US4566160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
End release inverse clevis buckle
Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products Inc
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Filing: 1983-09-09
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2003-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A safety belt buckle wherein a conventional latch for engaging an apertured tongue of a conventional connector is pivotally seated within the base loop of an inverse clevis having an opening for insertion of the tongue and a solid transverse interior surface confining the engaged end of the latch against pivotal displacement incident to latch angularity under ultimate tensile belt loads sufficient to deflect the channel sides of conventional stamped frames characteristic of prior art seat belt buckles. A modified embodiment of the buckle provides an end release push button in place of the transverse push button of the main embodiment.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Gavagan
- 👤 William E. Brennan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:22
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B11/00; A44B11/25; A44B11/2503; A44B11/2507; A44B11/2511; B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/48; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4816; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45602; Y10T24/45623; Y10T24/45639; Y10T24/45644; Y10T24/4566; Y10T24/45665; Y10T24/45675; Y10T24/45696; Y10T24/45712
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A safety belt buckle characterized by a sheet metal loop formed clevis having apertured ends for attachment to a first belt end, a fully surrounded slot in the clevis loop end extremity, a connector having an apertured end for attachment to a second belt end and a tongue insertable through said slot into close proximity with one side of said clevis, said tongue having an apertured end adapted for latch engagement, a latch having a reaction end extending beyond both extremities of said slot pivotally seated against slotted and unslotted portions of said loop end extremity within said clevis adajcent said slot having a latch projection engageable with said tongue apertured end and said one side of said clevis, resilient means biasing said latch toward said engaging position deflectable in response to manual insertion of said tongue, and manually operable means including an end release push button to deflect said latch and resilient means to a tongue releasing position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A safety belt buckle characterized by a sheet metal loop formed clevis having apertured ends for attachment to a first belt end, a fully surrounded slot in the clevis loop end extremity, a connector having an apertured end for attachment to a second belt end and a tongue insertable through said slot into close proximity with one side of said clevis, said tongue having an apertured end adapted for latch engagement, a latch having a reaction end extending beyond both extremities of said slot pivotally seated against slotted and unslotted portions of said loop end extremity within said clevis adajcent said slot having a latch projection engageable with said tongue apertured end and said one side of said clevis, resilient means biasing said latch toward said engaging position deflectable in response to manual insertion of said tongue, and manually operable means including an end release push button to deflect said latch and resilient means to a tongue releasing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 1 including bellcrank means actuated by said push button for engaging said latch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring mounted on the other side of said clevis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said latch has side extensions and said spring has side extensions engaging said latch side extensions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 1 including spring actuated ejector means contacting the end of said connector tongue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 5 wherein ejection movement of said ejector means following said connector tongue blocks return of said latch by said resilient means to a position corresponding to latch engagement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 1 including resilient means urging said push button to a full latched connector outermost position, and inter-engaging means thereupon operative between said push button and latch positively blocking disengagement of said latch from impact or other than finger actuated release movement of said push button.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said interengaging means is cleared from its blocking position by initial push button release actuation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said interengaging means operates when said latch is in its release position to prevent push button return to said outermost blocking position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 7 including spring actuated ejector means adapted to engage and follow the tongue end of said connector during its initial ejection movement and in so doing block the return of said latch to its position corresponding to latch engagement thereby in turn preventing return of said push button to said outermost position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clevis is provided with a pair of arcuate bearing seats and said bellcrank is provided with a pair of cylindrical pivot surfaces intermediate respective bellcrank arms engaging said arcuate bearing surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 11 wherein said bellcrank comprises a pair of bellcrank elements each having a pair of bellcrank arms extending at substantially right angles adapted to translate linear push button actuation to transverse latch disengaging movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 12 including an integral transverse connection between said bellcrank elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bellcrank means is constructed as a die casting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 14 wherein said push button is constructed with a pair of side arms each projecting to engage one of said bellcrank arms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A buckle as set forth in claim 15 wherein said push button is constructed as a molded plastic element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |