Patent Publication Number: US-11653721-B2

Title: Seat belt apparatus and buckle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Patent Application Number PCT/US2019/051725, filed Sep. 18, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference. International Patent Application Number PCT/US2019/051725, filed Sep. 18, 2019, claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/732,707, filed Sep. 18, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Harness systems are commonly used in child car seats and other vehicular restraint systems. Various harness configurations, such as with 3-point or 5-point harnesses, can be used to restrain occupants inside the vehicle. Buckles are typically used to join together the various webs forming the harness so as to secure the occupant in the seat. The buckle needs remain locked and withstand significant forces that occur during an accident, and at the same time, the buckle needs to be able to be repeatedly unlocked to facilitate removal of the occupant from the harness. At times, it can also be difficult to determine whether the restraint systems are properly buckled. 
     Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field. 
     SUMMARY 
     A buckle system, such as for use in vehicular restraint systems like child car seats, has been developed to address a number of issues. The buckle system includes a unique buckle design that not only improves safety and ease of use but that also simplifies manufacturing and can reduce cost by reducing the number of components required. The buckle has a buckle mechanism with a unique lock pawl and latch pin. The latch pin is designed to travel only in a longitudinal or horizontal direction relative to the buckle mechanism. When a latch plate assembly is secured, the latch pin holds the lock pawl in a latched position and prevents accidental release of the latch plate assembly. A release button is coupled to the latch plate retention bar so that all of the effective actuation and other motions are in the longitudinal direction of the buckle mechanism. The buckle mechanism has an ejector mechanism with an ejection spring for ejecting the latch plate assembly. Earlier designs purely relied on the ejection spring to eject the latch plate assembly. However, the force applied by the ejection spring can deteriorate over time, such as by debris like food crumbs being trapped between the coils of the ejection spring. The lock pawl is configured to mechanically actuate the ejector mechanism so as to eject the latch plate assembly when the release button is actuated. The buckle can further include an indicator and/or a sensor for determining whether the latch plate assembly is properly buckled to the buckle. 
     Aspect 1 generally concerns a system that includes a buckle with a longitudinally slidable pin configured to lock a lock pawl. 
     Aspect 2 generally concerns the system of aspect 1 in which the buckle includes a buckle mechanism configured to releasably secure one or more latch plates. 
     Aspect 3 generally concerns the system of aspect 2 in which the buckle mechanism includes a latch mechanism, a release mechanism, and an ejector mechanism. 
     Aspect 4 generally concerns the system of aspect 3 in which the latch mechanism includes the pin and the lock pawl configured to engage the latch plates. 
     Aspect 5 generally concerns the system of aspect 4 in which the buckle mechanism includes a frame with one or more pivot notches pivotally engaged to the lock pawl. 
     Aspect 6 generally concerns the system of aspect 5 in which the frame has one or more pin guide slots extending in a longitudinal direction in which the pin is slidably received. 
     Aspect 7 generally concerns the system of aspect 4 in which the release mechanism includes one or more release springs seated to one or more spring seat fingers on the lock pawl. 
     Aspect 8 generally concerns the system of aspect 7 in which the release mechanism includes a release button. 
     Aspect 9 generally concerns the system of aspect 8 in which the release springs are disposed between the release button and the spring seat fingers. 
     Aspect 10 generally concerns the system of aspect 9 in which the release button includes a spring retainer in which the release springs are seated. 
     Aspect 11 generally concerns the system of aspect 10 in which the spring retainer has one or more latch pin engagement channels in which the pin is received. 
     Aspect 12 generally concerns the system of aspect 11 in which the release button includes a cap body with clip arms secured to the latch pin engagement channels to retain the pin. 
     Aspect 13 generally concerns the system of aspect 12 in which the clip arms each have a latch pin contact surface configured to move the latch pin. 
     Aspect 14 generally concerns the system of aspect 8 in which the lock pawl has one or more cam arms engageable by the pin to secure the lock pawl in a latched position. 
     Aspect 15 generally concerns the system of aspect 14 in which the release button is secured to the pin to actuate the pin to a position where the lock pawl is released. 
     Aspect 16 generally concerns the system of aspect 4 in which the lock pawl has one or more ejector fingers that are engageable with the ejector mechanism. 
     Aspect 17 generally concerns the system of aspect 4 in which the lock pawl has a nose tab to contact a tab guide on the ejector mechanism to inhibit latching after latch plate ejection. 
     Aspect 18 generally concerns the system of aspect 4 in which the ejector mechanism includes an ejector swivel configured to swivel to stop latching when a single latch plate is inserted. 
     Aspect 19 generally concerns the system of aspect 18 in which the ejector swivel is configured to redirect the single plate to stop latching of the pawl with the single plate. 
     Aspect 20 generally concerns the system of aspect 3 in which the ejector mechanism includes a slider slidably received in a guide slot in a frame. 
     Aspect 21 generally concerns the system of aspect 20 in which the slider has one or more retention tabs oriented to be received in corresponding notches in the guide slot. 
     Aspect 22 generally concerns the system of aspect 20 in which the ejector mechanism includes an ejector spring disposed between the slider and a spring seat flange of the frame. 
     Aspect 23 generally concerns the system of aspect 1 in which the buckle has a release button with an indicator that indicates when the buckle is properly secured. 
     Aspect 24 generally concerns the system of aspect 1 in which the buckle includes a sensor for sensing a state of the buckle. 
     Aspect 25 generally concerns the system of aspect 1 in which the buckle secures at least two latch plates. 
     Aspect 26 generally concerns the system of aspect 25 in which the latch plates include a latch plate alignment system configured to align the latch plates. 
     Aspect 27 generally concerns the system of aspect 26 in which the latch plate alignment system includes one or more magnets on the latch plates. 
     Aspect 28 generally concerns the system of aspect 26 in which the latch plate alignment system includes one or more alignment protrusions and one or more alignment cavities on the latch plates. 
     Aspect 29 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the buckle includes a buckle mechanism configured to releasably secure one or more latch plates. 
     Aspect 30 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the buckle mechanism includes a latch mechanism, a release mechanism, and an ejector mechanism. 
     Aspect 31 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the latch mechanism includes the pin and the lock pawl configured to engage the latch plates. 
     Aspect 32 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the buckle mechanism includes a frame with one or more pivot notches pivotally engaged to the lock pawl. 
     Aspect 33 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the frame has one or more pin guide slots extending in a longitudinal direction in which the pin is slidably received. 
     Aspect 34 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the release mechanism includes one or more release springs seated to one or more spring seat fingers on the lock pawl. 
     Aspect 35 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the release mechanism includes a release button. 
     Aspect 36 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the release springs are disposed between the release button and the spring seat fingers. 
     Aspect 37 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the release button includes a spring retainer in which the release springs are seated. 
     Aspect 38 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring retainer has one or more latch pin engagement channels in which the pin is received. 
     Aspect 39 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the release button includes a cap body with clip arms secured to the latch pin engagement channels to retain the pin. 
     Aspect 40 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the clip arms each have a latch pin contact surface configured to move the latch pin. 
     Aspect 41 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lock pawl has one or more cam arms engageable by the pin to secure the lock pawl in a latched position. 
     Aspect 42 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the release button is secured to the pin to actuate the pin to a position where the lock pawl is released. 
     Aspect 43 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lock pawl has one or more ejector fingers that are engageable with the ejector mechanism. 
     Aspect 44 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lock pawl has a nose tab to contact a tab guide on the ejector mechanism to inhibit latching after latch plate ejection. 
     Aspect 45 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the ejector mechanism includes an ejector swivel configured to swivel to stop latching when a single latch plate is inserted. 
     Aspect 46 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the ejector swivel is configured to redirect the single plate to stop latching of the pawl with the single plate. 
     Aspect 47 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the ejector mechanism includes a slider slidably received in a guide slot in a frame. 
     Aspect 48 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the slider has one or more retention tabs oriented to be received in corresponding notches in the guide slot. 
     Aspect 49 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the ejector mechanism includes an ejector spring disposed between the slider and a spring seat flange of the frame. 
     Aspect 50 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the buckle has a release button with an indicator that indicates when the buckle is properly secured. 
     Aspect 51 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the buckle includes a sensor for sensing a state of the buckle. 
     Aspect 52 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the buckle secures at least two latch plates. 
     Aspect 53 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the latch plates include a latch plate alignment system configured to align the latch plates. 
     Aspect 54 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the latch plate alignment system includes one or more magnets on the latch plates. 
     Aspect 55 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the latch plate alignment system includes one or more alignment protrusions and one or more alignment cavities on the latch plates. 
     Aspect 56 generally concerns a method of operating the system of any previous aspect. 
     Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of a harness system according to one example. 
         FIG.  2    is a side perspective view of a buckle system shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of a buckle shown in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of a buckle mechanism shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front perspective view of the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded view of the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  10    is a bottom view of the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a frame in the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  12    is a side view of the frame. 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of the frame. 
         FIG.  14    is a front perspective view of a release button in the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  15    is a rear perspective view of the release button. 
         FIG.  16    is a rear view of the release button. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of a lock pawl in the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  18    is a top view of the lock pawl. 
         FIG.  19    is a bottom view of the lock pawl. 
         FIG.  20    is a front view of the lock pawl. 
         FIG.  21    is a rear view of the lock pawl. 
         FIG.  22    is a side view of the lock pawl. 
         FIG.  23    is a front perspective view of a portion of an ejector mechanism in the buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  24    is an exploded view of the ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  25    is a bottom perspective view of the ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  26    is a rear perspective view of the ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  27    is a bottom view of the frame and ejector mechanism during assembly. 
         FIG.  28    is an exploded view of the frame and ejector mechanism during assembly. 
         FIG.  29    is a bottom view of the frame, ejector mechanism, and ejection spring during assembly. 
         FIG.  30    is a perspective view of the frame and ejector mechanism during assembly. 
         FIG.  31    is an exploded view of the lock pawl being coupled to the frame during assembly. 
         FIG.  32    is a front perspective view of the lock pawl in a latched position. 
         FIG.  33    is a rear perspective view of a latch plate retention bar attached to the frame during assembly. 
         FIG.  34    is a rear perspective view of a latch pin coupled to the frame during assembly. 
         FIG.  35    is a top perspective view of a latch plate assembly shown in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  36    is a side cross-sectional view of the buckle in an unbuckled state. 
         FIG.  37    is a side cross-sectional view of the latch plate assembly buckled to the buckle. 
         FIG.  38    is a top cross-sectional view of the latch plate assembly buckled to the buckle. 
         FIG.  39    is a partial cross-sectional view of the buckle and latch plate assembly during ejection. 
         FIG.  40    is a top view of a buckle according to another example. 
         FIG.  41    is a top view of a base cover with a sensor found in the  FIG.  40    buckle. 
         FIG.  42    is a side view of a buckle mechanism with the sensor of the  FIG.  40    buckle. 
         FIG.  43    is a perspective view of a buckle system according to a further example. 
         FIG.  44    is an exploded view of the  FIG.  43    buckle system. 
         FIG.  45    is a side view of a buckle mechanism in the  FIG.  43    buckle system. 
         FIG.  46    is a rear view of the  FIG.  45    buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  47    is an exploded view of the  FIG.  45    buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  48    is a perspective view of a latch plate coupling end in the  FIG.  45    buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  49    is a top view of the  FIG.  48    latch plate coupling end. 
         FIG.  50    is an exploded view of a release button of the  FIG.  45    buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  51    is a top perspective view of the  FIG.  50    release button. 
         FIG.  52    is a bottom perspective view of the  FIG.  50    release button. 
         FIG.  53    is a front perspective view of a lock pawl in the  FIG.  45    buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  54    is a rear perspective view of the  FIG.  53    lock pawl. 
         FIG.  55    is a top perspective view of an ejector mechanism in the  FIG.  45    buckle mechanism. 
         FIG.  56    is an exploded view of the  FIG.  55    ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  57    is a bottom perspective view of the  FIG.  55    ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  58    is a top perspective view of a first subassembly of the  FIG.  55    ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  59    is a bottom perspective view of the  FIG.  58    subassembly. 
         FIG.  60    is a top perspective view of a second subassembly of the  FIG.  55    ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  61    is an exploded view of a third subassembly of the  FIG.  55    ejector mechanism. 
         FIG.  62    is a top exploded view of a latch plate assembly in the  FIG.  43    buckle system. 
         FIG.  63    is a bottom exploded view of the  FIG.  62    latch plate assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity. 
     The reference numerals in the following description have been organized to aid the reader in quickly identifying the drawings where various components are first shown. In particular, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. For example, an element identified by a “100” series reference numeral will likely first appear in  FIG.  1   , an element identified by a “200” series reference numeral will likely first appear in  FIG.  2   , and so on. 
     A harness system  100  is illustrated in  FIG.  1   . The harness system  100  includes a buckle system  105  to which webbing  110  is secured. In one example, the harness system  100  is used in a vehicle restraint system, such as a child car seat, but the harness system  100  can be used in other environments. 
     Turning to  FIG.  2   , the buckle system  105  includes a buckle  200  to which a latch plate assembly  205  is buckled. The buckle  200  and latch plate assembly  205  include one or more web slots  210  to which the webbing  110  is secured. As shown, the buckle  200  has a housing  215  for protecting its internal components. The latch plate assembly  205  includes one or more latch plates  220  that are secured to the buckle  200 . In the illustrated example, the latch plate assembly  205  includes two (2) latch plates  220  that are coupled together before being inserted into the buckle  200 , but the latch plate assembly  205  in other examples can includes more or less latch plates  220  than is shown. 
     An exploded view of the buckle system  105  is depicted in  FIG.  3   . As shown, the buckle  200  includes a buckle mechanism  300  that is attached by the housing  215 . The housing  215  of the buckle  200  includes a mechanism cover  305  and a base cover  310  that are coupled together in a clamshell type configuration around the buckle mechanism  300 . Each of the latch plates  220  of the latch plate assembly  205  have a tongue  315  with a latch notch  320 . When the latch plates  220  are coupled together, the latch plate assembly  205  can then be inserted into the buckle mechanism  300  of the buckle  200 . 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    respectively illustrate top and front perspective views of the buckle mechanism  300 . The buckle mechanism  300  includes a web engagement end  405  where the webbing  110  is secured. Opposite the web engagement end  405 , the buckle mechanism  300  has a latch plate coupling end  410  where the latch plate assembly  205  is inserted and secured. A longitudinal axis  415  of the buckle mechanism  300  (and the buckle  200 ) extends between the web engagement end  405  and the latch plate coupling end  410 . As will be explained below, most of the movement action of the buckle  200  occurs generally along this longitudinal axis  415  so as to provide smooth actuation and latching movement. For example, the latch plate assembly  205  is inserted into and ejected from the buckle  200  along this longitudinal axis  415  of the buckle  200 . Looking at  FIG.  5   , the buckle mechanism  300  at the latch plate coupling end  410  has a latch plate cavity  505  configured to receive the tongues  315  of the latch plates  220 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10   , the buckle mechanism  300  includes a frame  605  that supports a release mechanism  610 , latch mechanism  615 , and ejector mechanism  620  of the buckle mechanism  300 . Among other things, the release mechanism  610  along with the ejector mechanism  620  is generally used to release and eject the latch plate assembly  205  from the buckle  200 , and the latch mechanism  615  is generally used to secure the latch plates  220  of the latch plate assembly  205  in the buckle mechanism  300 . The release mechanism  610  includes a release button  625  and one or more button springs  630  that bias the release button  625  in an extended position. The latch mechanism  615  has a lock pawl  635  designed to lock to the tongues  315  of the latch plates  220  and a latch pin  640  configured to hold the lock pawl  635  in the locked position. The latch pin  640  is slidably coupled to the frame  605 , and the release button  625  is secured to the latch pin  640  so that the release button  625  is able to move in a sliding fashion relative to the frame  605 . The lock pawl  635  is pivotally coupled to the frame  605 . The button springs  630  are biased or sandwiched between the release button  625  and the lock pawl  635 . When the release button  625  is pressed, the button springs  630  transmit the force from the release button  625  to the lock pawl  635  so that the lock pawl  635  pivots relative to the frame  605  so as to release the latch plates  220 . The latch mechanism  615  further includes a latch plate retention bar  645  that is coupled to the frame  605 . Along with the frame  605 , the latch plate retention bar  645  forms the latch plate cavity  505  that keeps the latch plates  220  coupled together so as to prevent latch plate assembly  205  from accidentally disengaging from the buckle  200 . 
     The ejector mechanism  620  includes an ejection slider  650  that is slidably coupled to the frame  605 , an ejector swivel  655  that is pivotally coupled to the ejection slider  650 , and at least one ejection spring  660  to bias the ejection slider  650 . The ejector swivel  655  is able to swivel relative to the ejection slider  650  to ensure that both latch plates  220  are properly secured together when locked in the buckle  200 . In other words, the ejector swivel  655  is designed to swivel in order to prevent the lock pawl  635  from latching with only a single latch plate  220 . The ejection spring  660  is sandwiched between the frame  605  and the ejection slider  650  so as to bias the ejection slider  650  in an ejection direction where the latch plate assembly  205  is ejected from the latch plate cavity  505 . 
     Earlier designs relied solely on springs to eject latch plates. It was discovered, however, that debris can collect in between the coils of the spring, thereby inhibiting proper ejection of the latch plates. Due to repeated use, the spring force can also deteriorate over time so as to further inhibit proper ejection of the latch plates. Without proper ejection of the latch plates, the latch plate may remain latched to the buckle which can be especially problematic such as during emergencies where quick occupant removal from the car seat is required. 
     The buckle mechanism  300  in the illustrated example has been designed to address this as well as other issues. As noted before, when the release button  625  is actuated, the lock pawl  635  rotates so as to release the latch plate assembly  205 . This rotation also causes the lock pawl  635  to contact the ejector swivel  655  and push the ejection slider  650  in the ejection direction so as to eject the latch plates  220  from the latch plate cavity  505  in the buckle  200 . In most cases, this ejection force from the lock pawl  635  supplements the ejection biasing force applied by the ejection spring  660 , but in some cases, where the ejection spring  660  has been damaged or otherwise rendered inoperative, the lock pawl  635  can apply the sole ejection force to the ejection slider  650  so as to eject the latch plate assembly  205  from the buckle  200 . 
     Various features of the frame  605  will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  11 ,  12 , and  13   . As shown, the frame  605  includes a base  1105  and one or more support flanges  1110  extending in a transverse direction from the base  1105 . In the illustrated example, a pair of support flanges  1110  extend perpendicularly from the base  1105  along opposing sides of the frame  605  to form a latch plate channel  1112  in which various components of the buckle mechanism  300  are received. Each support flange  1110  has a latch pivot notch  1115  where the lock pawl  635  is pivotally coupled to the frame  605 . In the depicted example, the latch pivot notch  1115  is shaped to have a flat bottom and notched sides to allow the lock pawl  635  to lay flat when latched and properly rotate during unlatching. The support flanges  1110  further each define a pin guide slot  1120  in which the latch pin  640  is slidably received. To promote smooth actuation of the release button  625  and firm latching of the lock pawl  635 , the pin guide slots  1120  extend in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  415  of the buckle mechanism  300 . As can be seen, the pin guide slots  1120  are generally straight so that the latch pin  640  can smoothly glide within the pin guide slots  1120 . The pin guide slots  1120  in the depicted example do not have any bends or jogs where the latch pin  640  could catch. The support flanges  1110  each further has retention bar slot  1125  in which the latch plate retention bar  645  is secured. 
     Each support flange  1110  further defines a button guide notch  1130  at the latch plate coupling end  410  of the frame  605 . As shown, the button guide notches  1130  extend parallel to the longitudinal axis  415  of the buckle  200 . The button guide notches  1130  are generally straight and extend in a generally parallel manner relative to the pin guide slots  1120 . With such an arrangement, the release button  625  generally moves in a straight direction along the longitudinal axis  415  when pressed or otherwise actuated. This release button  625  further does not catch on anything when biased back to its original position. At the web engagement end  405 , the frame  605  has a fastener opening  1135  configured to receive a fastener for securing the frame  605  between the mechanism cover  305  and base cover  310 . The frame  605  at the web engagement end  405  has a web eye  1140  through where the webbing  110  is looped. 
     Looking at  FIGS.  11  and  13   , the base  1105  of the frame  605  defines an ejector guide slot  1145  in which the ejector mechanism  620  is slidably coupled to the frame  605 . The ejector guide slot  1145  has a spring seat flange  1305  where one end of the ejection spring  660  is secured to the frame  605 . On opposing sides of the ejector guide slot  1145 , the base  1105  has one or more spring seat facing relief notches  1310  and latch facing relief notches  1315 . During assembly, the spring seat facing relief notches  1310  and latch facing relief notches  1315  allow the ejection slider  650  to be slidably coupled to and retained on the frame  605 . At the sides of the ejector guide slot  1145  proximal to the latch plate coupling end  410 , the base  1105  has one or more latch alignment grooves  1320  configured to receive an end of the lock pawl  635  when latched. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  14 ,  15 , and  16   , the release button  625  has an actuation surface  1405  where the user usually presses or otherwise actuates the release button  625  and one or more frame engagement flanges  1410  configured to glide along the support flanges  1110  of the frame  605 . Each of the frame engagement flanges  1410  has one or more pin openings  1415  where the ends of the latch pin  640  are secured to the release button  625 . In the illustrated example, the pin openings  1415  extend completely through the frame engagement flanges  1410 , and the latch pin  640  is held in place by the housing  215 , adhesive, and/or in other manners. In other examples, the pin openings  1415  are blind holes in which the ends of the latch pin  640  are clipped at the inside surfaces of the frame engagement flanges  1410 . The release button  625  further has a stop lip  1420  that limits the travel of the release button  625  by engaging the mechanism cover  305  when the release button  625  is fully pressed. 
     Turning to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , the release button  625  has one or more spring seats  1505  with seat  1510  in which the ends of the button springs  630  are coupled to the release button  625 . Inside, the release button  625  has one or more guide flanges  1515  that extend between the pin openings  1415  and spring seats  1505 . The guide flanges  1515  are configured to be slidably received in the button guide notch  1130  of the frame  605  so as to retain and guide the movement of the release button  625  during actuation. The guide flanges  1515  in conjunction with the latch pin  640  stabilize the release button  625  by minimizing rotation of the release button  625  which in turn provides a smooth actuation motion in a linear longitudinal direction. 
     A perspective view of the lock pawl  635  is shown in  FIG.  17   , and top and bottom views of the lock pawl  635  are respectively illustrated in  FIGS.  18  and  19   .  FIGS.  20 ,  21 , and  22    show front, rear, and side views of the lock pawl  635 , respectively. As shown, the lock pawl  635  has a latch body  1705  from where a hinge portion  1710  and lock portion  1715  extend at opposing ends. The hinge portion  1710  and lock portion  1715  extend in opposite transverse directions from the latch body  1705 . One or more cam arms  1720  extend from the latch body  1705 . In the depicted example, the cam arms  1720  extend at an acute angle from opposing lateral sides of the lock pawl  635  and have a flat section that is spaced above the latch body  1705 . As shown in  FIG.  22   , the cam arms  1720  extend toward the lock portion  1715  and extend from the latch body  1705  in an opposite direction to the lock portion  1715 . The cam arms  1720  provide a cam surface along where the latch pin  640  is able to move. The latch pin  640  engages near the ends of the cam arms  1720  to lock the lock pawl  635  in the latched position with the latch plates  220 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  17   , the hinge portion  1710  has one or more pivot tabs  1725  that are pivotally received in the latch pivot notch  1115  of the frame  605  to facilitate pivotal movement of the lock pawl  635  during latching and unlatching of the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635  with the latch plate assembly  205 . The hinge portion  1710  further has one or more spring seat fingers  1730  that extend towards the release button  625  when the buckle mechanism  300  is assembled. The spring seat fingers  1730  are configured to couple the ends of the button springs  630  to the lock pawl  635 . As illustrated, the spring seat fingers  1730  are offset from the pivot tabs  1725  so as to create a moment arm that allows the release button  625  via the button springs  630  to pivot the lock pawl  635  when the release button  625  is pressed towards the lock pawl  635 . 
     Extending on a side opposite from the spring seat fingers  1730  relative to the pivot tabs  1725 , the hinge portion  1710  has one or more ejector fingers  1735  positioned to engage the ejection slider  650  of the ejector mechanism  620 . When the latch plate assembly  205  is inserted into the buckle mechanism  300 , the ends of the tongues  315  of the latch plates  220  press against the ejector mechanism  620 . This pressing action pushes the ejection slider  650  against the ejector fingers  1735  which in turn causes the lock pawl  635  to rotate about the pivot tabs  1725  to latch with the latch plate assembly  205 . When the release button  625  is pressed to eject the latch plate assembly  205  from the buckle mechanism  300 , the lock pawl  635  rotates in the opposite direction which in turn causes the ejector fingers  1735  to press against and move the ejection slider  650  in the ejection direction resulting in the latch plate assembly  205  being unlatched and ejected from the buckle mechanism  300 . The compressed ejection spring  660  can provide additional force for ejecting the latch plate assembly  205 . As noted before, this construction allows the latch plate assembly  205  to be unlatched and ejected even when the ejection spring  660  is clogged with debris, damaged, and/or otherwise operating below operational norms. 
     At the end of the lock portion  1715 , the lock pawl  635  has a nose tab  1740  that helps to keep the lock pawl  635  in an unlatched position until the latch plate assembly  205  is properly seated inside the buckle  200 . The nose tab  1740  is sized to fit between the tips of the tongues  315 , and the lock portion  1715  is sized to engage the latch notches  320  in the tongues  315  when the latch plate assembly  205  is latched. In the illustrated example, the lock portion  1715  is rounded to reduce wear on the ejection slider  650 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  23 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26   , the ejection slider  650  of the ejector mechanism  620  has a slider body  2305 . One or more retention flanges  2310  and retention tabs  2315  extend in a lateral direction from the slider body  2305 . The retention flanges  2310  and retention tabs  2315  are configured to retain the ejection slider  650  on the frame  605 . The ejection slider  650  further has a nose tab guide  2320  that extends from the surface of the slider body  2305 . The nose tab guide  2320  is centered in front of the ejector swivel  655 . The nose tab guide  2320  is positioned to contact the nose tab  1740  so as to hold the lock pawl  635  in the unlatched position until the latch plate assembly  205  is properly positioned in the buckle mechanism  300 . Once the latch plate assembly  205  is positioned for latching, the nose tab  1740  is able to slide past the nose tab guide  2320  as the lock pawl  635  pivots to latch with the tongues  315  of the latch plate assembly  205 . In the depicted example, the nose tab guide  2320  has a beveled edge that facilitate smooth sliding of the nose tab  1740  of the lock pawl  635 . 
     A latch bias wing  2325  of the ejection slider  650  extends transverse to the slider body  2305 . The latch bias wing  2325  has one or more wing tabs  2330  that extend from opposing ends of the latch bias wing  2325 . The wing tabs  2330  in conjunction with the retention tabs  2315  help to retain the ejection slider  650  in sliding engagement with the frame  605 . The wing tabs  2330  of the latch bias wing  2325  are positioned to be contacted with the ejector fingers  1735  when the lock pawl  635  is pivoted to facilitate movement of the ejection slider  650  for ejecting the latch plate assembly  205 . The latch bias wing  2325  further defines one or more relief notches  2335  configured to facilitate swiveling motion of the ejector swivel  655  relative to the ejection slider  650 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  24   , the slider body  2305  of the ejection slider  650  defines a connector opening  2405  to which the ejector swivel  655  is connected in a swiveling manner. As shown, the ejector swivel  655  has a pivot connector head  2410  that is received in the connector opening  2405  of the ejection slider  650 . In the illustrated example, the connector opening  2405  and pivot connector head  2410  from a snap fit type connection that facilitates rotational or swiveling movement of the ejector swivel  655  relative to the ejection slider  650 . The ejection slider  650  and ejector swivel  655  in other examples can be connected together in other ways to facilitate swiveling motion. As shown, the ejector swivel  655  has one or more tongue engagement arms  2415  where the tongues  315  of the latch plate assembly  205  contact the ejector swivel  655  of the ejector mechanism  620 . The tongue engagement arms  2415  extend from opposing sides the ejector swivel  655 . 
     As noted before, the buckle mechanism  300  is designed to prevent just a single latch plate  220  from being secured without the other. In other words, the latch plates  220  of the latch plate assembly  205  must be properly aligned and coupled together before the lock pawl  635  in the buckle mechanism  300  is able to latch the latch plate assembly  205  with the buckle  200 . When a single latch plate  220  is inserted into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle  200 , the end of the tongue  315  of the latch plate  220  contacts just one of the tongue engagement arms  2415  such that ejector swivel  655  begins to swivel. While the ejector swivel  655  swivels, the ejection slider  650  is stationary with the nose tab guide  2320  remaining in contact with the nose tab  1740  of the lock pawl  635  such that the lock pawl  635  stays in an unlatched position. When the single latch plate  220  is inserted further into the buckle  200 , the relief notches  2335  in the latch bias wing  2325  allow the ejector swivel  655  to further swivel while ejection slider  650  remains stationary. The tongue engagement arms  2415  are then angled such that further insertion causes the end of the latch plate  220  to slide in an outward lateral direction which in turn prevents the latch notch  320  in the tongue  315  from engaging the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635 . 
     In contrast, when the latch plates  220  are both properly coupled together and inserted at the same time into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle mechanism  300 , the ends of the latch plates  220  contact the tongue engagement arms  2415  of the ejector mechanism  620  at the same time, and the ejector swivel  655  does not rotate or swivel. Against the biasing force of the of the ejection spring  660 , the latch plate assembly  205  is able to slide the ejection slider  650  in an insertion direction. This sliding movement of the ejection slider  650  compresses the ejection spring  660 , and the resulting potential energy stored in the ejection spring  660  can be later used to move the ejection slider  650  in the ejection direction during unbuckling. As the latch plate assembly  205  is further pushed into the buckle  200 , the ejection slider  650  continues to slide in the insertion direction, and the nose tab  1740  of the lock pawl  635  slides off the nose tab guide  2320  so that the lock pawl  635  is able to latch to the latch notches  320  in the latch plate assembly  205 . Eventually, as the ejection slider  650  continues to slide, the wing tabs  2330  of the ejection slider  650  press against the ejector fingers  1735  of the lock pawl  635  ( FIG.  17   ). When the ejector fingers  1735  are pressed, the lock pawl  635  is able to pivot about the pivot tabs  1725  to have the lock portion  1715  latch in the latch notches  320 . 
       FIGS.  25  and  26    show one or more frame grooves  2505  that are formed between the retention flanges  2310  and latch bias wing  2325 . These frame grooves  2505  in essence further extend between the tongue engagement arms  2415  of the ejector swivel  655  and the retention tabs  2315  of the ejection slider  650 . 
     With the frame grooves  2505 , the ejection slider  650  is able to be retained on and slide relative to the frame  605 . Looking at  FIG.  26   , the ejection slider  650  further includes a spring seat  2605  to which the ejection spring  660  is coupled. As shown, the spring seat  2605  has a spring cavity  2610  in which the ejection spring  660  is received and a spring seat member  2615  to which the ejection spring  660  is secured. 
     The buckle system  105 , and more particularly the buckle mechanism  300 , is designed to minimize the number of components so as to simplify assembly as well as enhance reliability. A technique for assembling various components of the buckle  200  will now be initially described with reference to  FIGS.  27 ,  28 ,  29 , and  30   . To improve visibility, various components, such as various springs, have been not shown in selected drawings, but it should be recognized that during assembly these components would be present. The ejector swivel  655  is normally snap fitted to the ejection slider  650  before being attached to the frame  605 , but the ejector swivel  655  can be connected to the ejection slider  650  after the ejection slider  650  is secured to the frame  605 . 
     Looking at  FIGS.  27  and  28   , to secure the ejection slider  650  to the frame  605 , the retention flanges  2310  and retention tabs  2315  of the ejection slider  650  are respectively aligned with the spring seat facing relief notches  1310  and latch facing relief notches  1315  in the ejector guide slot  1145  of the frame  605 . As shown in  FIGS.  29  and  30   , the ejection slider  650  is then slid within the ejector guide slot  1145  towards the latch plate coupling end  410  of the frame  605 . The ends of the ejection spring  660  are then coupled to the spring seat flange  1305  of the frame  605  and the spring seat  2605  of the ejection slider  650 . The retention flanges  2310  and retention tabs  2315  along with the ejection spring  660  retain the ejection slider  650  on the frame  605 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  31  and  32   , the lock pawl  635  is coupled to the frame  605  by inserting the pivot tabs  1725  of the lock pawl  635  into the latch pivot notches  1115  in the frame  605 . The latch plate retention bar  645  is secured to the retention bar slots  1125  of the frame  605 . It should be recognized that the latch plate retention bar  645  can be secured at other times during the assembly process, such as before or after the ejector mechanism  620  and/or lock pawl  635  are secured to the frame  605 . As depicted in  FIG.  34    the latch pin  640  is inserted into the pin guide slots  1120  of the frame  605 . The release button  625  is then secured to the frame  605 . The release button  625  is clipped onto the ends of the latch pin  640  by inserting the ends into the pin openings  1415  ( FIG.  14   ) of the frame engagement flanges  1410  to arrive at the configuration for example illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  9   . 
     With the release button  625  secured to the frame  605 , the ends of the button springs  630  are secured to the spring seat fingers  1730  of the lock pawl  635  ( FIG.  17   ) and the spring seats  1505  of the release button  625  ( FIG.  15   ). Once the buckle mechanism  300  is assembled, the buckle mechanism  300  is then sandwiched inside the mechanism cover  305  and base cover  310  to form the housing  215 , and the mechanism cover  305  and base cover  310  are secured together, such as with fasteners, adhesives, etc. With the reduced number of components, the buckle  200  can be assembled quickly and inexpensively. Again, it should be recognized that the components of the buckle  200  can be assembled in a different order than is described and illustrated. 
       FIG.  35    illustrates the latch plates  220  coupled together to form the latch plate assembly  205 . The latch plates  220  can be properly aligned with one another mechanically, such as through a keying type structural arrangements, and/or in other ways. For example, the latch plate assembly  205  in one form includes a magnetic coupling  3505  in the form of magnets with opposite polarity arrangement on each of the latch plates  220 . On the tongues  315 , the latch plates  220  each has an ejector contact edge  3510  that is configured to contact the tongue engagement arms  2415  of the ejector swivel  655 . From the ejector contact edge  3510 , the tongue  315  of the latch plates  220  has a beveled edge  3515  to assist with alignment during insertion. When the latch plate assembly  205  is coupled together, the beveled edges  3515  form a tongue gap  3520  in which the nose tab guide  2320  of the ejection slider  650  is received during buckling. The latch notches  320  in the tongues  315  together form a latch cavity  3525  in which the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635  is secured when latched in the buckle  200 . The latch notch  320  in each tongue  315  forms a latch edge  3530  where the latch plate assembly  205  hooks onto or otherwise contacts the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635  when the latch plate assembly  205  is secured to the buckle  200 . 
       FIG.  36    show the buckle  200  in a normal unbuckled state before (or after) the latch plate assembly  205  is secured to the buckle  200 . In this state, the lock pawl  635  is at a rotated position where the nose tab  1740  contacts the nose tab guide  2320  of the ejector mechanism  620 . The ejection spring  660  along with the ejector fingers  1735  of the lock pawl  635  biases and holds the ejection slider  650  in a fully extended ejection position where the nose tab  1740  rests on the nose tab guide  2320 . As shown, the release button  625  is in a partially retracted state which is caused by the latch pin  640  being disposed towards the web engagement end  405  in the pin guide slot  1120  of the frame  605 . The latch pin  640  is at least partially held in this position by the cam arms  1720  of the lock pawl  635 . 
     A technique for inserting and securing the latch plate assembly  205  in the buckle  200  will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  37  and  38   . Once more, the buckle mechanism  300  is designed to prevent just a single latch plate  220  from being secured without the other. In other words, the latch plates  220  of the latch plate assembly  205  must be properly aligned and coupled together before the lock pawl  635  in the buckle mechanism  300  is able to latch the latch plate assembly  205  with the buckle  200 . When a single latch plate  220  is inserted into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle  200 , the ejector contact edge  3510  of the tongue  315  of the latch plate  220  contacts just one of the tongue engagement arms  2415  such that ejector swivel  655  begins to swivel. While the ejector swivel  655  swivels, the ejection slider  650  is stationary with the nose tab guide  2320  remaining in contact with the nose tab  1740  of the lock pawl  635  such that the lock pawl  635  stays in an unlatched position. When the single latch plate  220  is inserted further into the buckle  200 , the relief notches  2335  in the latch bias wing  2325  allow the ejector swivel  655  to further swivel while ejection slider  650  remains stationary. The tongue engagement arms  2415  are then angled such that further insertion causes the end of the latch plate  220  to slide in an outward lateral direction which in turn prevents the latch notch  320  in the tongue  315  from engaging the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635 . 
     To secure the latch plate assembly  205  with the buckle  200 , the latch plate assembly  205  is inserted into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle  200  in an insertion direction  3705  along the longitudinal axis  415 . When the latch plates  220  are both properly coupled together and inserted at the same time into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle mechanism  300 , the ejector contact edges  3510  of the latch plates  220  contact the tongue engagement arms  2415  of the ejector mechanism  620  at the same time, and the ejector swivel  655  does not rotate or swivel. In other words, the forces applied by both ejector contact edges  3510  on the tongue engagement arms  2415  located on opposite sides of the pivot connector head  2410  balance one another, thereby preventing rotation of the ejector swivel  655 . 
     Against the biasing force of the of the ejection spring  660 , the latch plate assembly  205  is able to slide the ejection slider  650  in the insertion direction  3705 . This sliding movement of the ejection slider  650  compresses the ejection spring  660 , and the resulting potential energy stored in the ejection spring  660  can be later used to move the ejection slider  650  during ejection of the latch plate assembly  205 . As the latch plate assembly  205  is further pushed into the buckle  200 , the ejection slider  650  continues to slide in the along the longitudinal axis  415  in the insertion direction  3705 , and the nose tab  1740  of the lock pawl  635  slides off the nose tab guide  2320  so that the lock pawl  635  is able to latch to the latch notches  320  in the latch plate assembly  205 . Eventually, as the ejection slider  650  continues to slide, the wing tabs  2330  of the ejection slider  650  press against the ejector fingers  1735  of the lock pawl  635 . When the ejector fingers  1735  are pressed, the lock pawl  635  is able to pivot about the pivot tabs  1725  to have the lock portion  1715  latch in the latch notches  320 . After latching, the ejection spring  660  may cause the ejection slider  650  to slide back such that a space or gap is formed between the ejector fingers  1735  of the lock pawl  635  and the wing tabs  2330  of the ejection slider  650 . This spacing gives some play in the release button  625  so as to prevent accidental release of the latch plate assembly  205  when the release button  625  is accidentally or incidentally pressed. 
     When the latch plate assembly  205  is buckled or latched in the buckle  200 , the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635  is received inside the latch cavity  3525  of the latch plate assembly  205 . The latch edges  3530  of the latch plate assembly  205  are pressed or hooked against the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635 . To prevent slippage, the side end edges of the lock portion  1715  are received in the latch alignment grooves  1320  of the frame  605  ( FIG.  13   ). The nose tab  1740  of the lock pawl  635  extends through the ejector guide slot  1145  in the frame  605 . To further prevent accidental release, the latch pin  640  presses against the cam arms  1720  of the lock pawl  635  so as to hold the lock pawl  635  in a latched position. With the pin guide slot  1120  only extending in a straight line along the longitudinal axis  415 , only the smooth linear motion of the release button  625  being pushed in a single direction along the longitudinal axis  415  can release the latch pin  640  such that the lock pawl  635  can decouple from the latch plate assembly  205 . Movements in other directions will not cause the lock pawl  635  to be accidentally unlatched. With the latch plate assembly  205  latched in the buckle  200 , the occupant can be at least partially secured in the harness system  100 , though additional tightening of the webbing  110  may be required. 
     To release the latch plate assembly  205  from the buckle  200 , the user actuates the release button  625 . Once more, the release button  625  is designed to smoothly slide in a straight direction along the longitudinal axis  415  when pressed. Looking at  FIG.  39   , an individual presses on the actuation surface  1405  of the release button  625  in the direction indication by arrow  3905  that is parallel to the longitudinal axis  415  (i.e., in the insertion direction  3705 ) to release the latch plate assembly  205 . When the release button  625  is pressed, the latch pin  640 , which is coupled to the release button  625 , longitudinally slides in the pin guide slot  1120  of the frame  605  towards the web engagement end  405 . This movement in turn releases cam arms  1720  of the lock pawl  635  from the latch pin  640  such that the lock pawl  635  is no longer locked in the latched position. At the same, the button springs  630  are compressed between the release button  625  and the ejector fingers  1735  of the lock pawl  635 . Due to this compression, the pressing force is transferred from the release button  625  to the lock pawl  635  via the button springs  630 . With the lock pawl  635  now released by the latch pin  640  and the force from the release button  625  being applied to the spring seat fingers  1730 , the lock pawl  635  pivots about the pivot tabs  1725  in the latch pivot notch  1115  (see e.g.,  FIGS.  31  and  32   ) in a rotational direction indicated by arrow  3910  in  FIG.  39   . 
     As the lock pawl  635  rotates, the lock portion  1715  of the lock pawl  635  is removed or disengages from the latch cavity  3525  of the latch plate assembly  205  ( FIG.  35   ). Around the same time, the pivoting motion of the lock pawl  635  also causes the ejector fingers  1735  ( FIG.  17   ) to push against the wing tabs  2330  of the ejector mechanism  620  ( FIG.  23   ) so as to cause the ejection slider  650  to slide in an ejection direction  3915 . The ejection spring  660  that was compressed when the latch plate assembly  205  was buckled is now released so as to also push the ejection slider  650  in the ejection direction  3915 . The ejector swivel  655  of the ejector mechanism  620  then pushes the latch plate assembly  205  in the ejection direction  3915  so as to eject the latch plate assembly  205 . Again, the ejector fingers  1735  of the lock pawl  635  allow the latch plate assembly  205  to be unlatched and ejected even when the ejection spring  660  is clogged with debris, damaged, and/or otherwise functionally inoperable. The buckle  200  returns to the initial unbuckled state where the nose tab  1740  rests against the nose tab guide  2320  of the ejection slider  650 , and the release button  625  is now at a partially retracted position, as was described before with respect to  FIG.  36   . With the latch plate assembly  205  unlatched from the lock pawl  635  and moved in the ejection direction  3915 , the latch plate assembly  205  can be removed from the buckle  200 , and the occupant can be freed from the harness system  100 . 
     A buckle  4000  according to another example will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  40 ,  41 , and  42   . The buckle  4000  is constructed and functions generally in the same fashion as the one previously described with just a few notable exceptions that will be discussed below. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these common features and functions will not be described again, but please refer to the previous discussion. Unless otherwise described, the buckle  4000  in  FIGS.  40 ,  41 , and  42    has the same components as the buckle  200  described before and operates in the same way. 
     The buckle  4000  of  FIG.  40    has a release button  4005  that has a few additional features different from the release button  625  described before. As can be seen, the release button  4005  has an indicator  4010  that is only visible when the latch plate assembly  205  is properly locked with the buckle  4000 . The indicator  4010  has a physical appearance that differs from and/or is in contrast to a persistent visible area  4015  on the release button  4005  that is visible at all times, whether or not the latch plate assembly  205  is buckled to the buckle  4000 . In one example, the persistent visible area  4015  is colored red, and the indicator  4010  is colored green to indicate that the latch plate assembly  205  was buckled properly in the buckle  4000 , but in other examples, the indicator  4010  can include other types of indicators, such as patterns, colors, shapes, words, icons, and/or designs. When the buckle  4000  is in an unbuckled state, the release button  4005  is in the partially or intermediate retracted position, such as is in the same fashion shown in  FIG.  36   . At this partially retracted position, the indicator  4010  of the release button  4005  is covered by the mechanism cover  305  such that only the persistent visible area  4015  is visible to the operator. When the latch plate assembly  205  is buckled to the buckle  4000 , such as in a similar fashion shown in  FIG.  37   , the release button  4005  is positioned at a fully extended position such that the indicator  4010  is now visible to the operator (i.e., not covered by the mechanism cover  305 ), thereby indicating that the latch plate assembly  205  is buckled properly. To decouple and eject the latch plate assembly  205 , the operator presses on the release button  4005  so that the release button  4005  is at a fully retracted position. Once the latch plate assembly  205  is ejected from the buckle  4000 , the release button  4005  returns to the intermediate position, such as for example in a similar fashion shown in  FIG.  39   , where the indicator  4010  is covered by the mechanism cover  305  and is no longer visible to the operator or others. 
     The buckle  4000  in  FIG.  40    has the same mechanism cover  305  of the type described before, but the buckle  4000  has a base cover  4105  that is configured to receive a sensor  4110 , as is depicted in  FIG.  41   . In one example, the sensor  4110  is configured to sense the latching state of the buckle  4000 , but the sensor  4110  can be used to detect other properties of the buckle  4000  and/or latch plate assembly  205 , such as temperature and component wear. The sensor  4110  can include a variety of sensors, like mechanical switches, proximity switches, optical sensors, magnetic sensors, capacitive sensors, and/or thermocouples, to name just a few examples. In one particular example, the sensor  4110  includes an electrical contact switch. 
     Turning to  FIG.  42   , with the exception of the release button  4005 , the buckle  4000  includes a buckle mechanism  4200  that is constructed and functions in the same fashion as the buckle mechanism  300  illustrated in  FIG.  3   . As can be seen, the release button  4005  includes a sensor arm  4205  that extends proximal to the sensor  4110 . In one example, the sensor  4110  is able to sense the relative position of the release button  4005  via the sensor arm  4205 . For instance, when the sensor  4110  is an electrical switch, the sensor arm  4205  opens or closes the switch so as to indicate if the release button  4005  has been actuated and/or if the latch plate assembly  205  has been properly buckled in the buckle  4000 . The sensor  4110  in one particular example senses if the latch plate assembly  205  is properly secured to the buckle  4000 . The sensor  4110  via a wired connection and/or wirelessly communicates this status to a vehicle controller which in turn can communicate this status to other occupants of the vehicle, such as via a warning light and/or audible alarm. In further examples, the sensor  4110  can monitor the properties of other parts of the release button  4005  and/or other components of the buckle  4000  (e.g., the ejector mechanism  620 , lock pawl  635 , latch pin  640 , etc.). 
     Another example of a buckle system  4300  that can be used with the webbing  110  of the  FIG.  1    harness system  100  is depicted in  FIG.  43   . As will be recognized, the buckle system  4300  shares a number of features in common with the buckle system  105  shown in  FIG.  2    as well as  FIG.  40    and operates in a similar fashion as those described before. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these common features and functions will not be again described in great detail below, but please refer to the previous discussion. The buckle system  4300  in one form is used in a vehicle restraint system, such as a child car seat, but the buckle system  4300  can be used in other environments. 
     The buckle system  4300  includes a buckle  4305  to which a latch plate assembly  4310  is buckled. The latch plate assembly  4310  includes one or more latch plates  4312  that are secured to the buckle  4305 . In the illustrated example, the latch plate assembly  4310  includes a first latch plate  4315  and a second latch plate  4320  that are coupled together before being buckled to the buckle  4305 . The latch plate assembly  4310  includes two (2) latch plates  4312  that are coupled together before being inserted into the buckle  4305 , but the latch plate assembly  4310  in other examples can includes more or less latch plates  4312  than is shown. As depicted, the buckle  4305  along with the first latch plate  4315  and second latch plate  4320  each include one or more web slots  4325  to which the webbing  110  is secured. As shown, the buckle  4305  has a housing  4330  for protecting the internal components of the buckle  4305 . 
     The buckle system  4300  of  FIG.  40    has a release button  4335 . As can be seen, the release button  4335  has an indicator  4340  that is only visible when the buckle  4305  is properly locked with the latch plate assembly  4310 . The indicator  4340  has a physical appearance that differs from and/or is in contrast to a persistent visible area  4345  on the release button  4335  that is visible at all times, whether or not the latch plate assembly  4310  is buckled to the buckle  4000 . In one example, the persistent visible area  4345  is colored red, and the indicator  4340  is colored green to indicate that the latch plate assembly  4310  was buckled properly in the buckle  4000 , but in other examples, the indicator  4340  can include other types of indicators, such as patterns, colors, shapes, words, icons, and/or designs. When the buckle system  4300  is in an unbuckled state, the release button  4335  is in the partially or intermediate retracted position. At this partially retracted position, the indicator  4340  of the release button  4335  is covered by the housing  4330  such that only the persistent visible area  4345  is visible to the operator. When the latch plate assembly  4310  is buckled to the buckle  4305 , the release button  4335  is positioned at a fully extended position such that the indicator  4340  is now visible to the operator (i.e., not covered by the housing  4330 ), thereby indicating that the latch plate assembly  4310  is buckled properly. To decouple and eject the latch plate assembly  4310 , the operator presses on the release button  4335  so that the release button  4335  is at a fully retracted position. Once the latch plate assembly  4310  is ejected from the buckle  4305 , the release button  4335  returns to the intermediate position, where the indicator  4340  is covered by the housing  4330  and is no longer visible to the operator or others. 
     An exploded view of the buckle system  4300  is depicted in  FIG.  44   . As shown, the buckle  4305  includes a buckle mechanism  4400  that is attached by the housing  4330 . The housing  4330  of the buckle  4305  includes a mechanism cover  4405  and a base cover  4410  that are coupled together in a clamshell type configuration around the buckle mechanism  4400 . Each of the latch plates  4312  of the latch plate assembly  4310  have a tongue  4415  with a latch notch  4420 . When the latch plates  4312  are coupled together, the latch plate assembly  4310  can then be inserted into the buckle mechanism  4400  of the buckle  4305 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  45   , the buckle mechanism  4400  includes a web engagement end  4505  where the webbing  110  is secured. Opposite the web engagement end  4505 , the buckle mechanism  4400  has a latch plate coupling end  4510  where the latch plate assembly  4310  is inserted and secured. The buckle mechanism  4400  (and the buckle  4305 ) has a longitudinal axis  4515  that extends between the web engagement end  4505  and the latch plate coupling end  4510 . As will be explained below, most of the movement action of the buckle  4305  occurs generally along this longitudinal axis  4515  so as to provide smooth actuation and latching movement. For example, the latch plate assembly  4310  is inserted into and ejected from the buckle  4305  along this longitudinal axis  4515  of the buckle  4305 . Looking at  FIG.  46   , the buckle mechanism  4400  at the latch plate coupling end  4510  has a latch plate cavity  4605  configured to receive the tongues  4415  of the latch plates  4312 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  47   , the buckle mechanism  4400  includes a frame  4705  that supports a release mechanism  4710 , latch mechanism  4715 , and ejector mechanism  4720  of the buckle mechanism  4400 . Among other things, the release mechanism  4710  along with the ejector mechanism  4720  is generally used to release and eject the latch plate assembly  4310  from the buckle  4305 , and the latch mechanism  4715  is generally used to secure the latch plates  4312  of the latch plate assembly  4310  in the buckle mechanism  4400 . The release mechanism  4710  includes the release button  4335 . In the illustrated example, the release button  4335  includes an actuator cap  4725  and a spring retainer  4727 . The release mechanism  4710  further includes one or more button springs  4730  that bias the release button  4335  in an extended position. The button springs  4730  are seated in the spring retainer  4727  of the release button  4335 . The latch mechanism  4715  has a lock pawl  4735  designed to lock to the tongues  4415  of the latch plates  4312  and a latch pin  4740  configured to hold the lock pawl  4735  in the locked position. The latch pin  4740  is slidably coupled to the frame  4705 , and the release button  4335  is secured to the latch pin  4740  so that the release button  4335  is able to move in a sliding fashion relative to the frame  4705 . The lock pawl  4735  is pivotally coupled to the frame  4705 . The button springs  4730  are biased or sandwiched between the release button  4335  and the lock pawl  4735 . When the release button  4335  is pressed, the button springs  4730  transmit the force from the release button  4335  to the lock pawl  4735  so that the lock pawl  4735  pivots relative to the frame  4705  so as to release the latch plates  4312 . The latch mechanism  4715  further includes a retention pin  4745  that is coupled to the frame  4705 . Along with the frame  4705 , the retention pin  4745  forms the latch plate cavity  4605  that keeps the latch plates  4312  coupled together so as to prevent latch plate assembly  4310  from accidentally disengaging from the buckle  4305 . 
     The ejector mechanism  4720  includes an ejection slider  4750  that is slidably coupled to the frame  4705 , an ejector swivel  4755  that is pivotally coupled to the ejection slider  4750 , and at least one ejection spring  4760  to bias the ejection slider  4750 . The ejector swivel  4755  is able to swivel relative to the ejection slider  4750  to ensure that both latch plates  4312  are properly secured together when locked in the buckle  4305 . In other words, the ejector swivel  4755  is designed to swivel in order to prevent the lock pawl  4735  from latching with only a single latch plate  4312 . The ejection spring  4760  is sandwiched between the frame  4705  and the ejection slider  4750  so as to bias the ejection slider  4750  in an ejection direction where the latch plate assembly  4310  is ejected from the latch plate cavity  4605 . 
     As noted before, it was discovered in earlier designs that debris can collect in between the coils of the spring, thereby inhibiting proper ejection of the latch plates. Due to repeated use, the spring force can also deteriorate over time so as to further inhibit proper ejection of the latch plates. Without proper ejection of the latch plates, the latch plate may remain latched to the buckle which can be especially problematic such as during emergencies where quick occupant removal from the car seat is required. 
     The buckle mechanism  4400  in the illustrated example has been designed to address this as well as other issues. As noted before, when the release button  4335  is actuated, the lock pawl  4735  rotates so as to release the latch plate assembly  4310 . This rotation also causes the lock pawl  4735  to contact the ejector swivel  4755  and push the ejection slider  4750  in the ejection direction so as to eject the latch plates  4312  from the latch plate cavity  4605  in the buckle  4305 . In most cases, this ejection force from the lock pawl  4735  supplements the ejection biasing force applied by the ejection spring  4760 , but in some cases, where the ejection spring  4760  has been damaged or otherwise rendered inoperative, the lock pawl  4735  can apply the sole ejection force to the ejection slider  4750  so as to eject the latch plate assembly  4310  from the buckle  4305 . 
     Various features of the frame  4705  will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  48  and  49   . As shown, the frame  4705  includes a base  4805  and one or more support flanges  4810  extending in a transverse direction from the base  4805 . In the illustrated example, a pair of support flanges  4810  extend perpendicularly from the base  4805  along opposing sides of the frame  4705  to form a latch plate channel  4812  in which various components of the buckle mechanism  4400  are received. Each support flange  4810  has a latch pivot notch  4815  where the lock pawl  4735  is pivotally coupled to the frame  4705 . In the depicted example, the latch pivot notch  4815  is shaped to have a flat bottom and notched sides to allow the lock pawl  4735  to lay flat when latched and properly rotate during unlatching. The support flanges  4810  further each define a pin guide slot  4820  in which the latch pin  4740  is slidably received. To promote smooth actuation of the release button  4335  and firm latching of the lock pawl  4735 , the pin guide slots  4820  extend in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  4515  of the buckle mechanism  4400 . As can be seen, the pin guide slots  4820  are generally straight so that the latch pin  4740  can smoothly glide within the pin guide slots  4820 . The pin guide slots  4820  in the depicted example do not have any bends or jogs where the latch pin  4740  could catch. The support flanges  4810  each further has retention bar slot  4825  in which the retention pin  4745  is secured. 
     Each support flange  4810  and the base  4805  further define one or more relief notches  4830 . As shown, the relief notches  4830  extend from the base  4805  to the support flanges  4810 . The relief notches  4830  are generally straight and extend in a generally parallel manner relative to the pin guide slots  4820 . With such an arrangement, the actuator cap  4725  generally moves in a straight direction along the longitudinal axis  4515  when pressed or otherwise actuated. This release button  4335  further does not catch on anything when biased back to its original position. At the web engagement end  4505 , the frame  4705  has a fastener opening  4835  configured to receive a fastener for securing the frame  4705  between the mechanism cover  4405  and base cover  4410 . The frame  4705  at the web engagement end  4505  has a web eye  4840  through where the webbing  110  is looped. 
     Looking at  FIGS.  48  and  49   , the base  4805  of the frame  4705  defines an ejector guide slot  4845  in which the ejector mechanism  4720  is slidably coupled to the frame  4705 . The ejector guide slot  4845  has a spring seat flange  4905  where one end of the ejection spring  4760  is secured to the frame  4705 . On opposing sides of the ejector guide slot  4845 , the base  4805  has one or more spring seat facing relief notches  4910  and guide channel  4915 . During assembly, the spring seat facing relief notches  4910  and guide channel  4915  allow the ejection slider  4750  to be slidably coupled to and retained on the frame  4705 . At the sides of the ejector guide slot  4845  proximal to the latch plate coupling end  4510 , the base  4805  has one or more latch alignment grooves  4920  configured to receive an end of the lock pawl  4735  when latched. 
       FIG.  50    shows an exploded view of the release button  4335 . As can be seen, the actuator cap  4725  has a cap body  5005  and one or more clip arms  5010  extending from the cap body  5005 . The clip arms  5010  are configured to secure the actuator cap  4725  to the spring retainer  4727  via a snap fit type connection. In the illustrated example, the clip arms  5010  include one or more central clip arms  5015  and one or more side clip arms  5020 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  50  and  51   , the side clip arms  5020  are configured to clip to a central clip cavity  5025  in the spring retainer  4727 . The side clip arms  5020  are configured to clip to one or more latch pin engagement channels  5030  defined in the spring retainer  4727 . Referring also to  FIGS.  45 ,  47 , and  48   , the release button  4335  is configured to guide and actuate the latch pin  4740  so as to latch and unlatch the lock pawl  4735  with the latch plate assembly  4310 . The latch pin  4740  is slidably received in the pin guide slots  4820  of the frame  4705 , and the retention pin  4745  is received in the retention bar slot  4825  of the frame  4705 . The ends of the latch pin  4740  extend laterally outside of the pin guide slots  4820  such that the ends of the latch pin  4740  are clipped inside the latch pin engagement channels  5030  of the release button  4335 . During assembly, the spring retainer  4727  is slid onto the frame  4705  such that the ends of the latch pin  4740  are received inside the latch pin engagement channels  5030 , and subsequently, the side clip arms  5020  of the actuator cap  4725  are clipped to the latch pin engagement channels  5030  so as to retain the ends of the latch pin  4740  in the release button  4335  by closing off the end openings of the latch pin engagement channels  5030 . With this construction, the latch pin  4740  is not only actuated by the release button  4335 , but the latch pin  4740  helps to retain and guide the release button  4335  when actuated. Among other things, this construction helps with assembly and simplifies the release mechanism  4710 . Once more, the release button  4335  provides a smooth longitudinal or linear actuation motion. 
     Each of the side clip arms  5020  has a latch pin contact surface  5035  configured to actuate or move the latch pin  4740  in the pin guide slots  4820  of the frame  4705 . In one example, the latch pin contact surface  5035  of each side clip arms  5020  is spaced away from the latch pin  4740  such that the release button  4335  needs to almost be fully depressed before releasing the latch plate assembly  4310 . When pressing the release button  4335  in this example, the user will first feel just the resistance of the button springs  4730 . Once the release button  4335  is pressed further, the latch pin contact surfaces  5035  contact the latch pin  4740 , and the user experiences greater resistance. At this point, the side clip arms  5020  push the latch pin  4740  in the pin guide slot  4820  such that the latch pin  4740  releases the lock pawl  4735  from the formerly clipped latch plate assembly  4310 . Having some play in the release button  4335  before releasing the latch plate assembly  4310  reduces the chance of accidental release of the latch plate assembly  4310 . Turning to  FIG.  52   , the spring retainer  4727  of the release button  4335  has one or more spring seat pegs  5205  to which the button springs  4730  are seated to the release button  4335 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  53  and  54   , the lock pawl  4735  has a latch body  5305  from where a hinge portion  5310  and lock portion  5315  extend at opposing ends. The hinge portion  5310  and lock portion  5315  extend in opposite transverse directions from the latch body  5305 . One or more cam arms  5320  extend from the latch body  5305 . In the depicted example, the cam arms  5320  extend at an acute angle from opposing lateral sides of the lock pawl  4735  and have a flat section that is spaced above the latch body  5305 . As shown, the cam arms  5320  extend toward the lock portion  5315  and extend from the latch body  5305  in an opposite direction to the lock portion  5315 . The cam arms  5320  provide a cam surface along where the latch pin  4740  is able to move. The latch pin  4740  engages near the ends of the cam arms  5320  to lock the lock pawl  4735  in the latched position with the latch plates  4312 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  53   , the hinge portion  5310  has one or more pivot tabs  5325  that are pivotally received in the latch pivot notch  4815  of the frame  4705  to facilitate pivotal movement of the lock pawl  4735  during latching and unlatching of the lock portion  5315  of the lock pawl  4735  with the latch plate assembly  4310 . The hinge portion  5310  further has one or more spring seat fingers  5330  that extend towards the release button  4335  when the buckle mechanism  4400  is assembled. The spring seat fingers  5330  are configured to couple the ends of the button springs  4730  to the lock pawl  4735 . As illustrated, the spring seat fingers  5330  are offset from the pivot tabs  5325  so as to create a moment arm that allows the release button  4335  via the button springs  4730  to pivot the lock pawl  4735  when the release button  4335  is pressed towards the lock pawl  4735 . 
     Extending on a side opposite from the spring seat fingers  5330  relative to the pivot tabs  5325 , the hinge portion  5310  has one or more ejector fingers  5335  positioned to engage the ejection slider  4750  of the ejector mechanism  4720 . When the latch plate assembly  4310  is inserted into the buckle mechanism  4400 , the ends of the tongues  4415  of the latch plates  4312  press against the ejector mechanism  4720 . This pressing action pushes the ejection slider  4750  against the ejector fingers  5335  which in turn causes the lock pawl  4735  to rotate about the pivot tabs  5325  to latch with the latch plate assembly  4310 . When the release button  4335  is pressed to eject the latch plate assembly  4310  from the buckle mechanism  4400 , the lock pawl  4735  rotates in the opposite direction which in turn causes the ejector fingers  5335  to press against and move the ejection slider  4750  in the ejection direction resulting in the latch plate assembly  4310  being unlatched and ejected from the buckle mechanism  4400 . The compressed ejection spring  4760  can provide additional force for ejecting the latch plate assembly  4310 . As noted before, this construction allows the latch plate assembly  4310  to be unlatched and ejected even when the ejection spring  4760  is clogged with debris, damaged, and/or otherwise operating below operational norms. 
     At the end of the lock portion  5315 , the lock pawl  4735  has a nose tab  5340  that helps to keep the lock pawl  4735  in an unlatched position until the latch plate assembly  4310  is properly seated inside the buckle  4305 . The nose tab  5340  is sized to fit between the tips of the tongues  4415 , and the lock portion  5315  is sized to engage the latch notches  4420  in the tongues  4415  when the latch plate assembly  4310  is latched. In the illustrated example, the lock portion  5315  is rounded to reduce wear on the ejection slider  4750 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  55 ,  56 , and  57   , the ejection slider  4750  of the ejector mechanism  4720  has a slider body  5505 . One or more retention flanges  5510  and retention tabs  5515  extend in a lateral direction from the slider body  5505 . The retention flanges  5510  and retention tabs  5515  are configured to retain the ejection slider  4750  on the frame  4705 . The ejection slider  4750  further has a nose tab guide  5520  that extends from the surface of the slider body  5505 . The nose tab guide  5520  is centered in front of the ejector swivel  4755 . The nose tab guide  5520  is positioned to contact the nose tab  5340  so as to hold the lock pawl  4735  in the unlatched position until the latch plate assembly  4310  is properly positioned in the buckle mechanism  4200 . Once the latch plate assembly  4310  is positioned for latching, the nose tab  5340  is able to slide past the nose tab guide  5520  as the lock pawl  4735  pivots to latch with the tongues  4415  of the latch plate assembly  4310 . In the depicted example, the nose tab guide  5520  has a beveled edge that facilitates smooth sliding of the nose tab  5340  of the lock pawl  4735 . 
     A latch bias wing  5525  of the ejection slider  4750  extends transverse to the slider body  5505 . The latch bias wing  5525  has one or more wing tabs  5530  that extend from opposing ends of the latch bias wing  5525 . The wing tabs  5530  in conjunction with the retention tabs  5515  help to retain the ejection slider  4750  in sliding engagement with the frame  4705 . The wing tabs  5530  of the latch bias wing  5525  are positioned to be contacted with the ejector fingers  5335  when the lock pawl  4735  is pivoted to facilitate movement of the ejection slider  4750  for ejecting the latch plate assembly  4310 . The latch bias wing  5525  further defines one or more relief notches  5535  configured to facilitate swiveling motion of the ejector swivel  4755  relative to the ejection slider  4750 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  56   , the slider body  5505  of the ejection slider  4750  defines a connector opening  5605  to which the ejector swivel  4755  is connected in a swiveling manner. As shown, the ejector swivel  4755  has a pivot connector head  5610  that is received in the connector opening  5605  of the ejection slider  4750 . In the illustrated example, the connector opening  5605  and pivot connector head  5610  form a snap fit type connection that facilitates rotational or swiveling movement of the ejector swivel  4755  relative to the ejection slider  4750 . The ejection slider  4750  and ejector swivel  4755  in other examples can be connected together in other ways to facilitate swiveling motion. As shown, the ejector swivel  4755  has one or more tongue engagement arms  5615  where the tongues  4415  of the latch plate assembly  4310  contact the ejector swivel  4755  of the ejector mechanism  4720 . The tongue engagement arms  5615  extend from opposing sides the ejector swivel  4755 . 
     As noted before, the buckle mechanism  4200  is designed to prevent just a single latch plate  4312  from being secured without the other. In other words, the latch plates  4312  of the latch plate assembly  4310  must be properly aligned and coupled together before the lock pawl  4735  in the buckle mechanism  4200  is able to latch the latch plate assembly  4310  with the buckle  4305 . When a single latch plate  4312  is inserted into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle  4305 , the end of the tongue  4415  of the latch plate  4312  contacts just one of the tongue engagement arms  5615  such that ejector swivel  4755  begins to swivel. While the ejector swivel  4755  swivels, the ejection slider  4750  is stationary with the nose tab guide  5520  remaining in contact with the nose tab  5340  of the lock pawl  4735  such that the lock pawl  4735  stays in an unlatched position. When the single latch plate  4312  is inserted further into the buckle  4305 , the relief notches  5535  in the latch bias wing  5525  allow the ejector swivel  4755  to further swivel while ejection slider  4750  remains stationary. The tongue engagement arms  5615  are then angled such that further insertion causes the end of the latch plate  4312  to slide in an outward lateral direction which in turn prevents the latch notch  4420  in the tongue  4415  from engaging the lock portion  5315  of the lock pawl  4735 . 
     In contrast, when the latch plates  4312  are both properly coupled together and inserted at the same time into the latch plate cavity  505  of the buckle mechanism  4200 , the ends of the latch plates  4312  contact the tongue engagement arms  5615  of the ejector mechanism  4720  at the same time, and the ejector swivel  4755  does not rotate or swivel. Against the biasing force of the of the ejection spring  4760 , the latch plate assembly  4310  is able to slide the ejection slider  4750  in an insertion direction. This sliding movement of the ejection slider  4750  compresses the ejection spring  4760 , and the resulting potential energy stored in the ejection spring  4760  can be later used to move the ejection slider  4750  in the ejection direction during unbuckling. As the latch plate assembly  4310  is further pushed into the buckle  4305 , the ejection slider  4750  continues to slide in the insertion direction, and the nose tab  5340  of the lock pawl  4735  slides off the nose tab guide  5520  so that the lock pawl  4735  is able to latch to the latch notches  4420  in the latch plate assembly  4310 . Eventually, as the ejection slider  4750  continues to slide, the wing tabs  5530  of the ejection slider  4750  press against the ejector fingers  5335  of the lock pawl  4735  ( FIG.  53   ). When the ejector fingers  5335  are pressed, the lock pawl  4735  is able to pivot about the pivot tabs  5325  to have the lock portion  5315  latch in the latch notches  4420 . 
       FIG.  57    shows one or more frame grooves  5702  that are formed between the retention flanges  5510  and latch bias wing  5525 . These frame grooves  5702  in essence further extend between the tongue engagement arms  5615  of the ejector swivel  4755  and the retention tabs  5515  of the ejection slider  4750 . With the frame grooves  5702 , the ejection slider  4750  is able to be retained on and slide relative to the frame  4705 . Looking at  FIG.  57   , the ejection slider  4750  further includes a spring seat  5705  to which the ejection spring  4760  is coupled. As shown, the spring seat  5705  has a spring cavity  5710  in which the ejection spring  4760  is received and a spring seat member  5715  to which the ejection spring  4760  is secured. 
     The buckle system  4300 , and more particularly the buckle mechanism  4400 , is designed to minimize the number of components so as to simplify assembly as well as enhance reliability. A technique for assembling various components of the buckle  4305  will now be initially described with reference to  FIGS.  58  and  59   . To improve visibility, various components, such as various springs, have been not shown in selected drawings, but it should be recognized that during assembly these components would be present. The ejector swivel  4755  is normally snap fitted to the ejection slider  4750  before being attached to the frame  4705 , but the ejector swivel  4755  can be connected to the ejection slider  4750  after the ejection slider  4750  is secured to the frame  4705 . 
     Looking at  FIGS.  58  and  59   , to secure the ejection slider  4750  to the frame  4705 , the ejection slider  4750  is slid within the ejector guide slot  4845  towards the latch plate coupling end  4510  of the frame  4705 . The ends of the ejection spring  4760  are then coupled to the spring seat flange  4905  of the frame  4705  and the spring seat  5705  of the ejection slider  4750 . The retention flanges  5510  and retention tabs  5515  along with the ejection spring  4760  retain the ejection slider  4750  on the frame  4705 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  60   , the lock pawl  4735  is coupled to the frame  4705  by inserting the pivot tabs  5325  of the lock pawl  4735  into the latch pivot notches  4815  in the frame  4705 . The retention pin  4745  is secured to the retention bar slots  4825  of the frame  4705 . It should be recognized that the retention pin  4745  can be secured at other times during the assembly process, such as before or after the ejector mechanism  4720  and/or lock pawl  4735  are secured to the frame  4705 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  61   , the latch pin  4740  is inserted into the pin guide slots  4820  of the frame  4705 . The spring retainer  4727  is then secured to the frame  4705 . The spring retainer  4727  is slid onto the frame  4705  such that the ends of the latch pin  4740  are received inside the latch pin engagement channels  5030 , and as indicated by arrow  6105  in  FIG.  61   , the side clip arms  5020  of the actuator cap  4725  are clipped to the latch pin engagement channels  5030  so as to retain the ends of the latch pin  4740  in the release button  4335  by closing off the end openings of the latch pin engagement channels  5030 . 
     Once the buckle mechanism  4400  is assembled, the buckle mechanism  4400  is then sandwiched inside the mechanism cover  4405  and base cover  4410  ( FIG.  44   ) to form the housing  4330 , and the mechanism cover  4405  and base cover  4410  are secured together, such as with fasteners, adhesives, etc. With the reduced number of components, the buckle  4305  can be assembled quickly and inexpensively. Again, it should be recognized that the components of the buckle  4305  can be assembled in a different order than is described and illustrated. 
       FIGS.  62  and  63    respectively illustrate top and bottom exploded views of the latch plate assembly  4310 . The latch plates  4312  have a latch plate alignment system  6205  that is used to properly align the first latch plate  4315  with the second latch plate  4320  when coupled together. This latch plate alignment system  6205  ensures that the tongues  4415  of the latch plates  4312  contact the ejector swivel  4755  at the same time to ensure proper buckling. The latch plate alignment system  6205  includes an alignment flange  6210  on the first latch plate  4315  that covers a portion of the second latch plate  4320  when the latch plates  4312  are coupled together to minimize relative twisting motion between the latch plates  4312 . The latch plate alignment system  6205  further includes one or more alignment protrusions  6215  that extend from the second latch plate  4320 . In the depicted example, the alignment protrusions  6215  include a flange alignment protrusion  6220  and an end alignment protrusion  6225  that both extend from the second latch plate  4320 . 
     Looking at  FIG.  63   , the latch plate alignment system  6205  further includes one or more alignment cavities  6305  on the first latch plate  4315  that are configured to receive the alignment protrusions  6215  of the second latch plate  4320 . The alignment cavities  6305  include a flange alignment cavity  6310  defined in the alignment flange  6210  of the first latch plate  4315 . The flange alignment cavity  6310  is configured to receive and engage with the flange alignment protrusion  6220  on the second latch plate  4320 . At an end opposite the tongue  4415 , the first latch plate  4315  defines an end alignment cavity  6315 . The end alignment cavity  6315  is configured to receive the end alignment protrusion  6225  of the second latch plate  4320  when the first latch plate  4315  and second latch plate  4320  are properly coupled together. The latch plate alignment system  6205  in other variations can include other types of alignment systems such as through keying type structural arrangements and/or in other ways. For example, the latch plate alignment system  6205  in another form includes magnets with an opposite polarity arrangement on each of the latch plates  4312 . 
     As should be recognized, the buckle system  4300  operates in the same general fashion as those described before. A technique for inserting and securing the latch plate assembly  4310  in the buckle  4305  will be initially described with reference to  FIGS.  43 ,  44 , and  47   . Once more, the buckle mechanism  4400  is designed to prevent just a single latch plate  4312  from being secured without the other. In other words, the latch plates  4312  of the latch plate assembly  4310  must be properly aligned and coupled together before the lock pawl  4735  in the buckle mechanism  4200  is able to latch the latch plate assembly  4310  with the buckle  4305 . When a single latch plate  4312  is inserted into the latch plate cavity  4605  of the buckle  4305 , the ejector contact edge  3510  of the tongue  4415  of the latch plate  4312  contacts just one of the tongue engagement arms  5615  such that ejector swivel  4755  begins to swivel. While the ejector swivel  4755  swivels, the ejection slider  4750  is stationary with the nose tab guide  5520  remaining in contact with the nose tab  5340  of the lock pawl  4735  such that the lock pawl  4735  stays in an unlatched position. When the single latch plate  4312  is inserted further into the buckle  4305 , the relief notches  5535  in the latch bias wing  5525  allow the ejector swivel  4755  to further swivel while ejection slider  4750  remains stationary. The tongue engagement arms  5615  are then angled such that further insertion causes the end of the latch plate  4312  to slide in an outward lateral direction which in turn prevents the latch notch  4420  in the tongue  4415  from engaging the lock portion  5315  of the lock pawl  4735 . 
     As noted before, the latch plate alignment system  6205  of the latch plate assembly  4310  ensures that the tongues  4415  of the latch plates  4312  contact the ejector swivel  4755  at the same time to ensure proper buckling. To secure the latch plate assembly  4310  with the buckle  4305 , the latch plate assembly  4310  is inserted into the latch plate cavity  4605  of the buckle  4305  in an insertion direction along the longitudinal axis  4515 . When the latch plates  4312  are both properly coupled together and inserted at the same time into the latch plate cavity  4605  of the buckle mechanism  4400 , the tongues  4415  at the latch notches  4420  contact the tongue engagement arms  5615  of the ejector mechanism  4720  at the same time, and the ejector swivel  4755  does not rotate or swivel. In other words, the forces applied by both tongues  4415  on the tongue engagement arms  5615  located on opposite sides of the pivot connector head  5610  balance one another, thereby preventing rotation of the ejector swivel  4755 . 
     Against the biasing force of the ejection spring  4760 , the latch plate assembly  4310  is able to slide the ejection slider  4750  in the insertion direction. This sliding movement of the ejection slider  4750  compresses the ejection spring  4760 , and the resulting potential energy stored in the ejection spring  4760  can be later used to move the ejection slider  4750  during ejection of the latch plate assembly  4310 . As the latch plate assembly  4310  is further pushed into the buckle  4305 , the ejection slider  4750  continues to slide in the along the longitudinal axis  4515  in the insertion direction, and the nose tab  5340  of the lock pawl  4735  slides off the nose tab guide  5520  so that the lock pawl  4735  is able to latch to the latch notches  4420  in the latch plate assembly  4310 . Eventually, as the ejection slider  4750  continues to slide, the wing tabs  5530  of the ejection slider  4750  press against the ejector fingers  5335  of the lock pawl  4735 . When the ejector fingers  5335  are pressed, the lock pawl  4735  is able to pivot about the pivot tabs  5325  to have the lock portion  5315  latch in the latch notches  4420 . After latching, the ejection spring  4760  may cause the ejection slider  4750  to slide back such that a space or gap is formed between the ejector fingers  5335  of the lock pawl  4735  and the wing tabs  5530  of the ejection slider  4750 . This spacing gives some play in the actuator cap  4725  so as to prevent accidental release of the latch plate assembly  4310  when the actuator cap  4725  is accidentally or incidentally pressed. 
     When the latch plate assembly  4310  is buckled or latched in the buckle  4305 , the lock portion  5315  of the lock pawl  4735  is received inside the latch plate assembly  4310 . The tongues  4415  at the latch notches  4420  of the latch plate assembly  4310  are pressed or hooked against the lock portion  5315  of the lock pawl  4735 . To prevent slippage, the side end edges of the lock portion  5315  are received in the latch alignment grooves  4920  of the frame  4705 . The nose tab  5340  of the lock pawl  4735  extends through the ejector guide slot  4845  in the frame  4705 . To further prevent accidental release, the latch pin  4740  presses against the cam arms  5320  of the lock pawl  4735  so as to hold the lock pawl  4735  in a latched position. With the pin guide slot  4820  only extending in a straight line along the longitudinal axis  4515 , only the smooth linear motion of the actuator cap  4725  being pushed in a single direction along the longitudinal axis  4515  can release the latch pin  4740  such that the lock pawl  4735  can decouple from the latch plate assembly  4310 . Movements in other directions will not cause the lock pawl  4735  to be accidentally unlatched. With the latch plate assembly  4310  latched in the buckle  4305 , the occupant can be at least partially secured in the harness system  100 , though additional tightening of the webbing  110  may be required. 
     To release the latch plate assembly  4310  from the buckle  4305 , the user actuates the release button  4335 . Once more, the release button  4335  is designed to smoothly slide in a straight direction along the longitudinal axis  4515  when pressed. An individual presses on the release button  4335  in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis  4515  to release the latch plate assembly  4310 . When the release button  4335  is pressed, the latch pin  4740 , which is coupled to the release button  4335 , longitudinally slides in the pin guide slot  4820  of the frame  4705  towards the web engagement end  4505 . This movement in turn releases cam arms  5320  of the lock pawl  4735  from the latch pin  4740  such that the lock pawl  4735  is no longer locked in the latched position. At the same, the button springs  4730  are compressed between the release button  4335  and the ejector fingers  5335  of the lock pawl  4735 . Due to this compression, the pressing force is transferred from the release button  4335  to the lock pawl  4735  via the button springs  4730 . With the lock pawl  4735  now released by the latch pin  4740  and the force from the release button  4335  being applied to the spring seat fingers  5330 , the lock pawl  4735  pivots about the pivot tabs  5325  in the latch pivot notch  4815  in a rotational direction. 
     As the lock pawl  4735  rotates, the lock portion  5315  of the lock pawl  4735  is removed or disengages from the latch notches  4420  of the latch plate assembly  4310 . Around the same time, the pivoting motion of the lock pawl  4735  also causes the ejector fingers  5335  to push against the wing tabs  5530  of the ejector mechanism  4720  so as to cause the ejection slider  4750  to slide in an ejection direction. The ejection spring  4760  that was compressed when the latch plate assembly  4310  was buckled is now released so as to also push the ejection slider  4750  in the ejection direction. The ejector swivel  4755  of the ejector mechanism  4720  then pushes the latch plate assembly  4310  in the ejection direction so as to eject the latch plate assembly  4310 . Again, the ejector fingers  5335  of the lock pawl  4735  allow the latch plate assembly  4310  to be unlatched and ejected even when the ejection spring  4760  is clogged with debris, damaged, and/or otherwise functionally inoperable. The buckle  4305  returns to the initial unbuckled state where the nose tab  5340  rests against the nose tab guide  5520  of the ejection slider  4750 , and the release button  4335  is now at a partially retracted position, as was described before. With the latch plate assembly  4310  unlatched from the lock pawl  4735  and moved in the ejection direction, the latch plate assembly  4310  can be removed from the buckle  4305 , and the occupant can be freed from the harness system  100 . 
     Glossary of Terms 
     The language used in the claims and specification is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, except as explicitly defined below. The words in these definitions are to only have their plain and ordinary meaning. Such plain and ordinary meaning is inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published Webster&#39;s dictionaries and Random House dictionaries. As used in the specification and claims, the following definitions apply to these terms and common variations thereof identified below. 
     “Acute Angle” generally refers to an angle smaller than a right angle or less than 90 degrees. 
     “Couple” or “Coupled” generally refers to an indirect and/or direct connection between the identified elements, components, and/or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact. 
     “Fastener” generally refers to a hardware device that mechanically joins or otherwise affixes two or more objects together. By way of nonlimiting examples, the fastener can include bolts, dowels, nails, nuts, pegs, pins, rivets, screws, and snap fasteners, to just name a few. 
     “Frame” generally refers to a structure that forms part of an object and gives strength and/or shape to the object. 
     “Latch Plate” or “Latchplate” generally refers to a part of a vehicle belt assembly that releasably connects to a buckle and through which the webbing is threaded or otherwise secured. Typically, but not always, the latch plate is in at least part made of metal and/or plastic. The latch plate includes one or more tongues that are inserted into the buckle. Each tongue can include a notch or other opening that is used to secure the latch plate to the buckle. By way of non-limiting examples, the latch plates can include free-sliding latch plates, cinching latch plates, locking latch plates, and switchable latch plates, to name just a few examples. 
     “Lateral” generally refers to being situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side. “Longitudinal” generally relates to length or lengthwise dimension of an object, rather than across. 
     “Magnet” generally refers to a material or object that produces a magnetic field external to itself. Types of magnets include permanent magnets and electromagnets. By way of non-limiting examples, magnets in certain circumstances are able to attract (or repel) objects such as those made of iron or steel. 
     “Notch” generally refers to an indentation, cut, groove, channel, and/or incision on an edge or surface. In some non-limiting examples, the notch includes a V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved, scratched, etched, stamped, and/or otherwise formed in the edge or surface. The notch can have a uniform shape or a non-uniform shape. 
     “Pin” or “Peg” generally refers to an elongated piece of material such as wood, metal, plastic and/or other material. Typically (but not always), the pin is tapered at one or both ends, but the pin can be shaped differently in other examples. For example, the ends of the pin can be flattened, widened, and/or bent in order to retain the pin. Pins can be used for any number of purposes. For example, the pin can be used in machines to couple components together or otherwise act as an interface between components. Pins can also be used for holding things together, hanging things on, and/or marking a position. Normally, but not always, the pin is a small, usually cylindrical piece. In certain cases, the pin is pointed and/or a tapered piece used to pin down, fasten things together, and/or designed to fit into holes. In other examples, the pin can have a polyhedral shape, such as with a rectangular or triangular cross-sectional shape, or an irregular shape. 
     “Seat Belt”, “Safety Belt”, “Vehicle Belt”, or “Belt” generally refers to an arrangement of webs and other materials designed to restrain or otherwise hold a person or other object steady such as in a boat, vehicle, aircraft, and/or spacecraft. For example, the seat belt is designed to secure an occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop. By way of non-limiting examples, the seat belt can include webbing, buckles, latch plates, and/or length-adjustment mechanisms, such as a retractor, installed in the vehicle that is used to restrain an occupant or a child restraint system. The seat belt for instance can include a lap belt only, a combination lap-shoulder belt, a separate lap belt, a separate shoulder belt, and/or a knee bolster. 
     “Sensor” generally refers to an object whose purpose is to detect events and/or changes in the environment of the sensor, and then provide a corresponding output. Sensors include transducers that provide various types of output, such as electrical and/or optical signals. By way of nonlimiting examples, the sensors can include pressure sensors, ultrasonic sensors, humidity sensors, gas sensors, motion sensors, acceleration sensors, displacement sensors, force sensors, optical sensors, and/or electromagnetic sensors. In some examples, the sensors include barcode readers, RFID readers, and/or vision systems. 
     “Snap-Fit Connector” or “Snap-Fit Connection” generally refers to a type of attachment device including at least two parts, with at least one of which being flexible, that are interlocked with one another by pushing the parts together. The term “Snap-Fit Connector” may refer to just one of the parts, such as either the protruding or mating part, or both of the parts when joined together. Typically, but not always, the snap-fit connector includes a protrusion of one part, such as a hook, stud and/or bead, that is deflected briefly during the joining operation and catches in a depression and/or undercut in the mating part. After the parts are joined, the flexible snap-fit parts return to a stress-free condition. The resulting joint may be separable or inseparable depending on the shape of the undercut. The force required to separate the components can vary depending on the design. By way of non-limiting examples, the flexible parts are made of a flexible material such as plastic, metal, and/or carbon fiber composite materials. The snap-fit connectors can include cantilever, torsional and/or annular type snap-fit connectors. In the annular snap-fit type connector, the connector utilizes a hoop-strain type part to hold the other part in place. In one form, the hoop-strain part is made of an elastic material and has an expandable circumference. In one example, the elastic hoop-strain part is pushed onto a more rigid part so as to secure the two together. Cantilever snap-fit type connectors can form permanent type connections or can be temporary such that the parts can be connected and disconnected multiple times. A multiple use type snap-fit connector typically, but not always, has a lever or pin that is pushed in order to release the snap-fit connection. For a torsional snap fit connector, protruding edges of one part are pushed away from the target insertion area, and the other part then slides in between the protruding edges until a desired distance is reached. Once the desired distance is reached, the edges are then released such that the part is held in place. 
     “Spring” generally refers to an elastic object that stores mechanical energy. The spring can include a resilient device that can be pressed, pulled, and/or twisted but returns to its former shape when released. The spring can be made from resilient or elastic material such as metal and/or plastic The spring can counter or resist loads in many forms and apply force at constant or variable levels. For example, the spring can include a tension spring, compression spring, torsion spring, constant spring, and/or variable spring. The spring can take many forms such as by being a flat spring, a machined spring, and/or a serpentine spring. By way of nonlimiting examples, the springs can include various coil springs, pocket springs, Bonnell coils, offset coils, continuous coils, cantilever springs, volute springs, hairsprings, leaf springs, V-springs, gas springs, torsion springs, rubber bands, spring washers, and/or wave springs, to name just a few. 
     “Substantially” generally refers to the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in an essential change of the basic function of the subject matter at issue. The term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, and/or other representation. 
     “Transverse” generally refers to an orientation in which the lines or objects extend in a crosswise direction relative to one. For example, the objects in the transverse orientation can extend in a perpendicular direction, at an acute angle, or at an obtuse angle relative to one another. 
     “Web” or “Webbing” generally refers to a strap made of a network of thread, strings, cords, wires, and/or other materials designed to restrain or otherwise hold a person or other object steady such as in a boat, vehicle, aircraft, and/or spacecraft. By way of non-limiting examples, the web can be incorporated into a seat belt, a child booster seat, and/or a car seat. 
     It should be noted that the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like as used in the description and/or the claims include the plural forms unless expressly discussed otherwise. For example, if the specification and/or claims refer to “a device” or “the device”, it includes one or more of such devices. 
     It should be noted that directional terms, such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “radial,” “circumferential,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc., are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader&#39;s understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation, unless expressly discussed otherwise. 
     The term “or” is inclusive, meaning “and/or”. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by the following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference Numbers 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 100 
                 harness system 
               
               
                 105 
                 buckle system 
               
               
                 110 
                 webbing 
               
               
                 200 
                 buckle 
               
               
                 205 
                 latch plate assembly 
               
               
                 210 
                 web slots 
               
               
                 215 
                 housing 
               
               
                 220 
                 latch plates 
               
               
                 300 
                 buckle mechanism 
               
               
                 305 
                 mechanism cover 
               
               
                 310 
                 base cover 
               
               
                 315 
                 tongue 
               
               
                 320 
                 latch notch 
               
               
                 405 
                 web engagement end 
               
               
                 410 
                 latch plate coupling end 
               
               
                 415 
                 longitudinal axis 
               
               
                 505 
                 latch plate cavity 
               
               
                 605 
                 frame 
               
               
                 610 
                 release mechanism 
               
               
                 615 
                 latch mechanism 
               
               
                 620 
                 ejector mechanism 
               
               
                 625 
                 release button 
               
               
                 630 
                 button springs 
               
               
                 635 
                 lock pawl 
               
               
                 640 
                 latch pin 
               
               
                 645 
                 latch plate retention bar 
               
               
                 650 
                 ejection slider 
               
               
                 655 
                 ejector swivel 
               
               
                 660 
                 ejection spring 
               
               
                 1105 
                 base 
               
               
                 2315 
                 retention tabs 
               
               
                 2320 
                 nose tab guide 
               
               
                 2325 
                 latch bias wing 
               
               
                 2330 
                 wing tabs 
               
               
                 2335 
                 relief notches 
               
               
                 2405 
                 connector opening 
               
               
                 2410 
                 pivot connector head 
               
               
                 2415 
                 tongue engagement arms 
               
               
                 2505 
                 frame grooves 
               
               
                 2605 
                 spring seat 
               
               
                 2610 
                 spring cavity 
               
               
                 2615 
                 spring seat member 
               
               
                 3505 
                 magnetic coupling 
               
               
                 3510 
                 ejector contact edge 
               
               
                 3515 
                 beveled edge 
               
               
                 3520 
                 tongue gap 
               
               
                 3525 
                 latch cavity 
               
               
                 3530 
                 latch edge 
               
               
                 3705 
                 insertion direction 
               
               
                 3905 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 3910 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 3915 
                 ejection direction 
               
               
                 4000 
                 buckle 
               
               
                 4005 
                 release button 
               
               
                 4010 
                 indicator 
               
               
                 4015 
                 persistent visible area 
               
               
                 4105 
                 base cover 
               
               
                 4110 
                 sensor 
               
               
                 4200 
                 buckle mechanism 
               
               
                 4205 
                 sensor arm 
               
               
                 4300 
                 buckle system 
               
               
                 4760 
                 ejection spring 
               
               
                 4805 
                 base 
               
               
                 4810 
                 support flanges 
               
               
                 4812 
                 latch plate channel 
               
               
                 4815 
                 latch pivot notch 
               
               
                 4820 
                 pin guide slot 
               
               
                 4825 
                 retention bar slot 
               
               
                 4830 
                 relief notches 
               
               
                 4835 
                 fastener opening 
               
               
                 4840 
                 web eye 
               
               
                 4845 
                 ejector guide slot 
               
               
                 4905 
                 spring seat flange 
               
               
                 4910 
                 spring seat facing relief notches 
               
               
                 4915 
                 guide channel 
               
               
                 4920 
                 latch alignment grooves 
               
               
                 5005 
                 cap body 
               
               
                 5010 
                 clip arms 
               
               
                 5015 
                 central clip arms 
               
               
                 5020 
                 side clip arms 
               
               
                 5025 
                 central clip cavity 
               
               
                 5030 
                 latch pin engagement channels 
               
               
                 5035 
                 latch pin contact surface 
               
               
                 5205 
                 spring seat pegs 
               
               
                 5305 
                 latch body 
               
               
                 5310 
                 hinge portion 
               
               
                 5315 
                 lock portion 
               
               
                 5320 
                 cam arms 
               
               
                 5325 
                 pivot tabs 
               
               
                 5330 
                 spring seat fingers 
               
               
                 5335 
                 ejector fingers 
               
               
                 5340 
                 nose tab 
               
               
                 1110 
                 support flanges 
               
               
                 1112 
                 latch plate channel 
               
               
                 1115 
                 latch pivot notch 
               
               
                 1120 
                 pin guide slot 
               
               
                 1125 
                 retention bar slot 
               
               
                 1130 
                 button guide notch 
               
               
                 1135 
                 fastener opening 
               
               
                 1140 
                 web eye 
               
               
                 1145 
                 ejector guide slot 
               
               
                 1305 
                 spring seat flange 
               
               
                 1310 
                 spring seat facing relief notches 
               
               
                 1315 
                 latch facing relief notches 
               
               
                 1320 
                 latch alignment grooves 
               
               
                 1405 
                 actuation surface 
               
               
                 1410 
                 frame engagement flanges 
               
               
                 1415 
                 pin openings 
               
               
                 1420 
                 stop lip 
               
               
                 1505 
                 spring seats 
               
               
                 1510 
                 seat 
               
               
                 1515 
                 guide flanges 
               
               
                 1705 
                 latch body 
               
               
                 1710 
                 hinge portion 
               
               
                 1715 
                 lock portion 
               
               
                 1720 
                 cam arms 
               
               
                 1725 
                 pivot tabs 
               
               
                 1730 
                 spring seat fingers 
               
               
                 1735 
                 ejector fingers 
               
               
                 1740 
                 nose tab 
               
               
                 2305 
                 slider body 
               
               
                 2310 
                 retention flanges 
               
               
                 4305 
                 buckle 
               
               
                 4310 
                 latch plate assembly 
               
               
                 4312 
                 latch plates 
               
               
                 4315 
                 first latch plate 
               
               
                 4320 
                 second latch plate 
               
               
                 4325 
                 web slots 
               
               
                 4330 
                 housing 
               
               
                 4335 
                 release button 
               
               
                 4340 
                 indicator 
               
               
                 4345 
                 persistent visible area 
               
               
                 4400 
                 buckle mechanism 
               
               
                 4405 
                 mechanism cover 
               
               
                 4410 
                 base cover 
               
               
                 4415 
                 tongue 
               
               
                 4420 
                 latch notch 
               
               
                 4505 
                 web engagement end 
               
               
                 4510 
                 latch plate coupling end 
               
               
                 4515 
                 longitudinal axis 
               
               
                 4605 
                 latch plate cavity 
               
               
                 4705 
                 frame 
               
               
                 4710 
                 release mechanism 
               
               
                 4715 
                 latch mechanism 
               
               
                 4720 
                 ejector mechanism 
               
               
                 4725 
                 actuator cap 
               
               
                 4727 
                 spring retainer 
               
               
                 4730 
                 button springs 
               
               
                 4735 
                 lock pawl 
               
               
                 4740 
                 latch pin 
               
               
                 4745 
                 retention pin 
               
               
                 4750 
                 ejection slider 
               
               
                 4755 
                 ejector swivel 
               
               
                 5505 
                 slider body 
               
               
                 5510 
                 retention flanges 
               
               
                 5515 
                 retention tabs 
               
               
                 5520 
                 nose tab guide 
               
               
                 5525 
                 latch bias wing 
               
               
                 5530 
                 wing tabs 
               
               
                 5535 
                 relief notches 
               
               
                 5605 
                 connector opening 
               
               
                 5610 
                 pivot connector head 
               
               
                 5615 
                 tongue engagement arms 
               
               
                 5702 
                 frame grooves 
               
               
                 5705 
                 spring seat 
               
               
                 5710 
                 spring cavity 
               
               
                 5715 
                 spring seat member 
               
               
                 6105 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 6205 
                 latch plate alignment system 
               
               
                 6210 
                 alignment flange 
               
               
                 6215 
                 alignment protrusions 
               
               
                 6220 
                 flange alignment protrusion 
               
               
                 6225 
                 end alignment protrusion 
               
               
                 6305 
                 alignment cavities 
               
               
                 6310 
                 flange alignment cavity 
               
               
                 6315 
                 end alignment cavity