Patent ID: 7871132
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: A44B,B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tongue assembly, comprising: a tongue releasably connectable to a buckle; a belt gripping insert; a slide member movable between a belt gripping position and a non-gripping position; and a slot in the tongue to receive a seat belt; a mating feature configured to prevent motion of the slide member; and a retention mechanism, wherein the retention mechanism holds the slide member initially in the non-gripping position to allow free sliding of the seat belt through the slot in the tongue, wherein the retention mechanism includes a retention feature on the slide member that contacts the mating feature, wherein the slide member moves to the belt gripping position when released by the retention mechanism when a predetermined load is exerted on the seat belt, the belt gripping position being configured to prevent movement of the seat belt within the slot, and wherein when the predetermined load is exerted on the seat belt, the retention feature separates from the mating feature to allow the slide member to move into the belt gripping position.