A buckling device used in conjunction with a strap for holding an object firmly in position is provided. The buckling device includes a male fastener and a female fastener. The male fastener includes a strap-mounting body for fixing a first end of the strap thereto and a tongue-like member formed on the strap-mounting body. The female fastener includes a rectangular body having a hollowed inside and formed with an insertion hole; a locking/releasing piece pivotally mounted on the rectangular body; and an elastic piece provided at the insertion hole. To engage, the tongue-like member on the male fastener is inserted into the insertion hole in the female fastener. The tongue-like member pressed on the elastic piece such that the elastic piece is bent downwards and thereby urges forcibly against the tongue-like member, thereby locking the tongue-like member in position in the female fastener and thus securely engages the male fastener with the female fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Taiwan Industrial Fastner Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Jay Lin
  • Patent number: 5749130
    Abstract: A locking seat belt buckle assembly is configured for placement and operation within a standard seat belt buckle and tongue. In one embodiment, the seat belt buckle includes a latch that engages the tongue and a latch release plate to disengage the latch from the tongue upon depression of the release plate. The assembly includes a stop block that is movable by way of an actuator, such as a reversible micro-motor, to a position beneath the release plate to prevent depression of the latch plate. A pair of limit switches disconnect the motor from a power supply when contacted by the stop block at opposite ends of its travel. An indicator light is provided that is illuminated when the stop block is in position beneath the latch release plate. In one aspect, the motor is mounted within a housing with a spring disposed between the motor and the housing to bias the motor toward the release plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventors: Paul D. Bilyeu, Felicia M. Hinant, James H. Hobby, Donel A. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5142749
    Abstract: A buckle for vehicle safety belt systems equipped with a belt pretensioner engaging on the buckle is provided. The buckle has a release button with a cutout wherein a pushbutton is slidably received. The release button carries a two-armed blocking lever pivotally mounted thereon. In normal use, the blocking lever, when the pushbutton is depressed, is pivoted away from a stop member on the buckle housing to permit the release button to be moved until the buckle opens. When after activation of the belt pretensioner the buckle has reached the end of its stroke the release button tends to continue its movement, but the two-armed lever will hit on the stop member to prevent the release button from moving towards its release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Biller
  • Patent number: 5123147
    Abstract: A cover which fits over a restrain harness buckle assembly. The cover slides down over the buckle and confines the ends of cam support pins in the assembly, eliminating the need for the use of pins with heads on one end, for fasteners to hold such pins in place, and the need for machining threads or grooves on the pins to cooperate with such fasteners. Additionally, the cover provides a smooth, contoured appearance which insures that nothing protrudes from the buckle assembly which might snag clothing or scratch skin. Thus, the cover eliminates the need for extra parts, machining, and assembly while providing a neater appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Company
    Inventor: Terry J. Blair
  • Patent number: 5121528
    Abstract: A buckle device is provided, for use with a seatbelt system of a vehicle, into which a tongue plate is inserted for engagements with a lock member, and which has in addition to the lock member with which the tongue plate engages when it is inserted into the buckle device to a predetermined depth, and which is urged at all times in the direction of engagement with the tongue plate, an ejector for urging said tongue plate in the direction of withdrawal from said buckle device, and a preventing member for preventing the lock member from moving into the insertion path of the tongue plate until the tongue plate reaches the predetermined engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kohbun Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4930195
    Abstract: A buckle is intended to receive a tongue which is mounted on a safety-belt along a predetermined path. A latching member in the buckle engages the tongue. A push-button, associated with a separate actuating element, is provided to move the latching member between a latching position and a release position. The push-button is spring-biassed to a predetermined forward-most position. Part of the actuating element contacts the push-button when the tongue is inserted in the buckle, but is separated from the push-button when the tongue is not present in the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: General Engineering (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventor: Artur L. Haglund
  • Patent number: 4928366
    Abstract: The buckle intended to join a belt to an anchorage point consists, among other things, of a latch (10) and of a keeper which comprises a base (20), a lock (30), an ejector guide (40), an actuating button (50), preferably a protective covering (60) and, if necessary, a closure detector (80) and an illumination device (90).This buckle comprises operating and locking means (70) which cause the lock to cooperate with the button and with the base either to allow opening of the locked buckle when the latter is subjected to a tensile force less than a given limit or to ensure permanent locking of the locked buckle when the latter is subjected to a tensile force at least equal to a predetermined value and prevent opening thereof.Application to safety belts for automotive vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: ECIA - Equipements et Composants pour l'Industrie Automobile
    Inventor: Jean-Noel Ballet
  • Patent number: 4926854
    Abstract: A protective helmet with a strapless breathing protection mask which is in detachable connection therewith. The detachable connection is formed by connecting elements that can be plugged into each other and locked, and these connecting elements are located at both sides of the helmet and of the mask. The connecting elements include a flexible plug-type part capable of limited rotation and arranged on the breathing protection mask and a plug receptacle part with an adjusting device arranged on the protective helmet. In order to establish the detachable connection of the mask with the protective helmet, the plug part is plugged into the plug receptacle part becoming automatically locked therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Sven Bode, Auergesellschaft GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Bode
  • Patent number: 4910836
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle has a latching member (7), which engages the tongue of the buckle. The latching member is pivotally mounted on a channel member, engaging lugs (18) formed in apertures in the side walls of the channel in a substantially friction-free manner. The lugs are deformable so that, in an accident situation, the lugs deform and the periphery (17) of the latching member (7) engages the periphery of each aperture in each side wall of the channel. Thus the latching member has a substantially friction-free movement, buth the latching member is able to withstand severe forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Engineering (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventor: Artur L. Haglund
  • Patent number: 4870726
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle has a slider having first and also second parts each adapted to engage and retain a locking member in a locking condition in which it engages a tongue inserted in the buckle. The slider is spring biassed to a position in which one part engages and retains the locking member and is movable against the spring bias to a second position to permit the locking member to move to release the tongue. The arrangement is such that if the buckle is subjected to a severe force, which moves the slider against the spring bias, the slider moves to a third position in which the second part engages and retains the locking member in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Allied Engineering Company S.A.
    Inventors: Erik L. Eksell, Artur L. Haglund
  • Patent number: 4703542
    Abstract: A buckle for seat belts which comprises a buckle body and a tongue plate engageable with the buckle body when inserted thereinto through an opening formed in the front end of the buckle body, the buckle body being provided with: (a) a frame comprising a bottom plate above which a path for insertion and ejection of the tongue plate is defined and a pair of side plates, (b) an ejector being mounted slidably on the bottom plate and urged always toward the opening, (c) a hook plate being supported on the side plates of the frame and having a lock pawl, (d) a pair of control slits being formed in the side plates of the frame, each control slit forming a narrow portion in the front part and an upwardly enlarged portion in the rear part, (e) a release bar having both ends disposed in the control slits, and (f) a manual operation assembly for buckle for buckle release, characterized in that (i) the release bar is shaped in a flat rectangular form in cross section, (ii) a supporter therefor is positioned on the hook p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hirata, Syuzo Ishii
  • Patent number: 4682390
    Abstract: A restraint harness attachable to a vehicle lap belt and having a waist strap, shoulder straps and a crotch strap with a looped segment through which the shoulder straps and lap belt passes. A buckle for the harness receives the fittings on each end of the above straps. The buckle includes a latch plate with detents thereon with the plate being both tiltable for individual strap release or depressible for simultaneous release of all straps. The latch plate is centrally supported by a spring. An insert is adjustable to permit the user to determine the degree of pressure required to actuate a latch plate control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Inventor: Stanley G. Parrish
  • Patent number: 4670952
    Abstract: A buckle apparatus for use in a seatbelt system for a vehicle designed to protect an occupant in an emergency situation of the vehicle includes a buckle body into which a tongue plate is inserted. A lock plate is moved in a direction orthogonal to the tongue plate inserting direction and is engaged with an opening formed in the tongue plate, and portions of the lock plate on both sides of its portion engaged with the tongue plate are supported by the buckle body, thereby reliably obtaining a sufficiently large tongue plate holding strength. When the force applied to the tongue plate such as to pull it out from the buckle apparatus is relatively small, a resilient member retains the lock plate, together with the tongue plate, in such a manner that they are separated from the engaging portions of the buckle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-rika-denki-seisakusho
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 4667379
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp in which a blade member is captured in a case member by a latch normally located in a latched position to secure the blade member in the case member, the latch being displaceable along a first direction in response to movement of the blade member into the case member for latching purposes and displaceable along a second direction transverse to the first direction, in response to a selectively moved actuator, for unlatching purposes, to selectively release the blade member from the case member, a first spring biases the latch along the first direction and a second spring biases the latch along the second direction for maintaining the latch in the latched position, and a safety lock is movable selectively from an unlocked position into a locked position for precluding inadvertent unlatching, while permitting latching independent of the position of the safety lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Salvatore Tumminello, Jr.
    Inventors: Anton Tsamas, Eric R. Bone, Andrew Stevens, Salvatore Tumminello, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4624034
    Abstract: A buckle apparatus for use in a seatbelt system is arranged such that when the tongue plate of the seatbelt is inserted into the buckle body, the pawl of a lock plate is inserted into an opening formed in the tongue plate. Since the projecting end of the pawl is separated from the corresponding opening formed in the buckle body, a relatively small force can release the tongue plate from the buckle apparatus. However, when the force applied to the tongue plate for pulling it out from the buckle apparatus increases, a lock plate holder is deformed by virtue of this force. In consequence, the pawl engages with the opening of the buckle body, and retaining wings provided on the side of the lock plate remote from the pawl also engage with the corresponding portions of the buckle body. Accordingly, the lock plate is supported by the buckle body at two portions on both sides of the portion thereof which engages with the tongue plate, so that the lock plate can bear a large tongue plate pulling out force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-rika-denki-seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ishiguro, Hidemoto Araki
  • Patent number: 4454634
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle fitted with belt straps and two interlocking parts. These are designed for releasably connecting the belt strap. One interlocking part consists of a locked part and the other interlocking part consists of a locking part. The latter is fitted with a locking member pivoted in the locking part and able to be reset between the position releasing and the position locking the locked part. The locking member is spring loaded so as to attempt to pivot to its releasing position. A detent member is able to be reset between a detent position in which the locking member is prevented from being reset from its locking position and a releasing position in which the locking member is permitted to pivot to its releasing position. An ejector is arranged so as to eject the locked part by the action of a spring when the locking member is rest to the locking position. A link connects the detent member to the ejector. The link is loaded by a spring which attempts to move the ejector to its outer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: AB Stil-Industri
    Inventors: Lennart Haglund, Sigvard Johansson
  • Patent number: 4451958
    Abstract: A locking element or latch is embodied from a metal plate and comprises a first pair of articulation tabs, a second pair of tabs to receive strains, these tabs being received in corresponding openings formed in the flanges of the base. The retaining member of the latch is guided in displacement in an L-shaped cutout and is associated with a floating contact with a rocker articulated on an ejector. A push button comprises engagement surfaces cooperating selectively with the locking member and ejector and ramps to assist the lifting of the latch. A single spring serves to actuate, and place under tension, all of the moving parts of the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Robben, Raymond Legros, Udo Rittersdorf