Abstract:
A seat belt system for use in a vehicle, which includes 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; and a buckle mechanism configured to detachably couple with the tongue mechanism. 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. The tongue mechanism is further configured so that when the tension in the webbing is less than the cinching load there is no cinching force applied to the webbing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present application relates generally to the field of vehicle seat belt systems which provide occupant protection during a dynamic vehicle impact event. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an improved tongue mechanism for a seat belt system. 
     Motor vehicles have been equipped with seat belt systems coupled or integrated with seat systems. During a vehicle dynamic impact event, the seat belt system restrains an occupant with a seat belt or webbing to the seat system, providing protection to the occupant. Among the conventional seat belt systems, a three point seat belt system is generally known and employed. The typical method of configuring a three point seat belt system is to connect the seat belt or webbing fixedly at one end to the vehicle or seat system, connect the other end fixedly to the seat belt retractor, and slideably couple a tongue to the webbing between its ends. The tongue then may be detachably coupled to a buckle mechanism positioned on the side of the seat opposite to the anchor and retractor connections of the webbing. Thereby, when the tongue is latched to the buckle mechanism, the webbing forms a lap portion which extends across the lap of the occupant between the anchor and tongue connections of the webbing; and forms a shoulder portion which extends diagonally across the torso of the occupant and over the shoulder of the occupant, between the tongue and retractor connections of the webbing. 
     It has been known to make a tongue mechanism slideable along the length of a continuous loop of webbing to allow the occupant to adjust the lengths of the lap and shoulder portions of the seat belt. It has also been known to construct a tongue mechanism that includes a cinch mechanism, having a lock bar that is driven by belt tension from the latching of the tongue and buckle mechanisms to cinch the webbing of the seat belt system. There are two primary types of tongue mechanisms having cinch mechanisms. The first type are non-free falling tongues, which the cinch mechanism engages the webbing as soon as the seat belt has tension. The second type are tongue mechanisms progressively engage their cinch mechanism with each successive tensile force through the webbing. These tongues continually shorten the webbing (i.e., tighten the webbing around the occupant) over time, resulting from forces transmitted during normal vehicle driving (e.g., from hitting a bump or pot-hole, or from vehicle stability) through the webbing. Therefore the seat belt systems that employ these tongue mechanisms become more uncomfortable for the occupant during use or over time. 
     It would be advantageous to construct a tongue mechanism that has free-falling capability, and includes a cinch mechanism which engages at a pre-determined belt tension, then disengages when the belt tension drops below the pre-determined amount. It would also be advantageous for this tongue mechanism not to progressively tighten the webbing around the occupant over time during normal vehicle use. 
     SUMMARY 
     This application relates to a seat belt system for use in a vehicle, which includes 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; and a buckle mechanism configured to detachably couple with the tongue mechanism. 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. The tongue mechanism is further configured so that when the tension in the webbing is less than the cinching load there is no cinching force applied to the webbing. 
     The tongue mechanism includes a tongue plate and a cinch plate and wherein the cinching force on the webbing is applied by changing the position of the cinch plate relative to the tongue plate. The tongue mechanism further includes a blocking member located in a first position to prevent relative movement between the cinch plate and the tongue plate and wherein the tongue mechanism is configured so that the position of the blocking member changes from the first position to a second position when the tensile force on the webbing meets or exceeds the cinching load to thereby permit relative movement between the cinch plate and the tongue plate. 
     The tongue mechanism may include a first biasing member for biasing the blocking member from the second position into the first position, and may include a second biasing member for biasing the 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 the blocking member can be forced into the first position by the first biasing member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a motor vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a safety system for use within a vehicle, such as the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a safety system for use within a vehicle. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a safety system for use within a vehicle. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a tongue mechanism for use with a safety system, such as the safety system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a blocking member for use within a tongue mechanism, such as the tongue mechanism of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectioned perspective view of the tongue mechanism of  FIG. 5 , shown in the free falling or non-cinching position. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectioned side view of the tongue mechanism of  FIG. 5 , shown in the free falling or non-cinching position. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of an exemplary embodiment of a blocking member and a cinch plate configured in the free falling or non-cinching position. 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view of the blocking member and the cinch plate of  FIG. 9  configured in the locking or cinching position. 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view of another exemplary embodiment of a blocking member and a cinch plate configured in the free falling or non-cinching position. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial sectioned perspective view of the tongue mechanism of  FIG. 5 , shown in the locking or cinching position. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial sectioned side view of the tongue mechanism of  FIG. 5 , shown in the locking or cinching position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle  10  is illustrated, and includes an occupant safety system  15 . The vehicle  10  is illustrated as a typical sedan, but a safety system as disclosed in this application may be used on any type of passenger vehicle as well as other moving vehicles that offer occupant protection to seated passengers in the form of safety systems which include a seat belt assembly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of an occupant safety system  15  is illustrated, and includes a seat assembly  18  and a safety belt assembly  20 . Seat assembly  18  provides seating for an occupant of a motor vehicle, such as the vehicle  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, safety belt assembly  20  is configured as a three-point system and includes a retractor  22 , a webbing  24 , an anchor  26 , a buckle mechanism  28  and a tongue mechanism  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, webbing  24  is coupled at one end to the anchor  26 , which may be fixedly coupled to seat assembly  18 , and coupled at the other end to retractor  22 , which may be fixedly coupled to the seat assembly  18 . According to other embodiments, anchor  26  and/or retractor  22  may be coupled to the vehicle  10  or any other component of vehicle  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, buckle mechanism  28  is rotationally coupled to the seat assembly  18  on the side opposite to the anchor  26 . According to other embodiments, buckle mechanism  28  may be coupled to the vehicle  10  or any other component of vehicle  10 . Tongue mechanism  30  may be slideably coupled along the length of webbing  24  between the end coupled to the anchor  26  and the other end coupled to the retractor  22 . Tongue mechanism  30  may be disengageably coupled to the buckle mechanism  28  dividing the webbing  24  into a first portion which covers the lap of the occupant of the seat and a second portion which covers the torso of the occupant of the seat, thereby forming a three-point configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , another exemplary embodiment of a safety belt system  120  is illustrated, and includes a retractor  122 , at least one pretensioner  123 , a webbing  124 , a D-ring  125 , an anchor  126 , a buckle mechanism  128 , and a tongue mechanism  30 . Webbing  124  may be coupled at one end to the anchor  126  and at the other end to the retractor  122 , which contains a pretensioner  123  for winding the belt in the direction of retraction or tightening. D-ring  125  may be slideably coupled to the webbing  124  along the length of the webbing  124 . Tongue mechanism  30  may be slideably coupled to the webbing  124  along the length of the webbing  124  at a position between D-ring  125  and the anchor  126 . Tongue mechanism  30  may be disengageably coupled to the buckle mechanism  128 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , another exemplary embodiment of a safety belt system  220  is illustrated, and includes a retractor  222 , a webbing  224 , a D-ring  225 , an anchor  226  and a tongue mechanism  30 . Webbing  224  may be coupled at one end to the anchor  226  and at the other end to the retractor  222 . D-ring  225  may be slideably coupled to the webbing  224  along the length of the webbing  224 . Tongue mechanism  30  may be slideably coupled to the webbing  224  along the length of the webbing  224  at a position between D-ring  225  and the anchor  226 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary embodiment of a tongue mechanism  30  is illustrated, and includes a tongue plate  40 , a cinch plate  50 , a cover member  60 , a blocking member  70 , a second biasing member  80 , and a first biasing member  90 . A tongue plate  40  may be made from steel or other material strong enough to withstand the loads imparted onto it from the restraint of an occupant during a vehicle dynamic impact event. A cinch plate  50  may be made from steel, composite, or polymeric material. A cover member  60  may be made from steel, composite, or polymeric material. A blocking member  70  may be made from steel or other alloy, composite, or polymeric material. A second biasing member  80  and a first biasing member  90  may be made from spring steel or other useful material. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, tongue plate  40  may be substantially flat, and include a first end  41  and a second end  42 , which is narrow than the first end  41 . The first end  41  of tongue plate  40  includes a first aperture  43  for containing blocking member  70 , and a second aperture  44  for housing a portion of the cover member  60 , which the webbing  24  passes through. The second end  42  of tongue plate  40  includes a third aperture  45  for engaging a locking device, such as the buckle mechanism  28 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, cinch plate  50  may be configured substantially flat with a non-uniform thickness, which is typically less than the length or width, and includes two sides  51 , a base surface  53 , a plateau surface  58 , and a cam (or ramp) surface  54 , which extends away from the base surface  53  between the two sides  51 . The two sides  51  of the cinch plate  50  may include protrusions or walls  55 , which extend away from the base surface  53  on the same side as the cam surface  54 . The width between the walls  55  of the sides  51  may be configured to retain the width of the first end  41  of the tongue plate  40 , to keep the tongue plate  40  from sliding substantially in a side-to-side direction, yet allowing the tongue plate  40  to slide in the cinching direction. The width between the walls  55  of the sides  51  may also be configured to retain the cover member  60  The cinch plate  50  may further include attachment features for the second biasing member  80 . The cam surface  54  is configured to include a cam angle to drive the cinching load. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, cinch plate  50  may further include a cinch portion  56  and a loading (or bearing) portion  57 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Cinch portion  56  provides the contact surface to the webbing  24 , and during locking or cinching of tongue mechanism  30 , prohibits tongue mechanism  30  from sliding along the length of webbing  24  by engaging and locking the webbing  24  in place relative to the tongue mechanism  30 . When the load from an occupant imparts a predetermined load into the webbing  24 , such as during a vehicle dynamic impact event, the lap portion of webbing  24 , which engages and winds around loading portion  57  of the cinch plate  50 , displaces the cinch plate  50  through the loading portion  57  from the tension between the two ends of webbing  24  in the cinching direction. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, cover member  60  may be configured substantially flat with a non-uniform thickness, which is typically less than the length or width, and includes a body  61 , a sleeve  62 , a recess  63 , a slot  64 , and a cinching surface  65 . The body  61  may be substantially rectangular in shape with a width that may be retained between the walls  55  of the cinch plate  50 . The sleeve  62  may extend forward and downward from the body  61 , and be annular having a substantially elliptical shape with a narrow wall thickness, creating an opening in the center or slot  64 . The outside surface or a portion of the outside surface of the sleeve  62  may contact or sit proximate to the inside surface that forms the second aperture  44  of tongue plate  40 . The inside surface of the sleeve  62  forms the slot  64 , which webbing  24  passes through allowing the tongue mechanism  30  to slide along the length of webbing  24  when not cinched or unlocked. This configuration allows the cover member  60  to be made out of a light weight material that has a lower coefficient of friction, since the tongue plate  40  circumferentially encompasses at least a portion of the height of the sleeve  62  providing the sleeve  62  with strength during loading of the webbing  24 . The lower coefficient of friction of the cover member  60  reduces wear on the webbing  24 , which results from repetitive sliding between the sleeve  62  and the webbing  24 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the recess  63  of the cover member  60  may be located on the bottom surface, which faces toward the blocking member  70 , of the body  61 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Recess  63  may have a width that accommodates the length of the first biasing member  90 , a depth that accommodates the compression of the first biasing member  90  by the blocking member  70 , and a length that accommodates the length of the blocking member  70 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, blocking member  70  may be a hexahedron or cube shaped member, having six sides or surfaces. Blocking member  70  may be retained within the first aperture  43  of the tongue plate  40 , such that blocking member  70  is constrained from fore-aft and side-to-side movement (relative to tongue plate  40 ) by the walls of the tongue plate  40  that form the first aperture  43 , yet may move in the up-down direction. The bottom surface  74  of the blocking member  70  may contact or sit proximate to the base surface  53  of the cinch plate  50 , yet the blocking member  70  is not coupled to the cinch plate  50 . The top surface  73  of the blocking member  70  may be substantially parallel to the bottom surface  74 , and contacts the bottom surface of the first biasing member  90 , so that when the blocking member  70  moves in the upward direction (towards the first biasing member  90 ) it displaces the body of the first biasing member  90  increasing the resulting force on the blocking member  70 , which wants to drive the blocking member  70  away from the first biasing member  90 . The front surface  72  of blocking member  70  may be in contact with or sit proximate to the cam surface  54  of the cinch plate  50 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, blocking member  170  may be a heptahedron, as shown in  FIG. 6 . According to other embodiments, blocking members may have any number of sides or may have any useful shape, such as a cylinder, a rectangular block, or any other shape. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , blocking member  170  includes a top surface  173 , a front surface  172 , which may be substantially perpendicular to the top surface  173 , and a driven surface  171 , which may be configured at an angle of inclination with respect to the front surface  172 . This angle of inclination may vary depending on application. Driven surface  171  is configured to contact or sit proximate to the cam surface  54  of the cinch plate  50 . 
     Second biasing member  80  may be a coil or plate spring made from a thin wire or plate of spring steel, or other suitable spring type device for biasing the cinch plate  50  toward the tongue plate  40 . According to an exemplary embodiment, second biasing member is configured with a relative long body portion and two ends, which may be configured for coupling to the base surface  53  of the cinch plate  50 . For example the two ends may form hooks or loops which are retained over embossed posts from the cinch plate  50 . The body portion may be configured for coupling to a portion of the tongue plate  40 , so that when tongue mechanism  30  is in the unlocked or non-cinch position there is a relatively small amount of preload between the tongue plate  40  and the cinch plate  50  keeping them in the unlocked or non-cinched position. This relatively small preload prevents noise and other related issues by keeping the components from having small amounts of relative motion that can occur without a biasing member. 
     First biasing member  90  may be a coil or plate spring made from a thin wire or plate of spring steel, or other suitable spring type device for biasing the blocking member  70  toward the cinch plate  50 . According to an exemplary embodiment, first biasing member  90  is configured with a relative long body portion and two ends, which may be configured for coupling to the surface of the cover member  60  which forms the top surface of recess  63 . The body may be configured to be arc shaped such that the center point of the body (substantially the midpoint between the two ends) sits below (or away from) the ends and contacts the top surface  73  of the blocking member  70 . This arc shape creates clearance between the body of the first biasing member  90  and the surface of the cover member  60  that forms the top surface of recess  63 , so that the blocking member  70  may displace towards the first biasing member  90 , displacing the first biasing member  90  towards the cover member  60 , which increases the spring force of the first biasing member  90 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , tongue mechanism  30  is illustrated in the unlocked, non-cinched, or free-falling position. When the tension in webbing  24  is below the predetermined cinching load, which actuates the cinching of tongue mechanism  30 , the blocking member  70  is in its first position (shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ), whereby relative motion between the cinch plate  50  and the tongue plate  40  is prevented. When the blocking member  70  is in its first position, the tongue mechanism  30  is slideably coupled to webbing  24 , so that tongue mechanism  30  is free to move along the length of webbing  24 . The webbing  24  passes through the slot  64  of cover member  60  and between the cinching surface  65  of cover member  60  and the cinch portion  56  of the cinch plate  50 . When the tension in the webbing  24  is below the predetermined cinching load, which actuates the cinching of tongue mechanism  30 , the friction force between the contacting cam surface  54  of cinch plate  50  and the blocking member  70  is greater than the separation force, which is normal to the cam surface  54 . Until the tension in the webbing reaches the cinching load where the separation force overcomes the static friction force, the blocking member  70  remains in its first position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , which is the free-falling position for the tongue mechanism  30 . The cinching load is driven by the configuration of the cam angle of the cam surface  54  in conjunction with the coefficient of friction between the cam surface  54  and the blocking member  70 . 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, blocking member  170  includes a driven surface  171 , which may contact or sit proximate to the cam surface  54  of the cinch plate  50 , when the tongue mechanism  30  is in the free-falling or unlocked position. When the tongue mechanism  30  is in the free-falling position, the blocking member  170  is in its first position, as shown in  FIG. 11 . According to other embodiments, the blocking member and the cinch plate may be configured using any geometry, which allows motion in the cinching direction  32  of the cinch plate to drive the blocking member in a direction perpendicular to the cinching direction  32 . Different geometries may be used to vary the parameters, such as the predetermined cinching load, which also may be varied by modifying the coefficient of friction for specific applications. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , tongue mechanism  30  is illustrated in the locked or cinched position. When the load from an occupant imparts a predetermined load or tension into the webbing  24 , such as during a vehicle dynamic impact event, the lap portion of webbing  24  engages and winds around loading portion  57  of the cinch plate  50 , such that the loads through the lap portion and the shoulder portion of webbing  24  are in directions substantially away from the buckle mechanism  28 . These loads from the webbing  24  impart forces into the loading portion  57  of cinch plate  50  of tongue mechanism  30 . When the force imparted into the loading portion  57  reaches the cinching load the cinch plate  50  begins to displace in the cinching direction  32  relative to the other components (e.g., tongue plate  40 , cover member  60 , blocking member  70 ) of the tongue mechanism  30 , which remain relatively fixed to buckle mechanism  28 . 
     When the cinch plate  50  displaces in the cinching direction  32  relative to the tongue plate  40 , the cam surface  54  displaces the blocking member  70  in the direction perpendicular to both the cinching direction  32  and to the top surface of blocking member  70 , or in the upwards direction. The blocking member  70  moves in the upward direction because it is prohibited from fore-aft and side-to-side motion by the tongue plate  40 , which encompasses the blocking member  70  and does not move relative to the cinch plate  50  during locking or cinching. This upwards displacement of the blocking member  70  continues as the blocking member  70  rides up the cam surface  54 , and in turn compresses the body of the first biasing member  90 , creating more potential return energy. It should be noted that the first and second biasing members  90 ,  80  are illustrated in their non-displaced positions in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , instead of their displaced positions. Once the bottom surface  74  of the blocking member  70  raises clear of the cam surface  54  (i.e., the bottom surface  74  of the blocking member  70  clears the ramp surface and is flush or just above the plateau  58  of the cinch plate  50 ), as shown in  FIG. 10 , the cinch plate  50  may move relative to the tongue plate  40 . When the cinch plate  50  is permitted to move relative to the tongue plate  40 , the blocking member  70  is in its second position. 
     When the blocking member  70  is in its second position, the cinch plate  50  can move substantially free in the cinching direction  32  until the webbing  24  is cinched between the cinch portion  56  of the cinch plate  50  and the cinching surface  65  of the cover member  60 . When the webbing  24  is cinched or clamped between the cinch portion  56  and the cinching surface  65 , due to the cinching load, the tongue mechanism  30  applies a cinching force to prevent the webbing  24  from changing position relative to the tongue mechanism  30 . Once the webbing  24  is cinched or clamped, increased tension induced into webbing  24  subsequently increases the clamp force (i.e., force normal to the webbing) and the friction force (i.e., force in plane with the webbing) prohibiting relative movement between the webbing  24  and the tongue mechanism  30 . Therefore the tongue mechanism  30  is cinched to the webbing  24  until the tension in the webbing  24  drops below the cinching load. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, when cinch plate  50  moves in the cinching direction  32  it displaces the body of second biasing member  80  relative to its ends, which increases the spring force (resultant force into the tongue plate  40  and cinch plate  50 ). When the tension through the webbing  24  drops below the cinching load the (return) spring force of second biasing member  80  drives the cinch plate  50  in the direction opposite to the cinching direction  32 , unclamping or releasing the webbing  24 , so that the tongue mechanism  30  is free to move along the length of webbing  24 . The second biasing member  80  drives the cinch plate  50  until the cam surface  54  passes the blocking member  70 , then the (return) spring force of the first biasing member  90  drives the blocking member  70  downward until it reaches its first position, as shown in  FIG. 8 . When the blocking member  70  returns to its first position, relative movement between the cinch plate  50  and the tongue plate  40  is prevented. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a tongue mechanism may include one biasing member, which is configured to provide energy to return both the blocking member and the cinch plate to the neutral or unlocked position. According to another exemplary embodiment, a tongue mechanism may be configured to not have a spring, whereby the return of the cinch plate (and hence the blocking member) would be done manually. This configuration would lock under when the tension in the webbing reach the cinching load, and after the tension in the webbing was reduced below the cinching load the occupant could manually reset the tongue mechanism to be slideable along the length of the webbing, or be configured to free-fall. 
     It should be noted that lubrication, such as a grease, could be added between the cam surface  54  of the cinch plate  50  and the blocking member  70  to lower the coefficient of friction to improve function and reduce wear. The lubrication could also be used to vary the cinching load that induces the blocking member to displace free of the cinch plate for the tongue mechanism to lock or cinch the webbing. It should also be noted the cam angle of the cam surface  54  of the cinch plate  50  may be modified to vary the cinching load. By varying either or both of the coefficient of friction and the cam angle of the cam surface, the cinching load of a tongue mechanism may be tailored for specific applications. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the tongue mechanisms as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention