Alliedsignal Inc.

Allied Corporation

Surendra D Narayan

Rudy V Thomas

Gary P Staniszewski

A latch plate assembly (10) comprising: a plate (12) having a tongue (14) formed at one end (16) thereof, a back portion (18) opposite the tongue (14) and a first opening formed in the back portion (18); a web guide (40), is positioned about the back portion (18) which includes an elevated member (44) spaced above the back portion (18) and a lower member (42) positioned below the back portion (18). The members (42, 44) cooperate to define a web guide slot (46) which laterally extends relative to the plate (12) to receive the seat belt webbing (36). The elevated member (44), includes a sloped surface (48) extending away from the first opening (34) and a first engagement surface (50) extending laterally positioned across a rear side of first opening (34). The latch plate assembly further includes: a cover (70) slidingly received about plate (12) relative to the web guide ( 40). The cover comprising first and second side members (72a, 72b), a top crossmember (74) and a bottom crossmember (76), each of the first and second side members (72a, 72b) including a slot (78a, 78b) through which is received a corresponding side (32a, 32b). The top crossmember (74) includes a rib (82) which extends into the first opening (34) so as to engage a front side of the first opening (34) when the cover (70) is slid forward on the plate (12) and to compressively load the seat belt webbing (36) against the first engagement surface (50) when the cover (70) is moved rearwardly.

Free running and cinching latch plate

A low friction self-locking adjust tongue having a pair of depressed lands provided in the tongue plate either side of the web aperture to form a lock bar well. Cutouts provided in the tongue plate's upstanding flanges form in conjunction with said depressed lands a bi-level lock bar slot extending rearwardly and upwardly from the lock-bar well to above the plane of the tongue plate. In the unlatched position of the tongue plate, the lock bar rests in the lock bar well permitting the seat belt webbing to pass thereover with negligable friction. In the locked position, the lock bar is displaced towards the rear of the bi-level lock bar slot which raises the lock bar above the plane of the tongue plate. In this position, the friction between the lock bar and the seat belt webbing is sufficient to lock the seat belt webbing in the tongue plate after it is snuggly adjusted about the occupants pelvic region.

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Surendra D Narayan