BUCKLES FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100115737A1
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Foubert, Daniel Nick
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/164
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2526 with an operating lever
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/027 Four-point seat belt systems, e.g. with the two upper points connected together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4002 Harness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45613 having common means actuating or releasing interlocking components or surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor

Abstract

Buckles for inflatable personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly can include a body and a latching mechanism carried by the body. The latching mechanism is configured to engage a corresponding tongue portion when the tongue is inserted into a front portion of the body. The buckle assembly also includes a cover operably coupled to the body and configured to pivotably move about an axis between a first position in which the latching mechanism engages the tongue and a second position in which the latching mechanism disengages the tongue. The buckle assembly further includes one or more counterweight components carried by the body and positioned such that the buckle assembly has a center of gravity (a) between the front portion of the body and a vertical plane extending through the axis, and (b) below a horizontal plane extending through the axis.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly for use with an occupant restraint system of a vehicle, the buckle assembly comprising:

a body;

a latching mechanism carried by the body, wherein the latching mechanism is configured to releasably engage a corresponding tongue portion when the tongue portion is inserted into a front portion of the body;

a cover operably coupled to the body and configured to pivotably move about

an axis between a first position in which the latching mechanism engages the tongue portion and a second position in which the latching mechanism disengages the tongue portion; and

one or more counterweight components carried by the body and positioned such that the buckle assembly has a center of gravity (a) between the front portion of the body and a vertical plane extending through the axis, and (b) below a horizontal plane extending through the axis.

2. The buckle assembly of claim 1 wherein the one or more counterweight components comprise:

a first counterweight component proximate to the front portion of the body and in contact with the latching mechanism; and

a second counterweight component proximate to a rear portion of the body.

3. The buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein the first counterweight component has a first weight and the cover has a second weight less than the first weight.

4. The buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein:

the cover is composed of aluminum or plastic; and

the first and second counterweight components are composed of zinc or steel.

5. The buckle assembly of claim 2, further comprising a pin carried by the body and positioned to pivotably couple the cover to the body, wherein the pin extends lengthwise along the axis, and wherein:

the first counterweight component includes a base portion and spaced apart flanges projecting from the base, wherein the individual flanges have apertures at least generally aligned with the axis and positioned to receive the pin, and wherein the base portion further includes a slit positioned to receive at least a portion of a resilient member carried by the pin.

6. The buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein the second counterweight component comprises a generally U-shaped member slidably received by a bottom portion of the body.

7. The buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein the second counterweight component is a non-permanent component that is removable from the body.

8. The buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second counterweight components are non-functional components of the buckle assembly.

9. The buckle assembly of claim 1 wherein:

a rear portion of the body is attached to an end portion of a first elongate web configured to extend around a first portion of an occupant when an occupant is seated in vehicle;

the tongue portion is attached to an end portion of a second elongate web configured to extend around a second portion of the occupant; and

at least one of the first and second elongate webs includes an airbag carried by the corresponding web and configured to extend at least partially in front of the occupant when inflated.

10. The buckle assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the body includes a bottom portion, spaced apart upstanding flanges along lateral edges of the bottom portion, and apertures through each of the flanges, wherein the apertures are generally aligned with the axis;

the cover includes two spaced apart apertures; and

the buckle assembly further comprises a pin extending through the apertures in the body and the apertures in the cover to pivotably couple the cover to the body.

11. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant seated in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a web having a distal portion operably coupled to the vehicle, wherein the web is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle;

one or more airbags carried by the web; and

a buckle operably coupled to a proximal portion of the web, wherein the buckle includes a lift cover pivotably coupled to a frame and positioned to move relative to the frame about a lift axis between a first, closed position and a second, open position, and wherein the buckle has a center of gravity (a) between a front portion of the buckle and a vertical plane extending through the lift axis, and (b) below a horizontal plane extending through the lift axis.

12. The personal restraint system of claim 11 wherein the buckle further comprises one or more counterweight components carried by the frame to locate the center of gravity forward of and below the lift axis.

13. The personal restraint system of claim 12 wherein the one or more counterweight components comprises a counterweight component proximate to the front portion of the buckle and in contact with a latching mechanism carried the frame, and wherein the counterweight component includes a base portion and spaced apart flanges projecting from the base, the individual flanges having apertures aligned with the lift axis and positioned to receive an axle extending lengthwise along the lift axis to couple the lift cover, the latching mechanism, and the counterweight component to the frame.

14. The personal restraint system of claim 13 wherein the counterweight component is composed of zinc or steel.

15. The personal restraint system of claim 13 wherein the counterweight component weighs more than the lift cover.

16. The personal restraint system of claim 13 wherein the counterweight component is a first counterweight component, and wherein the buckle further comprises a second counterweight component removably installed at a rear portion of the frame.

17. The personal restraint system of claim 16 wherein:

the first counterweight component is positioned to oppose rotational forces from acceleration of the buckle upon inflation of the one or more airbags carried by the web; and

the second counterweight component is positioned to attenuate forces upon the web as a result of deployment of the one or more airbags.

18. The personal restraint system of claim 11 wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.

19. The personal restraint system of claim 11 wherein the vehicle comprises an automobile.

20. A lift latch buckle for use with an occupant restraint system of a vehicle, the lift latch buckle comprising:

a latching mechanism operably coupled to a buckle frame, wherein the buckle frame is operably coupled to a belt configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle, and wherein the latching mechanism is configured to releasably engage a corresponding tongue plate when the tongue plate is inserted into a front portion of the buckle frame;

a cover pivotably coupled to the front portion of the buckle frame, wherein the cover is configured to pivot about a lift axis between a first position in which the latching mechanism engages the tongue plate and a second position in which the latching mechanism disengages the tongue plate; and

a first mass distribution component at the front portion of the buckle frame and in contact with the latching mechanism and a second mass distribution component at a rear portion of the buckle frame, wherein the lift latch buckle has a center of gravity forward of and below the lift axis.

21. The lift latch buckle of claim 20 wherein the first and second mass distribution components are non-functional components of the lift latch buckle.

22. The lift latch buckle of claim 20 wherein:

the first and second mass distribution components are composed of a first material; and

the cover is composed of a second material different than the first material.