Buckle assemblies with lift latches and associated methods and systems
AssigneeAmSafe, Inc. (Phoenix Group)
InventorsTodd J. Humbert, David T. Merrill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Buckle assemblies with lift latches and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage at least one latch plate. The buckle assembly includes a cover, a load plate connected to the cover and formed with a plurality of openings, a shaft passing through the cover, a lift latch being operably rotated around the shaft in the operation space, and pawls selectively locking corresponding latch plates inserted in the openings in response to the rotation of the lift latch.
Claims21
A buckle assembly comprising:
- a cover;
- a plurality of openings positioned circumferentially adjacent to the cover, wherein each of the openings is configured to receive a corresponding latch plate coupled to a web of a personal restraint system;
- a plurality of pawls, wherein each of the pawls is configured to selectively engage a corresponding one of the latch plates, when the latch plates are inserted into the openings;
- a lift latch having a cam portion and configured to be operatively rotated relative to the cover;
- a lifter configured to cooperate with the cam portion;
- and
- an actuator operably coupled to the lifter and configured to disengage the pawls from the latch plates and release the latch plates from the openings in response to rotation of the lift latch
(canceled)
A buckle assembly, comprising:
- a cover;
- a load plate positioned adjacent to the cover;
- a plurality of openings positioned circumferentially around the load plate, wherein each of the openings is configured to receive a corresponding latch plate coupled to a web of a personal restraint system;
- a plurality of pawls configured to selectively engage corresponding latch plates inserted into the openings;
- a first lift latch configured to be operably rotated relative to the cover in a first direction;
- a second lift latch positioned opposite the first lift latch and configured to be operably rotated relative to the cover in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- and
- a lifter cooperatively coupling the first and second lift latches to the pawls, wherein rotation of the first lift latch or the second lift latch relative to the cover releasably disengages the pawls from the latch plates.
A method of operating a buckle assembly of a personal restraint system, the method comprising:
- inserting a plurality of first latch plates into a plurality of first openings positioned circumferentially around a housing of the buckle assembly;
- biasing a pawl spring against a plurality of pawls to engage the pawls with the first latches and secure the first latch plates in the first openings;
- inserting a second latch plate into a second opening in the housing to secure the second latch in the second opening, wherein the second opening is vertically offset from the plurality of first openings;
- and
- rotating a latch relative to the housing to disengage the pawls from the first latch plates and release the first latch plates from the first openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.