REFLEX SEAT BELT BUCKLE

• US 3,649,999 A
• Filed: 05/22/1969
• Issued: 03/21/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert W. Stoffel
• Original Assignee: Robert W. Stoffel
• Inventors: Stoffel, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelak, Bernard A.
• Application Number:
  US04/826,965
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 24/23.1T
• US Class Current: 24/635
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/2511 acting perpendicularly to the main plane of the buckle, e.g. placed on the front face of the buckle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45634 Operator includes camming or wedging element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45686 and position locking-means therefor

Abstract

A push button seat belt buckle having a tongue which is received in a buckle housing to connect a pair of belts together. As the tongue is being received, it moves a release plate toward a position in which a push button prevents the release plates return motion. The release plate, in turn, pivots a pair of latch members toward the tongue to prevent its removal from the housing. The tongue is released by operating the push button to free the release plate for its return motion which allows the latch members to be disengaged from the tongue by its removal from the housing.

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat belt assembly, a buckle assembly comprising:

a tongue having a forked end and formed of a plate having a side edge;

a base member having a planar surface and an opening for receiving the tongue in a position parallel to said planar surface;

a plate member having a pointed end for engagement with said forked end and slidably mounted on said base member for motion from a first position in which there is engagement with the side edge of the tongue to prevent its removal toward a second position allowing removal of the tongue from said opening, said member provided with an aperture;

bias means urging said plate member toward said second position;

a push button mounted on said base member for motion toward and away from said planar surface, said button provided with a finger for engagement in said aperture in said plate member locking said plate member against movement urged by said bias means, in said first position and whereby motion of said button toward said planar surface disengages said finger permitting said plate member to said second position allowing removal of the tongue from said opening.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said latch member is movable toward said first position by said tongue as said tongue is received by said base member.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including a pair of side tabs provided on said push button for reception in a pair of apertures formed in said base member whereby said push button is prevented from being displaced parallel to said base member.