Chairs and seats – Body or occupant restraint or confinement – Safety belt or harness; e.g. – lap belt or shoulder harness
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-10-30
Barfield, Anthony D. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Body or occupant restraint or confinement
Safety belt or harness; e.g., lap belt or shoulder harness
C297S468000, C024S170000, C024S2650BC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309024
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seat belt apparatus for use in protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known seat belt apparatus includes two shoulder belts extending from an upper portion of a vehicle seat. Each of the shoulder belts has one end connected with the vehicle. Each of the shoulder belts has another end connected with a buckle mechanism.
A lap belt extends from each side of the vehicle seat and partially across the lap of the occupant. Each of the lap belts has one end anchored to the vehicle adjacent a side of the vehicle seat. Each of the lap belts has another end connected with the buckle mechanism. The buckle mechanism interconnects the shoulder belts and the lap belts with the shoulder belts and lap belts extending about the occupant of the seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one feature of the present invention, an apparatus is used to help protect a vehicle occupant seated in a vehicle seat. The apparatus comprises first and second shoulder belt portions, first and second lap belt portions, and a buckle mechanism. The first and second shoulder belt portions are adapted to be connected with the vehicle and adapted to extend from an upper portion of the vehicle seat adjacent the shoulders of the occupant. A first end portion of the first lap belt portion is adapted to be connected at a first location with the vehicle adjacent a first side of the vehicle seat. A first end portion of the second lap belt portion is adapted to be connected at a second location with the vehicle adjacent a second side of the vehicle seat. Each of the first and second lap belt portions is extensible from one of the first and second sides of the vehicle seat and partially across the lap of the occupant. The buckle mechanism is for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belt portions and the first and second lap belt portions adjacent a waist of the occupant. The buckle mechanism includes first and second frame portions connected to the first and second shoulder belt portions, respectively. The buckle mechanism further includes first and second belt guides through which the first and second lap belt portions extend. The first and second belt guides are pivotally connected to the first and second frame portions, respectively.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, an apparatus for use in helping to protect a vehicle occupant seated in a vehicle seat comprises a buckle mechanism for association with a seat belt system. The seat belt system includes first and second shoulder belt portions and first and second lap belt portions. The buckle mechanism includes first and second frame portions for connecting to the first and second shoulder belt portions, respectively. The buckle mechanism further includes first and second belt guides for receiving the first and second lap belt portions, respectively, so that the belt portions extend through the belt guides. The first and second frame portions are engageable with each other to interconnect the first and second shoulder belt portions and the first and second lap belt portions adjacent a waist of the occupant. The first and second belt guides are pivotally connected to said first and second frame portions, respectively.
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Barfield Anthony D.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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