Seat belt assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "seat belt assembly." A seat belt and method of operating a seat belt that allows the webbing to slide between a lap portion and a torso portion upon unlocking of a webbing lock of a tongue assembly, and upon an occupant exerting force on the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing against movement between the lap portion and the torso portion while flexing to allow webbing to be let out in the torso portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt assembly used in a vehicle, and more particularly to a tongue assembly portion of a seat belt assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Seat belts in vehicles are used to restrain occupants during a vehicle collision. Typically, seat belts are arranged with a combination of lap belts and shoulder straps, with webbing extending through a latch assembly to adjust the amount of webbing between the portion extending across the lumbar region and the portion extending across the occupant's torso. While the webbing can be adjusted between the lumbar and torso portions when a person is wearing the seat belt, during a collision, the latch assembly is generally configured to hold (i.e., lock) the webbing relative to each portion to provide full support for the occupant's lumbar and torso. Therefore, it is desirable for the seat belt to provide good support for the occupant's lumbar and torso, and for the latches to operate in a way that helps provide good support for both the lumbar and torso portions of the seat belt. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One embodiment envisions a method of operating a vehicle seat belt, comprising: allowing the webbing to slide between a lumbar portion and a torso portion via an unlocked webbing lock of a tongue assembly; and, when an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the lumbar portion and the torso portion, while flexing to allow the webbing to pay out in the torso portion.

[0004] One embodiment envisions a seatbelt comprising: a tongue assembly having a webbing lock and a tongue selectively secured to a buckle; a webbing extending through the webbing lock between a torso portion and a lumbar portion; and wherein the webbing lock, when in an unlocked position, allows the webbing to slide between the torso portion and the lumbar portion, and, when in a locked position, flexes to prevent the webbing from sliding between the lumbar portion and the torso portion, while providing webbing release in the torso portion.

[0005] The advantages are that it maintains the comfort, ease of use, and safety of the seat belt assembly for vehicle occupants while enhancing its functionality. During a vehicle incident where a seat belt-wearing occupant pushes forward into the webbing, the webbing lock of the latch assembly locks the seat belt between the torso and lumbar regions. This essentially prevents lumbar release via the latch assembly, while allowing a small amount of release in the torso region to potentially reduce chest deformation under such loading conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1This is a diagram of a vehicle occupant sitting in a vehicle seat, with the seat belt securing the occupant in the correct position.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view of the tongue assembly and the latch, with the webbing lock in the unlocked position.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a schematic side partial cross-sectional view of the tongue assembly and the buckle, with the webbing lock in the unlocked position.

[0009] Figure 4 It is a schematic side partial cross-sectional view of the tongue assembly and the buckle, in which the webbing lock is in the locked and partially flexed position.

[0010] Figure 5 It is a schematic perspective view of the tongue assembly and the buckle, in which the webbing lock is in the locked and fully flexed position.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view showing the disassembly of a webbing lock.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view of the webbing lock according to the second embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a schematic side view of the tongue assembly and buckle according to the second embodiment, wherein the webbing lock is in the unlocked position.

[0014] Figure 9 It is similar to Figure 8 The view shows the webbing lock in the locked flexed position.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a schematic side view of the webbing lock according to the third embodiment.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a schematic perspective partial cross-sectional view of the webbing lock according to the fourth embodiment.

[0017] Figure 12 This is a schematic side view of a webbing lock in the unlocked position according to the fifth embodiment.

[0018] Figure 13 This is a schematic perspective view of the housing according to the fifth embodiment.

[0019] Figure 14 It is similar to Figure 12 The view shows the webbing lock in the locked flexed position.

[0020] Figure 15This is a schematic perspective view of the tongue assembly and buckle according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the webbing lock is in the unlocked position.

[0021] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A schematic perspective view of the tongue assembly and the buckle.

[0022] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 A schematic side view of the tongue assembly and the buckle.

[0023] Figure 18 It is similar to Figure 17 The side view shows the webbing lock in the locked flexed position.

[0024] Figure 19 This is a schematic plan view of the tongue assembly and the buckle according to the seventh embodiment.

[0025] Figure 20 It is based on Figure 19 A schematic side view of the tongue assembly and buckle of an embodiment, but in which the webbing lock is in the locked flexed position.

[0026] Figure 21 This is a schematic perspective view of the webbing lock according to the eighth embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 A portion of the vehicle is shown, having a vehicle seat 22 mounted to the vehicle structure 24. An occupant 26 is shown seated in the seat 22 and secured therein by a seatbelt 28, which is shown in the fastened state.

[0028] The seat belt 28 includes a webbing 30 comprising a torso portion 32 extending across the occupant's torso and a lumbar portion 34 extending across the occupant's hips. The webbing 30 extends through a latch assembly 36 and is selectively slidable between the lumbar portion 34 and the torso portion 32. The latch assembly 36 is selectively secured to and released from a buckle (hook) 38, which is secured to the seat 22 or vehicle structure 24 via a support member 40. The end 42 of the lumbar portion 34 of the webbing 30 is secured to the vehicle structure 24 or the seat 22. Thus, when the latch assembly 36 is locked to prevent the webbing 30 from sliding through it, the lumbar portion 34 secures the occupant's hips in the seat 22.

[0029] The body portion 32 of the webbing 30 has an end 44 that extends into a retractor mechanism 46 (not shown in detail herein, as this mechanism can be conventional) attached to a vehicle structure 24 (such as a vertical pillar of the vehicle). The retractor mechanism 46 may have an inertial or other type of lock that selectively allows more webbing to extend into the body portion 32 of the webbing 30 to allow the occupant 26 to wear a seatbelt but prevents (or broadly restricts) the webbing from extending from the retractor during certain vehicle deceleration events. This type of operation of the retractor mechanism 46 can be conventional and will therefore not be discussed further in detail herein.

[0030] Now for reference Figures 2 to 6 This illustrates one embodiment of the tongue assembly 36 and the snap fastener 38. The snap fastener 38 can be conventional and therefore only... Figures 2 to 5 The diagram is schematically shown. The tongue 48 of the tongue assembly 36 can be selectively locked into and released from the latch 38, which can be conventional and therefore will not be discussed further herein.

[0031] The tongue 48 may be part of or attached to the tongue plate 50, which has a tongue wall 52 extending substantially perpendicular to the tongue plate 50. The tongue wall 52 may include a webbing guide slot 54 through which the webbing 30 slides; and a pair of tongue holes 56, which may be circular or keyed, such as hexagonal.

[0032] The rod 58 extends into each tongue hole 56 and may have a keyed (hexagonal) end 60, which is fixed in one of the tongue holes 56 to prevent rotation; and an opposite end 62, which is fixed in the other tongue hole 56. The rod may define an axis 64 about which the webbing lock 66 pivots.

[0033] The webbing lock 66 includes a housing 68 that includes a rod support 70 having a channel 72 through which a rod 58 extends. The channel 72 may be keyed to match a corresponding keyed (e.g., hexagonal) midsection portion 74 of the rod 58, thus restricting rotation of the rod 58 relative to the rod support 70. The housing 68 also includes a webbing slot 76 through which the webbing 30 is guided. The webbing 66 also includes a lock 78 having a locking feature 80 that, when in the locked position, locks the webbing 30 to the housing 68 to prevent feeding of the webbing 30 between the waist portion 34 and the torso portion 32. The locking feature 80 may be, for example, teeth or other engineered textured surfaces extending from an oblong cylindrical lock 78, wherein the teeth / textured surfaces may engage with the webbing 30 under certain operating conditions. Lock 78 may include a spring (not shown) to rotate locking feature 80 to prevent contact with webbing 30 when webbing lock 66 is not under the load of occupant 26. Then, when occupant 26 presses into webbing 30, the force of the spring overcomes the lock 78, causing lock 78 to rotate, which in turn presses locking feature 80 against webbing 30. This pressing feature 80 against webbing 30 locks webbing 30 in place to prevent it from moving between torso portion 32 and waist portion 34.

[0034] Now relative to Figures 1 to 6 The operation of the tongue assembly 36 with webbing lock 66 is discussed. Under typical vehicle operating conditions, when the seat belt 28 is in the fastened position ( Figure 1 When (as shown), the force acting on the tongue assembly 36 is minimal, and in this case, the lock 78 in the housing 68 is angled, such that the locking feature 80 does not engage the webbing 30. It can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 This state is observed. Because the locking feature 80 does not engage the webbing 30 in this state, the webbing 30 is relatively free to slide between the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34, thereby allowing for the comfort of the occupant 26.

[0035] In the vehicle operating condition where the occupant 26 is initially pushed forward into the webbing 30, forces from the torso and waist of the occupant 26 act on the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34, respectively, causing the housing 68 to begin pivoting about the axis 64 of the rod 58. Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram). This movement causes the locking feature 80 to press into the webbing 30, thereby preventing the webbing 30 from sliding through the tongue assembly 36. That is, the webbing lock 66 locks the webbing 30 in the tongue assembly 36 to secure which portion of the webbing 30 is located in the torso portion 32 and which portion is located in the waist portion 34. As this vehicle configuration progresses and the occupant 26 is further pushed into the webbing 30, the housing 68 further pivots about axis 64, wherein the webbing lock 66 holds the webbing 30 locked in the tongue assembly 36 (as shown in the diagram). Figure 5 (as shown in the image).

[0036] Because in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The movement between the positions has locked the seatbelt webbing 30, so the lap section 34 remains in its position with virtually no release, thus restraining the movement of the occupant 26. The lap section 34 being "virtually" not released may involve a very small amount of additional tension / tightening, but this is likely very small and therefore the effect is essentially the same as when the seatbelt webbing is locked with no release in the lap section 34. Additionally, because the axis 64 of the housing 68 around the rod 58 is... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The pivoting between the positions effectively restricts the movement of the occupant 26 as a whole while providing a small amount of additional release of the torso portion 32 of the webbing 30. As used herein (including in the claims), the term release means providing the webbing 30 in a manner that provides additional slack in the waist portion 34 or torso portion 32—this slack in the webbing (derived from the release) comes not from the ends of the webbing 30, but from the mechanical function of the tongue assembly 36.

[0037] Therefore, the webbing lock 66 in the tongue assembly 36 allows for the securing of the occupant's hips while allowing a small amount of torso extension to allow for controlled additional displacement of the occupant's torso during vehicle operation conditions where the occupant is pushed into the seatbelt webbing 30. This can allow for reduced chest load and deformation of the occupant 26 during such vehicle events. The amount of extension can be controlled by the dimensions and stiffness of various components of the tongue assembly 36, such as, for example, the length, diameter, and / or material stiffness of the rod 58, and the dimensions and / or material stiffness of various parts of the housing 68.

[0038] As part of the webbing lock 66 that allows a small amount of controlled torso portion 32 to be released while locking the waist portion 34 to substantially prevent release, some elements may have flexural capacity. This flexural capacity may take the form of torsion, crushing (compression), bending, rotation, or other deformation. Therefore, when the term “flexural” is used herein (including in the claims), this can include forms of deformation just as discussed above. This flexural capacity is macroscopic, thus allowing significant release of the torso portion 32, rather than microscopic (because every material subjected to force exhibits some deformation at least at the microscopic scale).

[0039] For example, the housing 68 can be formed of an elastomeric material that allows bending when a tensile load is applied to the torso portion 32. In this arrangement, if the rod 58 has a keyed end 60 in the keyed tongue hole 56 to prevent said end of the rod 58 from rotating relative to the tongue 50, and at least one of the channels 72 in the rod support 70 is keyed to align with the keyed middle section 74 of the rod 58, then the rod support 70 can have minimal rotation relative to the rod 58 when the torso portion is loaded. In this case, the housing 68 flexes adjacent to the rod support 70 when the torso portion 32 is loaded, thereby providing a small release of the torso portion 32 when the webbing lock 66 is locked. That is, flexing is shown as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The typical unloaded webbing situation shown is as follows: Figure 5 The loading conditions shown are between.

[0040] In another example, the rod 58 may be formed of an elastomeric material that allows for torsion of the rod 58 when the torso portion 32 is loaded and the webbing lock 66 is locked. In this arrangement, if the rod 58 has a keyed end 60 in the keyed tongue hole 56 to prevent rotation of said end of the rod 58 relative to the tongue 50, and at least one of the channels 72 in the rod support 70 is keyed to align with the keyed middle section 74 of the rod 58, then the rod support 70 can have minimal rotation relative to the rod 58 when the torso portion is loaded. In this case, the rod 58 flexes by torsion about axis 64 when the torso portion 32 is loaded, thereby allowing the housing 68 to rotate, which in turn provides a small release of the torso portion 32 when the webbing lock 66 is locked.

[0041] Figures 2 to 6 This embodiment preferably includes both an elastomer housing 68 and an elastomer rod 58, in which case both elements provide some flexure, resulting in a small amount of extension of the torso portion 32. The amount of force / torque required to cause bending in the housing 68 and torsion in the rod 58 can be set to different levels of force / torque applied to the webbing 30. In this case, flexure can occur sequentially, rather than simultaneously with the housing 68 and the rod 58. However, if it is not desired that both the housing 68 and the rod 58 flex, then one or the other can be configured to be rigid under seat belt loading conditions, while only the other is flexible. The dimensional geometry of the components can be set for a specific application to achieve the desired amount of torso extension.

[0042] Figures 7 to 9 (refer to Figure 1(As discussed in the case of) a snap fastener 38 and a tongue assembly 36 are shown, which has an alternative webbing lock 86. In this embodiment, the locking feature 88 of the lock 90 is integral with the housing 92. The locking feature 88 is a slot extending axially across the housing 92 through which the webbing 30 extends. When the webbing lock 86 is in the unlocked position ( Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the webbing 30 can slide relatively freely back and forth between the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34.

[0043] On the other hand, in the vehicle operating condition where the occupant 26 is initially pushed forward into the webbing 30, forces from the torso and waist of the occupant 26 act on the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34 respectively, causing the housing 92 to pivot about the axis 64 of the rod 58. Figure 7 and Figure 9 (As shown in the diagram). This movement causes the locking feature 88 to press into the webbing 30, thereby preventing the webbing 30 from sliding through the tongue assembly 36. That is, the webbing lock 86 locks the webbing 30 in the tongue assembly 36 to secure which part of the webbing 30 is located in the torso portion 32 and which part is located in the waist portion 34.

[0044] Again, either or both of the rod 58 and the housing 92 can be flexible components, thereby causing a small release of the torso portion 32 when the webbing lock 86 is in the locked position, while substantially preventing the release of the waist portion 34. The operation is then substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0045] Figure 10 (refer to Figure 1 The tongue assembly 36, which has an alternative webbing lock 96, is shown in the case discussed below. In this embodiment, the housing 98 includes a longitudinally elastomer portion 100 between the bar 58 and the webbing lock 96. This allows the housing 98 to extend further outward along the tongue 48, which can increase the overall length of the tongue assembly 36. However, this additional elastomer portion 100 allows for additional flexure (in this case, compression of the flattening type), which increases the amount of torso release in the vehicle operating condition where the vehicle occupant 26 is initially pushed forward into the webbing 30. Subsequently, when the occupant 26 further loads the webbing 30, the housing 98 and / or the bar 58 can flex (or simultaneously, if needed). This additional flexure of the housing 98 and / or the bar 58 can appear similar to that in Figure 9 The locking position of the webbing lock shown in the embodiment (but the added portion 100 is in a compressed state).

[0046] Figure 11 (refer to Figure 1(As discussed in the case of) a tongue assembly 36 is shown, which has an alternative webbing lock 102. In this embodiment, a longitudinally elongated elastomer portion 104 extends outward away from the housing 68 and supports a portion of the webbing 30. This causes the housing 68 to extend outward along the tongue 48, which can increase the overall length of the tongue assembly 36. However, this additional elastomer portion 104 allows for additional flexure (in this case, a flattening type of compression), which increases the release in the vehicle operating condition where the vehicle occupant 26 is initially pushed forward into the webbing 30. Subsequently, when the occupant 26 further loads the webbing 30, the housing 68 and / or the rod 58 can flex (or simultaneously, if needed). This additional flexure of the housing 68 and / or the rod 58 can appear similar to that in Figure 5 The locking position of the webbing lock shown in the embodiment (but the added portion 104 is in a compressed state).

[0047] Figures 12 to 14 (refer to Figure 1 The diagram (discussed in the context of...) shows a tongue assembly 36 having an alternative webbing lock 106. In this embodiment, the webbing lock 106 includes a housing 108, which is a flat (in its unloaded position) plate with flexural notches 110 recessed into a surface opposite to the surface contacting the webbing 30, and its integral rod 118 having a keyed (which may be rectangular or other keyed shape) shape. The tongue wall 112 of the tongue 114 includes corresponding keyed (in this case, rectangular) tongue holes 116 for receiving the rod 118 and preventing the rod 118 from rotating about axis 120. The number, spacing, depth, and width of the flexural notches 110 can be designed to provide the desired amount of flexural force according to the load applied to the webbing 30 by the occupant 26.

[0048] The locking feature 123 of lock 125 is integral with housing 108. Locking feature 123 is an axially extending slot across housing 108 through which webbing 30 extends. When webbing lock 106 is in the unlocked position ( Figure 12 As shown in the diagram, the webbing 30 can slide relatively freely back and forth between the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34.

[0049] On the other hand, in the vehicle operating condition where the vehicle occupant 26 is pushed forward into the webbing 30, the forces from the torso and waist of the occupant 26 act on the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34 respectively, thereby causing the shell 108 to flex around the flexure notch 110. Figure 14(As shown in the diagram). This movement causes the locking feature 123 to press into the webbing 30, thereby preventing the webbing 30 from sliding through the tongue assembly 36. That is, the webbing lock 106 locks the webbing 30 in the tongue assembly 36 to secure which portion of the webbing 30 is located in the torso portion 32 and which portion is located in the waist portion 34. Again, when the webbing lock moves to the locked position, the webbing lock 106 allows a small amount of release of the torso portion 32 while substantially preventing release of the waist portion 34.

[0050] Figures 15 to 18 (refer to Figure 1 (As discussed in the case of) a snap fastener 38 and a tongue assembly 36 having an alternative webbing lock 131. In this embodiment, the webbing lock 131 includes a housing 133 directly connected to a flexible flange 135, which is integral with and extends from the tongue 137. Thus, the housing 133 effectively forms a bar connected to the tongue 139. The flexible flange 135 may include a flexural notch 141 recessed into a surface facing the webbing 30 but laterally outwardly spaced from it. Alternatively, the flexible flange 135 may be a separate piece made of a material different from that of the tongue 137, which is substantially permanently attached to the tongue 137.

[0051] In the initial vehicle condition where the occupant 26 is pushed forward into the webbing 30, forces from the torso and waist of the occupant 26 act on the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34, respectively, causing the shell 133 to begin pivoting. Figure 17 As shown in the image). This movement results in locking features (such as...). Figures 3 to 4 The element 80 is pressed into the webbing 30, thereby preventing the webbing 30 from slipping through the tongue assembly 36. That is, the webbing lock 131 locks the webbing 30 in the tongue assembly 36 to secure which portion of the webbing 30 is located in the torso portion 32 and which portion is located in the waist portion 34. As this vehicle configuration progresses and the occupant 26 is further pushed into the webbing 30, the housing 133 further pivots as the flexible flange 135 flexes (in this case, bends), wherein the webbing lock 131 holds the webbing 30 locked in the tongue assembly 36. Figure 18 (as shown in the image).

[0052] Figures 19 to 20 (refer to Figure 1(As discussed in the case of) a snap fastener 38 and a tongue assembly 36 having an alternative webbing lock 147. In this embodiment, the webbing lock 147 includes a housing 149 directly connected to a flexible flange 151, which is integral with and extends from the tongue 153. Thus, the housing 149 effectively forms a bar connected to the tongue 155. The flexible flange 151 may include a flexural notch 157 recessed into a surface facing and adjacent to the webbing 30. Alternatively, the flexible flange 151 may be a separate piece made of a material different from that of the tongue 153, which is substantially permanently attached to the tongue 153.

[0053] In the initial vehicle operating condition where the occupant 26 is pushed forward into the webbing 30, forces from the torso and waist of the occupant 26 act on the torso portion 32 and the waist portion 34, respectively, causing the shell 149 to begin pivoting (similar to...). Figure 17 Pivoting in the embodiments). This movement results in locking features (such as...) Figures 3 to 4 The element 80 is pressed into the webbing 30, thereby preventing the webbing 30 from slipping through the tongue assembly 36. That is, the webbing lock 147 locks the webbing 30 in the tongue assembly 36 to secure which portion of the webbing 30 is located in the torso portion 32 and which portion is located in the waist portion 34. As this vehicle configuration progresses and the occupant 26 is further pushed into the webbing 30, the housing 149 further pivots as the flexible flange 151 flexes (in this case, bends), wherein the webbing lock 147 holds the webbing 30 locked in the tongue assembly 36. Figure 20 (as shown in the image).

[0054] Figure 21 (refer to Figure 1 (In the case discussed) a tongue assembly 36 is shown, which has an alternative webbing lock 163. This embodiment is similar to... Figures 19 to 20 The embodiments are essentially the same, but with a tongue 165 formed in a different shape. The tongue 165 is formed by bending the material to form a webbing guide slot 167 and a flexible flange 169 having a flexural notch 171. Operation is similar to... Figures 19 to 20 The embodiments are essentially the same, and therefore will not be discussed further in this document.

[0055] While certain embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0056] According to the present invention, a method for operating a vehicle seat belt is provided, comprising: allowing the webbing to slide between a lumbar portion and a torso portion via an unlocked tongue assembly; and, when an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the lumbar portion and the torso portion, while simultaneously flexing to allow the webbing to be released in the torso portion.

[0057] According to one embodiment, when the webbing lock is locked, the waist portion does not provide additional release.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes a rod fixed to the tongue plate and a housing fixed to the rod, wherein the rod flexes by twisting when the webbing lock is locked.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the housing flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes a housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes a housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by compression and flattening when the webbing lock is locked.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the flexure can also be achieved by bending the housing when the webbing lock is locked.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes a housing that is generally shaped as a flat plate fixed to the tongue and having a recessed flexural notch, wherein the housing flexes by bending around the flexural notch when the webbing lock is locked.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes a tongue plate having a recessed flexure notch, wherein the tongue plate flexes by bending around the flexure notch when the webbing lock is locked.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the webbing lock includes a cylindrical member adjacent to a housing fixed to the tongue plate, the member having outwardly extending teeth that engage the webbing in the locked position of the webbing lock to prevent the webbing from sliding between the waist portion and the torso portion.

[0066] According to the present invention, a seat belt is provided, comprising: a tongue assembly having a webbing lock and a tongue selectively secured to a buckle; a webbing extending through the webbing lock between a torso portion and a lumbar portion; the webbing lock, when in an unlocked position, allows the webbing to slide between the torso portion and the lumbar portion, and when in a locked position, flexes to prevent the webbing from sliding between the lumbar portion and the torso portion, while providing webbing release in the torso portion.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes an elastomeric rod fixed to the tongue plate and a housing fixed to the rod, wherein the rod flexes by twisting when the webbing lock is locked.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the housing is an elastomer and flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes an elastomeric housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes an elastomeric housing that is generally shaped as a flat plate fixed to the tongue and having a recessed flexural notch, wherein the housing flexes by bending around the flexural notch when the webbing lock is locked.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes a tongue plate having a recessed flexure notch, wherein the tongue plate flexes by bending around the flexure notch when the webbing lock is locked.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the tongue assembly includes an elastomeric housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by compression and flattening when the webbing lock is locked.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle seat belt, comprising: The webbing lock, which allows the webbing to slide between the waist and torso sections via the unlocking of the tongue assembly, is designed to allow the webbing to pass through. When an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the waist section and the torso section, while simultaneously flexing to allow the webbing to be released within the torso section. The tongue assembly includes a rod fixed to the tongue plate and a housing fixed to the rod, wherein the rod flexes by twisting when the webbing lock is locked, and wherein the housing flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

2. A method for operating a vehicle seat belt, comprising: The webbing lock, which allows the webbing to slide between the waist and torso sections via the unlocking of the tongue assembly, is designed to allow the webbing to pass through. When an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the waist section and the torso section, while simultaneously flexing to allow the webbing to be released within the torso section. The tongue assembly includes a housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

3. A method for operating a vehicle seat belt, comprising: The webbing lock, which allows the webbing to slide between the waist and torso sections via the unlocking of the tongue assembly, is designed to allow the webbing to pass through. When an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the waist section and the torso section, while simultaneously flexing to allow the webbing to be released within the torso section. The tongue assembly includes a housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by compression and flattening when the webbing lock is locked.

4. A method for operating a vehicle seat belt, comprising: The webbing lock, which allows the webbing to slide between the waist and torso sections via the unlocking of the tongue assembly, is designed to allow the webbing to pass through. When an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the waist section and the torso section, while simultaneously flexing to allow the webbing to be released within the torso section. The tongue assembly includes a housing that is generally shaped as a flat plate fixed to the tongue and having a recessed flexural notch, wherein the housing flexes by bending around the flexural notch when the webbing lock is locked.

5. A method for operating a vehicle seat belt, comprising: The webbing lock, which allows the webbing to slide between the waist and torso sections via the unlocking of the tongue assembly, is designed to allow the webbing to pass through. When an occupant applies force to the webbing, the webbing lock locks the webbing to prevent its movement between the waist section and the torso section, while simultaneously flexing to allow the webbing to be released within the torso section. The tongue assembly includes a tongue plate having a recessed flexure notch, wherein the tongue plate flexes by bending around the flexure notch when the webbing lock is locked.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the webbing lock includes a cylindrical member adjacent to a housing fixed to the tongue plate, the member having outwardly extending teeth that engage the webbing in the locked position of the webbing lock to prevent the webbing from sliding between the waist portion and the torso portion.

7. The method as described in any one of claims 1-5, wherein, With the webbing lock engaged, the waist section does not provide any additional extension.

8. A seat belt comprising: A tongue assembly having a webbing lock and a tongue that can be selectively fixed to a buckle; A webbing that extends between the torso and waist portions and passes through the webbing lock; The webbing lock, when in the unlocked position, allows the webbing to slide between the torso and waist portions, and when in the locked position, it flexes to prevent the webbing from sliding between the waist and torso portions, while providing webbing release within the torso portion. The tongue assembly includes an elastomeric rod fixed to the tongue plate and a housing fixed to the rod, wherein the rod flexes by twisting when the webbing lock is locked, and wherein the housing is elastomeric and flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

9. A seat belt comprising: A tongue assembly having a webbing lock and a tongue that can be selectively fixed to a buckle; A webbing that extends between the torso and waist portions and passes through the webbing lock; The webbing lock, when in the unlocked position, allows the webbing to slide between the torso and waist portions, and when in the locked position, it flexes to prevent the webbing from sliding between the waist and torso portions, while providing webbing release within the torso portion. The tongue assembly includes an elastomeric housing fixed to the tongue plate, wherein the housing flexes by bending when the webbing lock is locked.

10. A seat belt comprising: A tongue assembly having a webbing lock and a tongue that can be selectively fixed to a buckle; A webbing that extends between the torso and waist portions and passes through the webbing lock; The webbing lock, when in the unlocked position, allows the webbing to slide between the torso and waist portions, and when in the locked position, it flexes to prevent the webbing from sliding between the waist and torso portions, while providing webbing release within the torso portion. The tongue assembly includes an elastomer housing that is generally shaped as a flat plate fixed to the tongue and having a recessed flexure notch, wherein the housing flexes by bending around the flexure notch when the webbing lock is locked.

Images