Abstract:
A seat buckle apparatus for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a seat back, a seat base, and a base portion, the seat buckle apparatus comprising a bracket member having a first end and a second end, the bracket member for coupling to the vehicle seat; a first belt buckle portion for being movably supported to the vehicle seat and having an upper end, a lower end, and an engagement member for engaging the bracket member; and wherein the bracket member will prevent the upper end of the belt buckle from contacting the seat back when the seat back is folded down on the seat base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. National Stage filing of International Application No, PCT/US2009/061482, filed Oct. 21, 2009, titled “VEHICLE SEAT BUCKLE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/107,517, filed Oct. 22, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicle seating. More specifically, this disclosure relates to vehicle seat having an improved seat belt buckle system. 
     Current vehicle seat buckles create marks, such as wrinkles, on seat trim covers when the vehicle seat is placed in a stow flat position, particularly where the seat back is folded on top of the seat cushion. These marks or wrinkles are exacerbated when the vehicle seat remains in the stow flat position for extended durations and overtime may lead to premature wear and tear (i.e., damage) of the trim cover. 
     There remains a continuing need to provide an improved seat belt buckle design that does not create marks, such as wrinkles, on seat trim covers when the vehicle seat is placed in the stow flat position. 
     SUMMARY 
     A seat buckle apparatus for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a seat back, a seat base, and a base portion, the seat buckle apparatus comprising a bracket member having a first end and a second end, the bracket member for coupling to the vehicle seat; a first belt buckle portion for being movably supported to the vehicle seat and having an upper end, a lower end, and an engagement member for engaging the bracket member; and wherein the bracket member will prevent the upper end of the belt buckle from contacting the seat back when the seat back is folded down on the seat base. 
     A vehicle seat assembly, comprising a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat base; a seat buckle apparatus comprising a bracket member having a first end and a second end, the bracket member for coupling to the vehicle seat; a first belt buckle portion for being movably supported to the vehicle seat and having an upper end, a lower end, and an engagement member for engaging the bracket member; and wherein the bracket member will prevent the upper end of the belt buckle from contacting the seat back when the seat back is folded down on the seat base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a seating assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a vehicle seat having a belt buckle in the design position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a vehicle seat having a belt buckle in the stow flat position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of vehicle seat having a current belt buckle mechanism in a partially stowed position according to a prior art example. 
         FIG. 6A  is a partial side view of a vehicle seat having a current belt buckle mechanism in the stow flat position according to a prior art example. 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged front view of a vehicle seat having a current belt buckle mechanism and a seat back having a wrinkle/mark according to a prior art example. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side view of a vehicle seat having a current belt buckle mechanism in the design position according to a prior art example. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial side view of a vehicle seat having a belt buckle mechanism in a design position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of a belt buckle cover and a link bracket according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a link bracket according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a belt buckle according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial side view of a belt buckle and a link bracket according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial, cross-sectional view the belt buckle of  FIG. 12  along the A-A line according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14A  is a partial side view of a vehicle seat having a belt buckle in a first partially folded position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14B  is a partial side view of a vehicle seat having a belt buckle in a second partially folded position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14C  is a partial side view of a vehicle seat having a belt buckle in a third partially folded (i.e., the stow) position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a plurality of views of a belt buckle cover according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a plurality of views of a link bracket according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 17A-17D  are a plurality of views of a seat and seat belt buckle mechanism having a cable system and graph according to an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 18A-18D  are a plurality of views of a seat belt buckle mechanism having a tab system and a graph according to an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are a plurality of views of a seat belt buckle mechanism having a link (or pin) system according to an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are a plurality of views of a seat belt buckle mechanism having an elastic strap system according to an alternate exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to the FIGURES and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  10  is shown according an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle  10  includes one or more vehicle seats  12  provided for an occupant of the vehicle  10 . One exemplary embodiment of a vehicle seat structure  12  is shown in  FIG. 2 . While the vehicle  10  shown is a mini-van, it should be understood that the seat may be used in a  4  door sedan, sport utility vehicle or any other means in or by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed for any market or application including everything from office seating and transportation to planes and space travel and everything in between. The vehicle seat  12  shown includes a seat back  14 , a seat base  16 , and a connection member or recliner  18  coupled to the seat back  14  and the seat base  16 . The vehicle seat  12  further may include a head restraint  20  and base portion  22 . The head restraint  20  extends upward from the seat back  14  and is configured to restrain the head of an occupant during an impact. The base portion  22  (e.g. brackets, track assembly, etc.) couples the seat  12  to the vehicle  10  body and may be configured to allow the seat  12  to be selectively positioned (manually or motor driven) relative to the vehicle  10  body. The vehicle seat assembly may also include a seat belt buckle mechanism  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a vehicle seat assembly  12  is shown wherein the vehicle seat  12  includes a seat back  14 , a seat base or cushion  16 , a base portion (or bracket)  22 , a link bracket  26 , and a belt buckle mechanism  24  according to an exemplary embodiment. The base portion (or bracket)  22  of the vehicle seat  12  may alternatively include a four-bar link mechanism  28  (not shown) that enables selective positioning of the vehicle seat  12  between the design and stow flat positions. In the design (or use) position, the seat base  16  is elevated above and aligned substantially parallel to the vehicle  10  floor (preferably at a predetermined angle for comfort of the passenger) and the seat back  14  is in a reclined position relative to the vertical direction, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the stow (or stow flat or clam shell) position, the seat back  14  is folded forward and downward towards the seat base  16  such that the seat back  14  is positioned substantially flat against the seat base  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The link bracket  26  is generally “L” shaped and has a first end  30  and a second end  32 . The first end of the link bracket  30  is preferably pivotally coupled to the seat back  14  and the second end  32  is coupled to the seat base  16  (cushion). The vehicle seat  12  preferably includes a link bracket  26  on the inboard and outboard sides of the vehicle seat  12 . A belt buckle  24  is coupled to the base portion  22  and is positioned between the link bracket  26  and the seat base  16  (cushion) and is designed to pivot between a first position associated with the design position of the vehicle seat  12  and a second position associated with the stow position of the vehicle seat  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , a seat  12  having a belt buckle  25  is shown in the partially stowed, stowed and design positions according to prior art examples. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when moving a known vehicle seat  12 , the vehicle seat  12  including a belt buckle  25 , from the design position to the stow position, the seat back  14  comes into contact with the belt buckle  25 . As the known vehicle seat  12  progresses toward the stow position, the upper portion (or end) of the belt buckle  34  contacts and is forced into the seat back  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . A biasing force (e.g., spring force, etc.) acts on the belt buckle  24  to urge the belt buckle  24  toward the first position which forces the upper portion of the belt buckle  34  to be pushed into the front surface of the seat back  36 . As the vehicle seat  12  remains in the stow position with the belt buckle  25  forced into the seat back  14  for an extended period of time, such as when cargo is located in the vehicle  10  or even during shipment of the vehicle seat  12 , the upper end of the belt buckle  34  can affect the appearance of the surface of the trim cover  38  of the seat back  14  and may even create a visible mark  40  (e.g., wrinkle, crease, etc.) on the trim cover  38 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a portion of a vehicle seat  12  according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, the vehicle seat  12  including a link bracket  26  having a modified profile and a seat belt buckle  25  including belt buckle tab member  42 . The link bracket  26  has a substantially squared or angular elbow portion  44  in the form of a contoured lower surface  46  as opposed to the generally uniformly arcuate or curved elbow portion of the known link bracket  26  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The seat belt mechanism  24  of the exemplary embodiment includes a belt buckle  25  having a belt buckle tab member  42  (extension or tab) and a belt buckle cover  48 . The belt buckle tab member  42  is generally an extension member (or protrusion) that extends laterally outward from the side of the belt buckle  25  and/or the belt buckle cover  48 . The belt buckle tab  42  interacts with (contacts or engages) the link bracket  26  to prevent the upper end of the belt buckle  34  from contacting the seat back  14  when the vehicle seat  12  is positioned into the stow position. 
     Referring generally now to  FIGS. 9-13 , the components of the seat belt mechanism  24  according to an exemplary embodiment are shown. In particular,  FIG. 9  shows the link bracket  26  having a generally squared or angular elbow portion  44  having a contoured profile  46  and the belt cover  48  having a belt buckle tab member  42 . The belt buckle tab  42  is positioned against the underside surface of the link bracket  50  and is thereby prevented from being displaced upwardly, despite be biased upward, when the vehicle seat  12  is in the design position. When the vehicle seat  12  is in the stow flat position, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the contoured profile of the underside of the link bracket  46  limits and guides the belt buckle  25  via the contact by the belt buckle tab  42 , and the biasing force of the spring  52  located in the other end of the belt buckle  54 . Thus the belt buckle  25  is constrained from rotating upward by the action of the spring  52  on the pivot point  56  thereby the upper portion of the belt buckle  34  is prevented from contacting and/or pushing into the seat back trim cover  38 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the link bracket  26  is comprised of a first and second link bracket member  58 ,  60  that are generally “L” (hockey stick) shaped and each has a generally squared or angular elbow portion  44  having a portion of the contoured surface  46 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the seat belt buckle mechanism  24  includes a belt buckle  25  having an upper portion  34  that interlockably receives the connector end of the seat belt  62  (not shown), a biasing force mechanism  52  (e.g., spring, etc.) ( 35 N at the contact point with link bracket) that forces the belt buckle  25  to rotate toward a first position associated with the design position of the vehicle seat  12  wherein the belt buck  25  is upward and (rotates in a clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 11 ) on the pivot axis  56  (or pivot point which is defined by a bolt or rod or other similar structure) toward the seat back  14 , and the belt cover  48  having a belt buckle tab  42 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14A-14C , there is shown a progression of views of the vehicle seat  12  in different positions between the design position and the stow position. The link bracket  26  and seat belt buckle cover  48  are according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 8-13  and the link bracket  26  limits the position of the belt buckle  25  down to avoid contact between the upper end of the belt buckle  34  and the seat back trim cover  38  and to maintain a gap  64  between the belt buckle  25  and seat hack  14  at all times, as shown in  FIG. 14C . This prevents the creation of marks  40 , such as wrinkles, and premature wear and tear (i.e., damage) of the trim cover  38  by the belt buckle  25  when the vehicle seat  12  is in the stow position particularly for an extended duration. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , various views disclosing the details of the belt buckle cover  48  and link bracket  26  are shown. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17-20 , alternate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed innovation are shown.  FIG. 17A-17C  show a plurality of views Showing the seat belt buckle mechanism  24  of an alternate exemplary embodiment having a cable system  66  for limiting upward movement of the seat belt buckle  25 . This creates a gap or clearance  64  between the belt buckle  25  and the seat back  14  having a predetermined length (e.g.,  15  mm of clearance, etc.). The cable system  66  includes a spring compensator  68  and is mounted directly on the back of the recliner cover  70 , as shown in  FIG. 17C . The cable  72  is coupled at one end to the recliner cover  70  (spring compensator  68 ) and coupled at its second end to the belt buckle  25  via an attachment member  74 . The cable system  66  retracts the belt buckle  25  between the design position ( FIG. 17A ) and the stow position ( FIG. 17B ).  FIG. 17D  is a graph depicting seat back  14  rotation versus cable  72  pull versus belt buckle  25  rotation in terms of rotation angle and cable pull distance. 
       FIGS. 18A-18D  shows a plurality of views showing the seat belt buckle mechanism  24  of an alternate exemplary embodiment having a tab member  42  for limiting upward movement of the seat belt buckle  25  similar to  FIGS. 8-13 . The link bracket  26  limits the upward movement of belt buckle  25  due to contact of the tab member  42  with the link bracket  26  as the vehicle seat  12  is moved from the design position ( FIG. 18A ) to the stow position ( FIG. 18B ). This creates a gap or clearance  64  between the belt buckle  25  and the seat back  14  having a predetermined length (e.g., 10 mm of clearance, etc.).  FIG. 18D  is a graph depicting the load versus stress on the belt buckle  25 . 
       FIGS. 19A-19B  show a plurality of views showing the seat belt buckle mechanism  24  of an alternate exemplary embodiment having a pin system  76 . The pin  78  is riveted to the link bracket  26  and limits the upward movement of belt buckle  25  due to contact of the pin  78  with link bracket  26  as the seat back  14  rotates from the design position ( FIG. 19A ) to the stow (clamshell) position ( FIG. 19B ). This creates a gap or clearance  64  between the belt buckle  25  and the seat back  14  having a predetermined length (e.g., 10 mm of clearance, etc.). 
       FIGS. 20A-20B  show a plurality of views showing the seat belt buckle system  24  of an alternate exemplary embodiment having an elastic strap system  80 . The elastic strap  80  system includes an elastic strap  82  that is coupled (e.g., sewn, etc.) at one end to the seat cushion  16  and coupled (e.g., wrapped around, etc.) at its send end to the belt buckle  25 . The elastic strap  82  connects the belt buckle  25  to the seat base  16  (i.e., cushion) and limits the upward movement of belt buckle  25  due to the strap  82  restraining the belt buckle  25  down as the seat back  14  rotates from the design position ( FIG. 20A ) to the stow flat (clamshell) position ( FIG. 20B ). This creates a gap or clearance  64  between the belt buckle  25  and the seat back  14  having a predetermined length (e.g., 10 mm of clearance, etc.). 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components or the two components and an additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the vehicle seat as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations 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 recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.