Tongue for an inflatable belt and inflatable belt device

• US 6,168,196 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nariyasu, Tutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/321,103
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 280/733
• US Class Current: 280/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An inflatable belt device includes a tongue having a rear end connected to an inflatable belt; a buckle with which the tongue is to be engaged; and a gas generator or inflator for supplying gas into the buckle. The tongue includes a tongue base having a gas passage or duct; a tongue plate fixed to the tongue base; and a lap belt anchor. The lap belt anchor has an L-like configuration and includes a base and a bracket, which extends perpendicularly from the base and has an opening formed therein. The base is attached pivotally to the tongue plate by a pivot pin. A sheet, made from a low friction material, may be placed between the plate and the base, thus facilitating the pivoting of the tongue. As a result of this arrangement, gas is introduced much more smoothly from a tongue of an inflatable belt device into the inflatable belt. A low pressure gas generator may thus be used.

Claims

1. A tongue for an inflatable belt comprising:

a tongue body having a rear end connected to the inflatable belt and having a front end adapted for engaging a buckle;

a passage, fluidly connecting the front portion with the rear portion and for introducing a fluid into the inflatable belt; and

a lap belt anchor pivotally attached to the tongue body.

2. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongue body includes a tongue plate and the lap belt anchor is attached pivotally to the tongue plate.

3. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lap belt anchor includes:

a base extending along the tongue plate and pivotally attached to the tongue body;

a bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from the base; and

an opening in the bracket for inserting a lap belt.

4. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lap belt anchor includes:

a base extending along the tongue plate and pivotally attached to the tongue plate;

a bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from the base; and

an opening in the bracket for inserting a lap belt.

5. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sheet of low friction material between the lap belt anchor and the tongue body.

6. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a sheet of low friction material between the lap belt anchor and the tongue plate.

7. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a sheet of low friction material between the base of the lap belt anchor and the tongue plate.

8. An inflatable belt device for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

an inflatable belt;

a buckle mounted to the vehicle and having a fluid passage;

a tongue having;

a tongue body having a rear end connected to the inflatable belt and having a front end adapted for engaging a buckle;

a passage fluidly connecting the front portion with the rear portion of the tongue body and for introducing a fluid into the inflatable belt; and

a lap belt anchor pivotally attached to the tongue body a lap belt connected to the lap belt anchor; and

an inflator fluidly communicating with the fluid passage of the buckle.

9. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tongue body includes a tongue plate and the lap belt anchor is attached pivotally to the tongue plate.

10. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lap belt anchor includes:

a base extending along the tongue plate and pivotally attached to the tongue plate;

a bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from the base; and

an opening in the bracket for inserting a lap belt.

11. A tongue for an inflatable belt as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a sheet of low friction material between the base of the lap belt anchor and the tongue plate.