Patent Publication Number: US-11653722-B2

Title: Multi-point safety belt buckle with dustproof function

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a safety belt buckle and, more particularly, to a multi-point safety belt buckle for a safety belt of a race car. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A conventional front-hanging safety belt buckle in accordance with the prior art shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6    comprises a base  4 , a plurality of spring-biased push members  45 , a cover  5 , a locking device  6 , a rotation member  7 , and a torsion spring  73 . The base  4  has a top provided with a plurality of slideways  42 . The top of the base  4  has a center provided with a recessed flange  41 , and each of the slideways  42  extends from the recessed flange  41  to a periphery of the base  4 . The top of the base  4  is provided with a plurality of abutting pieces  411 . The periphery of the base  4  is provided with an annular portion  43 , a plurality of spacing blocks  44 , and a plurality of insertion slots  440 . The insertion slots  440  are arranged between the spacing blocks  44 . The spring-biased push members  45  are mounted in the slideways  42 . The cover  5  is mounted on the base  4  and has a top having a center provided with a perforation  51  and a bottom provided with a receiving space  50  connected to the perforation  51 . The cover  5  is provided with an arcuate stop wall  52  surrounding the perforation  51 . The receiving space  50  of the cover  5  is provided with a plurality of convex portions  53  and a plurality of pillars  54 . The convex portions  53  are connected with the spacing blocks  44 . The pillars  54  are arranged between the convex portions  53  and correspond to the slideways  42 . The locking device  6  is mounted in the receiving space  50  of the cover  5  and includes a fixed post  63  mounted on one of the pillars  54  of the cover  5 , a plurality of movable posts  62  mounted on the pillars  54  of the cover  5  and corresponding to the spring-biased push members  45 , a plurality of springs  64  mounted on the pillars  54  of the cover  5  and located in the fixed post  63  and the movable posts  62 , a conical spring  610  mounted in the receiving space  50  of the cover  5  and corresponding to the perforation  51  of the cover  5 , a driven plate  61  mounted in the receiving space  50  of the cover  5  and abutting the conical spring  610 , a driving shaft  65  mounted on the cover  5 , and a fixed disk  8  arranged under the driven plate  61  and abutting the spacing blocks  44  of the base  4 . The driven plate  61  of the locking device  6  has a central portion provided with a through hole  611  and a hollow lug  6111  and has a rim provided with a plurality of clamping grooves  6131  for clamping the movable posts  62 . The clamping grooves  6131  are formed by projections  613  extending from the driven plate  61 . The driven plate  61  of the locking device  6  is provided with a flat portion  612 . The hollow lug  6111  of the driven plate  61  has a notch. The driving shaft  65  of the locking device  6  is provided with a rotation portion  651 , an abutting portion  6511 , and a push portion  652 . The rotation portion  651  extends through the perforation  51  of the cover  5  and protrudes from the cover  5 . The abutting portion  6511  rests on a wall of the perforation  51 . The push portion  652  extends through the through hole  611  of the driven plate  61  and is provided with a pivot hole  6521 , and a transverse axle  6522  extends through the pivot hole  6521  of the push portion  652  and rests on the hollow lug  6111  of the driven plate  61 . The fixed disk  8  of the locking device  6  is arranged between the spacing blocks  44  of the base  4  and the convex portions  53  of the cover  5 . The fixed disk  8  of the locking device  6  has a central portion provided with a retaining hole  81  to allow insertion of the abutting pieces  411  of the base  4  so as to position the fixed disk  8 . The fixed disk  8  of the locking device  6  has a periphery provided with a plurality of passages  82  corresponding to the slideways  42  of the base  4 . The fixed disk  8  of the locking device  6  has a rim provided with a plurality of openings  83 . The fixed post  63  and the movable posts  62  of the locking device  6  extend through the passages  82  of the fixed disk  8 . The openings  83  of the fixed disk  8  are mounted on the spacing blocks  44  of the base  4 . The fixed post  63  of the locking device  6  is mounted on the flat portion  612  of the driven plate  61  and has an end provided with an interior hole  631  for mounting one of the springs  64 . Each of the movable posts  62  of the locking device  6  has an end provided with an interior hole  621  for mounting one of the springs  64 . The conical spring  610  of the locking device  6  is biased between the cover  5  and the driven plate  61  and abuts the top of the receiving space  50  of the cover  5 . The rotation member  7  is mounted on the cover  5  and has an interior provided with a mounting space  70 , an arcuate inner stop wall  71 , and a pivot end  72 . The mounting space  70  covers the stop wall  52  of the cover  5 . The inner stop wall  71  is arranged in the stop wall  52  of the cover  5 . The pivot end  72  is secured on the rotation portion  651  of the driving shaft  65  for rotating the driving shaft  65 . The rotation member  7  has a periphery provided with a driving handle  74 . The torsion spring  73  is provided with a hollow restoring portion  731  mounted on the pivot end  72  of the rotation member  7  and arranged in the inner stop wall  71  of the rotation member  7 . The torsion spring  73  is provided with two push arms  732  extending from the restoring portion  731  and resting on the stop wall  52  of the cover  5  and the inner stop wall  71  of the rotation member  7 . 
     In operation, when a latch plate of a safety belt is inserted into one of the insertion slots  440  of the base  4 , one of the spring-biased push members  45  is pushed by the latch plate of the safety belt to compress a tensile spring, so that one of the spring-biased push members  45  is moved inward in one of the slideways  42  of the base  4 . In such a manner, one of the movable posts  62  of the locking device  6  is released from one of the spring-biased push members  45  and is pushed downward by the restoring force of one of the springs  64  to lock a hole (not labeled) of the latch plate, so that the latch plate of the safety belt is locked by one of the movable posts  62  of the locking device  6  and retained by one of the spring-biased push members  45 . On the contrary, when the driving handle  74  of the rotation member  7  is driven, the rotation member  7  is rotated, and the pivot end  72  of the rotation member  7  is driven to rotate the driving shaft  65  of the locking device  6 . At this time, the transverse axle  6522  of the driving shaft  65  initially abuts the notch of the hollow lug  6111  of the driven plate  61 . When the driving shaft  65  of the locking device  6  is rotated, the transverse axle  6522  of the driving shaft  65  is rotated and moved to press the hollow lug  6111 , and the driven plate  61  is pushed upward to compress the conical spring  610 , so that each of the movable posts  62  of the locking device  6  is moved upward by the driven plate  61  to release the latch plate of the safety belt, and each of the springs  64  is compressed. In such a manner, after the latch plate of the safety belt is unlocked from one of the movable posts  62  of the locking device  6 , the latch plate of the safety belt and one of the spring-biased push members  45  are pushed outward by the restoring force of the tensile spring, so that the latch plate of the safety belt is detached from one of the insertion slots  440  of the base  4 . 
     Thus, multiple safety belts are connected to a central multi-point safety belt buckle to protect the user so as to prevent the user from being detached from the seat due to a large impact. However, the conventional safety belt buckle does not have a dustproof function so that when the conventional safety belt buckle is used outdoors, dust, sand or mud is easily attached to the parts, thereby affecting operation of the conventional safety belt buckle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-point safety belt buckle with a dustproof function. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a safety belt buckle comprising a buckle body, a plurality of latch plates, and a dustproof cover. The buckle body includes a base and a top cap. The base is combined with the top cap and has a periphery provided with a plurality of insertion slots. The latch plates are mounted on the buckle body. Each of the latch plates has a first end provided with a belt fastening portion and a second end provided with a locking portion. The locking portion of each of the latch plates is provided with a locking hole. The dustproof cover is mounted on a lower end of the base. The dustproof cover is provided with a plurality of passages aligning with the insertion slots of the base respectively, and the locking portion of each of the latch plates is inserted through one of the passages of the dustproof cover into one of the insertion slots of the base. The locking portion of each of the latch plates is provided with a clamping section. The clamping section of each of the latch plates is arranged between the belt fastening portion and the periphery of the base when the locking portion of each of the latch plates is inserted into one of the insertion slots of the base. The clamping section of each of the latch plates seals one of the passages of the dustproof cover and stops one of the insertion slots of the base when the locking portion of each of the latch plates is inserted through one of the passages of the dustproof cover into one of the insertion slots of the base. The locking portion of each of the latch plates is clamped by one of the passages of the dustproof cover when the locking portion of each of the latch plates is inserted through one of the passages of the dustproof cover into one of the insertion slots of the base. 
     According to the primary advantage of the present invention, each of the passages of the dustproof cover is closely fit on and seals the locking portion of each of the latch plates to prevent dust, sand or mud from entering the insertion slots of the base, so that the dustproof cover provides a dustproof effect to the base to keep the safety belt buckle operating at a normal condition. 
     Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a partial exploded perspective view of the safety belt buckle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the safety belt buckle as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a locally enlarged view showing connection of the latch plates and the dustproof cover. 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of a conventional safety belt buckle in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG.  6    is another exploded perspective view of the conventional safety belt buckle in accordance with the prior art. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , a safety belt buckle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a buckle body (or base unit)  1 , a plurality of latch plates  2 , and a dustproof cover (or stop cover)  3 . 
     The buckle body  1  includes a base  11 , a top cap  12 , a switch button  13 , and a locking mechanism  14 . The base  11  is combined with the top cap  12  and has a periphery provided with a plurality of insertion slots  111 . The locking mechanism  14  is mounted in the base  11  and sandwiched between the base  11  and the top cap  12 . The locking mechanism  14  includes a plurality of spring-biased pins  141  aligning with the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . The switch button  13  is mounted on a top of the top cap  12  and connected with the locking mechanism  14  to control movement of the spring-biased pins  141 . 
     The latch plates  2  are mounted on the buckle body  1 . Each of the latch plates  2  has a first end provided with a belt fastening portion  21  and a second end provided with a locking (or snap-fit) portion  22 . The belt fastening portion  21  of each of the latch plates  2  is connected with a safety belt. The locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . The locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is provided with a locking (or snap-fit) hole  221  allowing insertion of one of the spring-biased pins  141  of the locking mechanism  14  to lock each of the latch plates  2  onto the base  11 . 
     In practice, the safety belt is bound on the belt fastening portion  21  of each of the latch plates  2 , the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 , and each of the spring-biased pins  141  of the locking mechanism  14  is inserted into and locked in the locking hole  221  of the locking portion  22  of one of the latch plates  2  so that the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is locked in one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 , and each of the latch plates  2  is positioned on the base  11 . The switch button  13  is connected with the locking mechanism  14 . Thus, when the switch button  13  is rotated relative to the base  11 , the locking mechanism  14  is activated, and each of the spring-biased pins  141  of the locking mechanism  14  is driven by the switch button  13  and is detached from the locking hole  221  of the locking portion  22  of one of the latch plates  2  so that the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is unlocked from one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 , and each of the latch plates  2  is released and detached from the base  11 . The connection and operation of the locking mechanism  14  and the switch button  13  are traditional as disclosed in the conventional safety belt buckle shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , and will not be further described in detail. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dustproof cover  3  is mounted on a lower end of the base  11  and has a shape corresponding to that of the base  11 . Preferably, the dustproof cover  3  has a ring shape. The dustproof cover  3  is provided with a plurality of passages  31  aligning with the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  respectively, and the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted through one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . Each of the passages  31  penetrates a thickness of the dustproof cover  3 . The locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  has a width less than that of the belt fastening portion  21  and has a root extension extending outward from the belt fastening portion  21 . The locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is provided with a clamping section  222  which is defined by the root extension of the locking portion  22 . The clamping section  222  of each of the latch plates  2  is arranged between the belt fastening portion  21  and the periphery of the base  11  when the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . The clamping section  222  of each of the latch plates  2  has a dimension equal to that of each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  and less than that of each of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . Thus, the clamping section  222  of each of the latch plates  2  seals one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  and stops one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  when the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted through one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . In addition, the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is clamped by one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  when the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted through one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  has two sides each having a width increased gradually from an inner edge toward an outer edge thereof as shown in  FIG.  4   . Thus, the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is swingable slightly in one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base  11  is provided with a first retaining portion  112 , and the dustproof cover  3  is provided with a second retaining portion  32  positioned on the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11  is an annular groove, and the second retaining portion  32  of the dustproof cover  3  is an annular flange. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dustproof cover  3  is provided with an opening  33 , and the locking portion  22  of one of the latch plates  2  is inserted through the opening  33  of the dustproof cover  3  into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . The opening  33  penetrates the thickness of the dustproof cover  3 . It is noted that, the locking portion  22  of one of the latch plates  2  is inserted into one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  and fixed constantly by one of the spring-biased pins  141  of the locking mechanism  14  even when the switch button  13  is rotated to release the latch plates  2 , so that one of the latch plates  2  is affixed to the base  11  permanently and will not be detached from the base  11 . The one of the latch plates  2  is tied on a carrier to attach the safety belt buckle to the carrier, thereby preventing detachment of the safety belt buckle. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dustproof cover  3  is made of resilient material and covers the lower end of the base  11 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dustproof cover  3  has a bottom  34  abutting a bottom of the base  11  when each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  aligns with each of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base  11  is provided with a plurality of first positioning portions  113 , and the dustproof cover  3  is provided with a plurality of second positioning portions  35  positioned on the first positioning portions  113  of the base  11 . The first positioning portions  113  of the base  11  are arranged between the insertion slots  111 , and the second positioning portions  35  of the dustproof cover  3  are arranged between the passages  31 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the first positioning portions  113  of the base  11  is a convex face, and each of the second positioning portions  35  of the dustproof cover  3  is a concave face. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  has a dimension less than that of the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2 . It is noted that, the dustproof cover  3  is made of resilient material so that when the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted through each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3 , each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  is pressed and expanded outward by the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2 . In such a manner, each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  is closely fit on and seals the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dustproof cover  3  has a wall thickness tapered gradually toward each of the passages  31  to increase ductility or malleability of the dustproof cover  3 , so that each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  is enlarged easily by the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2 . 
     Accordingly, each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  is closely fit on and seals the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  to prevent dust, sand or mud from entering the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 , so that the dustproof cover  3  provides a dustproof effect to the base  11  to keep the safety belt buckle operating at a normal condition, and the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is inserted into each of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  easily and smoothly without being affected by the dust, sand or mud when the safety belt buckle is operated outdoors. In addition, the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is swayed in one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  to adjust the angle of each of the latch plates  2  to satisfy the user&#39;s requirement. Further, the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is swayed in one of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  to prevent each of the latch plates  2  from being jammed or sprung when being subjected to an impact. Further, the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is swung slightly in one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  to facilitate the user adjusting the angle of each of the latch plates  2 . Further, the second retaining portion  32  of the dustproof cover  3  is positioned on the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11  when each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  aligns with each of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11 , to facilitate mounting of the dustproof cover  3  on the base  11 . Further, the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11  is an annular groove, and the second retaining portion  32  of the dustproof cover  3  is an annular flange, so that the second retaining portion  32  of the dustproof cover  3  is positioned on the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11  easily and quickly. Further, the bottom  34  of the dustproof cover  3  rests on the bottom of the base  11  when each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  aligns with each of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  so that the dustproof cover  3  is mounted on the base  11  easily. Further, the dustproof cover  3  made of resilient material is elastically mounted on the lower end of the base  11  so that the dustproof cover  3  is mounted on the base  11  easily and conveniently. Further, the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  and the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  are arranged at the same height when the bottom  34  of the dustproof cover  3  rests on the bottom of the base  11 , while each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  aligns with each of the insertion slots  111  of the base  11  when the second retaining portion  32  of the dustproof cover  3  is positioned on the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11 , thereby facilitating the user mounting the dustproof cover  3  on the base  11 . Further, the dustproof cover  3  is made of resilient material so that the second retaining portion  32  of the dustproof cover  3  is positioned on the first retaining portion  112  of the base  11  easily. Further, the dustproof cover  3  is made of resilient material, and each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  has a dimension less than that of the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  so that each of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  is closely fit on and seals the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  to provide a dustproof function. Further, the dustproof cover  3  is made of resilient material so that the locking portion  22  of each of the latch plates  2  is allowed to sway in one of the passages  31  of the dustproof cover  3  without interference. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the invention.