The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 22, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 06, 1999
Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Roseville, MI (US);
Carl M. Petersen, III, Waterford, MI (US);
Harjeet Gill, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Rosemary Longley, Harper Woods, MI (US);
Tammy Korona, Clinton Township, Macomb County, MI (US);
Caryn Foley, Madison Heights, MI (US);
Craig Good, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Simon X. He, Troy, MI (US);
Tony Jain, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Lawrence M. Refior, Romeo, MI (US);
Susan A. Richards, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Abstract
A seat belt buckle (,) operable with a pretensioner (,) comprising: a frame (,) having a first latch opening (,) therein, and opposing frame sides (,), each side including a latch plate slot (,) arranged generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of a tongue into the buckle and pivoted weight mechanism (,). The buckle additionally includes a latch plate (,), having portions (,) movable within the latch plate slots between a locked position in engagement with an opening within the tongue and with the first latch opening (,), the latch plate moveable between a latched position within the latch opening (,) in the frame and within the latch opening (,) of the tongue to an unlatched position out of the latch openings. The weight (,) as it pivots generates a force upon the latch plate during operation of the pretensioner tending to keep the latch plate in the first opening and a button (,) operatively received upon the frame having ramp means (,) for lifting the latch plate to its unlatched position.