Seat belt buckle presenter and method of use therefor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A seat belt buckle presenter for a vehicle, the buckle presenter comprising:
- a seat belt buckle;
a support member operatively connected to the seat belt buckle; and
an actuator operatively connected to the support member to selectively move the buckle between an extended position and a retracted position by selectively extending and retracting the support member, the buckle being higher and more forwardly located in the extended position than the retracted position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combination seat belt buckle presenter and seat belt use reminder includes an actuator to cause the extension and retraction of a buckle to improve buckle accessibility. A flexible support member transmits force from the actuator to the buckle. A self-locking device prevents forward or upward movement of the buckle. The self-locking mechanism is preferably configured as an energy-absorbing seat belt load limiter. The seat belt buckle presenter is preferably automated.
51 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A seat belt buckle presenter for a vehicle, the buckle presenter comprising:
a seat belt buckle;
a support member operatively connected to the seat belt buckle; and
an actuator operatively connected to the support member to selectively move the buckle between an extended position and a retracted position by selectively extending and retracting the support member, the buckle being higher and more forwardly located in the extended position than the retracted position.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of providing improved seat belt buckle accessibility, the method comprising:
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monitoring at least one vehicle component in a vehicle for the presence or existence of at least one predetermined state, the vehicle having a seat belt having a latch plate operatively connected thereto, a seat belt buckle presenter including a seat belt buckle adapted to engage the latch plate, a flexible, extendible support member operatively connected to the seat belt buckle, and an actuator operatively connected to the support member to selectively move the buckle between an extended position and a retracted position by selectively extending and retracting the support member, the buckle being higher and more forwardly located in the extended position than in the retracted position; and
causing the buckle to move between the extended position and the retracted position in response to the presence or existence of said at least one predetermined state. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A seat belt buckle presenter for a vehicle having a seat belt and a seating apparatus characterized by an occupiable surface, the seat belt being adapted to selectively alternate between a stowed position in which the seat belt is located substantially to one side of the occupiable surface to facilitate occupant access to the seating apparatus, and an engaged position in which the seat belt extends across the occupiable surface, the seat belt buckle presenter comprising:
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a seat belt buckle operatively engageable with a latch plate connected to the seat belt for retaining the seat belt in its engaged position;
a flexible support member operatively connected to the seat belt buckle;
an actuator operatively connected to the support member to selectively move the buckle between an extended position and a retracted position by selectively extending and retracting the support member, the buckle being higher in the extended position than the retracted position;
a guide, the support member being slidably engaged with the guide so that the support member moves relative to the guide during support member extension and retraction, the guide being sufficiently configured and positioned to support or redirect the movement of a portion of the support member as the portion of the support member contacts the guide during support member extension or retraction; and
a load-limiter operatively connected to the support member.
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Specification