RESTRAINT SYSTEM BUCKLE COMPONENTS HAVING TACTILE SURFACES, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A restraint assembly for releasably restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the restraint assembly comprising:
- a web connector includinga tongue having an engagement feature;
a web receiving portion configured to receive a web; and
a tongue cover at least partially covering the web receiving portion;
a housing assembly configured to releasably engage the web connector tongue,the housing assembly includinga housing cover, wherein the housing cover at least partially defines an opening that receives the tongue; and
one or more locking features configured to releasably engage the engagement feature; and
an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position releases the one or more locking features from the engagement feature;
wherein at least one of the tongue cover, the first housing cover, the second housing cover, or the actuator includes a surface finish having a durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Buckle assemblies for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems in vehicles are disclosed herein. A buckle assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing assembly that receives at least a portion of a web connector. The housing assembly includes a coating having a generally soft or tactile surface finish. For example, the coating can be at least partially elastically compressible.
96 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A restraint assembly for releasably restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the restraint assembly comprising:
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a web connector including a tongue having an engagement feature; a web receiving portion configured to receive a web; and a tongue cover at least partially covering the web receiving portion; a housing assembly configured to releasably engage the web connector tongue, the housing assembly including a housing cover, wherein the housing cover at least partially defines an opening that receives the tongue; and one or more locking features configured to releasably engage the engagement feature; and an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position releases the one or more locking features from the engagement feature; wherein at least one of the tongue cover, the first housing cover, the second housing cover, or the actuator includes a surface finish having a durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A web connector assembly comprising:
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a web connector configured to be coupled to a web; a housing assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the web connector; and a coating disposed over at least a portion of the housing assembly, wherein the coating has a first thickness and is elastically compressible to a second thickness that is approximately 90% of the first thickness. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. The web connector assembly of claim 13 wherein the urethane paint comprises a resin, a thinner, and a hardener.
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14. A method of manufacturing a personal restraint assembly, the method comprising:
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forming a web connector having a tongue portion and a web receiving portion; covering at least a portion of the web receiving portion with a coating having a durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70; forming a housing assembly having a housing cover at least partially defining an opening that receives the tongue portion; and covering at least a portion of the housing assembly with the coating. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification