BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND ASSOCIATED CONNECTORS FOR USE WITH CHILD SEATS AND OTHER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
- a first connector configured to be operably coupled to a first web, wherein the first connector includes a first tongue portion having a locking feature;
a second connector configured to be operably coupled to a second web, wherein the second connector includes a second tongue portion; and
a buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including;
a latch configured to engage the locking feature of the first tongue portion to thereby lock the first and second tongue portions to the buckle assembly when the first and second tongue portions are inserted into the buckle assembly together; and
an ejector configured to disengage the locking feature from the latch when the first tongue portion is inserted into the buckle assembly in the absence of the second tongue portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Buckle assemblies and associated connectors for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems are disclosed herein. A restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes shoulder/lap webs which are slideably received in corresponding web connectors. Each of the web connectors includes a tongue portion that is configured to releasably interlock with the other tongue portion before the interlocking tongue portions are simultaneously inserted into the buckle assembly as a unit. The buckle assembly is configured to receive and engage the interlocking tongue portions only when the tongue portions have been properly mated together prior to insertion into the buckle assembly.
126 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
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a first connector configured to be operably coupled to a first web, wherein the first connector includes a first tongue portion having a locking feature; a second connector configured to be operably coupled to a second web, wherein the second connector includes a second tongue portion; and a buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including; a latch configured to engage the locking feature of the first tongue portion to thereby lock the first and second tongue portions to the buckle assembly when the first and second tongue portions are inserted into the buckle assembly together; and an ejector configured to disengage the locking feature from the latch when the first tongue portion is inserted into the buckle assembly in the absence of the second tongue portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A child restraint system for use with a child seat in a vehicle, the restraint system comprising:
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a first connector configured to be operably coupled to a first web, wherein the first connector includes a first tongue portion having an aperture therein; a second connector configured to be operably coupled to a second web, wherein the second connector includes a second tongue portion configured to be releasably interlocked with the first tongue portion; and a buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including; a latch pawl configured to extend at least partially through the aperture and releasably engage the first tongue portion when the first and second tongue portions are releasably interlocked and inserted into the buckle assembly together; and an ejector having a first surface portion and a second surface portion, wherein the first surface portion is configured to disengage the first tongue portion from the latch pawl when the first tongue portion is inserted into the buckle assembly in the absence of the second tongue portion, and wherein the second surface portion is configured to drive the second tongue portion away from the latch pawl when the second tongue portion is inserted into the buckle assembly in the absence of the first tongue portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A buckle system for restraining a child in a child seat in a vehicle, the buckle system comprising:
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a first connector configured to be operably coupled to a first web, wherein the first connector includes a first tongue portion having a locking feature; a second connector configured to be operably coupled to a second web, wherein the second connector includes a second tongue portion; and a buckle assembly configured to be operably coupled to a third web, the buckle assembly including; means for engaging the locking feature of the first tongue portion to secure the first and second tongue portions to the buckle assembly when the first and second tongue portions are inserted into the buckle assembly together; and means for automatically disengaging the locking feature to release the first tongue portion from the buckle assembly when the first tongue portion is inserted into the buckle assembly in the absence of the second tongue portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification