Separation tongue and seat belt device

Abstract

A separation tongue is configured such that a lap webbing is connected to a plate body, and a shoulder webbing is connected to a stopper. The stopper is attached to the plate body by being passed through a passage hole in the plate body and engaged with the plate body. Thus, the stopper can easily be attached to the plate body.

Description

Separation Tongue and Seat Belt Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation tongue in which a shoulder webbing and a lap webbing are connected, and a seat belt device including the separation tongue.

[0002] In the seat belt device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-218118, a shoulder webbing is connected to a shaft rod, and a lap webbing is connected to a tong plate. Further, the tong plate is connected to a buckle and is connected to the vehicle body side.

[0003] Here, in this seat belt device, the shaft rod is attached to the tong plate via a torsion bar.

[0004] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a separation tongue and a seat belt device capable of easily attaching an engaging member to an attachment member.

[0005] The separation tongue according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an attachment member provided with a through hole, to which one of a shoulder webbing worn on a passenger's shoulder and a lap webbing worn on a passenger's waist is connected, and the other of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing is connected, and is attached to the attachment member by passing through the through hole and engaging with the attachment member. The attachment member or the engaging member is connected to a connecting member and is connected to the vehicle body side.

[0006] The separation tongue according to the second aspect of the present invention is the separation tongue according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which the other of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing is made non-detachable from the engaging member.

[0007] The separation tongue according to the third aspect of the present invention is the separation tongue according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and includes an attachment strength member provided on the attachment member and having a strength higher than that of other parts of the attachment member, and an engagement strength member provided on the engaging member and having a strength higher than that of other parts of the engaging member, and the attachment strength member is adjacent to the side where the engaging member is pulled by the other of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a separation tongue in which, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the engaging member is asymmetrical with respect to the mounting direction to the mounting member.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a mounting strength member, which is provided on the mounting member and has a strength higher than that of other parts of the mounting member, and is bent around the through hole, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.

[0010] The sixth aspect of the present invention is a separation tongue in which the engaging member is elastically engaged with the mounting member in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention.

[0011] A seat belt device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a separation tongue according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the shoulder webbing, the wrap webbing, and the connecting member.

[0012] In the first aspect of the separation tongue of the present invention, shoulder webbing is attached to the occupant's shoulders and lap webbing is attached to the occupant's waist. One of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing is connected to a mounting member, and the other of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing is connected to an engaging member, and the mounting member or the engaging member is connected to a connecting member and then to the vehicle body.

[0013] Here, the engaging member is attached to the mounting member by passing through a hole in the mounting member and engaging with the mounting member. Therefore, the engaging member can be easily attached to the mounting member.

[0014] In the second aspect of the present invention, the other of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing is made inseparable from the engaging member. Therefore, when attaching the engaging member to the mounting member, the detachment of the other of the shoulder webbing and the lap webbing from the engaging member can be restricted, and the engaging member can be easily attached to the mounting member.

[0015] In the third aspect of the separation tongue of the present invention, the strength of the mounting strength member of the mounting member is higher than the strength of the other parts of the mounting member, and the strength of the engagement strength member of the engagement member is higher than the strength of the other parts of the engagement member, and the mounting strength member is adjacent to the side on which the engagement strength member is pulled by the other of the shoulder webbing and the wrap webbing. Therefore, the load of the other of the shoulder webbing and the wrap webbing can be supported by the mounting strength member.

[0016] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the separating tongue is made asymmetrical with respect to the mounting direction to the mounting member. Therefore, when the engaging member is inverted with respect to the mounting direction to the mounting member, it becomes impossible to attach it to the mounting member, thereby limiting incorrect attachment of the engaging member to the mounting member.

[0017] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the strength of the mounting strength member of the mounting member is higher than the strength of other parts of the mounting member, and the mounting strength member is bent around the through hole. Therefore, the mounting member can be miniaturized in the through hole portion.

[0018] In the separation tongue of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the engaging member is elastically engaged with the mounting member. Therefore, the engaging member can be easily engaged with the mounting member.

[0019] A seat belt device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a separation tongue from any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, shoulder webbing, wrap webbing, and a connecting member. Therefore, it can perform the same functions and effects as the separation tongue of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0020] This is a front view of a vehicle, seen from the front, showing a seat belt device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view seen from the rear diagonally right, showing the separation tongue, etc., in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view seen from the rear, showing the separation tongue, etc., in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view seen from the right (cross-sectional view along line 2C-2C in Figure 2B), showing the separation tongue, etc., in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view seen from the rear diagonally right, showing the separation tongue before assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view seen from the rear diagonally right, showing the first stage of assembly of the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view seen from the rear diagonally right, showing the second stage of assembly of the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view seen from the rear, showing the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a top view seen from above, showing the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view seen from the rear, showing the plate body of the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view seen from the rear, showing the plate of the plate body of the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view seen from the rear, showing the stopper of the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view from below (section along line 6B-6B in Figure 6A) showing the stopper of the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view from below showing the engagement of the stopper with the plate body in the separation tongue in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a rear view of the separation tongue in the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view from the rear diagonal right showing the separation tongue in the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a side view from the right showing the plate body of the separation tongue in the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view from the lower diagonal left showing the stopper of the separation tongue in the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view from the lower diagonal left showing the internal structure of the stopper of the separation tongue in the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a side view from the right showing the separation tongue in the third embodiment of the present invention. This is a side view from the right showing the separation tongue in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view from the rear showing the separation tongue in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view from the rear showing the separation tongue in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows a front view of a seat belt device 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. Figure 2A shows a perspective view of the separation tongue 10 and other parts of the seat belt device 12 as seen from the rear diagonal right, and Figure 2B shows a rear view of the separation tongue 10 and other parts as seen from the rear. In the drawings, the top of the vehicle is indicated by the arrow VU, the outward direction in the width direction of the vehicle (right side of the vehicle) is indicated by the arrow VO, the front of the separation tongue 10 is indicated by the arrow FR, the right side of the separation tongue 10 is indicated by the arrow RH, and the top of the separation tongue 10 is indicated by the arrow UP.

[0022] The seat belt device 12 according to this embodiment is applied to a seat (not shown) inside the cabin of a vehicle (automobile).

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the seat belt device 12 is equipped with a first retractor 14 (shoulder retractor), which is attached to the vehicle body or built into the seat on the outer and lower side in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the seat. A long, strip-shaped shoulder webbing 16 is wound onto the first retractor 14 from its base end, and the shoulder webbing 16 is biased toward being wound onto the first retractor 14 and is also pulled out upward from the first retractor 14. The first retractor 14 is equipped with a first locking mechanism (not shown), which locks the pulling out of the shoulder webbing 16 from the first retractor 14 in the event of a vehicle emergency (such as a collision). The first winding device 14 is equipped with a first pretensioner mechanism (not shown), and in the event of a vehicle emergency, the first pretensioner mechanism is activated and the shoulder webbing 16 is wound onto the first winding device 14 under high load by gas pressure.

[0024] The seat belt device 12 is equipped with a second winding device 18 (lap retractor), which is attached to the vehicle body or built into the seat at the rear of the seat, on the outside and below in the vehicle width direction. A long, strip-shaped lap webbing 20 is wound onto the second winding device 18 from its base end, and the lap webbing 20 is biased toward winding onto the second winding device 18 and is also pulled out upward from the second winding device 18. The second winding device 18 is equipped with a second locking mechanism (not shown), which locks the pulling out of the lap webbing 20 from the second winding device 18 in the event of a vehicle emergency. The second winding device 18 is also equipped with a second pretensioner mechanism (not shown), which is activated in the event of a vehicle emergency to wind the lap webbing 20 onto the second winding device 18 with a high load using gas pressure.

[0025] The shoulder webbing 16 is movably passed through a through anchor 22 (slip joint) on the tip side of the first winding device 14, and the through anchor 22 is installed on the outer and upper side in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the seat. The tip portion of the shoulder webbing 16 and the tip portion of the wrap webbing 20 are connected to the separation tongue 10.

[0026] A buckle 24 is installed on the inner and lower side of the rear of the seat in the vehicle width direction, and the buckle 24 is connected to the vehicle body. A separation tongue 10 is connected to the buckle 24, and when the separation tongue 10 is connected to the buckle 24 (connected to the vehicle body), the shoulder webbing 16 and wrap webbing 20 are attached to the occupant 26 seated in the seat. As a result, the portion of the shoulder webbing 16 between the through anchor 22 and the separation tongue 10 is draped diagonally from the occupant 26's shoulder to his waist (including his chest), and the portion of the wrap webbing 20 between the second winding device 18 and the separation tongue 10 is draped laterally over the occupant 26's waist. The connection of the separation tongue 10 to the buckle 24 is detachable, and when the connection of the separation tongue 10 to the buckle 24 is released, the attachment of the shoulder webbing 16 and wrap webbing 20 to the occupant 26 is released.

[0027] When the separation tongue 10 is connected to the buckle 24, the front, right, and upper ends of the separation tongue 10 are directed outward in the vehicle width direction, towards the rear of the vehicle, and towards the top of the vehicle, respectively.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the separation tongue 10 is provided with a plate body 28 (see Figure 5A) as a mounting member, and the plate body 28 is provided with a metal (for example, iron) plate-shaped plate 30 (see Figure 5B) as a mounting strength member. A rectangular frame-shaped connecting frame 30A is provided on the lower part of the plate 30, and the connecting frame 30A is connected to a buckle 24, and the separation tongue 10 is connected to the buckle 24. A rectangular frame-shaped passing frame 30B is provided on the upper part of the plate 30, and the passing frame 30B is curved in a convex shape towards the front in the vertical direction (see Figure 2C). A substantially rectangular plate-shaped connecting plate 30C is provided in the lower part of the passing frame 30B, and the connecting plate 30C extends in the left-right direction and is integrated with the left and right parts of the passing frame 30B.

[0029] A resin plate 32 is provided on the outer circumference of the passage frame 30B and the connecting plate 30C by insert molding. The resin plate 32 covers the passage frame 30B and the connecting plate 30C, and its strength is lower than that of the plate 30. A roughly rectangular columnar connecting column 28A is provided on the connecting plate 30C portion of the plate body 28, and a rectangular passage hole 28B is formed in the passage frame 30B portion of the plate body 28 above the connecting column 28A when viewed from the front.

[0030] On the left and right sides of the passage frame 30B portion of the plate body 28, approximately semi-cylindrical engaging columns 28C (see Figure 2C) are provided by the plate resin 32. An approximately rectangular columnar engaging groove 28D is formed on the upper part of the engaging column 28C. The engaging groove 28D is open to the rear, left, and right sides, and its front surface is curved convexly in the vertical direction. Near the end of the circumferential surface of the engaging groove 28D opposite to the passage hole 28B, an approximately rectangular plate-shaped engaging plate 28E is integrally provided, and the engaging plate 28E is arranged perpendicularly in the left-right direction. The front surface of the engaging plate 28E is curved along the front surface of the engaging groove 28D, and the engaging plate 28E divides the engaging groove 28D in the left-right direction. A rectangular engaging hole 28F (see Figure 3A) is formed through the front part of the engaging plate 28E, and the engaging hole 28F is located in the vertical center of the engaging plate 28E. Furthermore, the pair of engagement grooves 28D (including the engagement plate 28E and engagement hole 28F) are shaped to be point-symmetric in the front-rear direction, except for the rear end.

[0031] The tip of the wrap webbing 20 is folded back and sutured to the vicinity of the tip of the wrap webbing 20 with the connecting column 28A of the plate body 28 inserted between it and the vicinity of the tip of the wrap webbing 20. As a result, the tip of the wrap webbing 20 is made annular with the connecting column 28A inserted inside, and the wrap webbing 20 is connected to the plate body 28 and extends to the front side of the plate body 28.

[0032] The separation tongue 10 is provided with a stopper 34 (see Figures 6A and 6B) as an engaging member. The stopper 34 is provided with a cylindrical core rod 36 made of metal (for example, iron) as an engaging strength member, and the core rod 36 extends in the left-right direction.

[0033] A resin stopper resin 38 is provided on the outer circumference of the core rod 36 by insert molding. The stopper resin 38 covers the core rod 36 and has a lower strength compared to the core rod 36. A cylindrical connecting rod 34A is provided in the portion of the core rod 36 of the stopper 34, excluding both ends. A roughly rectangular columnar fitting column 34B (see Figure 2C) is provided at both ends of the core rod 36 of the stopper 34. The front surface of the fitting column 34B is curved convexly in the vertical direction, and the front surface of the fitting column 34B is flush with the circumferential surface of the connecting rod 34A. The fitting column 34B is fitted from the rear side of the engagement plate 28E of the engagement groove 28D in the plate body 28, on the side of the through hole 28B, and the connecting rod 34A is positioned between the engagement grooves 28D in the through hole 28B (see Figures 3C, 4A, and 4B).

[0034] On the side of the fitting column 34B opposite to the connecting rod 34A, an engagement claw 34C with a J-shaped cross-section is integrally provided by a stopper resin 38. The base end portion of the engagement claw 34C protrudes from the rear end of the fitting column 34B on the side opposite to the connecting rod 34A, while the tip portion of the engagement claw 34C extends forward. The tip surface (front end surface) of the engagement claw 34C is curved convexly in the vertical direction, and the tip portion of the engagement claw 34C is fitted from the rear side of the engagement plate 28E of the engagement groove 28D in the plate body 28, on the side opposite to the through hole 28B. A predetermined number (two in this embodiment) of triangular prism-shaped engagement protrusions 34D are integrally provided at the tip portion (front end portion) of the engagement claw 34C in the vertical center portion. The predetermined number of engagement protrusions 34D protrude toward the fitting column 34B and are arranged in the vertical direction. The front surface of the engaging projection 34D is inclined toward the fitting column 34B as it extends towards the rear, and the rear surface of the engaging projection 34D is positioned perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The engaging claw 34C is temporarily elastically deformed, causing the engaging projection 34D to engage with the engaging hole 28F of the engaging plate 28E (see Figure 6C), thereby restricting the movement of the stopper 34 relative to the plate body 28, and attaching the stopper 34 to the plate body 28. Furthermore, the stopper 34 has a point-symmetrical shape in the front-rear direction, except for its rear end.

[0035] The tip of the shoulder webbing 16 is folded back and sewn to the vicinity of the tip of the shoulder webbing 16 with the connecting rod 34A of the stopper 34 inserted between it and the vicinity of the tip of the shoulder webbing 16. As a result, the tip of the shoulder webbing 16 is made annular with the connecting rod 34A inserted inside, so that the shoulder webbing 16 is connected to the stopper 34 and extends to the front side of the stopper 34 and passes through the through hole 28B of the plate body 28. In addition, the fitting column 34B of the stopper 34 locks the tip of the shoulder webbing 16, making it impossible for the tip of the shoulder webbing 16 to detach from the stopper 34.

[0036] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[0037] In the seat belt device 12 with the above configuration, the shoulder webbing 16 and the lap webbing 20 are connected to the separation tongue 10. When the shoulder webbing 16 is pulled out from the first winding device 14 and the lap webbing 20 is pulled out from the second winding device 18, the separation tongue 10 is connected to the buckle 24, thereby fastening the shoulder webbing 16 and the lap webbing 20 to the occupant 26. Furthermore, the biasing force of the first winding device 14 removes the slack in the shoulder webbing 16, and the biasing force of the second winding device 18 removes the slack in the lap webbing 20.

[0038] In the event of a vehicle emergency (such as a collision), the first locking mechanism of the first winding device 14 locks the shoulder webbing 16 from being pulled out of the first winding device 14, and the second locking mechanism of the second winding device 18 locks the lap webbing 20 from being pulled out of the second winding device 18, thereby restraining the occupant 26 with the shoulder webbing 16 and lap webbing 20.

[0039] Furthermore, in the event of a vehicle emergency, the first pretensioner mechanism is activated to wind the shoulder webbing 16 onto the first winding device 14 with a high load, and the second pretensioner mechanism is activated to wind the wrap webbing 20 onto the second winding device 18 with a high load. This increases the restraining force on the occupant 26 by the shoulder webbing 16 and the wrap webbing 20. In addition, since the shoulder webbing 16 and the wrap webbing 20 are separated at the separation tongue 10, the increase in the occupant restraining force of the shoulder webbing 16 due to the increase in the occupant restraining force of the wrap webbing 20 is limited.

[0040] Here, in the separation tongue 10, when the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28, the stopper 34 and shoulder webbing 16 are separated from the plate body 28 and wrap webbing 20 (see Figure 3A), and the longitudinal direction of the stopper 34 is turned toward the front-rear direction (see Figure 3B), so that the stopper 34 and shoulder webbing 16 pass through the through hole 28B of the plate body 28 from the rear to the front (see Figure 3C). Then, as the stopper 34 moves to the rear side relative to the plate body 28, the fitting column 34B of the stopper 34 is fitted to the through hole 28B side of the engagement plate 28E of the engagement groove 28D in the plate body 28, and the tip portion of the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34 is fitted to the opposite side of the through hole 28B from the engagement plate 28E of the engagement groove 28D, while the engagement projection 34D of the engagement claw 34C engages with the engagement hole 28F of the engagement plate 28E (see Figure 2A). Therefore, the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28 simply by passing through the through hole 28B of the plate body 28 and engaging with the plate body 28, making it easy to attach the stopper 34 to the plate body 28.

[0041] Furthermore, the fitting column 34B of the stopper 34 locks the tip of the shoulder webbing 16, preventing the tip of the shoulder webbing 16 from detaching from the stopper 34. Therefore, when attaching the stopper 34 to the plate body 28, the shoulder webbing 16 is prevented from detaching from the stopper 34, and the stopper 34 can be easily attached to the plate body 28.

[0042] Moreover, the engaging claw 34C of the stopper 34 is elastically deformed, and the engaging protrusion 34D of the engaging claw 34C is engaged with the engaging hole 28F of the plate body 28 (engaging plate 28E). Therefore, the stopper 34 can be easily engaged with the plate body 28, and the stopper 34 can be easily attached to the plate body 28.

[0043] Further, the left and right portions of the through-frame 30B in the plate 30 of the plate body 28 are adjacent to the front sides (the sides where the stopper 34 is pulled by the shoulder webbing 16) of the left and right ends of the core bar 36 of the stopper 34 (see FIG. 2C). Therefore, the plate 30 can receive the load of the shoulder webbing 16 from the occupant.

[0044] Furthermore, the through-frame 30B of the plate 30 of the plate body 28 is curved convexly forward in the vertical direction. Therefore, the through-frame 30B can be downsized in the vertical direction, and the plate body 28 can be downsized in the vertical direction. Moreover, the left and right ends of the front end of the through-hole 28B of the plate body 28 can be lengthened, and the opening area of the through-hole 28B to the front side can be increased, so that the shoulder webbing 16 can be easily connected to the connecting column 28A below the through-hole 28B of the plate body 28.

[0045] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the separation tongue 50 in the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear.

[0046] The separation tongue 50 in the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment described above, but is different in the following points.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, in the separation tongue 50 in the present embodiment, the engaging groove 28D of the plate body 28 (engaging column 28C) extends in an inclined direction that goes upward as it goes rightward, and the left engaging groove 28D and the right engaging groove 28D face each other in the inclined direction. Also, the engaging plate 28E in the engaging groove 28D is arranged perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0048] The stopper 34 extends in an inclined direction that goes upward as it goes rightward, and the left and right end faces of the mandrel 36, the left and right faces of the fitting column 34B, and the tip-side portions of the engaging claws 34C are arranged perpendicular to the left-right direction. For this reason, the width direction of the tip portion of the shoulder webbing 16 is inclined in a direction that goes upward (the upper side of the vehicle) as it goes rightward (the rear side of the vehicle).

[0049] Here, also in this embodiment, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0050] [Third Embodiment]FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the separation tongue 60 in the third embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the rear diagonal rightward.

[0051] The separation tongue 60 in this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but is different in the following points.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8A, in the separation tongue 60 in this embodiment, on the lower side portion of the front surface of the engaging groove 28D in the plate body 28 (engaging column 28C), a corner surface 62 is formed, and the corner surface 62 is bent in an L-shaped cross section (see FIG. 8B). The front surface of the engaging plate 28E is arranged along the front surface of the engaging groove 28D, and an engaging hole 28F is formed to penetrate the lower side portion of the front part of the engaging plate 28E. For this reason, the pair of engaging grooves 28D (including the engaging plate 28E and the engaging hole 28F) has a non-point-symmetric shape around the front-rear direction.

[0053] In the stopper 34, a corner portion 64 is formed on the lower side portion of the tip portion (front end portion) of the engaging claw 34C, and the outer peripheral surface of the corner portion 64 is bent in an L-shaped cross section (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Further, a predetermined number (two in this embodiment) of engaging protrusions 34D are integrally provided on the lower side portion of the tip portion of the engaging claw 34C. For this reason, the stopper 34 (including the engaging claw 34C and the engaging protrusions 34D) has a non-point-symmetric shape around the front-rear direction.

[0054] The tip portion of the engaging claw 34C (including the corner portion 64) is fitted from the rear side of the engaging groove 28D (including the corner surface 62) in the plate body 28, on the side opposite to the through hole 28B from the engaging plate 28E, and the engaging projection 34D of the engaging claw 34C is engaged with the engaging hole 28F of the engaging plate 28E (see Figure 10A).

[0055] In this embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0056] Furthermore, the pair of engagement grooves 28D (including the engagement plate 28E and engagement hole 28F) of the plate body 28 are asymmetrical in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28), and the stopper 34 (including the engagement claw 34C and engagement projection 34D) is also asymmetrical in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28, if the stopper 34 is reversed in the front-rear direction, the corner portion 64 of the engagement claw 34C comes into contact with the upper portion (curved portion) of the front surface of the engagement groove 28D, preventing the tip portion of the engagement claw 34C from fitting into the engagement groove 28D, and preventing the engagement projection 34D of the engagement claw 34C from engaging into the engagement hole 28F. This prevents the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28, thereby limiting the incorrect attachment of the stopper 34 to the plate body 28 and preventing the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28 while the shoulder webbing 16 is twisted.

[0057] In this embodiment, the engagement groove 28D of the plate body 28 is provided with a corner face 62, the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34 is provided with a corner portion 64, the lower part of the engagement plate 28E of the plate body 28 is provided with an engagement hole 28F, and the lower part of the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34 is provided with an engagement projection 34D. However, it is also acceptable to provide only the corner face 62 in the engagement groove 28D of the plate body 28 and the corner portion 64 in the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34, or to provide only the engagement hole 28F in the lower part of the engagement plate 28E of the plate body 28 and the lower part of the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34 is provided with an engagement projection 34D.

[0058] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 10B shows a side view of the separation tongue 70 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right.

[0059] The separation tongue 70 in this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10B, in the separation tongue 70 of this embodiment, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped fitting plate 72 is integrally provided on the upper part of the front side of the engagement plate 28E in the engagement groove 28D of the plate body 28 (engagement column 28C). The fitting plate 72 protrudes on the side opposite to the through hole 28B, and its upper and front surfaces are integral with the circumferential surface of the engagement groove 28D. Furthermore, a corner face 62 similar to that of the third embodiment is formed on the lower part of the front surface of the engagement groove 28D. For this reason, the pair of engagement grooves 28D (including the engagement plate 28E) have an asymmetrical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0061] In the stopper 34, a substantially rectangular fitting hole 74 is formed through the upper part of the tip portion of the engaging claw 34C, and the fitting hole 74 is open to the upper and front sides. Furthermore, a corner portion 64 similar to that of the third embodiment is formed on the lower part of the tip portion (front end portion) of the engaging claw 34C. For this reason, the stopper 34 (including the engaging claw 34C) has an asymmetrical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0062] The tip portion of the engaging claw 34C (including the fitting hole 74 and the corner portion 64) is fitted from the rear side of the engaging groove 28D (including the fitting plate 72 and the corner surface 62) in the plate body 28, on the side opposite to the through hole 28B from the engaging plate 28E.

[0063] In this embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0064] Furthermore, the pair of engagement grooves 28D (including the engagement plate 28E) of the plate body 28 are asymmetrical in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28), and the stopper 34 (including the engagement claw 34C) is also asymmetrical in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28, if the stopper 34 is inverted in the front-rear direction, the corner portion 64 of the engagement claw 34C will come into contact with the fitting plate 72 of the engagement groove 28D, preventing the tip portion of the engagement claw 34C from fitting into the engagement groove 28D. This prevents the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28, thereby limiting the incorrect attachment of the stopper 34 to the plate body 28 and preventing the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28 with the shoulder webbing 16 twisted.

[0065] In this embodiment, a fitting plate 72 is provided in the engagement groove 28D of the plate body 28, a fitting hole 74 is provided in the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34, and a corner face 62 is provided in the engagement groove 28D of the plate body 28, and a corner portion 64 is provided in the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34. However, it is also acceptable to provide only a fitting plate 72 in the engagement groove 28D of the plate body 28 and a fitting hole 74 in the engagement claw 34C of the stopper 34.

[0066] [Fifth Embodiment] Figure 11A shows a cross-sectional view of the separation tongue 80 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0067] The separation tongue 80 in this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0068] As shown in Figure 11A, in the separation tongue 80 of this embodiment, a rectangular cross-sectional recess 82 is formed at the upper end of the side surface of the through hole 28B of the engaging plate 28E in the engaging groove 28D of the plate body 28 (engaging column 28C). The recess 82 extends in the front-rear direction and is open to the rear. For this reason, the pair of engaging grooves 28D (including the engaging plate 28E) have an asymmetrical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0069] In the stopper 34, a rectangular cross-section projection 84 is integrally provided on the upper end of the side surface of the engaging claw 34C of the fitting column 34B, and the projection 84 extends in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the stopper 34 (including the fitting column 34B) has an asymmetrical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0070] The fitting column 34B (including the protrusion 84) is fitted from the rear side of the engagement plate 28E on the through hole 28B side of the engagement groove 28D (including the recess 82) in the plate body 28.

[0071] In this embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0072] Furthermore, the pair of engagement grooves 28D (including the engagement plate 28E) of the plate body 28 are made asymmetrical in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28), and the stopper 34 (including the fitting column 34B) is also made asymmetrical in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28, if the stopper 34 is inverted in the front-rear direction, the protrusion 84 of the fitting column 34B will come into contact with the engagement plate 28E of the engagement groove 28D, making it impossible for the fitting column 34B to be fitted into the engagement groove 28D. This prevents the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28, thereby limiting the incorrect attachment of the stopper 34 to the plate body 28 and preventing the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28 with the shoulder webbing 16 twisted.

[0073] [Sixth Embodiment] Figure 11B shows a cross-sectional view of the separation tongue 90 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0074] The separation tongue 90 in this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following respects.

[0075] As shown in Figure 11B, in the separation tongue 90 of this embodiment, a rectangular cross-sectional protrusion 92 is integrally provided on the upper part of the side surface of the through hole 28B of the engaging plate 28E in the engaging groove 28D of the plate body 28 (engaging column 28C), and the protrusion 92 extends in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the pair of engaging grooves 28D (including the engaging plate 28E) have an asymmetrical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0076] In the stopper 34, a rectangular-shaped recess 94 is formed on the upper part of the side surface of the engaging claw 34C of the fitting column 34B. The recess 94 extends in the front-rear direction and is open to the front. Therefore, the stopper 34 (including the fitting column 34B) has an asymmetrical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0077] The fitting column 34B (including the recess 94) is fitted from the rear side of the engaging plate 28E on the through hole 28B side of the engaging groove 28D (including the protrusion 92) in the plate body 28.

[0078] In this embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0079] Furthermore, the pair of engagement grooves 28D (including the engagement plate 28E) of the plate body 28 are made asymmetrical in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28), and the stopper 34 (including the fitting column 34B) is also made asymmetrical in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the stopper 34 is attached to the plate body 28, if the stopper 34 is inverted in the front-rear direction, the fitting column 34B will come into contact with the protrusion 92 of the engagement plate 28E of the engagement groove 28D, making it impossible for the fitting column 34B to be fitted into the engagement groove 28D. This prevents the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28, thereby limiting the incorrect attachment of the stopper 34 to the plate body 28 and preventing the stopper 34 from being attached to the plate body 28 with the shoulder webbing 16 twisted.

[0080] The third to sixth embodiments described above were applied to the first embodiment. However, the third to sixth embodiments may also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0081] Furthermore, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the wrap webbing 20 is connected to the plate body 28, and the shoulder webbing 16 is connected to the stopper 34. However, the shoulder webbing 16 may be connected to the plate body 28, and the wrap webbing 20 may be connected to the stopper 34.

[0082] Furthermore, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the plate body 28 is connected to the buckle 24. However, the stopper 34 may also be connected to the buckle 24.

[0083] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-162536, filed on 19 September 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0084] 10... Separation tongue, 12... Seat belt device, 16... Shoulder webbing, 20... Wrap webbing, 24... Buckle (connecting member), 28... Plate body (mounting member), 28B... Through hole, 30... Plate (mounting strength member), 34... Stopper (engaging member), 36... Core rod (engaging strength member), 50... Separation tongue, 60... Separation tongue, 70... Separation tongue, 80... Separation tongue, 90... Separation tongue

Claims

1. A separation tongue comprising: an attachment member having a through hole to which one of a shoulder webbing worn on the occupant's shoulder and one of a wrap webbing worn on the occupant's waist are connected; and an engagement member to which the other of the shoulder webbing and the wrap webbing are connected, and which is attached to the attachment member by passing through the through hole and engaging with the attachment member, wherein the attachment member or the engagement member is connected to a connecting member and connected to the vehicle body side.

2. The separation tongue according to claim 1, wherein the other of the shoulder webbing and the wrap webbing is made inseparable from the engaging member.

3. The separation tongue according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a mounting strength member provided on the mounting member and having a strength higher than that of the other part of the mounting member; and an engagement strength member provided on the engagement member and having a strength higher than that of the other part of the engagement member, wherein the mounting strength member is adjacent to the side on which the engagement member is pulled by the other of the shoulder webbing and the wrap webbing.

4. The separation tongue according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engaging member is asymmetrical with respect to the mounting direction to the mounting member.

5. The separation tongue according to claim 4, wherein the engaging member is made unengageable from the mounting member when it is reversed around the mounting direction to the mounting member.

6. The separation tongue according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a mounting strength member provided on the mounting member, wherein the strength is higher than that of other parts of the mounting member, and the mounting strength member is curved around the through hole.

7. The separation tongue according to claim 6, wherein the mounting strength member is bent in a convex shape on the opposite side from the direction of passage through the through hole of the engaging member.

8. The separation tongue according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the engaging member is positioned inside the mounting strength member.

9. The separation tongue according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engaging member is elastically engaged with the mounting member.

10. A seat belt device comprising: a separation tongue according to any one of claims 1 to 9; the shoulder webbing; the wrap webbing; and the connecting member.

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