Method of and an apparatus for presenting a seat belt buckle
AssigneeTakata Seat Belts, Inc.
InventorsRichard M. Grabowski, Albert R. Bernat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A buckle presenter system is provided that shifts the buckle to a more accessible latching position for latching with a tongue plate or tip and then shifts the latched buckle to a performance position for achieving the desired performance. This is achieved by sensing the occupant's need for latching the buckle as when the occupant enters the vehicle and is seated and then automatically shifting the buckle to a latching position for providing better accessibility for inserting the latch plate into the buckle and then automatically returning the latched buckle to the performance position.
Claims25
A seat belt system for shifting a buckle to an upper latching position with a tip and for returning the latched buckle and tip to a performance position, the buckle presenter system comprising:
- a seat belt for positioning across a chest and a lap for a passenger seated on a seat of a vehicle;
- a tip carried on the seat belt for latching with a buckle;
- a buckle for latching with the tip;
- a drive mechanism for shifting the buckle along a substantially vertical upward path of travel relative to the seat from the performance position where the buckle is located for enhanced performance to the upper latching position for latching with the tip;
- the drive mechanism lowering the latched tip and buckle from the latching position to the performance position;
- and
- a timing device for timing the time for the buckle to be at the latching position to allow latching of the buckle to the tongue plate and then causing the drive mechanism to return the buckle to the performance position.
A buckle presenter system for presenting a buckle to a seated occupant at a latching position for latching to a tip and for shifting the latched buckle and tip to a performance position;
- the system comprising:
- a buckle for latching to a tip at the latching position;
- sensors for sensing the opening and closing of a door by the occupant;
- a motor driven carrier for carrying the buckle substantially vertically in an upward direction to the latching position and for carrying the latched tip and buckle substantially vertically in a downward direction to the performance position;
- an electrical control system operable by signals from the sensor to operate the motor driven carrier to shift the buckle to the latching position and, after latching to a tip, to shift the latched tip and buckle to the performance position;
- and
- a locking mechanism operable by the controller to lock the latched tip, buckle and buckle carrier at the performance position.
A method of presenting a seat belt buckle in a seat belt system to a vehicle occupant and for returning the buckle to a performance position, the method comprising:
- sensing the opening and closing of a vehicle door signifying the entry of an occupant for seating in a vehicle seat;
- shifting substantially vertically upward the seat belt buckle stationarily anchored at one end to the floor or frame of the vehicle from a performance position to a latching position for easier latching by the seated occupant;
- latching of the buckle to a tip at the latching position;
- and
- lowering the latched buckle and tip alone a substantially vertical downward oath of travel to the performance position.
A seat belt system having a buckle presenter for raising a buckle anchored to a vehicle floor or frame to an upper latching position for attachment to a tip and for lowering the buckle to a performance position, the buckle presenter comprising:
- a seat belt for positioning across a chest and a lap of a passenger on a seat in a vehicle;
- a tip carried on the belt;
- a seat belt buckle adapted to latch with the tip;
- an anchor for being secured to a vehicle floor at a location adjacent the seat;
- the anchor transmitting belt restraining forces from the latched tip and buckle to the floor at a location adjacent the seat;
- a drive mechanism for shifting the buckle substantially vertically to raise the buckle above a seat cushion on which the passenger is seated to facilitate a latching of the tip on the belt to the seat belt buckle;
- the drive mechanism shifting the latched tip and the buckle downwardly to the performance position;
- and
- an electrical control system for operating the drive mechanism to raise the buckle above the seat cushion for latching to the tip and for operating the drive mechanism to lower the latch plate and buckle to its performance position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.