Belt locking assembly for safety belt buckle

Claim 2

A belt locking assembly for a vehicle safety belt adapted to be engaged by a buckle, said vehicle safety belt including a continuous length which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point, said belt locking assembly being adapted to be mounted on the safety belt and adapted to slide upon a portion of the safety belt to adjust the length of the lap belt and shoulder belt, said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller means supported by said housing and adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller means to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt; a lock bar mounted in said housing and having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, but allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt in the direction if said lap belt anchorage point; and biasing means mounted in said housing to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.

Claim 3

The belt locking assembly according to claim 1 wherein said lock bar has: a buckle actuated portion adapted to be actuated by said buckle when said assembly is engaged by said buckle; and a belt engaging portion adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when said assembly is engaged by said buckle to prevent said roller means from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position.

Claim 4

The belt locking assembly according to claim 2 wherein said buckle actuated portion is disposed at one end of said lock bar and said belt engaging portion is disposed at the opposite end of said lock bar.

Claim 5

The belt locking assembly according to claim 1 wherein said lock bar has a pivot edge upon which said lock bar is adapted to pivot between said unlocked position and said locked position.

Claim 6

The belt locking assembly according to claim 2 wherein said belt engaging portion of said lock bar has locking teeth disposed adjacent to said roller means and adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when the lock bar is in the locked position to prevent said belt locking assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of the shoulder belt anchorage point.

Claim 7

The belt locking assembly according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises at least one leaf spring attached to said lock bar.

Claim 8

The belt locking assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said biasing means comprises a top leaf spring attached to the top of the buckle actuated portion of said lock bar; and said lock bar further comprises a bottom leaf spring attached to the bottom of said bUckle actuated portion of said lock bar, said bottom leaf spring being adapted to be actuated by said buckle to move said lock bar into said locked position.

Claim 9

The belt locking assembly according to claim 1 wherein said roller means comprises: a roller adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller; and a roller shaft mounted in said housing, said roller being arranged concentrically around a portion of said roller shaft and being adapted to rotate upon said roller shaft to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt.

Claim 10

A belt locking assembly for a vehicle safety belt adapted to be engaged by a buckle, said vehicle safety belt including a continuous length which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point, said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said belt locking assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller; a roller shaft mounted in said housing, said roller being arranged concentrically around a portion of said roller shaft and being adapted to rotate upon said roller shaft to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt; a lock bar mounted in said housing and having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, said lock bar having a buckle actuated portion adapted to be actuated by said buckle when said tongue assembly is engaged by said buckle and a belt engaging portion adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when said assembly is engaged by said buckle to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position, and said belt actuated portion being disposed at one end of said lock bar and said belt engaging portion being disposed at the opposite end of said lock bar, said lock bar having a pivot edge upon which said lock bar is adapted to pivot from said unlocked position to said locked position, said belt engaging portion of said lock bar having teeth disposed adjacent to said roller and adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position; and at least one leaf spring attached to said lock bar to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.

Claim 11

A belt locking assembly for a vehicle safety belt adapted to be engaged by a buckle, said vehicle safety belt including a continuous length which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point, said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said belt locking assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller; a roller shaft mounted in said housing, said roller being arranged concentrically around a portion of said roller shaft and being adapted to rotate upon said roller shaft to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt; a lock bar mounted in said housing and having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, said lock bar having a buckle actuated portion adapted to be actuated by said buckle when said tongue assembly is engaged by said buckle and a belt engaging portion adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when said assembly is engaged by said buckle to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position, and said belt actuated portion being disposed at one end of said lock bar and said belt engaging portion being disposed at the opposite end of said lock bar, said lock bar having a pivot edge upon which said lock bar is adapted to pivot from said unlocked position to said locked position, said belt engaging portion of said lock bar having teeth disposed adjacent to said roller and adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position; and at least one leaf spring attached to said lock bar to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.

Claim 12

A safety belt system adapted for use in a vehicle comprising: a continuous length of safety belt which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point; a safety belt inertia retractor located at said shoulder belt anchorage point to which retractor said shoulder belt is connected; a non-adjustable lap belt anchorage means located at said lap belt anchorage point; a belt locking assembly mounted on said safety belt and being adapted to slide upon a portion of said safety belt to adjust the length of said lap belt and said shoulder belt; and a buckle adapted to engage said belt locking assembly; said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said belt locking assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller means supported by said housing and adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller means; a lock bar disposed in said belt locking assembly, said lock bar having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, but allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point; and biasing means disposed in said belt locking assembly to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.

Claim 13

A safety belt system adapted for use in a vehicle comprising: a continuous length of safety belt which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point; a safety belt inertia retractor located at said shoulder belt anchorage point to which retractor said shoulder belt is connected; a non-adjustable lap belt anchorage means located at said lap belt anchorage point; a belt locking assembly mounted on said safety belt and being adapted to slide upon a portion of said safety belt to adjust the length of said lap belt and said shoulder belt; and a buckle adapted to engage said belt locking assembly; said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said belt locking assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller means supported by said housing and adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller means; a lock bar disposed in said belt locking assembly, said lock bar having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, but allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point; and biasing means disposed in said belt locking assembly to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.

Claim 14

The safety belt system according to claim 10 wherein said lock bar of said belt locking assembly has: a buckle actuated portion adapted to be actuated by said buckle when said assembly is engaged by said buckle; and a belt engaging portion adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when said assembly is engaged by said buckle to prevent said roller means from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position.

Claim 15

The safety belt system according to claim 11 wherein said buckle actuated portion is disposed at one end of said lock bar and said belt engaging portion is disposed at the opposite end of said lock bar.

Claim 16

The safety belt system according to claim 10 wherein said lock bar of said belt locking assembly has a pivot edge upon which said lock bar is adapted to pivot between said unlocked position and said locked position.

Claim 17

The safety belt system according to claim 11 wherein said belt engaging portion of said lock bar has locking teeth disposed adjacent to said roller means and adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when the lock bar is in the locked position.

Claim 18

The safety belt system according to claim 10 wherein said biasing means of said belt locking assembly comprises at least one leaf spring attached to said lock bar.

Claim 19

The safety belt system according to claim 10 wherein: said biasing means of said belt locking assembly comprises a top leaf spring attached to the top of the buckle actuated portion of said lock bar; and said lock bar further comprises a bottom leaf spring attached to the bottom of said buckle actuated portion of said lock bar, said bottom leaf spring being adapted to be actuated by said buckle to move said lock bar into said locked position.

Claim 20

The safety belt system according to claim 10 wherein said roller means of said belt locking assembly comprises: a roller adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller; and a roller shaft mounted in said housing, said roller being arranged concentrically around a portion of said roller shaft and being adapted to roll upon said roller shaft to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt.

Claim 21

A safety belt system adapted for use in a vehicle comprising: a continuous length of safety belt which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point; a safety belt retractor located at said shoulder belt anchorage point to which retractor said shoulder belt is connected; a non-adjustable lap belt anchorage means located at said lap belt anchorage point; a belt locking assembly mounted on said safety belt and being adapted to slide upon a portion of said safety belt to adjust the length of said lap belt and said shoulder belt; and a bUckle adapted to engage said belt locking assembly; said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said belt locking assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller; a roller shaft mounted in said housing, said roller being arranged concentrically around a portion of said roller shaft and being adapted to rotate upon said roller shaft to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt; a lock bar mounted in said housing and having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, said lock bar having a buckle actuated portion adapted to be actuated by said buckle when said tongue assembly is engaged by said buckle and a belt engaging portion adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when said assembly is engaged by said buckle to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position, and said belt actuated portion being disposed at one end of said lock bar and said belt engaging portion being disposed at the opposite end of said lock bar, said lock bar having a pivot edge upon which said lock bar is adapted to pivot from said unlocked position to said locked position, said belt engaging portion of said lock bar having teeth disposed adjacent to said roller and adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position; and at least one leaf spring attached to said lock bar to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.

Claim 22

A safety belt system adapted for use in a vehicle comprising: a continuous length of safety belt which forms a shoulder belt and a lap belt, said shoulder belt having a shoulder belt anchorage point and said lap belt having a lap belt anchorage point; a safety belt retractor located at said shoulder belt anchorage point to which retractor said shoulder belt is connected; a non-adjustable lap belt anchorage means located at said lap belt anchorage point; a belt locking assembly mounted on said safety belt and being adapted to slide upon a portion of said safety belt to adjust the length of said lap belt and said shoulder belt; and a bUckle adapted to engage said belt locking assembly; said belt locking assembly comprising: a housing for said belt locking assembly; a buckle engaging means extending from said housing and adapted to be engaged in said buckle; a roller adapted to allow a portion of said safety belt to move upon said roller; a roller shaft mounted in said housing, said roller being arranged concentrically around a portion of said roller shaft and being adapted to rotate upon said roller shaft to facilitate movement of said assembly with reference to said safety belt; a lock bar mounted in said housing and having an unlocked position and a locked position, said lock bar adapted to be moved from said unlocked position to said locked position when said assembly is engaged in said buckle, said lock bar in said unlocked position allowing said assembly to slide with reference to said safety belt both in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point and in the direction of said lap belt anchorage point, said lock bar in said locked position preventing said assembly from sliding with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point, said lock bar having a buckle actuated portion adapted to be actuated by said buckle when said tongue assembly is engaged by said buckle and a belt engaging portion adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt when said assembly is engaged by said buckle to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position, and said belt actuated portion being disposed at one end of said lock bar and said belt engaging portion being disposed at the opposite end of said lock bar, said lock bar having a pivot edge upon which said lock bar is adapted to pivot from said unlocked position to said locked position, said belt engaging portion of said lock bar having teeth disposed adjacent to said roller and adapted to clamp against a portion of said safety belt to prevent said roller from moving with reference to said safety belt in the direction of said shoulder belt anchorage point when said lock bar is in said locked position; and at least one leaf spring attached to said lock bar to bias said lock bar in said unlocked position.