Airbag buckle assembly
First Claim
1. A buckle assembly for use in a restraint system for protecting a vehicle passenger during a crash event comprising:
- a connector with a longitudinal axis and having a mechanical stop including an edge and an offset edge that is offset a distance along the longitudinal axis of the connector from the edge; and
an airbag buckle having a clearance slot to receive the connector in a single orientation.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a buckle assembly for use in a restraint system for protecting a vehicle passenger during a crash event. The buckle assembly includes a connector, an airbag buckle and a means for ensuring that the connector may only be inserted into an airbag buckle and that the connector may only be inserted into an airbag buckle in a single orientation. The connector includes a mechanical stop with an offset edge. This offset edge must engage within a clearing slot located within the airbag buckle in order for the connector to latch into the airbag buckle. Latching of the connecting element with other non-airbag buckles or with the air bag buckle when the connector is not in the proper orientation is thus prevented.
50 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A buckle assembly for use in a restraint system for protecting a vehicle passenger during a crash event comprising:
a connector with a longitudinal axis and having a mechanical stop including an edge and an offset edge that is offset a distance along the longitudinal axis of the connector from the edge; and
an airbag buckle having a clearance slot to receive the connector in a single orientation.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A buckle assembly for use in a restraint system for protecting a vehicle passenger during a crash event, wherein the restraint system comprises a first belt piece, a second belt piece and an airbag embedded within the first belt piece, wherein the buckle assembly comprises:
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a connector attached to the first belt piece wherein the connector can only latched into an airbag buckle and can latch into an airbag buckle only in a single orientation wherein the single orientation is such that the airbag deploys in a direction away from the passenger, wherein the connector comprises;
a longitudinal axis, a tongue plate with a distal end, a mechanical stop comprising an edge and an offset edge wherein the offset edge is offset from the edge along the longitudinal axis a distance closer to the distal end; and
an airbag buckle attached to the second belt piece, comprising a connector slot having a length equal to or greater than the distance the offset edge is offset from the edge.
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Specification