Abstract: Many seat belt configurations have incorporated a belt retraction device into the design of the seat belt apparatus. When the retraction device includes a recoil spool that is housed within the buckle member the function of the buckle member becomes compounded. In order to release the seat belt buckle the operator is often required to move the release handle in a manner that necessitates the use of both his hands. The seat belt apparatus of the present invention provides a buckle member that is moved toward a tongue member to achieve a latching engagement between the two. A latch release member is provided within the buckle housing and is movable in a direction away from the tongue member to release the connection therebetween. This direction of movement is the same as the direction of separation between the buckle member and the tongue. Both operations may be accomplished in one motion and require the use of only one hand.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle having a buckle frame and a pivotal latching member mounted therein includes a single spring for biasing a push button toward an outer position and for ejecting a tongue plate from the frame when the latch mechanism is in its open position. The preferred spring is a coil spring which is loaded in tension in an extended configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the spring additionally provides biasing force to lock the latch mechanism in its latching position after insertion of the tongue plate into the buckle frame and provide biasing force to maintain the latching member in its open position prior to insertion of the tongue plate.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle employs a pivoting latch plate for retaining a tongue plate tip within the buckle interior. A locking means for securing the latch mechanism in a latched position includes a sliding member mounted on the pivoting latch plate and urged forward by spring means.

Abstract: A buckle for a safety belt has a body in which a passageway is provided for receiving a tongue and a latch member movable transversely of the passageway between a latching position in which it engages with the latching formation to retain the tongue in the passageway, and a release position in which the tongue is displaceable by an ejector outwardly from the passageway from its retained position, the latch member being biased into its released position by a spring. A first toggle member pivots about a fulcrum on the latch and abuts a second toggle member which pivots about a fulcrum on the body. The toggle members have a first stable position in which the latch member is held in its latching position against the action of its biasing spring.

Abstract: A buckle device has a tongue member, a base member, a latch member mounted on the base member so as to be capable of assuming an engaging position in which the latch member is engageable with the tongue member and a non-engaging position in which the latch member is not engageable with the tongue member, and an operating member capable of assuming an operative position in which it brings the latch member to the non-engaging position and a non-operative position in which the latch member can assume the engaging position. The latch member has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, and the operating member has a first acting portion and a second acting portion.