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;
a first axle extending parallel to the buckle base between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the first axle is aligned with a first axis;
a second axle extending parallel to the buckle base between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the second axle is aligned with a second axis, offset from the first axis;
a latch system mounted between the first and second flanges, wherein the latch system includes—
a first engagement feature operably coupled to the first axle between the first and second upstanding flanges;
a second engagement feature operably coupled to the second 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;
an operating handle pivotally mounted to the buckle base, wherein the 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.
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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.
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Citations
14 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; a first axle extending parallel to the buckle base between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the first axle is aligned with a first axis; a second axle extending parallel to the buckle base between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the second axle is aligned with a second axis, offset from the first axis; a latch system mounted between the first and second flanges, wherein the latch system includes— a first engagement feature operably coupled to the first axle between the first and second upstanding flanges; a second engagement feature operably coupled to the second 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; an operating handle pivotally mounted to the buckle base, wherein the 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. - 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 having first and second spaced apart upstanding flanges; a first axle extending between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the first axle is aligned with a first axis; a second axle extending between the first and second upstanding flanges, wherein the second axle is aligned with a second axis, offset from the first axis; a latch system mounted between the first and second flanges, wherein the latch system includes— a first engagement feature operably coupled to the first axle between the first and second upstanding flanges; a second engagement feature operably coupled to the second 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 edge portion of a first aperture in 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 edge portion of a second aperture in 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; and an operating handle pivotally mounted to the buckle base, wherein the 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. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. 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 edge portion of a first aperture in a first belt connector; a second latching mechanism spaced apart from the first latching mechanism and mounted to the buckle base in stacked relation to the first latching mechanism, 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 edge portion of a second aperture in a second belt connector; an operating handle pivotally coupled to the buckle base, wherein the 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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification