Abstract:
A seat belt stowage apparatus includes a seat with a backrest, a cavity, and a seat belt buckle. The cavity is located in the seat. The buckle is releasably attached to a seat belt tongue. The buckle is movable between a stowage position inside the cavity and an in-use position. When a force is applied to the seat belt buckle, a buckle strap allows the seat belt buckle to be rotated forward out of the seat. When the force is removed, a torsion spring reverts the seat belt buckle to the stowage position inside the cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/960,154, filed Sep. 18, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Currently, webbing or strap-mounted seat belt buckles that do not include an automatic stowage function are available in buses, such as school buses. However, the presence of a buckle that does not have a stowage function may have inherent disadvantages. 
         [0003]    Current construction and placement of seat belt buckles may cause the buckles to partially or fully recess into the seat bight line, recess into the seat cushion, or lay across the seat cushion. If the buckle must be accessed in a timely fashion, the location of the buckle may be obscured, and the buckle release button may become obscured or inaccessible. The buckle that is fixedly recessed in the seat cushion may also become obscured if a collision deforms the seat, making access to the buckle harder or even impossible. The buckle may also become “lost” by receding into the seat bight line. Similarly, the buckle may be obscured and may come into contact with another object, inadvertently becoming unlatched. The occupant may not be readily aware of a buckle unlatching because the buckle may be obscured from view of the occupant. 
         [0004]    Also, the buckle may be exposed to contamination and incidental damage (i.e. food, drink, wear and tear, etc.) which may reduce the efficiency of the buckle or even prevent the buckle from functioning properly. Additionally, buckles that do not automatically retract into the seatback may be an obstruction when a passenger attempts to move to or from the seat. Clothing or other material may become snagged to the buckle inadvertently. Furthermore, exposed buckles may cause discomfort when passengers sit on top of the buckles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a seat belt stowage apparatus is provided. The seat belt stowage apparatus comprises a seat with a seat backrest, a cavity located in the seat of the vehicle, and a seat belt buckle configured to attach to a seat belt tongue. The seat belt buckle is moveable between a stowage position inside the cavity and an in-use position. 
         [0006]    According to another exemplary embodiment, a seat belt buckle apparatus is provided. The seat belt buckle apparatus comprises a seat belt assembly that includes a seat belt tongue attached to a seat belt that is configured to attach to a seat of a vehicle, a cavity located in the seat of the vehicle, and a seat belt buckle configured to releasably latch to the seat belt tongue. The seat belt buckle includes a buckle release button configured to disconnect the buckle from the seat belt tongue. The buckle includes a buckle cover configured to cover at least a portion of the inner structure of the buckle. The seat belt buckle apparatus also comprises a torsion spring configured to bias the buckle, a buckle strap configured to couple the buckle cover to the torsion spring, and a bracket configured to couple the buckle strap to the seat of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a seat apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The seat apparatus comprises a seat including a seat backrest and a seat bottom, and at least one seat belt assembly configured to attach to the seat. The seat belt assembly includes a seat belt tongue attached to a seat belt. The seat apparatus also comprises at least one seat belt buckle configured to releasably latch to the seat belt tongue. Each seat belt buckle includes a buckle release button configured to disconnect the buckle from the seat belt tongue. Each seat belt buckle includes a buckle cover configured to cover at least a portion of the inner structure of the buckle. The seat apparatus further comprises at least one cavity located in the seat backrest, at least one torsion spring configured to bias the buckle, and at least one buckle strap configured to couple the buckle cover and the torsion spring. 
         [0008]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a bus with potential collision zone and occupant locations shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view of a seat with buckles recessed into a seat cushion, according to prior art. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of a seat with webbing-mounted seat belt buckles that lie on the seat cushion when not in use, according to prior art. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view of a seat (shown without foam or trim) with a self-retracting seat belt buckle, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of a seat with the seat belt buckle in a stowed position, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6(   a ) is a view of a spring-loaded seat belt buckle, including the mounting bracket, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6(   b ) is a view of two spring-loaded seat belt buckles, including the symmetrical mounting bracket, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a detail view of a torsion spring of the spring-loaded seat belt buckle, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a view of spring-loaded seat belt buckles mounted using symmetrical brackets, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of spring-loaded seat belt buckles retracted into their respective cavities in a finished, assembled seat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a view of a spring-loaded seat belt buckle, including a locking clip, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a view of the locking clip and torsion spring of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a bus  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In this particular illustration, the bus  10  may be a “Type C” bus. According to other exemplary embodiments, the bus  10  may be any other kind of school, commercial, or motor-coach bus, or other motor vehicle. Potential collision zones are illustrated by a plurality of zones  11 . A collision may impact all or parts of the zones  11  or could impact another part of the bus depending on the type of collision and the colliding object. In the event of a collision, the use of a seat belt may help reduce injuries to the occupants  12  of the vehicle. The occupants  12  may use a seat belt as a safety feature to limit the danger the occupants  12  may be put into during a collision event. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a view of a current-production bus seat  15  with seat belts  16  is shown. Three seat belts  16  (including the seat belt tongues (tabs)  19 ) are shown and seat belt buckles  17  are shown as recessed buckles. A seat belt buckle  17  is available for each seat belt  16 . The seat belt buckles  17  are shown embedded into the seat  15 . The location of the buckle  17  may not be readily obvious to all passengers. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a view of a current-production bus seat  15  with seat belts  16  is shown. Three seat belts  16  (including the seat belt tongues  19 ) are shown and the seat belt buckles  17  are shown as webbing-mounted buckles. The seat belts  16  are shown as being fastened to the corresponding seat belt buckle  17 . The seat belt buckle  17  as shown is near the seat bight line  18 . The seat belt buckle  17  may recede into the seat bight line  18 . The seat bight line is the intersection between the front surface of the seat back and top surface of the seat cushion. Potential seating locations may be difficult to define given the location of the three seat belts  16  as shown and the potential for the seat belt buckles  17  to be “shifted” into another location. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a view of a bus seat  40  is shown without foam or trim assembled, according to an exemplary embodiment. Five seat belt buckles  42  are shown as being positioned upwards in a stowed position within a cavity  46  (sometimes referred to as a crevice, pocket, or notch) in the seat  40 , which is different from the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The seat belt buckles  42  may rotate into place for occupant use. In  FIG. 4 , five seat belt buckles  42  are displayed along with three seat belt assemblies  44  (including the seat belt tongues  43 ). According to an exemplary embodiment, there may be more seat belt buckles  42  than seat belt assemblies  44  to allow for versatility in the seating arrangement of occupants. 
         [0026]    The seat belt buckles  42  may rotate to various angles. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, the buckles  42  may rotate from approximately −25 degrees from the vertical (perpendicular to the ground) when stowed to approximately 80 degrees forward of vertical when in use. The angle at which the buckle  42  is stowed may correspond with the angle of the backrest of the seat  40 , as the buckle  42  may line up with or be parallel to the backrest. The angle at which the buckle  42  is stowed may also be more slanted than or less slanted than the slant of the backrest so that the buckle is not parallel to the backrest. The angle of the buckle  42  during use may vary based on the size of the occupant utilizing the buckle  42 . If a collision occurs that comprises or deforms the back of the seat  40 , the seat belt buckle  42  in use will be at an angle such that the buckle  42  is not obscured after the collision. The occupant can then easily find the buckle  42  and detach the seat belt  44  from the buckle  42 . 
         [0027]    As mentioned above, the buckle  42  may be designed to latch into place with a seat belt tongue  43  when used by an occupant. Latching could be used to secure an occupant into the seat, but this latching feature is not required for the buckle to function. 
         [0028]    According to another exemplary embodiment, the buckle  42  may be rotated at any time by the occupant; but may be designed to stay in place when a force is not exerted on the buckle  42  by the occupant. Since the buckle  42  may be designed to stay in place without the occupant holding onto the buckle  42 , the buckle  42  may be easier to locate in situations (e.g., an emergency) when the buckle  42  must be located by the occupant to release the seat belt  44 . Also, accidental pressing of the buckle release button  60  may be prevented as a result of the buckle  42  being positioned above and/or away from the seat surface. For example, if the buckle  42  were to recede into the seat bight line, the cramped space between the deformed seat backrest and the seat cushion may inadvertently apply pressure on the buckle release button  60  and may cause the buckle release button  60  to depress and unlatch the seat belt tongue  43 . According to another exemplary embodiment, the stowage of the buckle  42  into the cavity  46  may also make the buckle  42  easier to locate and make the accidental pressing of the buckle release button  60  unlikely to occur. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a view of a seat  41  with five seat belt buckles  42  in the stowage position and three seat belt assemblies  44  (including the seat belt tongues  43 ) are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The buckles  42  may be stowed in a cavity  46  in the seat  41 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The seat  41  may be designed specially to allow stowage of a buckle  42 . The cavity  46 , in which the buckle  42  may be stowed, may be designed to allow easy access to the buckle  42 . According to an exemplary embodiment, an occupant of the vehicle may be able to easily reach into the cavity  46  and rotate the buckle  42  without difficulty, even, for example, while wearing gloves. 
         [0030]    The existence of the cavity  46  for the buckle  42  may lead to other advantages according to exemplary embodiments. For example, contamination and damage protection is provided to the buckle  42  by the cavity  46 . When the buckle  42  is not in use, the buckle  42  may be stowed away such that no object may come into contact with the top of the buckle  42 . Liquids or small objects may be prevented from falling inside the buckle  42 , which may preserve the functionality of the buckle  42 . 
         [0031]    As another example, the existence of a cavity  46  for the buckle  42  may help ingress and egress efficiency. For example, if an emergency required the egress of a bus, the buckles  42  may automatically move to the stowage position by action of the torsion spring  70  and therefore out of the way of all occupants. Similarly, a stowed buckle  42  may improve access into and out of the seat  41 . 
         [0032]    In yet another example, the existence of a cavity  46  for the buckle  42  may improve comfort and usability of the buckle  42 . When the buckle  42  is not in use, a torsion spring  70  (see  FIGS. 6(   a ),  6 ( b ), and  7 ) may rotate the buckle  42  into the cavity  46  of the seat  41 . Comfort of the occupants of the seat may improve with the buckles  42  receded into the cavity  46  of the seat  41 . Also, with the buckle  42  in the cavity  46  of the seat  41 , the potential to “lose” the buckle  42  into the seat bight line is eliminated. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6(   a ), a view of a seat belt buckle  42  is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The buckle release button  60  is used to disconnect the buckle  42  from the seat belt tongue  43  that is inserted in the buckle  42  to secure the seat belt assembly  44  in place (see  FIG. 5) . The cover  61  for the buckle  42  may protect the inner structure (e.g. latching mechanisms) of the buckle  42  from contamination and/or interference, although materials may still contaminate and/or interfere with the opening near release button  60 . The structure, assembly, and properties of the upper part of the buckle  42  as shown in  FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ) and its various embodiments should be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0034]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a buckle strap  62  may be coupled to the cover  61  and/or the inner structure of the buckle  42 . The buckle strap  62  may be made of metal or any other sturdy material that is compliant to applicable safety standards. The buckle strap  62  is secured to a bracket  63  using, in the preferred embodiment, a screw and/or nut  64 , allowing the buckle strap  62  to be rotated. According to other exemplary embodiments, the buckle strap  62  may be secured to the bracket  63  in various ways that allow the buckle strap  62  to be rotated (e.g., a riveted/formed pin inserted into a hole in the buckle strap  62  and the bracket  63 ). 
         [0035]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the buckle strap  62  may also be coupled to a torsion spring  70 , which may control the positioning of the buckle strap. The torsion spring  70  may be used to retract the buckle  42  when the buckle  42  is not in use. For example, when a buckle  42  is disconnected from its associated seat belt tongue, the torsion spring  70  may automatically retract the buckle  42  into a cavity  46  (see  FIG. 5 ) in the seat without any occupant interaction. The automatic retraction may allow for further convenience, allowing the occupant not to worry about placing the buckle  42  into a stowage position, especially during an emergency when timely egress of the bus is required. 
         [0036]    The bracket  63  may be coupled to a sturdy object within the seat or the seat frame, according to an exemplary embodiment. The bracket  63  may be coupled to another metal object within the seat by welding. Alternatively, coupling can be achieved by bolting, riveting, or peening the bracket  63  to a sturdy object in the seat structure or the seat frame, or may be coupled by another method. The bracket  63  may be of a different shape and/or material than the buckle strap  62  (see  FIG. 8 ). The screw and/or nut  64  may be used to hold the buckle  42  in place and also to couple a torsion spring  70  to the buckle  42  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0037]    The buckle  42  is shown in an upright or stowed position, approximately parallel to the vertical. The dotted line  68  illustrates a general path with which the buckle  42  may line up in a stowed position. The dotted line  69  represents a general area that the buckle  42  may be in during use. The arrow illustrates the general path the buckle  42  may take to transition from a stowed position to a deployed (“in-use”) position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the angle that the two dotted lines form, which represents the maximum angle at which the buckle  42  may be deployed to, is 80 degrees. According to other exemplary embodiments, the angle may be more or less than 80 degrees and may be controlled by the occupant using the buckle  42 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 6(   b ), a view of two seat belt buckles  42  are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The buckle straps  62  may be secured to a symmetrical bracket  80  using a bolt  64 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a view of the torsion spring  70  is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The torsion spring  70  may be coupled to the bracket  63  (shown in  FIG. 6(   a )) using nuts, bolts, screws, pins, and/or other coupling mechanism. The torsion spring  70  is also coupled to the buckle strap  62  and uses the buckle strap  62  to influence the position of the buckle  42  at any given time by retracting the buckle  42  into the cavity  46  in the seat  41  (see  FIG. 5) . This retraction process may be performed automatically when a buckle  42  is disconnected from its associated seat belt tongue  43  (see  FIG. 5 ). According to other exemplary embodiments, another mechanism, such as an elastomeric bushing, may be used to perform the actions of the torsion spring  70 . According to yet other exemplary embodiments, the buckle  42  may be designed to lock into position whenever in use and may not use a torsion spring  70  to retreat into the stowage position when the buckle  42  is disconnected from its associated seat belt tongue  43 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , five seat belt buckles  42  are shown mounted to symmetrical brackets  80 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The use of symmetrical brackets  80  may be optional. The use of the brackets as shown in  FIG. 6(   a ) may be sufficient for securing the seat belt buckles  42  for use. Alternatively, brackets may not be necessary to fasten the seat belt buckles  42  for use and, instead, the buckles  42  may be secured in another fashion to the seat, such as by bolting directly to a hole in the seat structure or frame. 
         [0041]    The symmetrical brackets  80  may be of different shapes, according to various exemplary embodiments. As illustrated, the symmetrical brackets  80  may be “U-shaped” such that the symmetrical brackets  80  may fit naturally around a structural beam  81  (such as a rear cross member of a seat frame) such that two buckles  42  may be affixed to each symmetrical bracket  80 . The symmetrical brackets  80  may be fastened to a structural beam  81  or another sturdy object within the seat or the seat frame. The symmetrical brackets  80  may be fastened in various ways (e.g., bolting, welding, etc.). 
         [0042]    The symmetrical brackets  80  may provide the same functionality as a “normal” bracket  63  (shown in  FIG. 6(   a )), but may offer advantages in the construction of the bus seat. Traditionally, a “left handed” buckle (e.g., a buckle designed to be accessed on the left side of an occupant&#39;s body) and a “right handed” buckle (e.g., a buckle designed to be accessed on the right side of an occupant&#39;s body) are both used in a vehicle. One advantage of using the symmetrical brackets  80  is the ability to place “right handed” and “left handed” buckles on the same symmetrical bracket  80  instead of using installing separate “normal” brackets  63  for each “left handed” or “right handed” buckle. This feature may reduce production costs and provide design flexibility. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  also illustrates child seat anchorage brackets  92  and a seat belt retractor  93 , which are shown for exemplary purposes only. A portion of the seat frame  47  is also shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , five seat belt buckles  42  are shown stowed inside cavities  46 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         [0045]    To prevent the buckle  42  from receding into the cavity  46 , the buckle  42  may be locked into place and may only be “unlocked” and receded into the cavity  46  of the seat when the buckle  42  is not fastened to the corresponding seat belt  44 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a buckle  42  with a locking mechanism according to yet another embodiment. The locking mechanism includes a locking clip  110  coupled to the buckle  42  via a buckle strap  62 . The buckle  42  also includes a torsion spring  70 . The buckle  42  is coupled to a buckle mounting bracket  63  via a buckle attachment, such as a bolt  64  and a weld nut  65 . 
         [0047]    The locking clip  110  can be formed of spring steel, a stiff, flexibly polymer (such as nylon), or any other suitable material. The locking clip  110  is configured to counteract the retraction force of the torsion spring  70 . The torsion spring  70  is biased to rotate the buckle  42  into a near vertical “stowage” position. 
         [0048]    The locking clip  110  is configured to deflect out of the way when an occupant pulls the buckle  42  out of the corresponding cavity  46  and into the “in-use” or “wear” position. When the buckle strap  62  fully passes the deflected locking clip  110 , the locking clip  110  will snap back into its original position. The buckle strap  62  will have sufficient stiffness to hold (lock) the buckle  42  in its “in-use” (wear position) until a nominal force is applied to the buckle  42  by the occupant, thereby deflecting the locking clip  110  out of the way so that the buckle  42  can fully return to the “stowage position.” The buckle  42  will then be held (locked) in the stowage position until an occupant pulls on the buckle  42  and deflects the locking clip  110 . 
         [0049]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the spring-loaded buckle 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 disclosure 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. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application. 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 be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments.