WO2014160577A1 - Housing for a belt buckle - Google Patents

Housing for a belt buckle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014160577A1
WO2014160577A1 PCT/US2014/031242 US2014031242W WO2014160577A1 WO 2014160577 A1 WO2014160577 A1 WO 2014160577A1 US 2014031242 W US2014031242 W US 2014031242W WO 2014160577 A1 WO2014160577 A1 WO 2014160577A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
connecting pins
housing half
case
housing according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2014/031242
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Eyup ASLAN
Jose-Luis SERRADA
Ulrich Klafke
Mario Eckmann
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
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 Illinois Tool Works Inc. filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Publication of WO2014160577A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014160577A1/en

Links

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
    • A44B11/2546—Details

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a housing for a belt buckle, in particular for an automobile, comprising two housing halves that consist of a plastic material and are connected together, and comprising a plurality of connecting pins, that likewise consist of a plastic material, for connecting the two housing halves.
  • the housing halves form half shells and, in operation, accommodate the mechanism of the belt buckle of an automobile.
  • DE 10 2008 030 048 Al discloses the connection of such housing halves by means of connecting pins, wherein the connecting pins have a ribbed surface and, in the mounted state, are inserted into mutually opposite holes in the housing halves.
  • this type of mounting is comparatively complicated, since the connecting pins first have to be inserted into the holes in one housing half and subsequently into the holes in the second housing half.
  • DE 10 2010 021 704 discloses the connection of housing halves of a belt buckle, wherein the connecting pins extend completely through a through-hole in a first half shell and are inserted into a hole in the second half shell, and wherein the connecting pins have a head which is thicker compared with the sections located in the holes and is located outside the housing in the mounted state.
  • a disadvantage of this configuration is that the connecting pins are undesirably visible from the outside, and so an enclosed appearance of the belt buckle is not produced.
  • the invention is based on the object of providing a housing for a belt buckle of the type mentioned at the beginning, wherein mounting is simplified and the visual appearance is improved.
  • the invention achieves the object in that the connecting pins are each molded with a first end in a first of the housing halves in a plastic injection molding process and are fastened with a second end in each case in a receptacle of the second of the housing halves.
  • the housing halves of the housing according to the invention form half shells, in which the mechanism of the belt buckle of an automobile is accommodated in a known manner in the mounted state.
  • Connecting pins are provided, which may have for example a cylindrical basic shape.
  • the connecting pins are each molded with a first end in the first housing half in a plastic injection molding process.
  • the two housing halves can be connected together easily in that the connecting pins projecting out of the first housing half with their second ends are inserted into the associated receptacles of the second housing half. This simplifies the mounting of the housing according to the invention. Furthermore, it is easily possible to produce an externally closed appearance.
  • first ends of the connecting pins each can be completely surrounded by the plastic material of the first housing half, and for the receptacles of the second housing half for the second ends of the connecting pins each to be blind holes.
  • the connecting pins are thus not visible from the outside in the mounted state of the housing halves.
  • the second end of the connecting pins can in each case be fastened in the corresponding receptacle of the second housing half with a press fit.
  • the connecting pins can, according to a further configuration, have in each case a head which is enlarged in cross-section compared with the adjoining section of the connecting pins.
  • Such an enlarged head at the first end improves the attachment of the connecting pins to the first housing half during molding in the plastic injection molding process and thus the retaining forces in the mounted state.
  • the connecting pins can be prefabricated in a plastic injection molding process or some other process, and then be encapsulated with the plastic material forming the first housing half in a plastic injection molding process.
  • the connecting pins can be injected from a first plastic material.
  • the first housing half can be molded from a second plastic material around the first ends of the connecting pins. Therefore, it is possible to produce the first housing half, on the one hand, and the connecting pins, on the other hand, from different plastic materials.
  • the components can be optimally adapted to their particular task.
  • the connecting pins can consist of a harder plastic material than the first housing half in order to achieve a particularly secure connection.
  • the connecting pins can have in each case a section, which is enlarged in cross-section compared with the first and second end, between the first and second end, said section being arranged between mutually facing connecting surfaces of the first and second housing half.
  • the connecting pins have, in this configuration, a cross section which is enlarged in the manner of a flange and extends for example centrally between the first and second ends of the connecting pins in an annular manner around the circumference of the connecting pins.
  • Such a cross section which is enlarged in the manner of a flange results in a particularly firm connection of the housing halves.
  • the invention also relates to a belt buckle, in particular for an automobile, comprising a housing according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a first housing half of the housing according to the invention for a belt buckle
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of a housing according to the invention for a belt buckle
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows an enlarged illustration of the detail A from fig. 2.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first housing half 10 of the housing according to the invention for a belt buckle of an automobile.
  • the first housing half 10 forms a half shell and has a wide housing side 14 and two mutually opposite narrow housing sides 16, 18.
  • a housing base 12 Arranged at one end of the housing half is a housing base 12.
  • the first housing half 10 has been produced in a plastic injection molding process.
  • the housing base 12 of the first housing half 10 can be formed in one piece with the first housing half 10, and in particular can have been produced in the same plastic injection molding process.
  • two connecting pins 20, 22 made of plastic material have been molded, in opposite corner regions in the example shown, with a first end (not shown in fig. 1) in the first housing half 10.
  • the connecting pins 20, 22 have a cylindrical basic shape.
  • a second end 24, 26 of the connecting pins 20, 22 projects out of the first housing half 10.
  • the first housing half 10 having the connecting pins 20, 22 has been produced in a two- component injection-molding process.
  • the connecting pins 20, 22 have been molded from a first plastic material.
  • the first housing half 10 has been molded from a different plastic material around the connecting pins 20, 22, such that the connecting pins 20, 22 are incorporated into the first housing half 10 in a materially integral manner.
  • Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the first housing half 10 in the state connected to a second housing half 28. It can be seen that the second housing half 28 has two receptacles 30, in the form of blind holes, for the second ends 24, 26 of the connecting pins 20, 22. The connecting pins 20, 22 have been inserted with their respective second ends 24, 26 into the corresponding receptacles 30 of the second housing half 28 in order to connect the housing halves 10, 28 together.
  • the housing base 12 is only partially illustrated in fig. 2.
  • Fig. 3 shows the enlarged detail A from fig. 2.
  • the connecting pins 20 have, in the region of their first end 32 molded in the first housing half 10, a head 34 that is enlarged in cross section. Furthermore, the second end 24, 26, opposite the first end 32, of the connecting pins 20, 22 has in each case a surface that is ribbed in a sawtooth shaped manner and is inserted into the corresponding receptacles 30 of the second housing half 28 with a press fit.
  • a section 36 that is enlarged in a flange-like manner in cross-section compared with the first and second ends 24, 26, 32 is provided approximately centrally between the second end 24, 26 and the first end 32 of the connecting pins 20, 22, said section being arranged between mutually facing connecting surfaces of the first and second housing half 10, 28.
  • the housing according to the invention for a belt buckle of an automobile is distinguished by simple mounting. Furthermore, it can be seen that the first ends 32 of the connecting pins 20, 22 are each completely surrounded by the plastic material of the first housing half 10, and that the receptacles 30 of the second housing half 28 for the second ends 24, 26 of the connecting pins 20, 22 are each blind holes. In the mounted state, the connecting pins 20, 22 are therefore not visible from the outside and a closed appearance is produced.
  • the housing halves 10, 28 can be connected together or to the housing base 12 by means of a latching connection. For example, the housing halves 10, 28 can be latched to the housing base 12 for this purpose.

Landscapes

  • Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock cap for a buckle of a seat belt system, the two half-shells (10,20) which are joined together by means of connecting units, which are integrated only in the half shells (10,20). A connecting pin (30) of the connecting unit is at both end faces of profiled shaft portions (11,21). The shaft portion (11') (10) is non-positively into a blind hole shaped recess (12') of the first half-shell inserted. The other shaft portion (21) of the connecting pin (30') including an end-side, an undercut (27) forming the retaining plate (23'), the outside diameter (D5) has a diameter (D3) exceeds the shank portion (21'), is characterized by carrying arms (24, 24') of a snap connection in a positive and frictionally secured in a recess (22) of the half-shell (20).

Description

HOUSING FOR A BELT BUCKLE
The invention relates to a housing for a belt buckle, in particular for an automobile, comprising two housing halves that consist of a plastic material and are connected together, and comprising a plurality of connecting pins, that likewise consist of a plastic material, for connecting the two housing halves.
The housing halves form half shells and, in operation, accommodate the mechanism of the belt buckle of an automobile. DE 10 2008 030 048 Al discloses the connection of such housing halves by means of connecting pins, wherein the connecting pins have a ribbed surface and, in the mounted state, are inserted into mutually opposite holes in the housing halves. However, this type of mounting is comparatively complicated, since the connecting pins first have to be inserted into the holes in one housing half and subsequently into the holes in the second housing half. DE 10 2010 021 704 discloses the connection of housing halves of a belt buckle, wherein the connecting pins extend completely through a through-hole in a first half shell and are inserted into a hole in the second half shell, and wherein the connecting pins have a head which is thicker compared with the sections located in the holes and is located outside the housing in the mounted state. A disadvantage of this configuration is that the connecting pins are undesirably visible from the outside, and so an enclosed appearance of the belt buckle is not produced.
Proceeding from the explained prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a housing for a belt buckle of the type mentioned at the beginning, wherein mounting is simplified and the visual appearance is improved.
The invention achieves this object by way of the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous configurations can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.
For housing of a belt buckle of the type mentioned at the beginning, the invention achieves the object in that the connecting pins are each molded with a first end in a first of the housing halves in a plastic injection molding process and are fastened with a second end in each case in a receptacle of the second of the housing halves.
The housing halves of the housing according to the invention form half shells, in which the mechanism of the belt buckle of an automobile is accommodated in a known manner in the mounted state. Connecting pins are provided, which may have for example a cylindrical basic shape. According to the invention, the connecting pins are each molded with a first end in the first housing half in a plastic injection molding process. Thus, before the housing halves are connected, their second end projects out of the first housing half. Now, in a further mounting step, the two housing halves can be connected together easily in that the connecting pins projecting out of the first housing half with their second ends are inserted into the associated receptacles of the second housing half. This simplifies the mounting of the housing according to the invention. Furthermore, it is easily possible to produce an externally closed appearance. To this end, provision can be made for the first ends of the connecting pins each to be completely surrounded by the plastic material of the first housing half, and for the receptacles of the second housing half for the second ends of the connecting pins each to be blind holes. The connecting pins are thus not visible from the outside in the mounted state of the housing halves.
According to a further preferred configuration, the second end of the connecting pins can in each case be fastened in the corresponding receptacle of the second housing half with a press fit. To this end, provision can furthermore be made for the second end of the connecting pins to have in each case a ribbed surface, for example a surface ribbed in a sawtooth-shaped manner. Such a ribbed or corrugated surface brings about a low mounting force with high retaining or pull-out forces. Alternatively or in addition, provision can be made for the connecting pins in each case to be fastened with their second end in the corresponding receptacle of the second housing half by means of a latching connection. At their first end, the connecting pins can, according to a further configuration, have in each case a head which is enlarged in cross-section compared with the adjoining section of the connecting pins. Such an enlarged head at the first end improves the attachment of the connecting pins to the first housing half during molding in the plastic injection molding process and thus the retaining forces in the mounted state.
It is possible for the connecting pins to be prefabricated in a plastic injection molding process or some other process, and then be encapsulated with the plastic material forming the first housing half in a plastic injection molding process. However, it is also possible to mold the connecting pins in the first housing half in a two-component plastic injection molding process. Thus, in a first process step of the plastic injection molding process, the connecting pins can be injected from a first plastic material. Subsequently, the first housing half can be molded from a second plastic material around the first ends of the connecting pins. Therefore, it is possible to produce the first housing half, on the one hand, and the connecting pins, on the other hand, from different plastic materials. In this way, the components can be optimally adapted to their particular task. For example, the connecting pins can consist of a harder plastic material than the first housing half in order to achieve a particularly secure connection.
According to a further configuration, the connecting pins can have in each case a section, which is enlarged in cross-section compared with the first and second end, between the first and second end, said section being arranged between mutually facing connecting surfaces of the first and second housing half. The connecting pins have, in this configuration, a cross section which is enlarged in the manner of a flange and extends for example centrally between the first and second ends of the connecting pins in an annular manner around the circumference of the connecting pins. Such a cross section which is enlarged in the manner of a flange results in a particularly firm connection of the housing halves. Furthermore, the flange forms a spacer, such that undesired movements or undesired noises brought about by the housing halves colliding with one another are avoided. The invention also relates to a belt buckle, in particular for an automobile, comprising a housing according to the invention.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail in the following text with reference to figures, in which:
Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a first housing half of the housing according to the invention for a belt buckle,
Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of a housing according to the invention for a belt buckle, and
Fig. 3 schematically shows an enlarged illustration of the detail A from fig. 2.
Unless specified otherwise, identical reference signs designate identical items in the figures. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first housing half 10 of the housing according to the invention for a belt buckle of an automobile. The first housing half 10 forms a half shell and has a wide housing side 14 and two mutually opposite narrow housing sides 16, 18. Arranged at one end of the housing half is a housing base 12. The first housing half 10 has been produced in a plastic injection molding process. The housing base 12 of the first housing half 10 can be formed in one piece with the first housing half 10, and in particular can have been produced in the same plastic injection molding process. However, it is also possible for the housing base 12 to form a separate part from the first housing half 10, said part being connected to the first housing half 10 for example by means of a latching connection or in some other way.
At that end of the housing half 10 that is remote from the housing base 12, two connecting pins 20, 22 made of plastic material have been molded, in opposite corner regions in the example shown, with a first end (not shown in fig. 1) in the first housing half 10. The connecting pins 20, 22 have a cylindrical basic shape. A second end 24, 26 of the connecting pins 20, 22 projects out of the first housing half 10. In the example shown, the first housing half 10 having the connecting pins 20, 22 has been produced in a two- component injection-molding process. In a first step, the connecting pins 20, 22 have been molded from a first plastic material. In a second step, the first housing half 10 has been molded from a different plastic material around the connecting pins 20, 22, such that the connecting pins 20, 22 are incorporated into the first housing half 10 in a materially integral manner.
Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the first housing half 10 in the state connected to a second housing half 28. It can be seen that the second housing half 28 has two receptacles 30, in the form of blind holes, for the second ends 24, 26 of the connecting pins 20, 22. The connecting pins 20, 22 have been inserted with their respective second ends 24, 26 into the corresponding receptacles 30 of the second housing half 28 in order to connect the housing halves 10, 28 together. The housing base 12 is only partially illustrated in fig. 2.
Fig. 3 shows the enlarged detail A from fig. 2. The connecting pins 20 have, in the region of their first end 32 molded in the first housing half 10, a head 34 that is enlarged in cross section. Furthermore, the second end 24, 26, opposite the first end 32, of the connecting pins 20, 22 has in each case a surface that is ribbed in a sawtooth shaped manner and is inserted into the corresponding receptacles 30 of the second housing half 28 with a press fit. A section 36 that is enlarged in a flange-like manner in cross-section compared with the first and second ends 24, 26, 32 is provided approximately centrally between the second end 24, 26 and the first end 32 of the connecting pins 20, 22, said section being arranged between mutually facing connecting surfaces of the first and second housing half 10, 28.
The housing according to the invention for a belt buckle of an automobile is distinguished by simple mounting. Furthermore, it can be seen that the first ends 32 of the connecting pins 20, 22 are each completely surrounded by the plastic material of the first housing half 10, and that the receptacles 30 of the second housing half 28 for the second ends 24, 26 of the connecting pins 20, 22 are each blind holes. In the mounted state, the connecting pins 20, 22 are therefore not visible from the outside and a closed appearance is produced. At the end opposite the connecting pins 20, 22, the housing halves 10, 28 can be connected together or to the housing base 12 by means of a latching connection. For example, the housing halves 10, 28 can be latched to the housing base 12 for this purpose.

Claims

Claims
1. Housing for a belt buckle comprising two housing halves (10, 28) consisting of a plastic material and being connected with one another, and comprising several connecting pins (20, 22) also consisting of a plastic material for connecting the two housing halves (10, 28), characterized in that the connecting pins (20, 22) are each molded with a first end (32) in a first of the housing halves (10) in a plastic injection molding process and are each fastened with a second end (24, 26) in a receptacle (30) of the second of the housing halves (28).
2. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the first ends (32) of the connecting pins (20, 22) are each completely surrounded by the plastic material of the first housing half (10), and in that the receptacles (30) of the second housing half (28) for the second ends (24, 26) of the connecting pins (20, 22) are each blind holes.
3. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (24, 26) of the connecting pins (20, 22) is in each case fastened in the corresponding receptacle (30) of the second housing half (28) with a press fit.
4. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (24, 26) of the connecting pins (20, 22) comprises in each case a ribbed surface.
5. Housing according to claim 4, characterized in that the second end (24, 26) of the connecting pins (20, 22) comprises in each case a surface ribbed in a sawtooth-shaped manner.
6. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting pins (20, 22) are in each case fastened with their second end (24, 26) in the corresponding receptacle (30) of the second housing half (28) by means of a latching connection.
7. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting pins (20, 22) comprise in each case a head (34) with an enlarged cross-section at their first end (32).
8. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting pins (20, 22) are molded in the first housing half (10) in a two-component plastic injection molding process.
9. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting pins (20, 22) comprise in each case a section (36) with an enlarged cross-section between their first and second ends (24, 26, 32), which section (36) is provided between mutually facing connecting surfaces of the first and second housing half (28).
10. Belt buckle, in particular for an automobile, comprising a housing according to one of the preceding claims.
PCT/US2014/031242 2013-03-28 2014-03-19 Housing for a belt buckle WO2014160577A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE201320002989 DE202013002989U1 (en) 2013-03-28 2013-03-28 Housing for a buckle
DE202013002989.7 2013-03-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014160577A1 true WO2014160577A1 (en) 2014-10-02

Family

ID=50442753

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2014/031242 WO2014160577A1 (en) 2013-03-28 2014-03-19 Housing for a belt buckle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
DE (1) DE202013002989U1 (en)
WO (1) WO2014160577A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3400824A1 (en) * 2017-05-12 2018-11-14 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Housing for a belt buckle

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3829824A (en) * 1973-05-18 1974-08-13 E Pillischafske Clamp bolt for an automotive vehicle battery
GB2020727A (en) * 1978-04-17 1979-11-21 Kangol Magnet Ltd Seat belt buckle
US20030121130A1 (en) * 2002-01-03 2003-07-03 Buscart Jordi Badrenas Mounting structure
DE102008030048A1 (en) 2008-06-25 2009-12-31 Trw Automotive Gmbh connecting element
DE102010021704A1 (en) 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Autoliv Development Ab Lock cap for a buckle and method for its assembly
WO2013104388A1 (en) * 2012-01-10 2013-07-18 Autoliv Development Ab Lock cover for a belt lock of a safety belt system

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3829824A (en) * 1973-05-18 1974-08-13 E Pillischafske Clamp bolt for an automotive vehicle battery
GB2020727A (en) * 1978-04-17 1979-11-21 Kangol Magnet Ltd Seat belt buckle
US20030121130A1 (en) * 2002-01-03 2003-07-03 Buscart Jordi Badrenas Mounting structure
DE102008030048A1 (en) 2008-06-25 2009-12-31 Trw Automotive Gmbh connecting element
DE102010021704A1 (en) 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Autoliv Development Ab Lock cap for a buckle and method for its assembly
WO2013104388A1 (en) * 2012-01-10 2013-07-18 Autoliv Development Ab Lock cover for a belt lock of a safety belt system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3400824A1 (en) * 2017-05-12 2018-11-14 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Housing for a belt buckle
CN108860051A (en) * 2017-05-12 2018-11-23 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 Shell for safety belt lock
US10786049B2 (en) 2017-05-12 2020-09-29 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Housing for a belt buckle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE202013002989U1 (en) 2014-07-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20130330999A1 (en) Toy building set
US20120223207A1 (en) Shaft support structure, clip, and metal mold for shaft support structure
KR950023350A (en) Belt connecting device molded from synthetic resin and its manufacturing method
JP2011159575A (en) Fuse unit
JP2007531486A (en) Busbar system with mounting unit consisting of base plate and fixed part
CN105074110A (en) Shell having at least two elements, which totally encloses a hinge for furniture
US10219588B2 (en) Belt lock housing
WO2010109307A1 (en) Hybrid metal-plastic component applicable to an automotive vehicle, and process for manufacturing same
US20180076537A1 (en) Molded portion-equipped electric wire
WO2014160577A1 (en) Housing for a belt buckle
JP6370313B2 (en) Method for producing particle foam structure member having integrated fixing part
CN105979814B (en) Connecting element for fixing two half-shells of a locking cover of a belt lock
US9547326B2 (en) Mechanical assembly of the press-button type, and application to an electrical apparatus
US7618278B2 (en) Closed housing for a locking element of a plug-in connection
JP2014087455A (en) Band
US11919252B2 (en) Joining method while producing an improved heat-staked rivet connection
EP3400824B1 (en) Housing for a belt buckle
KR20200043785A (en) Parts fastening apparatus and block for vehicle using the same
KR100924563B1 (en) Protector for wire harness
JP6150173B2 (en) connector
CN211982260U (en) Electronic control unit and housing thereof
KR101634542B1 (en) Sensor assembly for measuring rotating body and manufacturing method thereof
US6589060B2 (en) Electric connection box and method of producing electric connection box
JP2022021020A (en) Resin molding, and method for manufacturing resin molding
KR200488214Y1 (en) ring terminal for temperature sensor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 14716209

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 14716209

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1