Air bag deactivation buckle

• US 5,851,025 A
• Filed: 12/20/1996
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin G. Gamboa
• Original Assignee: Martin G. Gamboa
• Inventors: Gamboa, Martin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wasil, Daniel D.
• Application Number:
  US08/770,338
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/801.1, 180/268, 24/163 FC, 24/184, 24/633, 297/482
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor

Abstract

An air bag deactivation buckle (10) on a seat belt (12) for holding an infant (14) in an infant seat (16) securely in a seat (18) of a motor vehicle (20) comprising a frame (22) attached to a first end of the seat belt (12), the frame (22) having a slot (24) therein. A push button lock mechanism (26) is in the frame (22). A structure (28) is for covering the slot (24) in the frame (22) in a releasable manner. A component (30) in the frame (22) is for deactivating an air bag (32) in the motor vehicle (20). A tongue (34) is attached to a second end of the seat belt (18). When the tongue (34) is inserted into the slot (24) in the frame (22) after the covering structure (28) exposes the slot (24), the tongue (34) will engage with the push button lock mechanism (26) and the air bag deactivating component (30), to prevent inflation of the air bag (32) in case of a collision and eliminate endangerment to the infant (14) in the infant seat (16).

Claims

1. An air bag deactivation buckle on a seat belt for holding an infant in an infant seat securely in a seat of a motor vehicle comprising:

a) a frame attached to a first end of the seat belt, said frame having a slot therein;

b) a push button lock mechanism in said frame;

c) means for covering said slot in said frame in a releasable manner;

d) means in said frame for deactivating an air bag in the motor vehicle; and

e) a tongue attached to a second end of the seat belt, so that when said tongue is inserted into said slot in said frame after said covering means exposes said slot, said tongue will engage with said push button lock mechanism and said air bag deactivating means, to prevent inflation of the air bag in case of a collision and eliminate endangerment to the infant in the infant seat.

2. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 1, wherein said covering means includes:

a) a safety cover sized to block said slot; and

b) a hinge pin connecting said safety cover to said frame, so that said safety cover must be moved to expose said slot in said frame before said tongue can be inserted into said slot.

3. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 1, wherein said deactivating means includes

a normally closed air bag deactivator switch electrically connected to an air bag electrical system whereby when said tongue engages said air bag deactivator switch, the air bag electrical system will prevent inflation of the air bag.

4. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 3, wherein said air bag electrical system includes an ignition activated air bag actuation circuit electrically connected to said air bag deactivator switch.

5. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 4, wherein said air bag electrical system further includes two dashboard indicator warning lights panel, in which one said light indicates the air bag is operational, while other said light indicates the air bag is deactivated.

6. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 5, wherein said air bag electrical system further includes an audible signal circuit with a speaker electrically connected to said air bag deactivated light, so as to make an audio alarm when the air bag is deactivated.

7. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 1, further including:

a) said frame being of a double configuration, having a second slot therein; and

b) a second pushbutton lock mechanism adjacent said second slot in said frame providing a user with a choice between insertion of said tongue into said first slot, to prevent inflation of the air bag when using the infant seat on the seat of the motor vehicle and insertion of said tongue into said second slot to allow normal inflation of the air bag, when an adult passenger is held securely on the seat of the motor vehicle during a collision.

8. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 2, wherein said frame, said push button lock mechanism, said safety cover and said tongue are all fabricated out of stainless steel.

9. An air bag deactivation buckle on a seat belt for holding an infant in an infant seat securely in a seat of a motor vehicle comprising:

a) a frame attached to a first end of the seat belt, said frame having a slot therein;

b) a push button lock mechanism in said frame;

c) means for covering said slot in said frame in a releasable manner, wherein said covering means includes a safety cover sized to block said slot and a hinge connecting said safety cover to said frame, so that said safety cover must be moved to expose said slot in said frame before said tongue can be inserted into said slot;

d) means in said frame for deactivating an air bag in the motor vehicle; and

e) a tongue attached to a second end of the seat belt, so that when said tongue is inserted into said slot in said frame after said covering means exposes said slot, said tongue will engage with said push button lock mechanism and said air bag deactivating means, to prevent inflation of the air bag in case of a collision and eliminate endangerment to the infant in the infant seat.

10. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 9, wherein said deactivating means includes

a normally closed air bag deactivator switch electrically connected to an air bag electrical system whereby when said tongue engages said air bag deactivator switch, the air bag electrical system will prevent inflation of the air bag.

11. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 10, wherein said air bag electrical system includes an ignition activated air bag actuation circuit electrically connected to said air bag deactivator switch.

12. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 11, wherein said air bag electrical system further includes two dashboard indicator warning lights panel, in which one said light indicates the air bag is operational, while other said light indicates the air bag is deactivated.

13. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 12, wherein said air bag electrical system further includes an audible signal circuit with a speaker electrically connected to said air bag deactivated light, so as to make an audio alarm when the air bag is deactivated.

14. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 13, further including:

a) said frame being of a double configuration, having a second slot therein; and

b) a second pushbutton lock mechanism adjacent said second slot in said frame providing a user with a choice between insertion of said tongue into said first slot, to prevent inflation of the air bag when using the infant seat on the seat of the motor vehicle and insertion of said tongue into said second slot to allow normal inflation of the air bag, when an adult passenger is held securely on the seat of the motor vehicle during a collision.

15. An air bag deactivation buckle as recited in claim 14, wherein said frame, said push button lock mechanism, said safety cover and said tongue are all fabricated out of stainless steel.