Safety belt buckle cover

Abstract

This invention provides a seatbelt buckle cover. The seatbelt buckle cover includes a sliding cover body, a sliding cover, and an operating part. The sliding cover body covers the seatbelt buckle located on the side of the vehicle seat and has an opening corresponding to the unlocking switch of the seatbelt buckle. The sliding cover is slidable between a position covering the opening and a position where the opening is open. The operating part is connected to the sliding cover and, when subjected to a pulling force and moved away from the vehicle seat, moves the sliding cover to a position where the opening is open. Using this seatbelt buckle cover, the accidental unlocking of the latch due to accidental activation of the unlocking switch can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a seat belt buckle cover. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a vehicle's seatbelt system includes the seatbelt itself, a latch plate attached to the seatbelt, and a seatbelt buckle with a latch plate insertion slot. When an occupant is seated and wearing the seatbelt, the latch plate is inserted into the latch plate insertion slot of the seatbelt buckle, and the latch plate is locked within the buckle. Conversely, when it is necessary to unbuckle the seatbelt, pressing the unlock switch on the seatbelt buckle releases the latch plate, allowing it to be pulled out of the buckle.

[0003] However, while the vehicle is in motion, the seatbelt flap may be unlocked due to accidental activation of the unlock switch, leading to a traffic violation. A typical example of this is when a toddler who does not understand how to operate the seatbelt presses the unlock switch, causing the flap to unlock. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above situation, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a seat belt buckle cover that can prevent the tongue plate from being unlocked due to accidental activation of the unlock switch.

[0005] As a technical solution to the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a seat belt buckle cover, characterized in that: it includes a sliding cover body, a sliding cover, and an operating part; the sliding cover body is used to cover the seat belt buckle provided on the side of the vehicle seat, and is provided with an opening corresponding to the unlocking switch of the seat belt buckle; the sliding cover can slide between a position covering the opening and a position where the opening is open; the operating part is connected to the sliding cover, and when it is pulled away from the vehicle seat by a pulling force, it moves the sliding cover to a position where the opening is open.

[0006] The advantage of the aforementioned seatbelt buckle cover of this utility model is that it can prevent the latch plate from being unlocked due to accidental activation of the unlock switch. Specifically, when the operating part is not operated, the sliding cover covers the opening on the sliding cover body (i.e., the opening corresponding to the unlock switch), thus preventing the unlock switch from being unlocked (pressed). In other words, the unlock switch cannot be unlocked unless the operating part is operated. Furthermore, since the operating part needs to be pulled away from the vehicle seat, it is difficult for occupants sitting in the vehicle seat (i.e., occupants wearing seatbelts with the buckle covered by the seatbelt buckle cover) to operate it. Therefore, during vehicle operation, the situation of the latch plate being unlocked due to accidental activation of the unlock switch can be avoided. When the vehicle stops and the seatbelt needs to be unfastened, the operating part connected to the sliding cover can be pulled to move it away from the vehicle seat, opening the opening and allowing the unlock switch to be operated. That is, simply pressing the unlock switch can unlock the latch plate, and then the seatbelt can be removed. Therefore, the unlock switch cannot be operated unless the opening is opened by pulling the control unit away from the vehicle seat, so there is no chance of accidentally touching the unlock switch and the seat belt can be worn at all times.

[0007] In addition, the seat belt buckle cover of the present invention is preferably a sliding cover mechanism having a guide portion and a force-applying member. The guide portion supports the sliding cover so that it can slide between a position that covers the opening and a position that opens the opening. The force-applying member applies an elastic force to the sliding cover to move it toward the position that covers the opening.

[0008] Based on this structure, by pulling the operating part away from the vehicle seat, the sliding cover can be moved to open the opening, thus making the seat belt buckle unlocking switch operable. When the operation on the operating part (pulling operation) ends, under the action of the force-applying member, the sliding cover will move to a position covering the opening, thus making the unlocking switch inoperable again.

[0009] Furthermore, in the aforementioned seatbelt buckle cover of this utility model, it is preferable to include a locking unit for switching the sliding cover between a locked state in which the sliding cover is locked in a position covering the opening and a unlocked state in which the sliding cover can slide; the locking unit includes a locking part and a latching claw, the locking part being disposed on the sliding cover; the latching claw can move to a locked position where it is locked by the locking part on the sliding cover covering the opening, and can also move to a position separate from the locking part.

[0010] Based on this structure, not only is it necessary to pull the operating part away from the vehicle seat, but also to separate the latching claw of the locking unit from the locking part in order for the sliding cover to move and open the opening. In other words, moving the sliding cover requires two operations. Therefore, the reliability of preventing accidental activation of the unlocking switch can be further improved. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the interior of a carriage equipped with a seatbelt buckle cover according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0012] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the seat belt buckle cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the seat belt buckle cover being installed on the seat belt buckle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a front view illustrating the tongue plate insertion operation in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the seat belt buckle cover in the open state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a top view illustrating the sliding mechanism of the sliding cover in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a variation of the present invention. Figure 6 The corresponding top view.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a top view illustrating the operation of opening the sliding cover in a variation of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the example shown is that the seat belt buckle cover of the present invention is installed on the seat belt buckle of the seat belt device located on the passenger seat of a vehicle.

[0020] <Structure of the seatbelt buckle cover>

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the interior of the carriage where the seat belt buckle cover 1 of this embodiment is installed. Figure 1 In this version, the seatbelt and tongue plate of the seatbelt device are omitted. For example... Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, the seat belt buckle cover 1 is installed to cover the seat belt buckle in the seat belt device of the front passenger seat (left front seat) PS.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the seat belt buckle cover 1 of this embodiment. Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the seat belt buckle cover 1 of this embodiment is installed on the seat belt buckle 2. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the diagram, arrow LH indicates the left side (passenger side PS) in the vehicle width direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side. Additionally, Figure 2 The arrow FR in the figure indicates the front side in the direction of vehicle length.

[0023] The seat belt buckle cover 1 includes a sliding cover body 3, a cover component 4, and an operating part 5.

[0024] The sliding cover body 3 is configured as a cubic box with an open bottom. That is, the sliding cover body 3 includes a top plate 31, a front plate 32, a rear plate 33, a right side plate 34, and a left side plate 35.

[0025] The top plate 31 has a first opening 31a corresponding to the tongue insertion port 21 of the seat belt buckle 2, and a second opening 31b corresponding to the unlocking switch 22 of the seat belt buckle 2. The second opening 31b is equivalent to the "opening corresponding to the unlocking switch" mentioned in this invention. Both openings (31a, 31b) are rectangular. The first opening 31a is located closer to the passenger side PS (left side in the vehicle width direction) than the second opening 31b. The size of the first opening 31a is configured to accommodate the tongue plate 6 of the seat belt device (see reference). Figure 4 The size of the insertion opening 31a is set to be slightly larger than the opening width of the tongue insertion opening 21. The size of the second opening 31b is configured to accommodate an occupant (e.g., seated in the driver's seat DS, see reference 21). Figure 1 The size of an adult's finger that can be inserted. The opening width dimension of the second opening 31b (the dimension in the direction parallel to the vehicle width direction) is set to be slightly larger than the width dimension of the unlocking switch 22.

[0026] like Figure 3As shown, fixing claws 34a and 35a for securing the seatbelt buckle 2 are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of the right side plate 34 and left side plate 35 of the sliding cover body 3. Thus, when the seatbelt buckle cover 1 is installed to cover the seatbelt buckle 2, each fixing claw (34a, 35a) abuts against the outer surface of the seatbelt buckle 2 with a slightly outwardly extended position, thereby securing the seatbelt buckle 2 between the retaining claws 34a and 35a. This achieves relative positioning between the seatbelt buckle 2 and the seatbelt buckle cover 1. In this positioned state, the first opening 31a is located above the tongue insertion port 21 of the seatbelt buckle 2, and the second opening 31b is located above the unlocking switch 22 of the seatbelt buckle 2.

[0027] The cover member 4 is installed on the upper side of the sliding cover body 3. The cover member 4 includes a first region 41 and a second region 42, wherein the first region 41 is located above the first opening 31a on the top plate 31 of the sliding cover body 3, and the second region 42 is located above the second opening 31b on the top plate 31 of the sliding cover body 3.

[0028] The first region 41 is a flat plate and has a third opening 41a that extends vertically. With the cover member 4 mounted on the upper side of the sliding cover body 3, the third opening 41a is located above the first opening 31a. That is, the third opening 41a and the first opening 31a are arranged facing each other vertically. The size of the third opening 41a is also configured to allow the tongue plate 6 to be inserted and pass through. The opening width dimension of the third opening 41a (the dimension in the direction parallel to the vehicle width direction) is set to be slightly smaller than the opening width dimension of the first opening 31a.

[0029] The second region 42 includes a main body 43, a sliding cover 44, and a sliding cover sliding mechanism 45. By sliding the sliding cover 44 relative to the main body 43, the second region 42 can be opened. Figure 2 This shows the state where the sliding cover 44 has moved to the far left (the passenger side PS side), that is, the state where the second area 42 is closed by the sliding cover 44. Figure 5 This shows the state after the sliding cover 44 has moved to the right (the driver's seat DS side), that is, the second area 42 is open.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the main body 43 includes a side plate 43a, a front plate 43b, and a rear plate 43c. The height dimensions of each of these side plates 43a, front plate 43b, and rear plate 43c are the same.

[0031] The side panel 43a is made of curved sheet metal, and its lower end is connected to the first region 41.

[0032] The front panel 43b is connected to the front end (the end near the front of the vehicle body) of the side panel 43a, and is made of a sheet material that extends in a direction perpendicular to the length of the vehicle (extending towards the driver's seat DS side).

[0033] The rear panel 43c is connected to the rear end (end near the rear of the vehicle body) of the side panel 43a, and is made of a sheet material that extends in a direction perpendicular to the length of the vehicle (extending towards the driver's seat DS side).

[0034] The sliding mechanism 45 includes a pair of guide portions 45a. Each guide portion 45a extends along the entire length of the upper end of the front plate 43b and the rear plate 43c, respectively. Figure 5 As shown, each guide portion 45a includes an upper guide 45b and a lower guide 45c having a predetermined width dimension in the vehicle length direction. The spacing dimension between the upper guide 45b and the lower guide 45c is approximately the same as the plate thickness dimension of the horizontal portion 44a of the sliding cover 44, which will be described later.

[0035] The sliding cover 44 includes a horizontal portion 44a and a vertical portion 44b.

[0036] The horizontal portion 44a is supported between the upper guide 45b and the lower guide 45c of the guide portion 45a of the sliding cover mechanism 45, and can slide freely in the vehicle width direction. The dimension of the sliding cover 44 in the vehicle width direction is approximately the same as the dimension of the body portion 43 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, when the sliding cover 44 moves to the far left (the passenger side PS side), the upper part of the main body 43 (the area between the pair of guide portions 45a) is closed by the sliding cover 44. At this time, the position of the sliding cover 44 is the "position that covers the opening" as described in this utility model. Conversely, as Figure 5 As shown, when the sliding cover 44 moves to the right (driver's seat DS side), the upper side of the main body 43 (the area between the pair of guide portions 45a) becomes open. At this time, the position of the sliding cover 44 is the "position where the opening is open" as described in this utility model.

[0037] The vertical part 44b is composed of a plate extending downward from the right end of the horizontal part 44a in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] In addition to its aforementioned function of slidably supporting the sliding cover 44, the sliding cover mechanism 45 also functions to apply an elastic force to the sliding cover 44, causing it to move towards a position where the main body 43 is closed to the upper side. Figure 6 is a top view illustrating the sliding cover mechanism 45 in this embodiment. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view taken horizontally below the upper guide 45b of the main body 43. (Example) Figure 6As shown, in the sliding cover mechanism 45, a compression spring (force-applying member) 45d provided between the main body 43 and the sliding cover 44 constitutes an elastic force that applies to the sliding cover 44, causing it to move in the closing direction (towards the passenger seat PS direction) (see reference). Figure 6 The structure of the arrow (in the image). The following is a detailed explanation.

[0039] At the front end of the horizontal portion 44a of the sliding cover 44 (the end near the passenger seat PS side), a pair of first seats 44c protruding along the vehicle length direction are provided. Additionally, a second seat 45e is provided between the upper guide 45b and lower guide 45c on the rear surface of the front panel 43b and the front surface of the rear panel 43c, respectively. The first seats 44c and the second seats 45e are arranged facing each other at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction. A compression spring 45d is provided between the first seats 44c and the second seats 45e, thereby forming a structure that applies an elastic force to the sliding cover 44, causing it to move in the closing direction (towards the passenger seat PS).

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the operating part 5 is connected to the vertical portion 44b of the sliding cover 44 and extends towards the driver's seat DS side. This operating part 5 is a flexible strip-shaped member woven from polyester fibers and has a predetermined length. Alternatively, the operating part 5 can also be a rope-shaped member.

[0041] <Instructions for using the seatbelt buckle cover>

[0042] Next, the operation of the seat belt buckle cover 1 with the above structure will be explained.

[0043] When the operating part 5 of the seat belt buckle cover 1 is not operated, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sliding cover 44 closes the upper side of the main body 43 (the area between the pair of guide portions 45a), thereby covering the upper side of the second opening 31b of the sliding cover body 3. Therefore, the unlocking switch 22 of the seatbelt buckle 2 is in an inoperable (pressable) state. That is, the unlocking switch 22 cannot be operated unless the operating part 5 is operated (pulled towards the driver's seat DS side).

[0044] In this state, when the occupant is seated in the front passenger seat (PS) and wearing a seatbelt, such as Figure 4 As shown, the tongue plate 6 is inserted into the tongue insertion port 21 of the seat belt buckle 2 after passing through the third opening 41a and the first opening 31a. In this way, the tongue plate 6 is locked inside the seat belt buckle 2.

[0045] In this state, as mentioned above, the unlocking switch 22 cannot be operated unless the operating unit 5 is operated, so the unlocking switch 22 will not be accidentally pressed, thus ensuring that the seat belt is always worn. That is, it can prevent the latch plate 6 from being unlocked due to the unlocking switch 22 being accidentally pressed while the vehicle is in motion.

[0046] Then, for example, when the vehicle stops and the seatbelt needs to be unfastened, by operating the operating part 5 (pulling it towards the driver's seat DS side), the sliding cover 44 slides towards the driver's seat DS side, opening the upper side of the main body 43 (the area between the pair of guide parts 45a), thus exposing the second opening 31b of the sliding cover body 3 upwards. This makes the unlocking switch 22 operable. In this state, simply pressing the unlocking switch 22 releases the lock on the tongue plate 6 and unfastens the seatbelt.

[0047] As described above, with the seatbelt buckle cover 1 of this embodiment, the unlocking switch 22 cannot be operated unless the operating part 5 is pulled away from the passenger seat PS (towards the driver's seat DS) to move the sliding cover 44 to the open position. Therefore, the accidental pressing of the unlocking switch 22 can be avoided, thereby ensuring that the seatbelt is always worn.

[0048] <Variation Example>

[0049] Next, a variation of this embodiment will be described. The feature of this variation is that, based on the structure of the above embodiment, the seatbelt buckle cover 1 further includes a locking unit that locks the sliding cover 44 to the body portion 43 and allows the locking to be released. The other parts are the same as in the above embodiment; therefore, only the locking unit will be described below.

[0050] Figure 7 shows the variation of this example. Figure 6 The corresponding top view. Figure 7 In the image, the sliding cover 44 is shown by a dashed line. (Example) Figure 7 As shown, the locking unit 7 includes a pair of locking portions 71 and a pair of pressing operation portions 72 disposed on the lower surface of the sliding cover 44. The pair of locking portions 71 corresponds one-to-one with the pair of pressing operation portions 72. Each pressing operation portion 72 has a latching claw 72a for engaging with the corresponding locking portion 71.

[0051] The locking part 71 is L-shaped in the top view and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the sliding cover 44.

[0052] On the front plate 43b and rear plate 43c of the main body 43, respectively, bosses 72b extending along the vehicle length direction are installed. A press operation part 72 is slidably inserted into each boss 72b. Each press operation part 72 includes a press button 72c protruding outward from the boss 72b (for the press operation part 72 located at the front side in the vehicle length direction, this is the front side of the vehicle body; for the press operation part 72 located at the rear side in the vehicle length direction, this is the rear side of the vehicle body), and a latching claw 72a extending inward from the boss 72b (inner side of the main body 43) and capable of engaging with the locking part 71. A spring (not shown) is disposed inside the boss 72b, which applies a spring force to the press operation part 72, causing it to move outward.

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, under the elastic force of the spring, the pressing operation part 72 is in a state where it is about to move outward, but each latching claw 72a is locked by the locking part 71 that it engages with. Therefore, even if the operation part 5 is pulled away from the passenger seat PS, the sliding cover 44 will not slide. This state is equivalent to the "locked state when the sliding cover is locked in a position that covers the opening and cannot be moved" as described in this utility model.

[0054] Conversely, if... Figure 8 When the spring force is resisted by pressing the respective pressing buttons 72c of the pair of pressing operation parts 72, the latches 72a will move and separate from the locking part 71, thus enabling the sliding cover 44 to move. This state is equivalent to the "locked-out state in which the sliding cover can slide" as described in this utility model. In this state, by operating the operation part 5 (pulling it towards the driver's seat DS side), the sliding cover 44 is slid towards the driver's seat DS side, which opens the upper side of the main body part 43 (the area between the pair of guide parts 45a), exposing the second opening 31b of the sliding cover body 3 upwards, making the unlocking switch 22 operable.

[0055] Thus, with the seatbelt buckle cover 1 of this modified example, not only is it necessary to pull the operating part 5 away from the passenger seat PS, but also to press each of the push buttons 72c to separate the buckle claws 72a from the locking part 71 before the sliding cover 44 can be moved. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the unlocking switch 22 from being accidentally pressed.

[0056] However, this utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and can be implemented in a wide variety of applications and variations.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiments and modifications, an example is given of installing the seat belt buckle cover 1 of this utility model on the seat belt buckle 2 of the seat belt device equipped on the passenger seat PS of a vehicle. However, the seat belt buckle cover 1 of this utility model is not limited to this, and can also be installed on the seat belt buckle 2 of the seat belt device equipped on other seats.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modifications, the sliding cover 44 is configured to be slidable. However, the present invention is not limited to this; the sliding cover 44 may also be configured to rotate about a horizontal axis, and the upper side of the main body 43 may be opened by rotating the sliding cover 44 upward. In this case, it is preferable to set the rotation axis of the sliding cover 44 to extend along the length of the vehicle, and to set the rotation axis at the part of the sliding cover 44 near the passenger seat PS. That is, when the sliding cover 44 is in the open state, the unlocking switch 22 can be easily operated from the driver's seat DS side, but it is difficult to operate the unlocking switch 22 from the passenger seat PS side due to the obstruction of the sliding cover 44. In this way, when there is a child sitting in the passenger seat PS, with the sliding cover 44 in the open state, the adult in the driver's seat DS can operate the unlocking switch 22, while the child will find it difficult to operate the unlocking switch 22 at will, thereby preventing accidents from occurring.

Claims

1. A seatbelt buckle cover, characterized in that: Includes the sliding cover body, the sliding cover, and the operating part. The sliding cover body is used to cover the seat belt buckle located on the side of the vehicle seat, and has an opening corresponding to the unlocking switch of the seat belt buckle; The sliding cover is capable of sliding between a position that covers the opening and a position that opens the opening; The operating part is connected to the sliding cover. When it is pulled away from the vehicle seat, the sliding cover moves to a position that opens the opening.

2. The seatbelt buckle cover as described in claim 1, characterized in that: This includes a sliding cover mechanism with a guide section and a force-applying component. The guide portion supports the sliding cover so that it can slide between a position that covers the opening and a position that opens the opening; The force-applying member applies an elastic force to the sliding cover, causing it to move toward a position that covers the opening.

3. The seatbelt buckle cover as described in claim 2, characterized in that: It has a locking unit for switching the sliding cover between a locked state in which the sliding cover is locked in a position that covers the opening and a unlocked state in which the sliding cover can slide. The locking unit includes a locking part and a latching claw. The locking part is disposed on the sliding cover. The latching claw can move to a locking position where it is locked by the locking part on the sliding cover, which is located at the position covering the opening, and can also move to a position where it is separated from the locking part.

Images