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Latchplate or tongue assembly with dual mode of operation

  • US 5,983,463 A
  • Filed: 06/17/1998
  • Issued: 11/16/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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.

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