Housing for a Dual Release Twin Buckle Assembly
AssigneeConax Florida Corporation
InventorMarc Jung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a housing assembly for twin latching mechanisms. The housing assembly includes two handles that can be pivoted to separately unlatch two belt connectors. The latching mechanisms are positioned within the housing such that when the handles are pivoted upwardly, their leading edges engage plunger mechanisms associated with the latching mechanisms. By engaging the plunger mechanisms, individual latches are disengaged and the associated belt connectors are ejected. A flange interconnects the two handles such that one or both handles are pivoted depending upon which handle is lifted by the operator. The housing provides a secure enclosure for the latch mechanisms and also shields the working components from the environment.
Claims10
A vehicle restraint system having twin buckles and a dual release assembly, the restraint system comprising:
- a lower base having angled and upstanding side edges, a mounting bracket having a first end secured to the lower base and a second end secured to the vehicle, the mounting bracket including anti-rotation fins at the first end, the anti-rotation fins preventing relative movement between the lower base and mounting bracket;
- a pair of passenger restraint belts, each belt including a distal end with a tongue and an aperture;
- first and second laterally disposed and separate latching mechanisms secured within the lower base, each latching element, an ejection spring and a forward facing plunger, each latching mechanism having an engaged orientation wherein the latching element is positioned within the aperture of an associated tongue to secure one of the restraint belts, each latching element further including a disengaged orientation that is activated by depressing an associated plunger, wherein in the disengaged orientation the latching element is released from the aperture and the tongue is ejected by the ejection spring;
- a first handle having a rearward end with an upstanding lip, a forward end with a rounded extent, and a connecting flange, the first handle being pivotally secured to the lower base via a torsion spring, the spring functioning to urge the first handle to a closed orientation relative to the base, the first handle having a pivoted orientation wherein the rounded extent of the handle engages the forward facing plunger of the first latching mechanism to thereby release and eject the associated tongue;
- a second handle having a rearward end with an upstanding lip and a forward end with a rounded extent, the second handle being pivotally secured to the lower base via a torsion spring, the spring functioning to urge the second handle to a closed orientation relative to the base, the second handle having a pivoted orientation wherein the rounded extent of the handle engages the forward facing plunger of the second latching mechanism to thereby release and eject the associated tongue;
- whereby the connecting flange interconnects the first and second handles such that the first handle pivots along with the second handle but second handle pivots by itself.
A protective housing for the female component of a vehicle restraint system, the female component including a plurality of laterally disposed and separate latching mechanisms, each latching mechanism including a latching element and a forward facing plunger, wherein in an engaged orientation the tongue of a restraint belt is releasably an associated latching mechanism via the latching element, and in a disengaged orientation the latching element is released and the tongue can be removed, the protective housing comprising:
- a lower base having a forward end and a rearward end and upstanding side edges, the lower base being secured to the vehicle, the plurality of latching mechanisms being secured within the lower base;
- a pair of handles, each handle having a rearward end with an upstanding lip and a forward end with a rounded extent, the forward end of each handle being pivotally secured to the forward end of the lower base, whereby when the handles are in a closed orientation debris is prevented from entering the plurality of latching mechanisms, and whereby when the handles are in a pivoted orientation the rounded extent of each handle engages the forward facing plungers of the plurality of latching mechanisms to thereby release the associated tongues;
- and
- a connecting flange interconnecting the first and second handles such that the first handle pivots along with the second handle but second handle pivots independently of the first handle.
A protective housing for the latching mechanisms of a vehicle restraint system, protective housing comprising:
- a lower base having a forward end and a rearward end and upstanding side edges, the lower base being secured to the vehicle, the latching mechanisms being secured within the lower base;
- a pair of handles, each handle having a rearward end with an upstanding lip and a forward end with a rounded extent, the forward end of each handle being pivotally secured to the forward end of the lower base, whereby in the closed orientation debris is prevented from entering the latching mechanisms, and whereby in the pivoted orientation the rounded extent of each handle engages and releases the latching mechanisms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.