Latchplate or tongue assembly with dual mode of operation
First Claim
1. A tongue assembly having multiple modes of operation comprising:
- a frame having a locking feature for locking engagement with a seat belt buckle, a first aperture positioned apart from the locking feature, the first aperture sized to receive a portion of a seat belt, the first aperture including a first belt clamping surface;
clamping means, including a second belt clamping surface generally opposite the first belt clamping surface, the clamping means arranged to slide upon the frame in the vicinity of the first aperture from a belt release position in which the seat belt is freely sliding to a belt clamping or cinching position in which the seat belt is clamped or cinched between the first and second belt clamping surfaces, the clamping means further including a first belt engaging surface arranged to urge the clamping means toward its clamped position;
locking means, mounted upon the frame and operable with the clamping means, and rotatable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein when in the unlocked position the clamping means is permitted to slide to its cinching position and when in the locked position the clamping means is maintained in the release position.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tongue (30) having multiple modes of operation comprising: a frame (60), a slide, or clamp (15) and manually adjustable knob (200). The tongue frame includes a locking feature (74) for locking engagement with a seat belt buckle (24), a seat belt receiving first aperture (66) positioned apart from the locking feature; the first aperture including a first belt clamping surface (72). The slide or clamp includes a second belt clamping surface (174) generally opposite the first belt engaging surface, the slide being arranged to slide upon the frame in the vicinity of the first aperture from a belt release position in which the seat belt is freely sliding to a belt clamping or cinching position in which the seat belt (32) is clamped or cinched between the first and second belt clamping surfaces, the slide further includes a first belt engaging surface (160) arranged to urge the slide toward its clamped position. The knob (200) is mounted upon the frame and operable to block the motion of the slide, and rotatable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein when in the unlocked position the slide is permitted to slide to its cinching position and when in the locked position the slide means is maintained in the release position.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A tongue assembly having multiple modes of operation comprising:
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a frame having a locking feature for locking engagement with a seat belt buckle, a first aperture positioned apart from the locking feature, the first aperture sized to receive a portion of a seat belt, the first aperture including a first belt clamping surface; clamping means, including a second belt clamping surface generally opposite the first belt clamping surface, the clamping means arranged to slide upon the frame in the vicinity of the first aperture from a belt release position in which the seat belt is freely sliding to a belt clamping or cinching position in which the seat belt is clamped or cinched between the first and second belt clamping surfaces, the clamping means further including a first belt engaging surface arranged to urge the clamping means toward its clamped position; locking means, mounted upon the frame and operable with the clamping means, and rotatable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein when in the unlocked position the clamping means is permitted to slide to its cinching position and when in the locked position the clamping means is maintained in the release position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A tongue assembly having multiple modes of operation comprising:
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a frame having a locking feature for locking engagement with a seat belt buckle, a first aperture positioned apart from the locking feature, the first aperture sized to receive a portion of a seat belt; a first belt clamping surface about the first aperature; clamping means, including a second belt clamping surface generally opposite the first belt clamping surface, the clamping means arranged to slide upon the frame in the vicinity of the first aperture from a belt release position in which the seat belt is freely sliding to a belt clamping or cinching position in which the seat belt is clamped or cinched between the first and second belt clamping surfaces, the clamping means further including a first belt engaging surface arranged to urge the clamping means toward its clamped position; locking means, mounted upon the frame and operable with the clamping means, and rotatable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein when in the unlocked position the clamping means is permitted to slide to its cinching position and when in the locked position the clamping means is maintained in the release position.
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Specification