Buckle for safety belts in vehicles

• US 6,000,110 A
• Filed: 06/24/1996
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Wier, Franz
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US08/669,155
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 24/633, 24/603, 24/602, 24/637, 24/655, 24/664, 297/468, 200/61.58 B
• US Class Current: 24/633
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45461 Interlocking portion actuated or released responsive to preselected condition [e.g., heat, pressure]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45466 having electric or fluid powered, actuation or release, of interlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45644 for shifting pivotally connected interlocking component

Abstract

A buckle for safety belts in vehicles comprises a load bearing housing in which an insertion path for receiving an insert tongue is formed. A movable latch is mounted on the housing. A casing is provided which surrounds the housing. The casing is provided with an opening at a rear side thereof remote from the insertion path. Within the casing at least one electric switch is arranged. This switch is fitted through the opening in the buckle in an already assembled condition thereof.

Claims

1. A buckle for safety belts in vehicles, comprising a load bearing housing in which an insertion path for receiving an insert tongue is formed, said insertion path defining a common plane, a movable latch mounted on said housing, a casing surrounding said housing and provided with an opening at a rear side thereof remote from said insertion path, and at least one electric switch arranged within said casing, said switch being fitted through said opening in said buckle in an already assembled condition thereof wherein said switch together with a connecting cable connected to it, and also a tension relief means for said cable are inserted into said opening at the rear side of said casing, said switch being arranged in its inserted condition adjacent said insertion path and offset to said common plane.

2. The buckle of claim 1, wherein a plurality of electric switches are attached to said housing grouped in superposed relationship or alongside one another.

3. The buckle of claim 1, wherein said switch is adapted to be actuated by a functional part of said buckle directly.

4. The buckle of claim 3, wherein said switch is adapted to be actuated by a projecting part on an ejector of said buckle.

5. The buckle of claim 1, wherein said opening at the rear side of said casing is shut off by said inserted switch body in a sealing fashion.

6. The buckle of claim 1, wherein said opening at the rear side of said casing remains open when said switch body is inserted.

7. The buckle of claim 1, wherein electronic components are mounted at said housing.

8. The buckle of claim 1, wherein said switch is secured to the housing by means of a detent connection.

9. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein said connecting cable is provided with a connecting means for connecting it to an electrical vehicle system and wherein said switch, said connecting cable and said tension relief means form a preassembled module.

10. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein said switch in its inserted condition is covered by said casing.

11. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein said insertion path extends from an insert orifice and defines a longitudinal direction of said buckle, said rear side of said casing lies opposite said insert orifice of said load bearing housing with respect to said longitudinal direction, and said switch together with said connecting cable and said tension relief means are inserted into said opening at the rear side of said casing in a direction parallel to said longitudinal direction.

12. A buckle for safety belts in vehicles, comprising a load bearing housing in which an insertion path for receiving an insert tongue is formed, a movable latch mounted on said housing, an ejector being movable along said insertion path from a rest position to an active position in which said insert tongue is received in the buckle, said load bearing housing having an attachment point for connecting said housing to vehicle-fixed attachment means, said attachment point being arranged adjacent said ejector in its active position, said insertion path, said ejector and said attachment point being arranged in a common plane, a casing surrounding said housing and provided with an opening at a rear side thereof remote from said insertion path, and at least one electric switch arranged within said casing, said switch being fitted through said opening in said buckle in an already assembled condition thereof wherein said switch together with a connecting cable connected to it, and also a tension relief means for said cable are inserted into said opening at the rear side of said casing, said switch being arranged in its inserted condition offset to said common plane.