# US 12,005,854 B2 · Apparatus for retaining a seat belt > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,854 B2 - Document ID: US12005854B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/998,019 - Filed: 2021-05-05 - Published: 2023-06-01 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-05 - Assignees: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Applicants: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Inventors: Zafer Ozcan; William Clements; Mark Lambert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005854B2 ## CPC - B60R 22/00: Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles (safety belts or body harnesses in general A62B35/00) - B60R 22/26: secured to the seat - B60N 2/02: the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable (adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806) - B60N 2/20: the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/04, B60N2/22 {, B60N2/3002} take precedence) - B60N 2/3013: {the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame} - B60N 2/366: {characterised by the locking device} - B60N 2/688: {Particular seat belt attachment and guiding} - B60N 2/919: {Positioning and locking mechanisms (B60N2/16, B60N2/18, B60N2/22, B60N2/225 take precedence)} - B60N 2002/952: {characterised by details of the locking system} - B60R 2022/1818: {Belt guides} - B60R 2022/266: {Rear seats, e.g. benches} - B60R 2022/4866: {Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the retainer comprising a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support. An actuator is mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism. A guide is supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough. The actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the aperture, in use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the seat belt retainer comprising: a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support; an actuator mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism; and a guide supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough, wherein the actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along a longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the at least partial aperture, in use, and wherein the support is the seat latch mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seat belt retainer of claim 1, wherein the actuator and the guide are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the at least partial aperture, in use. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The seat belt retainer of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a push button. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seat belt retainer of claim 1, further comprising an indicator for indicating a status of the seat latch mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seat belt retainer of claim 4, wherein the indicator at least partially surrounds the actuator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The seat belt retainer of claim 4, wherein a bezel at least partially surrounds the actuator, wherein at least a portion of the bezel comprises the indicator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seat belt retainer of claim 1, wherein the guide is integral with the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seat belt retainer of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises an at least partial loop. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seat belt retainer of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises a slot for inserting the seat belt into, or releasing the seat belt from, the at least partial aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A vehicle comprising the seat belt retainer of claim 1. ### Claim 11 An assembly, comprising: a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the seat belt retainer comprising: a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support; an actuator mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism; and a guide supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough, wherein the actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along a longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the at least partial aperture, in use; and the seat latch mechanism, wherein the seat belt retainer is attached to the seat latch mechanism by a plurality of fixings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly of claim 11, wherein the seat latch mechanism comprises a jaw with a movable tooth for releasable engagement with a projection on a vehicle body, and wherein the actuator is moveable within the opening for actuating the movable tooth. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A vehicle comprising the assembly of claim 11. ### Claim 14 An assembly, comprising: a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the seat belt retainer comprising: a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support; an actuator mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism; and a guide supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough, wherein the actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along a longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the at least partial aperture, in use; and the seat latch mechanism, wherein the seat latch mechanism comprises shoulders for supporting the seat belt retainer thereon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the shoulders of the seat latch mechanism are configured to withstand occupant deceleration forces received via the seat belt retainer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A vehicle comprising the assembly of claim 14. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat latch mechanism comprises a jaw with a movable tooth for releasable engagement with a projection on a vehicle body, and wherein the actuator is moveable within the opening for actuating the movable tooth. ### Claim 18 An assembly, comprising: a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the seat belt retainer comprising: a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support; an actuator mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism; and a guide supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough, wherein the actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along a longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the at least partial aperture, in use; and the seat latch mechanism, wherein the at least partial aperture is inclined relative to shoulders of the seat latch mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A vehicle comprising the assembly of claim 18. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The assembly of claim 18, wherein the seat latch mechanism comprises a jaw with a movable tooth for releasable engagement with a projection on a vehicle body, and wherein the actuator is moveable within the opening for actuating the movable tooth.