Buckle assemblies for personal restraint systems and associated methods of use and manufacture

A connector and buckle assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

• a web;
• a connector configured to be coupled to the web, wherein the connector has a tongue;
• and
• a buckle assembly configured to releasably retain the connector when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including:
• a frame having a locking feature configured to engage the tongue in a locked position;
• a locking member movably positioned adjacent to the frame and biased toward the tongue, wherein the locking member retains the tongue in the locked position;
• and
• an actuator movably positioned adjacent to the frame, wherein manipulation of the actuator drives the actuator against each of the locking member and the tongue to move the tongue out of the locked position.

A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

• a connector configured to be coupled to a web, wherein the connector includes a tongue having a locking feature;
• and
• a buckle assembly configured to releasably engage the connector when the tongue, the buckle assembly including:
• means for engaging the locking feature of the tongue to secure the tongue to the buckle assembly when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly in a locked position;
• means for retaining the locking feature against the means for engaging when the tongue is in the locked position;
• means for moving the means for retaining the locking feature away from the tongue to release the tongue from the locked position;
• and
• means for moving the tongue away from the means for engaging to release the tongue from the locked position.

A method of releasably securing a web connector in a buckle assembly having a locking member and a release actuator that are movably coupled to a frame, the method comprising:

• inserting a tongue of the web connector into an opening in the frame, wherein inserting the tongue includes inserting the tongue at an included angle relative to the frame;
• driving the locking member away from a locked position;
• pivoting the tongue about the opening in the frame to engage a locking feature on the frame;
• driving the locking member toward the locked position, wherein in the locked position the locking member supports the tongue while the tongue is engaged with the locking feature.