Patent ID: 6708380
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: A44B,B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
A latch plate for use with seat belt webbing, comprising:a latch plate body having an interior surface defining an orifice through which seat belt webbing passes; a buckle for interfacing with the latch plate body; and a locking mechanism coupled to the latch plate body, the locking mechanism having a locked and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body and in the unlocked state, the locking mechanism permits movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body, and wherein, when the latch plate body is secured to the buckle, the locking mechanism changes from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to at least a predetermined load being applied to the seat belt webbing.