Patent ID: 8381373

Claim:
A vehicle restraint system ( 10 ) having twin buckles and a dual release assembly, the restraint system ( 10 ) comprising: a lower base ( 20 ) having angled and upstanding side edges ( 22 ), a mounting bracket ( 56 ) having a first end secured to the lower base ( 20 ) and a second end secured to the vehicle, the mounting bracket ( 56 ) including anti-rotation fins ( 58 ) at the first end, the anti-rotation fins ( 58 ) preventing relative movement between the lower base ( 20 ) and the mounting bracket ( 56 ); a pair of passenger restraint belts, each belt including a distal end with a tongue ( 48 ) and an aperture ( 50 ); first and second laterally disposed, separate, and independently operable latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ) secured within the lower base ( 20 ), each latching mechanism including a male latching element ( 40 ) and a forward facing plunger ( 44 and 46 ), each latching mechanism ( 36 and 38 ) having an engaged orientation wherein the male latching element ( 40 ) is positioned within the aperture ( 50 ) of an associated tongue ( 48 ) to secure one of the restraint belts, each latching element ( 36 and 38 ) further including a disengaged orientation that is activated by depressing an associated plunger ( 44 and 46 ), wherein in the disengaged orientation the male latching element ( 40 ) is released from the aperture ( 50 ) a first handle ( 24 ( a )) having a rearward end with an upstanding lip ( 26 ), a forward end with a rounded extent ( 28 ), and a connecting flange ( 25 ), the first handle ( 24 ( a )) being pivotally secured to the lower base ( 20 ) via a torsion spring ( 34 ), the spring ( 34 ) functioning to urge the first handle ( 24 ( a )) to a closed orientation relative to the base ( 20 ), the first handle ( 24 ( a )) having a pivoted orientation wherein the rounded extent ( 28 ) of the handle depresses an associated forward facing plunger ( 44 or 46 ) of an associated latching mechanism ( 36 or 38 ) to thereby release the associated tongue ( 48 ); a second handle ( 24 ( b )) having a rearward end with an upstanding lip ( 26 ) and a forward end with a rounded extent ( 28 ), the second handle ( 24 ( b )) being pivotally secured to the lower base ( 20 ) via a torsion spring ( 34 ), the spring ( 34 ) functioning to urge the second handle ( 24 ( b )) to a closed orientation relative to the base ( 20 ), the second handle 124 (b)) having a pivoted orientation wherein the rounded extent ( 28 ) of the handle depresses an associated forward facing plunger ( 44 or 46 ) of an associated latching mechanism ( 36 or 38 ) to thereby release the associated tongue ( 48 ); whereby the connecting flange ( 25 ) interconnects the first and second handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) such that the first handle ( 24 ( a )) pivots along with the second handle ( 24 ( b ) but the second handle ( 24 ( b )) pivots by itself.