HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE SAFETY STRAP ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A safety belt assembly comprises: a buckle defining a receptacle configured to receive a locking shackle; a mounting plate of the buckle defining a first opening; a support bar to which the mounting plate is slidably attached, defining a second opening; and a stopper in the buckle movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position the stopper is outside both the receptacle and the first opening, and wherein in the extended position the stopper passes through the receptacle and the first opening. The buckle is movable along the support bar between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the tip of the stopper in the lowered position engages with the stopper in the extended position in the second opening of the support bar to lock the buckle in the lowered position.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a height-adjustable safety belt arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, as is known essentially from DE 10 2019 102 741 A1.

[0002] Seat belts are safety devices configured to restrict the movement of a seated occupant relative to the seat. They are commonly used in motor vehicles and other vehicles. The distance a seat belt buckle protrudes from a seat is relevant for child seat installation and various regulations, and can affect entry and / or exit. SUMMARY

[0003] According to the invention, a safety belt arrangement is presented which is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0004] According to further features, the lock includes a push button configured in such a way that pressing the push button moves the stopper from the extended position to the retracted position, thereby unlocking the lock to allow it to move from the low position to the high position.

[0005] According to further features, a preloading device is configured to preload the lock into the raised position, wherein, when the push button is actuated to move the stopper from the extended position to the retracted position, the preloading device moves the lock upwards along the support rod from the low position to the raised position.

[0006] According to further features, the stopper is configured in the extended position to work together with the locking bar sitting in the receptacle to lock the locking bar in the receptacle.

[0007] According to further features, the tip of the stopper is beveled and configured to slide along the support bar as the lock moves from the low position to the high position.

[0008] According to further specifications, the support rod is made of steel.

[0009] According to further characteristics, the mounting plate and the support rod run parallel.

[0010] According to further features, the support rod has a beveled upper end with an angled surface on an inner side of the support rod that is opposite the mounting plate.

[0011] Another seat belt arrangement is further described, comprising: a latching bar defining a latching bar opening; a lock defining a receptacle configured to receive the latching bar and defining a lock opening; a support bar to which the lock is slidably attached, the support bar defining a bar opening; and a stopper in the lock, the stopper being movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the stopper being outside both the receptacle and the lock opening in the unlocked position, and the stopper extending through the receptacle, through the latching bar opening when the latching bar is seated in the receptacle, and through the lock opening in the locked position.The lock is movable along the support rod between a high position and a low position, with the stopper in the low position sitting in the rod opening to lock the lock in the low position.

[0012] According to further characteristics, the support rod is made of a metal material.

[0013] According to further features, a spring is configured to preload the lock into the raised position.

[0014] According to further features, one tip of the stopper is beveled and configured to slide along an inner surface of the support bar as the lock moves between the raised position and the lowered position.

[0015] According to further features, the lock also includes a rigid mounting plate which is attached to the support rod by coupling elements that sit in a slot defined by the support rod.

[0016] According to further characteristics, the rigid mounting plate and the support rod run parallel.

[0017] Furthermore, another safety belt arrangement is described, comprising: a latching bar defining a latching bar opening; a lock defining a receptacle configured to receive the latching bar; a mounting plate of the lock defining a mounting plate opening; a support bar defining a bar opening parallel to the mounting plate and made of a metal material, the mounting plate being slidably attached to the support bar;and a stopper within the lock, the stopper having a beveled tip and being movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the stopper being outside both the receptacle and the mounting plate opening in the unlocked position, and the stopper extending through the receptacle, through the shackle opening when the shackle is seated in the receptacle, and through the mounting plate opening such that the beveled tip of the stopper is on one side of the mounting plate opposite the receptacle. The mounting plate is movable along the support bar between a raised position and a lowered position, the beveled tip of the stopper being seated in the support bar opening with the stopper in the extended position to lock the lock in the lowered position.

[0018] According to further features, a spring runs between the support rod and the lock, with the spring being configured to preload the lock into the raised position.

[0019] According to further features, the support rod includes on an inner side of the support rod, opposite the mounting plate, a beveled upper end with an angled surface; and the beveled tip is configured to slide along the support rod as the lock moves from the low position to the high position.

[0020] According to further features, the support rod defines a slot that runs along a length of the support rod; and a coupling element connects the mounting plate to the support rod, the coupling element being seated in the slot and being slidably movable along the slot.

[0021] Further areas of application of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings. The detailed description and the specific examples are for illustrative purposes only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings; these show: Fig. 1 a side view of a safety belt arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of a lock of the safety belt assembly Fig. 1 in the elevated position; Fig. 3A a cross-sectional view of the lock of the seat belt assembly Fig. 1 in the elevated position and in conjunction with a locking bar of the seat belt assembly; Fig. 3B the seat belt arrangement, which results from the orientation of Fig. 3A is rotated; Fig. 4A a cross-sectional view of the lock of the seat belt assembly Fig. 1 in a low position and in conjunction with the locking bar of the seat belt assembly; and Fig. 4B the seat belt arrangement, which results from the orientation of Fig. 4A is rotated.

[0023] Reference symbols can be used multiple times in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention comprises a seat belt assembly with a height-adjustable buckle. The buckle is movable along a support bar between a high position and a low position. The support bar is made of any suitable rigid material, such as steel. The buckle defines a receptacle configured to receive a seat belt buckle. A webbing is connected to the buckle and configured to pass over the waist and / or chest of an occupant.

[0025] Before the shackle is locked into the lock, the lock is typically in the raised position. In this position, the lock is carried above the seat, making it easy to locate (especially in low light). It is also easier to insert the shackle into the recess defined by the lock when in the raised position. The rigid carrying bar holds the lock firmly in the raised position, further facilitating the insertion of the shackle, particularly when using only one hand.

[0026] When the locking bar is inserted into the lock, the lock is configured to engage the locking bar. The lock is then configured to slide down the length of the support bar from a raised position to a recessed position. In the recessed position, the lock protrudes only slightly from the seat or is recessed into a pocket defined by the seat. In the recessed position, the lock accommodates a child seat and meets any height restrictions that may be imposed by regulations.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a seat belt assembly 10 according to the present invention. The seat belt assembly 10 is configured to be installed on any suitable seat, such as a seat in a motor vehicle. The seat belt assembly 10 can also be configured for use in any suitable non-motor vehicle application.

[0028] The safety belt assembly 10 includes a buckle 20 slidably mounted on a support bar 22. The support bar 22 is made of any suitable rigid material, such as steel. The buckle 20 defines a receptacle 24 configured to receive a locking bar 30. The buckle 20 is configured in some suitable way to lock the locking bar 30 in the receptacle 24 to the buckle 20. Furthermore, the buckle 20 includes a push button 26. The push button 26 is configured in some suitable way such that actuation of the push button unlocks the buckle, allowing the locking bar 30 to be removed from the receptacle 24 of the buckle 20.

[0029] The locking bar 30 includes a distal end 32 configured to be inserted into the receptacle 24. The locking bar 30 defines a locking bar opening 34, which may be located near the distal end 32. The locking bar opening 34 is configured to interact with any suitable locking mechanism of the lock 20 to secure the locking bar 30 in the lock 20. A webbing 36 extends from an end of the locking bar 30 opposite the distal end 32 and is configured to pass over the midsection and / or chest of a person seated in a seat associated with the seat belt assembly 10.

[0030] Further based on Fig. 1 and additionally from Fig. 2 includes the safety belt assembly 10 and a mounting plate 50 for the lock 20. The mounting plate 50 is a rigid plate made of any suitable material, such as steel. The mounting plate 50 defines a lock opening 52, which may also be referred to as a first opening.

[0031] The mounting plate 50 connects the lock 20 to the support rod 22. The mounting plate 50 is connected to the support rod 22 in some suitable manner that allows the mounting plate 50 (and the lock 20) ​​to slide up and down along the support rod 22. The mounting plate 50 can be connected to the support rod 22 by coupling elements 60, which may take the form of rivets. The coupling elements 60 are connected to the mounting plate 50 and sit in a slot 62 defined by the support rod 22. Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B). The slot 62 extends along a length of the support rod 22. Near an upper end of the support rod 22 is a support rod opening 64, which may also be referred to as a second opening. The support rod opening 64 may be integrated with the slot 62 or spaced apart from the slot 62.

[0032] Both the lock opening 52 and the support rod opening 64 are configured to interact with a stopper 70 of the lock 20. The stopper 70 has a stopper tip 72 at one distal end. As will be explained further here, the stopper tip 72 is chamfered. The stopper 70 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, which is a locked position. In the retracted position, the stopper is spaced from, and does not extend into, the receptacle 24, the lock opening 52, or the support rod opening 64. In the extended or locked position, the stopper 70 extends through the receptacle 24 and the lock opening 52. In the extended or locked position, the stopper tip 72 protrudes from the lock opening 52, such that the stopper tip 72 is on one side of the mounting plate 50 opposite the receptacle 24. Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B).

[0033] Furthermore, the lock 20 includes a lever 80. The lever 80 interacts with the stopper 70 such that the rotation of the lever 80 moves the stopper 70 between the retracted position and the extended or locked position. A first preloading element 90 biases the lever 80 into the extended position. Fig. 2. This is what the stopper 70 holds in the retracted position. The first preloading element 90 can be a spring or any other suitable preloading element.

[0034] Lock 20 is located between a high position from Fig. 2, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B and a low-lying position from Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B movable. This movement of the lock 20 and the general operation of the safety belt assembly 10 will now be described in more detail. Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows the lock 20 in the raised position, with the locking bar 30 locked in the receptacle 24. When the locking bar 30 is inserted into the receptacle 24, the distal end 32 of the locking bar 30 contacts the lever 80. As the locking bar 30 is pushed deeper into the receptacle 24, the distal end 32 pushes against the lever 80 to move the lever 80 into the position of Fig. 3A to rotate or otherwise move, which moves the stopper 70 from the retracted position of Fig. 2 into the extended position of Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B moves. As the stopper 70 moves into the extended position, it moves into the locking bar opening 34 and into the lock opening 52, which locks the locking bar 30 in the lock 20. Thus, the locking bar 30 moves in the raised position of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B through the inlet 24, through the locking bar opening 34 and through the lock opening 52.

[0035] Inserting the locking bar 30 into the receptacle 24 while the lock 20 is in the raised position of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B facilitates the location of the recording 24, particularly in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the fact that it is supported by the rigid metal support rod 22 facilitates one-handed coupling of the locking bar 30 to the lock 20. The lock 20 is held in the raised position by a preloading element 92, which may be a spring or any other suitable preloading element. The preloading element 92 extends from the support rod 22 to the lock 20.

[0036] To reach the castle 20 from the elevated position of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B into the deep position of Fig. 4A and Fig. To move 4B, the lock 20 is pushed downwards along the support rod 22. As the lock 20 is pushed downwards, the coupling elements 60 slide down the slot 62 and the stop tip 72 contacts an inner surface 66 of the support rod 22. The inner surface 66 is angled to facilitate the movement of the stop tip 72 along it. The lock 20 continues to be pushed downwards until the stop tip 72 reaches the support rod opening 64. At the support rod opening 64, the stop tip 72 is preloaded to move outwards into the support rod opening 64, thus locking the lock 20 in the lowered position. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B to lock.

[0037] The safety belt assembly 10 can be installed in such a way that the buckle 20 is in the low position of Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B protrudes little, if at all, from the seat upwards. In the low position, the seat belt assembly 10 is configured to accommodate a child seat and to meet any applicable seat belt buckle height requirements. The low position of Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B represents the locking bar 30 while it is locked in the lock 20. However, according to other applications, the lock 20 can be locked in the recessed position without the locking bar 30 being locked in the lock 20.

[0038] To move the castle 20 from its low-lying position Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B into the elevated position of Fig. 3A and Fig. To lift 3B and disengage the locking bar 30 from the lock 20, the push button 26 is pressed down. Pressing the push button 26 unlocks the lever 80 from the position of Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, which allows lever 80 to move into the position of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B rotates back. Such a rotation of the lever 80 is initiated by the first preloading element 90, which is in the position of Fig. 2 is preloaded, making it easier. While the lever 80 moves into the position from Fig. When 2 is moved, the stopper 70 moves inwards from the extended position and out of the support rod opening 64. Since the stopper 70 is no longer in the support rod opening 64, the lock 20 is free to rise from the low position to the high position.

[0039] The preloading device 92 is preloaded to move the lock 20 into the raised position of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B to move upwards. As the lock 20 moves upwards, the beveled stop tip 72 slides along the inner surface 66 of the support rod 22. This contact between the stop tip 72 and the inner surface 66 regulates and slows the movement of the lock 20 to prevent any abrupt upward movement of the lock 20 that may be caused by the preloading element 92. The lock 20 continues to move upwards until it reaches the raised position of Fig. 2 returns. As a result of pressing down the push button 26, the stopper 70 returns to the retracted position of Fig. Step 2 back, in which the stopper 70 is no longer in the receptacle 24 and therefore no longer in the locking bar opening 34. Thus, the locking bar opening 34 is free to be removed from the receptacle 24.

Claims

[1] Seat belt assembly (10) comprising: a lock (20) defining a receptacle (24) configured to receive a locking bar (30) therein; a mounting plate (50) of the lock (20) which defines a first opening (52); a support rod (22) to which the mounting plate (50) is slidably attached and which defines a second opening (64); and a stopper (70) in the lock (20), wherein the stopper (70) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position the stopper (70) is outside both the receptacle (24) and the first opening (52), and wherein in the extended position the stopper (70) passes through the receptacle (24) and through the first opening (52) such that a tip (72) of the stopper (70) is on one side of the mounting plate (50) opposite the receptacle (24), wherein the lock (20) is movable along the support rod (22) between a high position and a low position, wherein the tip (72) of the stopper (70) in the low position sits with the stopper (70) in the extended position in the second opening (64) of the support rod (22) to lock the lock (20) in the low position; characterized by , that the support rod (22) defines a slot (62) which extends along a length of the support rod (22), the slot (62) and the second opening (64) being connected; and a coupling element (60) connects the mounting plate (50) to the support rod (22), wherein the coupling element (60) is located in the slot (62) and is slidably movable along the slot (62). [2] Seat belt assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the lock (20) further includes a push button (26) configured such that actuation of the push button (26) moves the stopper (70) from the extended position to the retracted position and thereby unlocks the lock (20) to allow the lock (20) to move from the low position to the high position. [3] Seat belt assembly (10) according to claim 2, further comprising a preloading device (92) configured to preload the lock (20) into the raised position, wherein the preloading device (92), when the push button (26) is actuated to move the stopper (70) from the extended position to the retracted position, moves the lock (20) upwards along the support rod (22) from the low position to the raised position. [4] Seat belt assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the stopper (70) is configured in the extended position to cooperate with the locking bar (30) seated in the receptacle (24) to lock the locking bar (30) in the receptacle (24). [5] Seat belt assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the tip (72) of the stopper (70) is chamfered and configured to slide along the support bar (22) as the buckle (20) moves from the low position to the high position. [6] Safety belt assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the support bar (22) is made of steel. [7] Safety belt arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate (50) and the support rod (22) are parallel. [8] Safety belt arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the support rod (22) has a chamfered upper end with an angled surface on an inside of the support rod (22) opposite the mounting plate (50).

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