US20050115031A1 - Safety belt system - Google Patents

Safety belt system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050115031A1
US20050115031A1 US10/998,576 US99857604A US2005115031A1 US 20050115031 A1 US20050115031 A1 US 20050115031A1 US 99857604 A US99857604 A US 99857604A US 2005115031 A1 US2005115031 A1 US 2005115031A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
belt
cover
cover plate
latch
arrangement
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/998,576
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Yoshihiko Tanaka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Takata Corp
Original Assignee
Takata Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Takata Corp filed Critical Takata Corp
Priority to US10/998,576 priority Critical patent/US20050115031A1/en
Assigned to TAKATA CORPORATION reassignment TAKATA CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TANAKA, YOSHIHIKO
Publication of US20050115031A1 publication Critical patent/US20050115031A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
    • A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
    • A44B11/2503—Safety buckles
    • A44B11/2569—Safety measures
    • A44B11/2573—Locking means preventing an unauthorised opening, e.g. by children
    • A44B11/2576—Buckle covers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/47—Strap-end-attaching devices
    • Y10T24/4736—Buckle connected

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of safety restraint systems.
  • the invention relates to covers for seat belt buckles and other components of a seat belt system.
  • a belt fastener arrangement comprising a cover plate adapted to be selectively engaged with and removed from a belt fastener component.
  • the cover plate may include at least one surface to cover at least a portion of the belt fastener component, and means for securing the cover plate to the belt fastener component.
  • the means for securing may include at least two projections adapted to engage opposing sides of the belt fastener component.
  • the belt fastener component may be a seat belt latch.
  • the belt fastener component may be a seat belt buckle.
  • the cover plate is colored to substantially match an interior of the vehicle.
  • the cover plate is colored to substantially match an exterior of a vehicle having the belt fastener component.
  • a belt fastener arrangement includes a belt buckle, a belt latch adapted to securely engage the buckle, and a cover plate adapted to be selectively engaged with and removed from at least one of the belt buckle and the belt latch.
  • the cover plate may include at least one surface to cover at least a portion of at least one of the belt buckle and the belt latch and means for securing the cover plate to the belt fastener component.
  • the means for securing may include at least two projections adapted to engage opposing sides of the belt fastener component.
  • Still a further embodiment of the present invention includes a cover for covering a seat belt fastening component.
  • the cover includes a first surface adapted to cover at least a portion of the seat belt fastening component and wherein the first surface is removably secured to the seat belt fastening component.
  • the cover may include at least a pair of opposing side walls extending from a perimeter of the first surface and projections extending inwardly from an end of each of the opposing side walls.
  • the projections may be adapted to engage the belt fastening component on a side opposite the portion covered by the first surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a seat belt arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat belt latch according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cover according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along IV-IV of the components shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a seat belt arrangement 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the seat belt arrangement 100 may be employed in a vehicle, such as a passenger car.
  • the arrangement 100 includes a seat belt 120 for securing an occupant seated in a seat 110 , such as a driver's seat or a passenger seat of a vehicle.
  • the illustrated seat belt includes a shoulder belt. Other embodiments may include only a lap belt.
  • the seat belt 120 is a conventional seat belt and is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the seat belt is secured by fastener components, a belt latch 130 and a corresponding belt buckle 140 .
  • fastener components 130 , 140 are well known in the art.
  • a fastener component will be described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 2 .
  • the color of the fastener components 130 , 140 is selected to achieve a desired aesthetic result.
  • the color may be matched to, or selected according to, the color of the interior of the vehicle such as the seat 110 .
  • the belt latch 130 and the belt buckle 140 may also be red.
  • the latch 130 may be made blue, while the buckle 140 is made white.
  • the color of the fastener components 130 , 140 is selected to correspond to the color of the exterior of the vehicle.
  • the shape of the fastener components 130 , 140 may be selected to correspond to the vehicle in which the restraint system is installed.
  • the fastener components 130 , 140 may have a shape corresponding to the logo of the vehicle in order to emphasize and strengthen the brand of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one fastener component, the latch 130 , in greater detail.
  • the latch 130 includes a handle portion 132 and a latching portion 134 .
  • the handle portion 132 may be made of a hard plastic through injection molding, for example, and is adapted to be grasped easily by a human hand to allow engaging of the latch 130 to the buckle 140 ( FIG. 1 ).
  • the latching portion 134 is the portion of the latch 130 which physically engages the buckle 140 when the seat belt 110 is to be secured.
  • the latching portion 134 is, therefore, preferably made of a strong metal, such as stainless steel.
  • a latching hole 136 is provided on the latching portion 134 to allow engagement with the buckle. Such configurations are well known to those in the art.
  • the handle portion 132 of the latch 130 When the latch 130 is engaged to the buckle 140 to secure the seat belt 110 , only the handle portion 132 of the latch 130 may be visible.
  • the latching portion 134 may be completely inserted into the buckle 140 . In this regard, it is the color of the handle portion 132 of the latch 130 that is selected to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a removable cover 150 according to an embodiment of the invention to facilitate achieving the desired aesthetic result.
  • the cover 150 is adapted to be easily, but securely, engaged to and removed from the latch 130 .
  • This allows a user to select differing colors to achieve differing desired results.
  • the user may desire the belt latch 130 to match the interior of the vehicle, while on other occasions, the latch 130 is desired to match the exterior of the vehicle.
  • the latch 130 may be desired to provide an eccentric look, such as a glittery appearance.
  • a removable cover may be provided to allow the user to easily alter the appearance of the latch 130 . Similar covers are contemplated for other fastener components, such as the buckle 140 ( FIG. 1 ), as well.
  • the shape of the cover 150 may be altered as necessary to correspond to the shape desired by the vehicle manufacturer.
  • the cover 150 may have the same general shape as the manufacturer's general or specific logos or trademarks assigned to the particular vehicle in which the system is installed.
  • the cover may bear a logo intended to identify the manufacturer or supplier of the safety belt system.
  • the cover 150 includes a cover plate 152 adapted to cover at least a portion of the latch 130 .
  • the cover plate 152 may be configured to cover as much of the latch 130 as possible without interfering with the engagement of the latch 130 with the buckle 140 .
  • the size of the cover plate 152 is substantially similar to the size of the handle portion 132 of the latch 130 .
  • a series of walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c extend from the perimeter of the cover plate 152 .
  • the walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c may be sized to cover the sides of the latch 130 . Again, the walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c should not interfere with the engagement of the latch 130 to the buckle 140 .
  • the cover plate 152 and the walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c combine to form a cavity 156 to accommodate the latch 130 therein.
  • projections 158 are provided to extend inward from the ends of the walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c .
  • a projection 158 is provided to extend from each of the three walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c .
  • projections 158 may extend only from two opposing side walls, such as walls 154 a and 154 b .
  • the projections 158 are adapted to engage a surface of the latch 130 opposite the surface covered by the cover plate 152 .
  • the cover 150 may not include the walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c . Rather, projections may extend from the perimeter of the cover plate 152 and may be adapted to engage sides of the belt latch 130 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of the cover 150 on the latch 130 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates cross-sectional views taken along IV-IV of each of the cover 150 and the latch 130 .
  • the cavity 156 formed by the cover plate 152 and the side walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c is sufficiently sized to accommodate the handle portion 132 of the latch 130 .
  • the projections 158 are adapted to engage the side of the handle portion 132 opposite the side covered by the cover plate 152 .
  • the cover 150 is preferably made of a plastic which allows some resilient bending or flexing of the walls 154 a , 154 b , 154 c .
  • the walls may be flexed to allow the projections 158 to pass around the handle portion 132 of the latch 130 . By so flexing the walls, the cover 150 may be mounted onto the latch 130 . Similarly, the walls may be flexed allow the projections 158 to clear the latch when removing the cover 150 .
  • the color, shape or other appearance of the seat belt fastener components may be easily altered to achieve the desired aesthetic appearance.

Landscapes

  • Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
  • Buckles (AREA)
US10/998,576 2003-12-02 2004-11-30 Safety belt system Abandoned US20050115031A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/998,576 US20050115031A1 (en) 2003-12-02 2004-11-30 Safety belt system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52607903P 2003-12-02 2003-12-02
US10/998,576 US20050115031A1 (en) 2003-12-02 2004-11-30 Safety belt system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050115031A1 true US20050115031A1 (en) 2005-06-02

Family

ID=34738587

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/998,576 Abandoned US20050115031A1 (en) 2003-12-02 2004-11-30 Safety belt system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20050115031A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2005162202A (ja)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070039144A1 (en) * 2005-08-19 2007-02-22 Takata Corporation Seatbelt apparatus
WO2009144485A1 (en) * 2008-05-29 2009-12-03 Graham Edward Cox Improvements in and relating to seat belts
US20110214259A1 (en) * 2010-03-03 2011-09-08 Bodypoint, Inc. Push button buckle with interchangeable covers
US20130334863A1 (en) * 2012-06-15 2013-12-19 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Tongue plate and vehicle seatbelt apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4807878B2 (ja) * 2006-03-03 2011-11-02 タカタ株式会社 タングおよびこれを用いたシートベルト装置

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4473926A (en) * 1982-04-28 1984-10-02 Nsk Warner K.K. Adjusting device for seat belt
US4761912A (en) * 1987-05-11 1988-08-09 Dyer Robert L Snail trap
US4901407A (en) * 1989-02-13 1990-02-20 Pandola Thomas A Vehicular seat belt covering
US4961251A (en) * 1989-04-13 1990-10-09 Ann Smith Flexible safety belt buckle guard
US4987662A (en) * 1989-10-27 1991-01-29 David J. Haffey Seat belt release guard
US5189767A (en) * 1991-11-19 1993-03-02 Klaas Reitsma Closure device security cover
US5214827A (en) * 1991-07-19 1993-06-01 Takata Corporation Seat belt tongue
US5416957A (en) * 1993-07-29 1995-05-23 Renzi, Sr.; Richard A. Impact cushion for seat belt latch
US5442840A (en) * 1993-01-04 1995-08-22 Ewald; Craig B. Seatbelt buckle safety sheath
US5617617A (en) * 1996-04-29 1997-04-08 Gustin; Tom E. Fabric cover for a seatbelt buckle
US5784767A (en) * 1997-02-24 1998-07-28 Doty, Jr.; Archibald C. Self-aligning seat belt buckle
US5987716A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-11-23 Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tongue assembly for automobile seat belt
US6041480A (en) * 1999-04-16 2000-03-28 White; Paula Seat belt lock cover
USD450910S1 (en) * 2001-01-05 2001-11-27 Edward R. Zaldumbide Cover for seat belt buckle
US20020112327A1 (en) * 2001-02-21 2002-08-22 Baloga Thomas Charles Cover for seat belt buckle
US6769157B1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-08-03 Patricia L. Meal Safety guard for seat belt buckle release

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4473926A (en) * 1982-04-28 1984-10-02 Nsk Warner K.K. Adjusting device for seat belt
US4761912A (en) * 1987-05-11 1988-08-09 Dyer Robert L Snail trap
US4901407A (en) * 1989-02-13 1990-02-20 Pandola Thomas A Vehicular seat belt covering
US4961251A (en) * 1989-04-13 1990-10-09 Ann Smith Flexible safety belt buckle guard
US4987662A (en) * 1989-10-27 1991-01-29 David J. Haffey Seat belt release guard
US5214827A (en) * 1991-07-19 1993-06-01 Takata Corporation Seat belt tongue
US5189767A (en) * 1991-11-19 1993-03-02 Klaas Reitsma Closure device security cover
US5442840A (en) * 1993-01-04 1995-08-22 Ewald; Craig B. Seatbelt buckle safety sheath
US5416957A (en) * 1993-07-29 1995-05-23 Renzi, Sr.; Richard A. Impact cushion for seat belt latch
US5617617A (en) * 1996-04-29 1997-04-08 Gustin; Tom E. Fabric cover for a seatbelt buckle
US5784767A (en) * 1997-02-24 1998-07-28 Doty, Jr.; Archibald C. Self-aligning seat belt buckle
US5987716A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-11-23 Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tongue assembly for automobile seat belt
US6041480A (en) * 1999-04-16 2000-03-28 White; Paula Seat belt lock cover
USD450910S1 (en) * 2001-01-05 2001-11-27 Edward R. Zaldumbide Cover for seat belt buckle
US20020112327A1 (en) * 2001-02-21 2002-08-22 Baloga Thomas Charles Cover for seat belt buckle
US6769157B1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-08-03 Patricia L. Meal Safety guard for seat belt buckle release

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070039144A1 (en) * 2005-08-19 2007-02-22 Takata Corporation Seatbelt apparatus
EP1754637A3 (en) * 2005-08-19 2008-04-30 Takata Corporation Seatbelt apparatus
US7520035B2 (en) 2005-08-19 2009-04-21 Takata Corporation Seatbelt apparatus
WO2009144485A1 (en) * 2008-05-29 2009-12-03 Graham Edward Cox Improvements in and relating to seat belts
US20110214259A1 (en) * 2010-03-03 2011-09-08 Bodypoint, Inc. Push button buckle with interchangeable covers
WO2011109552A3 (en) * 2010-03-03 2011-12-01 Bodypoint, Inc. Push button buckle with interchangeable covers
US8776332B2 (en) 2010-03-03 2014-07-15 Bodypoint, Inc. Push button buckle with interchangeable covers
US20130334863A1 (en) * 2012-06-15 2013-12-19 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Tongue plate and vehicle seatbelt apparatus
CN103504726A (zh) * 2012-06-15 2014-01-15 丰田自动车株式会社 舌板和车辆座椅安全带装置
US8905438B2 (en) * 2012-06-15 2014-12-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Tongue plate and vehicle seatbelt apparatus

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Publication number Publication date
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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TAKATA CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TANAKA, YOSHIHIKO;REEL/FRAME:016041/0341

Effective date: 20040116

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION