Patent ID: 8052220
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: A44B,B60R

Abstract:
1. A seat belt system for use in a vehicle, comprising: a seat belt webbing for restraining an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the webbing includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the webbing is attached to a retractor for either retracting the webbing or permitting withdrawal of the webbing, and wherein the second end of the webbing is connected to an anchor; a tongue mechanism connected to the webbing and positioned to separate the webbing into a lap portion and a shoulder portion; a buckle mechanism configured to detachably couple with the tongue mechanism; wherein the tongue mechanism is configured so that the tongue mechanism is slideably coupled to the webbing when the tension in the webbing is less than a cinching load, and when the tension in the webbing is equal to or greater than the cinching load the tongue mechanism applies a cinching force on the webbing to prevent the webbing from changing position relative to the tongue mechanism, wherein the tongue mechanism is configured so that when the tension in the webbing is less than the cinching load there is no cinching force applied to the webbing, and wherein the tongue mechanism includes a first biasing member and a second biasing member, wherein the second biasing member is for biasing a cinch plate into a position that permits relative movement between the webbing and the tongue mechanism and wherein the tongue mechanism is configured so that when the tensile force on the webbing drops below the cinching load after having previously exceeded the cinching load the second biasing member forces the cinch plate into a position wherein a blocking member can be forced into a first position by the first biasing member.