SEAT BELT BUCKLE

• US 20070204442A1
• Filed: 02/19/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Calvin R. Bentsen
• Original Assignee: Calvin R. Bentsen
• Inventors: Walker, Robert, Bentsen, Calvin, Falb, Harris, Falb, Margo
• Granted Patent: US 7,797,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/633
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/25 with two or more separable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2503 Safety buckles safety belts in vehicles B60R22/00; safety belts for aircraft B64D25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2565 Illuminated buckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/321 using electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45084 for safety belt buckle, strap, harness, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor

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. The buckle may be formed with a funnel region adjacent its open end to assist in aligning the seat belt tongue with the opening of the housing and thereafter engaging the seat belt tongue with the latch mechanism. The buckle may additionally include a manual release element. The buckle may further include one or more illuminated areas to assist the passenger in visually locating the seat belt buckle and/or the manual release element.

Claims

1. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:

a housing including a first end having an opening;

a funnel region disposed adjacent said first end of said housing, said funnel region substantially aligned with said opening; and

a latch mechanism disposed within said housing.

2. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein said funnel region extends around said opening of said first end of said housing through an arc of at least 180°

.

3. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein said funnel region has a diameter which is greater than, and progressively increases as same extends away from, said opening of said first end of said housing.

4. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein said funnel region includes at least one lighting element.

5. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 4, wherein said at least one lighting element is a light emitting diode.

6. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic buckle assist mechanism disposed within said housing and including at least one selectively energizable electromagnet.

7. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a manual release element disposed adjacent said opening of said first end of said housing.

8. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:

a housing including a first end having an opening;

at least one lighting element disposed proximate said first end; and

a latch mechanism disposed within said housing.

9. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one lighting element is associated with a funnel region disposed adjacent said first end of said housing and substantially aligned with said opening.

10. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 8, further comprising a manual release element disposed adjacent said opening of said first end of said housing.

11. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein said at least one lighting element is associated with said manual release element.

12. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one lighting element is a light emitting diode.

13. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 8, further comprising a magnetic buckle assist mechanism disposed within said housing and including at least one selectively energizable electromagnet.

14. The seat belt buckle assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one lighting element is associated with said a switch of said buckle assist mechanism.

15. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:

a seat belt including a tongue;

a housing including a first end having an opening;

a latch mechanism disposed within said housing; and

a latch assist assembly, comprising;

first and second switches; and

an electromagnet operable to move said latch mechanism to a disengaged position with respect to said seat belt tongue upon actuation of said first switch prior to insertion of said seat belt tongue into said buckle assembly, and operable to allow said latch mechanism to move to an engaged position with respect to said seat belt tongue upon actuation of said second switch after insertion of said seat belt tongue into said buckle assembly.