BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAVING SINGLE RELEASE FOR MULTIPLE BELT CONNECTORS

• US 20100125983A1
• Filed: 09/21/2009
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Merrill, David Thayer, Keene, Allen R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,327,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/593.100
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2526 with an operating lever
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2549 Fastening of other buckle elements to the main buckle buckles with several tongues released by the same mechanism A44B11/2507 - A44B11/2542
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4072 Pivoted lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45241 Slot and tab or tongue
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45618 and interlocking with independently associated or dissociated projection members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45639 including pivotally connected element on receiving member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45644 for shifting pivotally connected interlocking component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45649 Element and component pivot about same axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45654 for shifting slidably connected and guided, nonself-biasing interlocking component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4567 for shifting slidably connected and guided, nonself-biasing, interlocking component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4718 Watch pintle connected

Abstract

A buckle assembly for a vehicle restraint system where the buckle assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of belt connectors, with the belt connectors being simultaneously released upon moving at least one handle to a release position.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly comprising:

a buckle base;

a plurality of latches coupled to the buckle base with each latch adapted to engage one of a plurality of respective independent belt connectors; and

at least one handle coupled to the buckle base and adapted to have at least latching and release positions wherein the plurality of belt connectors are simultaneously released when the at least one handle is in the release position.

2. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the buckle base has at least three parallel upstanding flanges.

3. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the buckle base is adapted to receive at least two belt connectors, with each belt connector being received between a respective pair of upstanding flanges.

4. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 2, further comprising at least one pivot axle coupled to the buckle base.

5. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 2, further comprising at least two pivot axles coupled to the buckle base.

6. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one pivot axle is received in apertures in the upstanding flanges.

7. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one pivot axle is comprised of at least two portions.

8. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of latches is pivotally connected to at least one pivot axle.

9. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of latches further comprises a pawl to engage a wall of an aperture in a respective belt connector when the respective belt connector is received by the buckle assembly.

10. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of latches further comprises a resilient member that biases the pawl toward an engaged position to prevent removal of a respective belt connector.

11. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the handle is pivotally coupled to the buckle base.

12. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one resilient Member that biases the handle toward the latching position.

13. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the handle engages each of the plurality of latches to move the latches to release each of the respective belt connectors when the handle is pivoted to the release position.

14. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least two handles coupled to the buckle base and which are adapted to permit a first respective handle to selectively release at least one respective belt connector and at least a second respective handle to simultaneously release more than one belt connector.

15. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the buckle base has at least two parallel upstanding flanges.

16. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein the buckle base is adapted to receive at least two belt connectors, with each belt connector being received between at least two upstanding flanges, and the belt connectors being received in spaced, parallel planes.

17. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 15, further comprising at least two pivot axles coupled to the at least two parallel upstanding flanges.

18. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least two pivot axles each are comprised of at least two portions.

19. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 17, wherein each respective pivot axle is received in respective aligned apertures in the at least two upstanding flanges.

20. A buckle assembly in accordance with claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of latches is pivotally connected to at least one pivot axle.

21-25. -25. (canceled)