Tongue assembly
US4962572A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/4084
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tongue assembly for use in a three-point continuous loop seat belt system is freely slidable along the belt to enable use of a light retractor spring. The tongue assembly includes a lock bar slidable along a base. The base has a flat leading end portion, a parallel offset trailing end position, and a connector section extending at an angle between the leading and trailing end portions. Whe the tongue assembly is engaged with the buckle, the belt wraps around the lock bar, and the lock bar is slid along the angled connector portion of the base toward the trailing end portion. The belt is clamped between the lock bar and the trailing end portion, to restrain the vehicle occupant. When the tongue assembly is disengaged from the buckle, the belt extends through the tongue assembly in such a manner that the belt may move freely through the tongue assembly. Since the belt may move freely through the tongue assembly, the retractor wind-up spring need not be strong enough to lift both the belt and the tongue assembly, and a light retractor spring may be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.