Patent ID: 6539595
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: A44B,Y10T

Abstract:
A latch plate and buckle assembly for use with vehicle body seat belt restraint systems including a latch plate having a body portion with a forward end, a rear portion and an opening intermediate said forward end and said rear portion, a buckle housing having an end opening of a size to receive said latch plate, a latch member movably mounted within said housing, an area within said housing for receiving said body portion of said latch plate, said latch member being movable from a first position wherein said latch member is engageable within said opening of said latch plate to secure said latch plate within said housing to a second release position wherein said latch member is spaced from said opening in said latch plate such that said latch plate is releaseable from said housing, means for normally urging said latch member toward said first position including means extending within said housing for engaging said latch member and retaining said latch member within said housing against inertial forces applied against said latch plate and buckle assembly, said means for engaging being operatively connected to a pivotal release member mounted exteriorly of said housing, said means for engaging said latch member preventing movement of said latch member from said first position to said release position by applied inertial forces until manual force is applied to rotate said pivotal release member exteriorly of said buckle housing whereby said latch plate cannot be released from said buckle housing when said latch member is in said first position by inertial forces applied to said latch plate and buckle assembly.