Seat belt buckle

• US 6,477,753 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Burke, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Ruth C.
• Application Number:
  US09/554,360
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 246/30--40, 280/801.1, 280/802
• US Class Current: 24/637
• 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 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45639 including pivotally connected element on receiving member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45644 for shifting pivotally connected interlocking component

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved buckle for a vehicle safety restraint from which more accurate and reliable information on seat belt usage can be obtained. The buckle comprises a buckle head with a passageway for receiving a buckle tongue, and releasable means for locking the tongue in the passageway. A tag such as a coded magnetic strip or a microchip is provided encapsulated in the material of the tongue and a detector is provided in the buckle head in close proximity to the tongue passageway. A detector is provided to suitably read the tag code.

Claims

1. A safety restraint seat belt arrangement comprising a buckle head, and a buckle tongue, the buckle head comprising a passageway for receiving the tongue, and releasable means for locking the tongue in the passageway, and wherein a tag is provided in the tongue and a detector, sensitive to the tag is provided in the tongue in proximity to the tongue passageway;

wherein a unique predetermined code is embodied in a tag in a tongue for an infant seat which identifies the tongue as a tongue associated with the infant seat, wherein the code is effective in controlling the operation of an associated safety restraint.

2. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein the tag embodies a coded magnetic strip.

3. A buckle according to claim 1 further comprising a lock out device which inhibits locking of a false tongue in the buckle head.

4. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein the lock out device comprises a sliding plate interposed between the buckle locking member and the tongue to block engagement of the locking member whit the tongue.

5. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein the signal from the detector is supplied to a vehicle airbag system to disable the airbag in the seat corresponding to the infant seat.

6. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein the code is optically embodied in the tag and the detector comprises a light sensitive detector.

7. A buckle according to claim 6 wherein the code is in the form of a bar code.

8. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein the detector is provided in the buckle head.

9. A safety restraint seat belt arrangement comprising a buckle head, and a buckle tongue, the buckle head comprising a passageway for receiving the tongue, and releasable means for locking the tongue in the passageway, and wherein a tag comprising a microchip is provided in the tongue and a detector, sensitive to the tag is provided in proximity to the tongue passageway;

wherein the detector is provided in the buckle head.