Patent ID: 9277788
Filing Date: 2016-03-08
CPC Classification: A44B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A buckle assembly, comprising: a top cover; a bottom housing connected to the top cover, wherein the top cover and the bottom housing collectively define an internal space; an actuator positioned in the internal space and operably coupled to the top cover; a load plate positioned in the internal space and having a plurality of apertures; a plurality of pawls, wherein each of the pawls is configured to operably extend through a corresponding one of the apertures so as to secure a corresponding latch plate coupled to a web of a personal restraint system; a release ring rotatably positioned in the internal space adjacent to the pawls; and a release cord positioned outside the internal space and coupled to the release ring, wherein the release cord includes a gripping surface providing a contact area for an occupant to grasp and pull the release cord; wherein, when the top cover is rotated, the actuator moves the pawls out from the corresponding apertures, so as to release the corresponding latch plates, and wherein, when the release ring is rotated, the release ring moves the pawls out from the corresponding apertures, so as to release the corresponding latch plates.