Vehicle body occupant restraint belt arrangement including door mounted buckle

Claim 2

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adjacent a seat and having a door lock for holding the door in closed position, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat, the belt arrangement comprising: a restraint belt having one end secured adjacent an inboard portion of the seat and having a male latch member secured to the other end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to a seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; means on the slide assembly for normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate access of the occupant to the buckle for securement of the latch member thereto; and a releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle, the detent being released to allow the buckle bias to return the buckle to extended position for convenient access to the occupant.

Claim 3

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adajcent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handle connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door lock so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement thereof does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehicle inboard of the seated occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch mEmber at a location positioning the restraining belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; and a connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the detent so as to release the detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible.

Claim 4

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adajcent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handle connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door lock so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement thereof does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehicle inboard of the seated occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch mEmber at a location positioning the restraining belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; and a connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the detent so as to release the detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible.

Claim 5

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adjacent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handle connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door lock so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement thereof does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehicle inboard of the seated occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between extended and retracted positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a first releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; a first connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the first detent so as to release the first detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible; and a second releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the extended position upon movement thereto so as to maintain the buckle accessible to the occupant; and a second connecting arrangement extending between the second detent and the buckle so as to release the second detent upon securement of the latch member to the buckle and to thereby allow a manual effort to move the buckle to the retracted position against the bias of the spring so the belt is positioned in the occupant restraining position.

Claim 6

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adjacent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handle connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door lock so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement thereof does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehicle inboard of the seated occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between extended and retracted positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a first releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; a first connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the first detent so as to release the first detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible; and a second releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the extended position upon movement thereto so as to maintain the buckle accessible to the occupant; and a second connecting arrangement extending between the second detent and the buckle so as to release the second detent upon securement of the latch member to the buckle and to thereby allow a manual effort to move the buckle to the retracted position against the bias of the spring so the belt is positioned in the occupant restraining position.

Claim 7

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adajcent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handlE connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door lock so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement of the handle does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehicle inboard of the seated occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly including a first telescopic member mounted on the door and a second telescopic member which mounts the buckle and is slidable within the first telescopic member so as to mount the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative to the door, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a first releasable detent on the slide assembly for selectively holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; a first connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the first detent so as to release the first detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible; and a second releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the extended position upon movement thereto so as to maintain the buckle accessible to the occupant; a second connecting arrangement extending between the second detent and the buckle so as to release the second detent upon securement of the latch member to the buckle and to thereby allow a manual effort to move the buckle to retracted position against the bias of the spring so the belt is positioned in the occupant restraining position; and a third connecting arrangement extending between the slide assembly and the door lock and responsive to the buckle movement to retracted position so as to uncouple the door lock from the inside remote handle to prevent unlatching of the door lock, the third connecting arrangement being responsive to movement of the buckle to the extended position so as to again connect the door lock to the inside remote handle to permit unlatching of the door lock.

Claim 8

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adajcent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handlE connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door lock so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement of the handle does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehicle inboard of the seated occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuatable to release the latch member; a slide assembly including a first telescopic member mounted on the door and a second telescopic member which mounts the buckle and is slidable within the first telescopic member so as to mount the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative to the door, the retracted buckle being positioned in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a first releasable detent on the slide assembly for selectively holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; a first connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the first detent so as to release the first detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible; and a second releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the extended position upon movement thereto so as to maintain the buckle accessible to the occupant; a second connecting arrangement extending between the second detent and the buckle so as to release the second detent upon securement of the latch member to the buckle and to thereby allow a manual effort to move the buckle to retracted position against the bias of the spring so the belt is positioned in the occupant restraining position; and a third connecting arrangement extending between the slide assembly and the door lock and responsive to the buckle movement to retracted position so as to uncouple the door lock from the inside remote handle to prevent unlatching of the door lock, the third connecting arrangement being responsive to movement of the buckle to the extended position so as to again connect the door lock to the inside remote handle to permit unlatching of the door lock.

Claim 9

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adjacent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handle connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement thereof does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehiclE inboard of the seat occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuated to release the latch member therefrom; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being located in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; a connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the detent so as to release the detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible; and a release arrangement extending between the buckle and the slide assembly so as to automatically actuate the buckle when the slide assembly returns the buckle to the extended position so as to thereby release the latch member from the buckle to free the occupant of the restraint belt.

Claim 10

In a vehicle body including a door movable between open and closed positions laterally adjacent a seat, an uncoupling type door lock on the door for latching the door to the body in closed position, an inside remote handle connected to the door lock and movable to an actuated position to provide unlatching of the door so that opening door movement is possible, and an inside lock control member movable between an unlocked position where the inside remote handle is connected to the door lock to permit unlatching thereof and a locked position where the door lock is uncoupled from the handle so that actuating movement thereof does not unlatch the door lock, a restraint belt arrangement for restraining an occupant of the seat comprising: a restraint belt secured to a portion of the vehiclE inboard of the seat occupant and having a male latch member secured to a free end thereof; a female buckle for selectively receiving and securing the latch member, the buckle being actuated to release the latch member therefrom; a slide assembly mounted on the door and supporting the buckle for movement between retracted and extended positions relative thereto, the retracted buckle being located in a lower rearward position relative to the seated occupant when the door is closed so that the buckle secures the latch member at a location positioning the restraint belt in an occupant restraining position across this occupant, the extended buckle being located upwardly and forwardly from the retracted buckle so as to be readily accessible to the seated occupant for receiving the latch member; a spring on the slide assembly normally biasing the buckle to the extended position so as to facilitate securement of the latch member to the buckle; a releasable detent on the slide assembly for holding the buckle in the retracted position upon movement thereto so as to thereby secure the belt in the occupant restraining position when the latch member is secured to the buckle; a connecting arrangement extending between the inside remote handle and the detent so as to release the detent upon movement of the handle to the actuated position and thereby allowing the spring to return the buckle to the extended position where the buckle is readily accessible; and a release arrangement extending between the buckle and the slide assembly so as to automatically actuate the buckle when the slide assembly returns the buckle to the extended position so as to thereby release the latch member from the buckle to free the occupant of the restraint belt.