# US 9,038,250 B2 · Seat belt buckle

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,038,250 B2
- Document ID: US9038250B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/238,029
- Filed: 2011-09-21
- Published: 2012-09-27
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2010-10-15
- Assignees: TRW Automotive GmbH
- Applicants: Hans-Peter Betz; Peter Haas; Andrea Schuech
- Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz; Peter Haas; Andrea Schuech
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038250B2

## CPC

- A44B 11/2523: {acting parallel to the main plane of the buckle and in the same direction as the fastening action}
- A44B 11/2546: {Details}
- Y10T 24/45623: and operator therefor
- A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention relates to a seat belt buckle (10) comprising a locking mechanism for a plug-in latch and a casing (12) that encloses the locking mechanism and includes an inserting opening (14) for inserting the plug-in latch as well as a release opening (16) in which a release element (20) for releasing the locking mechanism is disposed. There is provided a sealing device (22) for sealing the inserting opening (14), when the plug-in latch is not inserted, and/or the release opening (16).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seat belt buckle (10) comprising a locking mechanism for a plug-in latch and a casing (12) that encloses the locking mechanism and includes an inserting opening (14) for inserting the plug-in latch as well as a release opening (16) in which a release element (20) for releasing the locking mechanism is disposed,
wherein a sealing device (22) is provided which seals the inserting opening (14) and/or the release opening (16) when the plug-in latch is not inserted, the sealing device engaging the release element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the release opening (16) and the inserting opening (14) are merged and form a joint opening (18) of the casing (12).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device (22) has a flap (24) that is adapted to close and seal the inserting opening (14).

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 3, wherein the flap (24) is formed so that the flap (24) releases the inserting opening (14) upon inserting the plug-in latch into the inserting opening (14).

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 3, wherein the flap (24) is adjacent to a contact face at the casing (12) and/or at the release element (20) and is preferably loaded against the casing (12) or the release element (20), resp., by a spring (30).

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 3, wherein an elastic seal is provided at the flap (24) and/or at the casing (12).

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 6, wherein the elastic seal is integrally connected to the flap (24) and/or the casing (12) and is preferably manufactured by two-component injection molding.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device (22) is designed so as to seal the inserting opening (14) when the plug-in latch is inserted.

### Claim 9

A seat belt buckle (10) comprising a locking mechanism for a plug-in latch and a casing (12) that encloses the locking mechanism and includes an inserting opening (14) for inserting the plug-in latch as well as a release opening (16) in which a release element (20) for releasing the locking mechanism is disposed,
wherein a sealing device (22) is provided which seals the inserting opening (14) and/or the release opening (16) when the plug-in latch is not inserted, and
wherein the sealing device (22) includes a casing projection (28) facing inwardly in the direction of the release opening (16) and forming an edge (26) of the release opening (16), the release element (20) being adjacent to the casing projection (28) when in a home position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 9, wherein the release element (20) is loaded against the casing projection (28) when in the home position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 9, wherein an elastic seal is provided at the casing projection (28) and/or at the release element (20).

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 11, wherein the elastic seal is integrally connected to the casing (12) and/or the release element (20).

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The seat belt buckle (10) according to claim 11, wherein the elastic seal and the casing and/or the release element are manufactured by two-component extrusion molding.