Restraint system buckle components having tactile surfaces, and associated methods of use and manufacture
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A restraint assembly for releasably restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the restraint assembly comprising:
- a web connector includinga tongue having an engagement feature;
a web receiving portion configured to receive a web; and
a tongue cover at least partially covering the web receiving portion;
a housing assembly configured to releasably engage the web connector tongue,the housing assembly includinga housing cover, wherein the housing cover at least partially defines an opening that receives the tongue; and
one or more locking features configured to releasably engage the engagement feature; and
an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position releases the one or more locking features from the engagement feature;
wherein the housing cover has a first surface finish with a first durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70, and the actuator has a second surface finish with a second durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70, and wherein the second durometer hardness is different from the first durometer hardness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Buckle assemblies for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems in vehicles are disclosed herein. A buckle assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing assembly that receives at least a portion of a web connector. The housing assembly includes a coating having a generally soft or tactile surface finish. For example, the coating can be at least partially elastically compressible.
509 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A restraint assembly for releasably restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the restraint assembly comprising:
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a web connector including a tongue having an engagement feature; a web receiving portion configured to receive a web; and a tongue cover at least partially covering the web receiving portion; a housing assembly configured to releasably engage the web connector tongue, the housing assembly including a housing cover, wherein the housing cover at least partially defines an opening that receives the tongue; and one or more locking features configured to releasably engage the engagement feature; and an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position releases the one or more locking features from the engagement feature; wherein the housing cover has a first surface finish with a first durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70, and the actuator has a second surface finish with a second durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70, and wherein the second durometer hardness is different from the first durometer hardness. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A restraint assembly for releasably restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the restraint assembly comprising:
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a web connector including a tongue having an engagement feature; a web receiving portion configured to receive a web; and a tongue cover at least partially covering the web receiving portion; a housing assembly configured to releasably engage the web connector tongue, the housing assembly including a housing cover, wherein the housing cover at least partially defines an opening that receives the tongue; and one or more locking features configured to releasably engage the engagement feature; and an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position releases the one or more locking features from the engagement feature; wherein at least one of the tongue cover, the housing cover, or the actuator includes a surface finish having a durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70, and wherein the surface finish has a texture of soft leather. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A restraint assembly for releasably restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the restraint assembly comprising:
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a first web connector including a first tongue having a first engagement feature; a first web receiving portion configured to receive a first web; and a first tongue cover at least partially covering the first web receiving portion; a second web connector including a second tongue having a second engagement feature; a second web receiving portion configured to receive a second web; and a second tongue cover at least partially covering the second web receiving portion; a housing assembly configured to releasably engage the first and second tongues, the housing assembly including a housing cover, wherein the housing cover at least partially defines an opening that receives at least the first tongue; and one or more locking features configured to releasably engage at least the first engagement feature; and an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position releases the one or more locking features from the first engagement feature; wherein each of the first tongue cover and the second tongue cover includes a surface finish having a durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A web connector assembly comprising:
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a web connector configured to be coupled to a web; a housing assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the web connector; a first coating disposed over at least a portion of the housing assembly, wherein the first coating has a first thickness and is elastically compressible to a second thickness that is approximately 90% of the first thickness; an actuator movable relative to the housing assembly, wherein movement of the actuator releases the web connector from the housing assembly; and a second coating disposed over at least a portion of the actuator; and a third coating disposed over at least a portion of the web connector, wherein each of the second and third coatings has the first thickness and is elastically compressible to the second thickness.
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10. A web connector assembly comprising:
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a web connector configured to be coupled to a web; a housing assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the web connector; a first coating disposed over at least a portion of the housing assembly, wherein the first coating has a first thickness and is elastically compressible to a second thickness that is approximately 90% of the first thickness; and a second coating disposed over at least a portion of the web connector, wherein the second coating is softer than the first coating. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A web connector assembly comprising:
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a web connector configured to be coupled to a web; a housing assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the web connector; and a coating disposed over at least a portion of the housing assembly, wherein the coating has a first thickness and is elastically compressible to a second thickness that is approximately 90% of the first thickness, wherein the coating comprises a urethane paint, and wherein the urethane paint comprises a resin, a thinner, and a hardener.
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13. A method of manufacturing a personal restraint assembly, the method comprising:
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forming a web connector having a tongue portion and a web receiving portion; covering at least a portion of the web receiving portion with a first coating having a durometer hardness equal to or less than approximately Shore A 70; forming a housing assembly having a housing cover at least partially defining an opening that receives the tongue portion; and covering at least a portion of the housing cover with a second coating, wherein the first coating is softer than the second coating. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification