Buckle assembly having single release for multiple belt connectors
First Claim
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1. A buckle assembly for attachment to a plurality of belt connectors, the buckle assembly comprising:
- a buckle base having first and second spaced apart upstanding flanges;
an axle extending between the first and second upstanding flanges;
a latch system mounted to the axle between the first and second flanges,wherein the latch system includes—
first and second engagement features operably coupled to the axle between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the first engagement feature is movable to a first engaging position in which the first engagement feature engages a first belt connector, and wherein the second engagement feature is movable to a second engaging position in which the second engagement feature engages a second belt connector;
a first biasing element urging the first engagement feature toward the first engaging position; and
a second biasing element urging the second engagement feature toward the second engaging position;
a first operating handle pivotally mounted to the axle, wherein the first operating handle is movable toward a release position to disengage the first engagement feature from the first belt connector and the second engagement feature from the second belt connector; and
a second operating handle pivotally mounted to the axle adjacent the first operating handle, wherein the second operating handle is individually movable toward the release position to individually disengage the second engagement feature from the second belt connector while leaving the first engagement feature engaged with the first belt connector.
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Abstract
A buckle assembly for a vehicle restraint system where the buckle assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of belt connectors, with the belt connectors being simultaneously released upon moving at least one handle to a release position.
409 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A buckle assembly for attachment to a plurality of belt connectors, the buckle assembly comprising:
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a buckle base having first and second spaced apart upstanding flanges; an axle extending between the first and second upstanding flanges; a latch system mounted to the axle between the first and second flanges, wherein the latch system includes— first and second engagement features operably coupled to the axle between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the first engagement feature is movable to a first engaging position in which the first engagement feature engages a first belt connector, and wherein the second engagement feature is movable to a second engaging position in which the second engagement feature engages a second belt connector; a first biasing element urging the first engagement feature toward the first engaging position; and a second biasing element urging the second engagement feature toward the second engaging position; a first operating handle pivotally mounted to the axle, wherein the first operating handle is movable toward a release position to disengage the first engagement feature from the first belt connector and the second engagement feature from the second belt connector; and a second operating handle pivotally mounted to the axle adjacent the first operating handle, wherein the second operating handle is individually movable toward the release position to individually disengage the second engagement feature from the second belt connector while leaving the first engagement feature engaged with the first belt connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A buckle assembly for attachment to a plurality of belt connectors, the buckle assembly comprising:
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a buckle base; a first latching mechanism mounted to the buckle base, wherein the first latching mechanism includes a first engagement feature movable to a first engaging position to engage a first belt connector; a second latching mechanism spaced apart from the first latching mechanism and mounted to the buckle base, wherein the second latching mechanism includes a second engagement feature independently movable relative to the first engagement feature to a second engaging position to engage a second belt connector; a first operating handle pivotally coupled to the buckle base; and a second operating handle pivotally coupled to the buckle base adjacent the first operating handle, wherein the first operating handle is movable toward a release position to disengage the first engagement feature from the first belt connector and the second engagement feature from the second belt connector, and wherein the second operating handle is individually movable toward the release position to individually disengage the second engagement feature from the second belt connector while leaving the first engagement feature engaged with the first belt connector. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification