Barrier for use with seatbelt buckle and system including same

An apparatus comprising:

• a seatbelt buckle secured to a seat, the seatbelt buckle comprising an opening configured to receive a seatbelt tongue and a release button configured to release the seatbelt tongue from a releasably secured state with the seatbelt buckle;
• a force-transfer-structure, having a first end configured to contact the release button, and a second end, distal to the first end;
• a solenoid having a solenoid plunger coupled to the second end of the force-transfer-structure, the solenoid configured to exert a force on the force-transfer-structure to operate the release button;
• wherein, the seatbelt buckle and force-transfer-structure are positioned relative to one another to maintain operational alignment between the release button and the first end of the force-transfer-structure.

An apparatus to permit remote actuation of a seatbelt buckle release button and prevent a passenger from locally actuating the release button, comprising:

• the seatbelt buckle;
• an electromechanical device configured to actuate the release button of the seatbelt buckle;
• a housing covering at least the seatbelt buckle, the housing having a slot penetrating a surface of the housing and configured to permit a seatbelt tongue to pass through the slot, wherein:
• a minimum size of the slot permits entry of the seatbelt tongue into the seatbelt buckle, and
• a maximum size of the slot prevents an object from passing through the slot and operating the release button;
• and
• a mechanical device configured to actuate the release button of the seatbelt buckle independently of the electromechanical device,
• wherein the electromechanical device and the mechanical device are not operable by the passenger.