CA1302992C - Free falling latch plate assembly - Google Patents
Free falling latch plate assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1302992C CA1302992C CA000564369A CA564369A CA1302992C CA 1302992 C CA1302992 C CA 1302992C CA 000564369 A CA000564369 A CA 000564369A CA 564369 A CA564369 A CA 564369A CA 1302992 C CA1302992 C CA 1302992C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- latch plate
- base wall
- housing
- lap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
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- Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
Abstract
FREE FALLING LATCH PLATE ASSEMBLY
Abstract of the Disclosure According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system includes a housing having a base wall with flanges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored in the generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower end of the belt. The housing is further characterized by an integral abutment structure adapted upon migration of the lock bar along the slot with the occurrence of generally colinear orientation of the lap and shoulder belts upon buckling of the belt to introduce a substantially convoluted path of belt through the latch plate and trap the belt between the sliding bar and the flange structure so that the travel of the belt through the latch plate is effectively prevented at least in the direction which would extend the length of the lap belt portion.
Abstract of the Disclosure According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system includes a housing having a base wall with flanges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored in the generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower end of the belt. The housing is further characterized by an integral abutment structure adapted upon migration of the lock bar along the slot with the occurrence of generally colinear orientation of the lap and shoulder belts upon buckling of the belt to introduce a substantially convoluted path of belt through the latch plate and trap the belt between the sliding bar and the flange structure so that the travel of the belt through the latch plate is effectively prevented at least in the direction which would extend the length of the lap belt portion.
Description
~3~9~
This invention relates to a latch plate asse~bly dividing a continuous loop restraint belt in~o lap and shoulder belt portions and more particulsrly provides a la~ch plate assembly which is effective when the belt is buckled about the occupant ~o permit bel~
tr~nsference only in the directi~n of tightening the lap belt and is effective when the belt is stored in a generally vertical orientation to permit the latch plate a~sembly to fall freely along the belt to the seat.
Backqround_of the Invention It is known in vehicle seat belt syste~s to employ a continuous loop of belt having a latch pla~e assembly slidable therealong to adjust the relative restraint lengths of the lap and shoulder belt portions. It is also known to provide a retractor mounting one end of the belt, preferably the shoulder belt end, to wind the continuous loop belt to a ~tored ~'20 position extending generally vertically between an upper anchor mounting the shoulder belt end on the vehicle body and a lower anchor mounting the lap belt end on the vehicle body. The belt may be unwound from the retractor and extended across the occupan~ ~orso to engage the latch plate assembly in a buckle suitably mounted on a vehicle body inboard the occupant seat.
The latch plate assembly most commonly used in coniunction with the aforedescribed continuous loop single retractor seat belt system is co~prised of a housing havin~ a stamping with a base ~all and uptur~ed ~029g2 flanges at the sides of the base wall. Angled slots provided in the upturned flanges slidably mount a ~o~k bar. ~ rectangular aperture provided in the base wall permits the ~ontinuous loop belt to enter the housing, wrap around the bar, and then exit back ~hrc>ugh the rectangular opening. This latch plate assembly is oriented with the base wall adjacent the occupant ~orso and the flanges directed away from the occupant torso.
When the latch plate assembly is engaged in the buckle, the lap belt and shoulder belt portions are oriented generally coli~ear with one another and the tension on the lap belt induces the lock bar to slide to the end of the 610~ furthest from the buckle, the belt is cinched so that the transference of the belt through the latch belt assembly is limited to the direction in which the lap belt length is shortened. When the buckle is unbuckled, the retractor winds the continuous loop belt to a generally vertical condition, running genera}ly between the upper and lower anchors. A
convoluted pa hway o the belt through the rectangular opening in the base wall and thence around the lock bar effectively prevents the latch plate assembly rom ~liding on th belt unless the occupant g~lps the belt and pulls the belt through the latch plate assembly.
It would be desirable to provide a latch plate assembly in which the latch plate would be free falling relative to the belt when in a stored position so that the force of gravity would induce the latch plate assembly to slide vertically down along the stored belt to a position on the seat or adjacent the lower anchor where it can be predictably gripped by the occupant i3~2~
during a su~sequen~ attempt to don the seat belt.
SummarY of the Invention According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system include6 a housing having a base wall with 1anges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the base wall facing ~way from the occupant ~orso and the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the b2se wall ~nd the lock bar so that when the belt is stored in t~e generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lo~er end of the belt. The housing is further characterized by an integral abutment structure adapted upon migration of the sliding bar along the 510t with the occurrence of ~enerally colinear orientation of the lap and shoulder belts upon buckling of the belt to introduce a su~stantially convoluted path of belt through the latch plate and trap the belt between the sliding bar and the abutment structure so that the travel of the belt through the latch plate is effectively prevented at least in the direction which - would extend the length of the lap belt portion.
~ hese and othPr obje~ts, features and advantages of the invention ~ill become app~rent upon con~ideration of the description o~ the preferred embodiment in the appended drawings in which:
1~29~2 Figure t is a sectional view ~aken through a vehicle body having an occupant restraint belt sys~em including the latch belt assembly of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of t:he latch plate assembly of this invention;
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmen~ary view of Figure 1 showing the latch plate assembly in the stored - po~i'cion free falling along the belt;
Yigure 4 is a side elevational view of the 10 latch plate ass~mbly showing the buckled position of Figure 1 in which the continuous loop belt is cinched to permit transference through the latch plate in a direction to tighten the lap belt;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the prior art latch plate frictionally gripped upon the belt against free falling movement therealong;
Figure 6 is a view of the prior art latch plate of ~igure 5 but showing in the buckled position corresponding to Figure 4 and showing the continuous loop belt cinched to permit transference of belt in the . direction to ti~hten the beit lap.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle body indicated by the numeral tO includes a floor 12 having : 25 an outboard sill 14 and an inboard transmission tunnel 16. A pillar 18 extends vertically adjacent the rear of the seat outboard thereof and includes a ~rim panel 20 facing the passenger compartment of the vehicle body.
3~0 : .
~I)Z9~
An occupant seat mounted within the occupant compartment in~ludes a sea~ back 22 and a seat botto~
24. An occupant restraint ~ystem includes ~ continuous loop restraint belt 30 having a lower end al:tached to the sill 14 by an anchor plate 32 and bolt ~ssembly 34.
The upper end of the continuous loop bel~ 30 passes through a guide loop 36 attached to the pillar 18 by a bolt 38 and extends do~nwardly to a shoulder belt retractor 40 which winds the continuous loop belt 30 to a phantom line indicated stored position extending generally vertically along the trim panel 20 between the anchor plate 32 and the guide loop 36.
A seat belt buckle 42 is mounted on the transmission tunnel 16 by a semi-rigid anchor strap 44.
A latch plate assembly 46 i~ sl idable along the continuous loop belt 30 and divides the continuous loop belt 30 into a lap belt portion 47 and a shoulder belt portion 48 when the latch plate assem~ly 46 is engaged within the buckle 42 as shown in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 2, it is seen that the latch plate assembly 46 is comprised of a bousing 49 wh~ich is stamped from sheet steel and includes a generally planar base wall 50 having a latch tongue 52 which is necked down to extend into the buckle 42 and : 25 has an aperture 54 for receiving the latch of the ~ buckle.
: The housing 49 also includes downturned flanges 56 and 58 having longitudinal extending inclined slots 60 and 64 respectively provided ~herein.
A lock bar 68, comprised of a rectangular bar of metal, has its end captured in the slots 60 and 64 to mount ~L3~299;~
the lock bar for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the housing 49.
In addition, the housing 49 has a xeversely bent abutment structure 70 at ~he end thereof opposite the tongue 52 including a wall 7~ extending perpendicularly from the base wall 50 and an abutment wall 74 extending between the flanges 56 and 58 and tow.ard the tongue 52 and in parallel spaced relation with the base wall 50.
As best seen by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the belt is routed through the space between the base wall 50 and lock bar ~8. Furthermore, as best shown in Figure 4, the housing is oriented on the belt with the base wall 50 facing away from the seated occupant and the flanges 56 and 58 facing toward the o~cupant.
Referring to Figures 1 and 3, it is seen that ~hen the latch plate assembly 46 is disengaged from the buckle 42, the continuous loop belt 30 is wound up by the retractor 40 to its stored condition in which it . extends generally vertically between the anchor plate 32 and the slide loop 36. The routing of the continuous loop belt 30 through the latch plate ass~mbly 46 i8 such that the belt 30 is substantially non-convoluted and the force of gravity acts to move t~e lock bar 68 downwardly along the slots 60 and 64 and to slide the latch plate assembly 46 vertical}y downwardly along the belt 30 to rest upon the seat bottom 24 as shown in phantom line in Figure 1.
9~ ~
Referring to Figures 1 and 4, it i~5 seen that when the latch plate assembly is buckled in the bucklQ
42, the tension on the belt 30, particularl~y the tension on the lap belt 47, aets in the upward S direction to urge ~lide bhr 68 upwar~ly along the slots 60 and 64. Because the belt has assumed a substantially convoluted path through the latch plate asse~bly 46, and addi~ionally, because the movement of the lock bar 68 upwardly traps the shoulder belt portion 48 against the abutment wall 74 of reversely bent abutment structure 70, the belt 30 is substantially inhibited from transference through the latch plate assembly 46. An increased load on the lap belt 47 renders it all the more difficult to transfer belt from the shoulder belt to the lap belt. However, if the occupant wishes to ~ighten the lap belt 47, he need only pull lightly on the shoulder belt 48 to transfer belt through the latch plate in a direction to shorten the lap belt 47 and lengthen the shoulder belt 48 with the excess being taken up by the retractor 40.
~' Figures 5 and 6 show the prior art latch plate assembly referred to hereinbefore in the background of tbe invention. In particular in Figure 5 it is seen that the latch plate assembly 46' includes some structural si~ilarity with the latch plate assembly of the present ~nvention and in particular, the latch plate ~ssembly is seen to include a housing 49' having a base wall S0', tongue 52'~ flange 56' having 310t 60', and lock bar 68', In addition it i~ seen tha~ the base wall 50' has a large rectangular opening 76' ~herein and that the cootinuous loop belt 30 passes ~31[~29~
through the large rectangular opening 76' around the lock bar 68' and back ~hrough the rectangular opening 76'. Furthermore, it is seen that the housing is oriented on the belt with the base wall 50' facing toward ~he occupant and the flange 56' facing away from the occupant.
As seen in Figure 5, when ~he belt is stored in ~he generally vertical position, the belt 30 assumes a 6ubstantially convoluted path through the latch plate assembly 46' so that the latch plate assembly 46' does not fall freely on the belt 30 under the impetus of gravitational force, but rather the occupant must grip the belt and ~he latch plate assembly in order to effect sliding movement o~ the latch plate assembly along the belt. Referring to Figure 6, it is seen that the buc~led position of the latch plate assembly relative to the belt ~auses the belt to assume an even more convolu~ed path through the latch plate so that the belt is substantially impeded against movement ; 20 through the latch plate, particularly in the direction ~r which would increase the length of the lap belt portion~ However, in contrast t~ the latch plate assembly of this invention, it is seen that the prior art latch plate assembly of Figure 6 does not have an abutment structure such as the reversely bent abutment structure 70 to convolute and trap the belt.
As seen in Figures 5 and 6 the prior art latch plate assembly includes a cover 78' which spans ~etween the flanges S6' ~nd 58' to conceal tbe belt and the lock bar 68' from view. ~eferring again to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that the latch plate ~,30~g~2 assembly 46 of the present invention may have a cover which covers the face of the base wall 50 facing away from the seat occupan~, but no cover can be employed spanning between the flanges 56 and 58 because the belt 30 traverses this open spa~e~
Comparing Figures 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that the incline of the slots 60 and 64 and the.sliding movement of the lock bar 68 therealong, contributes to the degree of convolution experienced by the belt as it passes ~hrough the lat~h plate assembly.
In particular, in the Figure 3 free falling position the lock bar 68 has traveled toward the forward or lower end of the slots to be positioned further away from the base wall 50 of the latch plate housing and to lessen the degree of convolution experienced by the ~elt. On the other hand, as seen in Figure 4, the travel of the lock bar 68 in the upward direction along the slots 60 and 64 allows the lock bar 68 to be closer to the base wall 50 and farther away from the reversely bent flange 74 and thereby introduce a more angular and . ~onvoluted path into the belt.
Referring again to Figura 2, it is seen that the latch plate assembly 46 of this invention also has a large rectangular opening 76 in the base wall 50. 25 ~owever, it is noted that this opening 76 serves no function beyond reducing the weight of the latch plate.
Thus it is seen that the invention provides a new and improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop belt system having the advantage of permitting free falling of the latch plate along the belt when the latch plate is disengaged from the buckle and cinching , 2~92 the continuous loop belt when the latch belt is engaged within the buckle.
Furthermore, although ~he latch plate assembly is shown and described herein as applied to the front seat of a vehicle body, i~ is understood that the latch plate may be fully applicable to rear seat applications in those vehicles having a continuous loop three point restraint belt system.
.
This invention relates to a latch plate asse~bly dividing a continuous loop restraint belt in~o lap and shoulder belt portions and more particulsrly provides a la~ch plate assembly which is effective when the belt is buckled about the occupant ~o permit bel~
tr~nsference only in the directi~n of tightening the lap belt and is effective when the belt is stored in a generally vertical orientation to permit the latch plate a~sembly to fall freely along the belt to the seat.
Backqround_of the Invention It is known in vehicle seat belt syste~s to employ a continuous loop of belt having a latch pla~e assembly slidable therealong to adjust the relative restraint lengths of the lap and shoulder belt portions. It is also known to provide a retractor mounting one end of the belt, preferably the shoulder belt end, to wind the continuous loop belt to a ~tored ~'20 position extending generally vertically between an upper anchor mounting the shoulder belt end on the vehicle body and a lower anchor mounting the lap belt end on the vehicle body. The belt may be unwound from the retractor and extended across the occupan~ ~orso to engage the latch plate assembly in a buckle suitably mounted on a vehicle body inboard the occupant seat.
The latch plate assembly most commonly used in coniunction with the aforedescribed continuous loop single retractor seat belt system is co~prised of a housing havin~ a stamping with a base ~all and uptur~ed ~029g2 flanges at the sides of the base wall. Angled slots provided in the upturned flanges slidably mount a ~o~k bar. ~ rectangular aperture provided in the base wall permits the ~ontinuous loop belt to enter the housing, wrap around the bar, and then exit back ~hrc>ugh the rectangular opening. This latch plate assembly is oriented with the base wall adjacent the occupant ~orso and the flanges directed away from the occupant torso.
When the latch plate assembly is engaged in the buckle, the lap belt and shoulder belt portions are oriented generally coli~ear with one another and the tension on the lap belt induces the lock bar to slide to the end of the 610~ furthest from the buckle, the belt is cinched so that the transference of the belt through the latch belt assembly is limited to the direction in which the lap belt length is shortened. When the buckle is unbuckled, the retractor winds the continuous loop belt to a generally vertical condition, running genera}ly between the upper and lower anchors. A
convoluted pa hway o the belt through the rectangular opening in the base wall and thence around the lock bar effectively prevents the latch plate assembly rom ~liding on th belt unless the occupant g~lps the belt and pulls the belt through the latch plate assembly.
It would be desirable to provide a latch plate assembly in which the latch plate would be free falling relative to the belt when in a stored position so that the force of gravity would induce the latch plate assembly to slide vertically down along the stored belt to a position on the seat or adjacent the lower anchor where it can be predictably gripped by the occupant i3~2~
during a su~sequen~ attempt to don the seat belt.
SummarY of the Invention According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system include6 a housing having a base wall with 1anges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the base wall facing ~way from the occupant ~orso and the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the b2se wall ~nd the lock bar so that when the belt is stored in t~e generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lo~er end of the belt. The housing is further characterized by an integral abutment structure adapted upon migration of the sliding bar along the 510t with the occurrence of ~enerally colinear orientation of the lap and shoulder belts upon buckling of the belt to introduce a su~stantially convoluted path of belt through the latch plate and trap the belt between the sliding bar and the abutment structure so that the travel of the belt through the latch plate is effectively prevented at least in the direction which - would extend the length of the lap belt portion.
~ hese and othPr obje~ts, features and advantages of the invention ~ill become app~rent upon con~ideration of the description o~ the preferred embodiment in the appended drawings in which:
1~29~2 Figure t is a sectional view ~aken through a vehicle body having an occupant restraint belt sys~em including the latch belt assembly of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of t:he latch plate assembly of this invention;
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmen~ary view of Figure 1 showing the latch plate assembly in the stored - po~i'cion free falling along the belt;
Yigure 4 is a side elevational view of the 10 latch plate ass~mbly showing the buckled position of Figure 1 in which the continuous loop belt is cinched to permit transference through the latch plate in a direction to tighten the lap belt;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the prior art latch plate frictionally gripped upon the belt against free falling movement therealong;
Figure 6 is a view of the prior art latch plate of ~igure 5 but showing in the buckled position corresponding to Figure 4 and showing the continuous loop belt cinched to permit transference of belt in the . direction to ti~hten the beit lap.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle body indicated by the numeral tO includes a floor 12 having : 25 an outboard sill 14 and an inboard transmission tunnel 16. A pillar 18 extends vertically adjacent the rear of the seat outboard thereof and includes a ~rim panel 20 facing the passenger compartment of the vehicle body.
3~0 : .
~I)Z9~
An occupant seat mounted within the occupant compartment in~ludes a sea~ back 22 and a seat botto~
24. An occupant restraint ~ystem includes ~ continuous loop restraint belt 30 having a lower end al:tached to the sill 14 by an anchor plate 32 and bolt ~ssembly 34.
The upper end of the continuous loop bel~ 30 passes through a guide loop 36 attached to the pillar 18 by a bolt 38 and extends do~nwardly to a shoulder belt retractor 40 which winds the continuous loop belt 30 to a phantom line indicated stored position extending generally vertically along the trim panel 20 between the anchor plate 32 and the guide loop 36.
A seat belt buckle 42 is mounted on the transmission tunnel 16 by a semi-rigid anchor strap 44.
A latch plate assembly 46 i~ sl idable along the continuous loop belt 30 and divides the continuous loop belt 30 into a lap belt portion 47 and a shoulder belt portion 48 when the latch plate assem~ly 46 is engaged within the buckle 42 as shown in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 2, it is seen that the latch plate assembly 46 is comprised of a bousing 49 wh~ich is stamped from sheet steel and includes a generally planar base wall 50 having a latch tongue 52 which is necked down to extend into the buckle 42 and : 25 has an aperture 54 for receiving the latch of the ~ buckle.
: The housing 49 also includes downturned flanges 56 and 58 having longitudinal extending inclined slots 60 and 64 respectively provided ~herein.
A lock bar 68, comprised of a rectangular bar of metal, has its end captured in the slots 60 and 64 to mount ~L3~299;~
the lock bar for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the housing 49.
In addition, the housing 49 has a xeversely bent abutment structure 70 at ~he end thereof opposite the tongue 52 including a wall 7~ extending perpendicularly from the base wall 50 and an abutment wall 74 extending between the flanges 56 and 58 and tow.ard the tongue 52 and in parallel spaced relation with the base wall 50.
As best seen by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the belt is routed through the space between the base wall 50 and lock bar ~8. Furthermore, as best shown in Figure 4, the housing is oriented on the belt with the base wall 50 facing away from the seated occupant and the flanges 56 and 58 facing toward the o~cupant.
Referring to Figures 1 and 3, it is seen that ~hen the latch plate assembly 46 is disengaged from the buckle 42, the continuous loop belt 30 is wound up by the retractor 40 to its stored condition in which it . extends generally vertically between the anchor plate 32 and the slide loop 36. The routing of the continuous loop belt 30 through the latch plate ass~mbly 46 i8 such that the belt 30 is substantially non-convoluted and the force of gravity acts to move t~e lock bar 68 downwardly along the slots 60 and 64 and to slide the latch plate assembly 46 vertical}y downwardly along the belt 30 to rest upon the seat bottom 24 as shown in phantom line in Figure 1.
9~ ~
Referring to Figures 1 and 4, it i~5 seen that when the latch plate assembly is buckled in the bucklQ
42, the tension on the belt 30, particularl~y the tension on the lap belt 47, aets in the upward S direction to urge ~lide bhr 68 upwar~ly along the slots 60 and 64. Because the belt has assumed a substantially convoluted path through the latch plate asse~bly 46, and addi~ionally, because the movement of the lock bar 68 upwardly traps the shoulder belt portion 48 against the abutment wall 74 of reversely bent abutment structure 70, the belt 30 is substantially inhibited from transference through the latch plate assembly 46. An increased load on the lap belt 47 renders it all the more difficult to transfer belt from the shoulder belt to the lap belt. However, if the occupant wishes to ~ighten the lap belt 47, he need only pull lightly on the shoulder belt 48 to transfer belt through the latch plate in a direction to shorten the lap belt 47 and lengthen the shoulder belt 48 with the excess being taken up by the retractor 40.
~' Figures 5 and 6 show the prior art latch plate assembly referred to hereinbefore in the background of tbe invention. In particular in Figure 5 it is seen that the latch plate assembly 46' includes some structural si~ilarity with the latch plate assembly of the present ~nvention and in particular, the latch plate ~ssembly is seen to include a housing 49' having a base wall S0', tongue 52'~ flange 56' having 310t 60', and lock bar 68', In addition it i~ seen tha~ the base wall 50' has a large rectangular opening 76' ~herein and that the cootinuous loop belt 30 passes ~31[~29~
through the large rectangular opening 76' around the lock bar 68' and back ~hrough the rectangular opening 76'. Furthermore, it is seen that the housing is oriented on the belt with the base wall 50' facing toward ~he occupant and the flange 56' facing away from the occupant.
As seen in Figure 5, when ~he belt is stored in ~he generally vertical position, the belt 30 assumes a 6ubstantially convoluted path through the latch plate assembly 46' so that the latch plate assembly 46' does not fall freely on the belt 30 under the impetus of gravitational force, but rather the occupant must grip the belt and ~he latch plate assembly in order to effect sliding movement o~ the latch plate assembly along the belt. Referring to Figure 6, it is seen that the buc~led position of the latch plate assembly relative to the belt ~auses the belt to assume an even more convolu~ed path through the latch plate so that the belt is substantially impeded against movement ; 20 through the latch plate, particularly in the direction ~r which would increase the length of the lap belt portion~ However, in contrast t~ the latch plate assembly of this invention, it is seen that the prior art latch plate assembly of Figure 6 does not have an abutment structure such as the reversely bent abutment structure 70 to convolute and trap the belt.
As seen in Figures 5 and 6 the prior art latch plate assembly includes a cover 78' which spans ~etween the flanges S6' ~nd 58' to conceal tbe belt and the lock bar 68' from view. ~eferring again to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that the latch plate ~,30~g~2 assembly 46 of the present invention may have a cover which covers the face of the base wall 50 facing away from the seat occupan~, but no cover can be employed spanning between the flanges 56 and 58 because the belt 30 traverses this open spa~e~
Comparing Figures 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that the incline of the slots 60 and 64 and the.sliding movement of the lock bar 68 therealong, contributes to the degree of convolution experienced by the belt as it passes ~hrough the lat~h plate assembly.
In particular, in the Figure 3 free falling position the lock bar 68 has traveled toward the forward or lower end of the slots to be positioned further away from the base wall 50 of the latch plate housing and to lessen the degree of convolution experienced by the ~elt. On the other hand, as seen in Figure 4, the travel of the lock bar 68 in the upward direction along the slots 60 and 64 allows the lock bar 68 to be closer to the base wall 50 and farther away from the reversely bent flange 74 and thereby introduce a more angular and . ~onvoluted path into the belt.
Referring again to Figura 2, it is seen that the latch plate assembly 46 of this invention also has a large rectangular opening 76 in the base wall 50. 25 ~owever, it is noted that this opening 76 serves no function beyond reducing the weight of the latch plate.
Thus it is seen that the invention provides a new and improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop belt system having the advantage of permitting free falling of the latch plate along the belt when the latch plate is disengaged from the buckle and cinching , 2~92 the continuous loop belt when the latch belt is engaged within the buckle.
Furthermore, although ~he latch plate assembly is shown and described herein as applied to the front seat of a vehicle body, i~ is understood that the latch plate may be fully applicable to rear seat applications in those vehicles having a continuous loop three point restraint belt system.
.
Claims (2)
1. In a seat belt system with a continuous length of belt having an upper end mounted adjacent the occupant shoulder and a lower end mounted adjacent the occupant lap, a retractor associated with at least one end of the belt to pull the belt to a stored condition extending generally vertically between the upper and lower ends and permit extension of the belt across the torso of a seated occupant for buckling by a belt buckle mounted inboard of the seat, and a latch plate carried by the belt for engagement by the buckle and including a housing having a planar base wall with a tongue projecting from one end thereof for latching engagement by the buckle, a pair of flanges integral with the base wall and extending perpendicularly therefrom at a lateral spacing somewhat greater than the width of the belt, and a lock bar slidably mounted in slots provided in the flanges, the improvement comprising:
said housing being oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored extending generally vertically between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate, thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower anchor;
and said housing having an integral abutment structure at the end thereof opposite the tongue and adapted upon the migration of the sliding bar along the slot with the occurrence of generally colinear orientation of the lap and shoulder belts upon buckling of the belt to introduce a substantially convoluted path of the belt through the latch plate and trap the belt between the sliding bar and the abutment structure so that the belt is cinched and travel of the belt through the latch plate is effectively prevented at least in the direction which would extend the length of the lap belt portion.
said housing being oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored extending generally vertically between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate, thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower anchor;
and said housing having an integral abutment structure at the end thereof opposite the tongue and adapted upon the migration of the sliding bar along the slot with the occurrence of generally colinear orientation of the lap and shoulder belts upon buckling of the belt to introduce a substantially convoluted path of the belt through the latch plate and trap the belt between the sliding bar and the abutment structure so that the belt is cinched and travel of the belt through the latch plate is effectively prevented at least in the direction which would extend the length of the lap belt portion.
2. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by an integral abutment structure being a reversely bent flange including a first wall portion extending perpendicular to the base wall and a second wall portion extending parallel to the base wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US7419987A | 1987-07-16 | 1987-07-16 | |
| US074,199 | 1987-07-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1302992C true CA1302992C (en) | 1992-06-09 |
Family
ID=22118274
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000564369A Expired - Fee Related CA1302992C (en) | 1987-07-16 | 1988-04-18 | Free falling latch plate assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1302992C (en) |
-
1988
- 1988-04-18 CA CA000564369A patent/CA1302992C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |