Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6216323
-
Patent Number
6,216,323
-
Date Filed
Thursday, December 23, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 17, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Knight; Anthony
- Sandy; Robert
Agents
- Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan, P.L.L.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A buckle assembly is provided with a latch plate for latching or unlatching a tongue plate, a holder member arranged movably in response to a movement of the latch plate, slots formed as guide paths in a buckle base, support apertures formed as a cam portion in a holder member, and an auxiliary lock member supported movably in said slots and support apertures for controlling a movement of the latch plate. In response to a movement of the holder member, the support apertures produce cam action in association with the slots such that the auxiliary member is movable between a position, in which the auxiliary lock member restricts the latch plate to a latching position, and another position, in which the auxiliary lock member restricts the latch plate to an unlatching position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a buckle assembly, and especially to a buckle assembly for a seat belt system arranged for a seat of a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle.
b) Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a seat in a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle has been provided with a seal belt system. A buckle assembly for the seat belt system is generally provided with a tongue plate arranged on an end of a webbing and a buckle main body for releasably latching the tongue plate. Such buckle assemblies for seat belt systems include, for example, those disclosed in Pouget U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,008 and Clarke et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,129.
A buckle main body of a buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,008 is provided with a base, a slider arranged on the base such that the slider is pushed and moved by a tongue plate inserted in the base, a coil spring biasing the slider in a direction in which the tongue plate is pulled out, a latch plate movable to a tongue plate latching position when pushed by the slider, an auxiliary lock member, such as a pin, for retaining the latch plate in a latching state, a coil spring biasing the auxiliary lock member in the direction in which the tongue plate is pulled out, and a release button for releasing the latching state.
On the other hand, a buckle main body of a buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,129 is provided with a base, a slider arranged on the base such that the slider is pushed and moved by a tongue plate inserted into the buckle assembly, a coil spring biasing the slider in a direction in which the tongue plate is pulled out, a latch plate movable to a tongue plate latching position when pushed by the slider, a block member slidable on the latch plate, a lock control member supported on the base, a coil spring biasing the lock control member, and a release button for releasing the latching state.
However, the buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,008 involves a potential problem of occurrence of a so-called “false-latching phenomenon” in that, when performing a change-over of the latch plate between the latching position and an unlatching position by operating the release button, the auxiliary lock member may be held down by the base into a pinched state under the biasing force of the coil spring biasing the auxiliary lock member and the biasing force of the coil spring biasing the slider and may hence become stationary at an intermediate position.
The buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,129 causes the block member, which plays the role of the auxiliary lock member, to move along a substantially L-shaped path, thereby making it more difficult to induce balancing of forces at an intermediate position where the latch plate may become stationary. However, this block member is also a force-bearing member. Formation of the block member with a metal to provide it with sufficient strength is accompanied by a problem of higher cost. If the block member is formed of a resin with a view to reducing its production cost, a potential problem then arises in that the reliability on its strength may be adversely affected when a high load or high impact is applied to the buckle assembly.
Buckle assemblies of another type include, for example, those disclosed in Barnes et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,424 and Doty et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,625.
A buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,414 is provided with a base, a slider arranged on the base such that the slider is pushed and moved by a tongue plate inserted into the buckle assembly, a coil spring biasing the slider in a direction in which the tongue plate is pulled out, a latch plate movable to a tongue plate latching position when pushed by the slider, a lock member as a block member for retaining the latch plate in a latching state, a coil spring biasing the lock member in the direction in which the tongue plate is pulled out, and a release button equipped with a tilted surface for releasing the latching state and also for causing the lock member to move to a non-locking position.
Further, a buckle assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,625 is provided with a base, a slider arranged on the base such that the slider is pushed and moved by a tongue plate inserted into the buckle assembly, a lock member connected with the slider by an arm member and movable between a locking position and a non-locking position, a coil spring biasing the arm member, a latch plate movable to a latching position upon movement of the arm member and lock member when pressed by the slider, and a release button equipped with a tilted surface for causing the lock member to move to the non-locking position.
In each of the buckle assemblies disclosed in these patents, upon performing a change-over of the latch plate between the latching position and the unlatching position by operating the release button, a component of force is caused to occur in a non-locking direction (releasing direction) of the lock member by causing the lock member to move to the non-locking position with the tilted surface formed on the release button.
The buckle assemblies disclosed in of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,899,424 and 4,562,625, however, may each develop an increase in the coefficient of friction between the tilted surface formed on the release button and the lock member or sticking between the above-described tilted surface and the lock member, for example, due to a foreign matter penetrated inside the buckle assembly. If such a situation arises, there is a potential problem that the division of force in the non-locking (release) direction by the tilted surface alone of the release button may become insufficient, leading to a potential risk that the tongue plate can be hardly released even when the release button is pressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has as an object the provision of a buckle assembly which can substantially eliminate the potential problem of a standstill of an auxiliary lock member at an intermediate position to reduce the occurrence of the false-latching phenomenon and which is provided with further enhanced reliability in strength.
The present invention also has as another object the provision of a buckle assembly which is provided with further enhanced reliability in the movement of a lock member to a non-locking position during a releasing operation in which the latching of a tongue plate by a latch plate is canceled to release the tongue plate from a buckle main body.
To achieve the former object, the present invention provides an buckle assembly comprising a tongue plate and a buckle main body for releasably holding said tongue plate. The buckle main body is provided with:
a base;
a lock control member supported on the base;
a latch plate supported on the base movably between a latching position, in which the latch plate is in latching engagement with the tongue plate, an unlatching position, in which the latch plate is out of latching engagement with the tongue plate;
an auxiliary lock member supported on the base movably between a retaining position, in which the auxiliary lock member retains the latch plate in the latching position, and a non-retaining position, in which the auxiliary lock member does not retain the latch plate in the latching position; and
a holder member held on the latch plate movably relative to the latch plate and provided with a cam portion for controlling a motion of the auxiliary lock member, said holder member being capable of assuming a first position, in which the holder member is in contact with the lock control member on a side of a leading edge of the lock control member as viewed in a direction of insertion of the tongue plate such that under biasing force of a biasing member, the latch plate is retained in the unlatching position and the auxiliary lock member is brought to the non-retaining position, and a second position, in which the holder member is located on a side of the lock control member, where the tongue plate to be inserted is positioned, such that the auxiliary lock member is brought to the retaining position.
In the buckle assembly constructed as described above, the auxiliary lock member receives a biasing force via the holder member when the tongue plate is brought into a latched state. On the other hand, upon bringing the tongue plate from the latched state into an unlatched state (released state), the holder member is first pressed and moved in a substantially horizontal direction by a pressing stroke of the release button, said pressing stroke being produced to cancel the latching by the latch plate, so that the auxiliary lock member is released from holding the latch plate. After that, the holder member changes the direction of its movement from the substantially horizontal direction to a substantially vertical direction, whereby the latch plate is caused to move to the unlatching position. At this time, the auxiliary lock member has already been released from its contact with the latch plate and owing to the cam portion of the holder member, the auxiliary lock member moves to a position where the auxiliary lock member controls the latch plate at the unlatching position. It is therefore possible to prevent the latch plate from becoming stationary at an intermediate position.
Described specifically, in the buckle assembly according to the present invention, the auxiliary lock member moves between the position, where the auxiliary lock member controls the latch plate at the latching position, and the unlatching position owing to the cam portion of the holder member. Further, the auxiliary lock member does not interfere with the latch plate except when the latch plate is in the fully locking position. It is therefore possible to avoid such a situation that the auxiliary lock member is balanced to become stationary at an intermediate position. As a consequence, the occurrence of the false-latching phenomenon can be prevented.
Further, a load which is applied to the buckle assembly can be borne by the latch plate, the auxiliary lock member and the buckle base, thereby making it possible to provide the buckle assembly with further enhanced reliability in strength.
To achieve the latter object of the present invention, the buckle assembly of the above-described construction may be constructed such that the buckle base is provided with a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending upright from the bottom wall, and the buckle assembly is provided further with a release button for bringing the holder member from the second position to the first position when pressed and also with a control portion for controlling the release button at a leading end thereof, as viewed in a pressing direction of the release button, in a direction away from the bottom wall of the buckle base when a pressed stroke of the release button has increased.
According to the buckle assembly of the above-described construction, during a releasing operation in which the release button is pressed to cancel the latching of the tongue plate by the latch plate and hence to release the tongue plate form the buckle main body, the release button is guided by the control portion such that the holder member is caused to move to the first position. owing to this feature, even if a foreign matter or the like penetrates inside the buckle main body, it is still possible to obtain a sufficient component of force in a non-locking direction (release direction) of the holder member only by a pressing stroke of the release button produced during the releasing operation by the release button. This has made it possible to further enhance the reliability of movement of the holder member to the first position.
The control portion may be arranged in the form of slots bent or curved such that the release button can twist or prize the holder member toward the first position. More specifically, the slots may be formed in the side walls of the base, respectively, such that they are bent or curved toward upper parts of the side walls (i.e., in a direction away from the bottom wall of the base) on inner sides thereof as viewed in the pressing direction of the release button.
As another alternative, the control portion may also be formed of guide ridges bent or curved such that the release button can twist or prize the holder member toward the first position.
As a further alternative, the control portion may also be constructed such that it is bent from a point near a position, where the control portion begins to be pressed, to a point in the proximity of a position where the release button releases the holder member from the lock control member.
The arrangement of the control portion in any one of the above-described forms makes it possible to upset a balance between the release button and the holder member because a contact between the release button and the holder member becomes inconstant due to a guidance by the control portion in the course of the releasing operation by the release button. Further, the twisting or prizing of the holder member toward the first position by the release button can also bring about an advantageous effect in releasing sticking between the release button and the holder member. It is therefore possible to further enhance the reliability for the release of the tongue plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an assembling or exploded view of a buckle assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a stage of an operation;
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in another of the operation;
FIG. 4
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a further of the operation;
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 6
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 9
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 11
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 12
is an assembling or exploded view of a buckle assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the second embodiment in a stage of an operation;
FIG. 14
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the second embodiment in another of the operation;
FIG. 15
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the second embodiment in a further of the operation;
FIG. 16
is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly according to the second embodiment in a still further of the operation;
FIG. 17
is a cross-sectional view of a buckle base as an element in the buckle assembly of the second embodiment;
FIG. 18
is a cross-sectional view of a buckle base as an element in a buckle assembly according to a first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 19
is a cross-sectional view of a buckle base as an element in a buckle assembly according to a second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The buckle assemblies according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will next gbe described with reference to the drawings.
As is illustrated in FIG.
1
through
FIG. 11
, the buckle assembly
1
according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with a tongue plate
5
, which is arranged at an end of an unillustrated webbing, and a buckle main body
10
for releasably latching the tongue plate
5
.
A tongue plate
5
is provided at an end portion thereof with a latching aperture
6
and at an opposite end portion thereof with a webbing slot
7
for connecting a webbing (not shown).
The buckle main body
10
is provided with a buckle base
11
functioning as a frame, a slider
12
movable in response to an insertion or removal of the tongue plate
5
, a coil spring
13
for causing the slider
12
to move, a latch plate
14
for latching the tongue plate
5
, a coil spring
15
for rocking the latch plate
14
, an auxiliary lock member
16
, preferably in the form of a pin, for controlling a rocking motion of the latch plate
14
, a holder member
17
for supporting the coil spring
15
and also movably supporting the auxiliary lock member
16
, a release button
18
for canceling latching of the tongue plate
5
, a coil spring
19
biasing the release button
18
in a direction in which the tongue plate
5
is pulled out, a spring holder
20
with which the coil spring
19
is maintained in contact, and a lock control member
21
for controlling an operation of the holder member
17
.
Incidentally, a plate
22
with an unillustrated webbing connected thereto like the tongue plate
5
is fixed by a rivet
23
on the buckle main body
10
.
The buckle base
11
is provided with a bottom wall
11
A and a pair of opposing side walls
11
B,
11
C arranged upright at opposite sides of the bottom wall
11
A, and is therefore configured substantially in a turned square U-shape as viewed in transverse cross-section. At an end portion of the bottom wall
11
A as viewed in a direction in which the tongue is pulled out (the direction indicated by arrow X in FIG.
2
through
FIG. 11
; hereinafter called “the direction of arrow X”), a guide floor
26
is formed such that the tongue plate
5
is guided by the guide floor
26
when the tongue plate
5
is inserted or removed. In addition, the bottom wall
11
A is also provided with an opening
25
for allowing the slider
12
to slide in a direction in which the tongue plate
5
is inserted and removed. At a substantially central part of an inner edge portion of the opening
25
as viewed in a direction in which the tongue
5
is inserted (the direction indicated by arrow Y in FIG.
2
through
FIG. 11
; hereinafter called “the direction of arrow Y”), a holding lug
45
is formed such that it holds the coil spring
13
at an end portion thereof as viewed in the direction of arrow Y.
At outer end portions of the side walls
11
B,
11
C as viewed in the direction of arrow X, engaged portions
29
B,
29
C are formed such that the spring holder
20
is fixedly secured. Below the engaged portions
29
B,
29
C and adjacent the bottom wall
11
A, rolled lugs
32
B,
32
C are formed extending inward. These rolled lugs
32
B,
32
C define a part of a mouth
53
through which the tongue plate
5
is inserted.
Through approximately central parts of the side walls
11
B,
11
C, horizontally-elongated slots
33
B,
33
C are formed as guide paths for supporting the auxiliary lock member
16
at opposite ends thereof movably in the directions of arrows X,Y (in other words, in a direction substantially parallel with the tongue inserting direction). Above outer edges of these slots
33
B,
33
C as viewed in the direction of arrow X, oval apertures
35
B,
35
C are formed to support the lock control member
21
. Further, on the side of inner edges of the slots
33
B,
33
C as viewed in the direction of arrow Y, receiving notches
36
B,
36
C are formed in the side walls
11
B,
11
C such that support portions
46
B,
46
C, which are formed at opposite side walls of an inner end portion of the latch plate
14
to be described in detail subsequently herein as viewed in the direction of arrow Y, are rockably inserted and supported.
The slider
12
is configured in a substantially turned U-shape as viewed in transverse cross-section, and is constructed such that the coil spring
13
is held at an end thereof in a recess
39
formed between a substantially planner upper plate
37
and a lower portion
38
arranged on a lower wall of the upper plate
37
and configured in an L-shape as viewed in longitudinal cross-section. Incidentally, the coil spring
13
is fixed at an opposite end thereof on the holding lug
45
of the bottom wall
11
A.
The slider
12
is slidably supported with the lower portion
38
thereof loose-fitted in the opening
25
of the buckle base
11
. When the tongue plate
5
is inserted into the buckle main body
10
, the slider
12
is pressed by the leading end of the tongue plate
5
and is hence caused to slide in the direction of arrow Y against biasing force of the coil spring
13
, whereby the slider
12
presses legs
44
B,
44
C, which are arranged on lower ends of both side portions of the latch plate
14
to be described in detail subsequently herein, so that the latch plate
14
is caused to pivot counterclockwise (in a direction in which the latch plate
14
latches the tongue plate
5
). When the tongue plate
5
is pulled out, on the other hand, the slider
12
is caused to return in the direction of arrow X under the biasing force of the coil spring
13
.
Through an approximately central part of the latch plate
14
, an opening
40
is formed such that the holder member
17
to be described in detail subsequently herein is partly inserted there. At an outer end portion of the latch plate
14
as viewed in the direction of arrow X, a latch portion
41
—which is to be inserted into the latching aperture
6
of the tongue plate
5
for the latching of the tongue plate
5
when the tongue plate
5
is inserted into the buckle main body
10
—is formed extending downward. Formed between the latch portion
41
and the opening
40
is a support surface
42
which can be brought into contact with the auxiliary lock member
16
to be described in detail subsequently herein. On the opposite side walls of the inner end portion of the latch plate
14
as viewed in the direction of arrow Y, the support portions
46
A,
46
B are arranged extending from the opposite side walls. These support portions
46
A,
46
B are rockably (pivotally) supported in the receiving notches
36
B,
36
C of the side walls
11
B,
11
C. Described specifically, the latch plate
14
rocks about the support portions
46
B,
46
C as fulcrums and moves to the latching position, in which the latch plate
14
latches the tongue plate
5
, or to an unlatching position, in which the latching of the tongue plate
5
is cancelled. On the opposite side walls of an inner end portion of the latch plate
14
as viewed in the direction of arrow Y, the legs
44
B,
44
C are arranged extending downward. The slider
12
can be brought into contact with these legs
44
B,
44
C as mentioned above.
The holder member
17
is provided with a main part
51
, side walls
52
B,
52
C, which are formed on opposite side walls of the main part
51
, and a shaft
47
formed at a substantially central part of an outer end portion of the main part
51
as viewed in the direction of arrow Y.
The main part
51
is formed of a curved surface
54
arranged on an outer side as viewed in the direction of arrow X, a planar surface
55
formed in continuation with an upper part of the curved surface
54
, a tilted surface
56
arranged in continuation with the planar surface
55
, and a protuberance
58
extending downward from a substantially central part of the tilted surface
56
.
The protuberance
58
is inserted in the opening
40
of the latch plate
14
, and at end walls thereof as viewed in a transverse direction, is provided with claws
58
B,
58
C which project outward in the transverse direction. Both of these claws
58
B,
58
C are maintained in slidable engagement with the lower wall of the latch plate
14
at locations adjacent the opening
40
. Namely, the holder member
17
is arranged such that the latch plate
14
is embraced by both of the claws
58
B,
58
C.
Incidentally, the main part
51
is open at a surface (a lower surface in
FIG. 1
) located opposite the planar surface
55
, and is constructed such that the auxiliary lock member
16
inserted in the support apertures
57
B,
57
C to be described in detail subsequently herein are exposed through the lower surface.
Through substantially central parts of the side walls
52
B,
52
C, the support apertures
57
B,
57
C are opened as cam portions in the form of elongated apertures tilted relative to the planar surface
55
. Through these support apertures
57
B,
57
C, the auxiliary lock member
16
is movably inserted. Opposite end portions of the auxiliary lock member
16
which extends through the support apertures
57
B,
57
C are inserted in the slots
33
B,
33
C movably in the directions of arrows X,Y.
In a stage where the tongue plate
5
has not been inserted yet (see FIG.
2
and FIG.
11
), the holder member
17
is biased in the direction of arrow X by the coil spring
15
and is maintained in contact with the lock control member
21
to be described in detail subsequently herein. The auxiliary lock member
16
is therefore located on the side of the inner edges of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C and the slots
33
B,
33
C as viewed in the direction of arrow Y. At this time, the support apertures
57
B,
57
C are arranged such that they are oblique relative to the slots
33
B,
33
C, in other words, they intersect at a predetermined angle the slots
33
B,
33
C, respectively.
The shaft
47
is formed such that it has smaller diameter at a free end thereof, which is an inner end as viewed in the direction of arrow Y, than at a basal end thereof which is an outer end as viewed in the direction of arrow X. The coil spring
15
is loose-fitted on the shaft
47
so that owing to the arrangement of the shaft
47
, the coil spring
15
is prevented from being bent or broken when it undergoes expansion and contraction. The small-diameter portion of the shaft
47
is dimensioned such that the small-diameter portion of the shaft
47
can freely extend back and forth through an opening
49
formed in an abutting portion
43
of the latch plate
14
. On the other hand, the large-diameter portion of the shaft
47
is dimensioned greater than the diameter of the opening
49
.
As has been described above, the shaft
47
freely extends back and forth through the opening
49
of the latch plate
14
, and the claws
58
B,
58
C are in slidable engagement with the latch plate
14
in such a way that the claws
58
B,
58
C embrace the latch plate
14
therein. In response to a movement of the latch plate
14
, the holder member
17
can therefore, for example, slide on the latch plate
14
in a direction substantially parallel with the tongue plate inserting direction in the state of
FIG. 5
in which the latch plate
14
is in the locking position.
The lock control member
21
is constructed of a pin-like member having an oval shape in transverse cross-section, and is inserted and supported in the oval apertures
35
B,
35
C formed in the side walls
11
B,
11
C. Incidentally, this lock control member
21
is arranged at a position where the holder member
17
can be brought into contact with the lock control member
21
.
The spring holder
20
is provided at transversely opposite ends thereof with engaging portions
27
B,
27
C, which are brought into engagement with the engaged portions
29
B,
29
C formed on the side walls
11
B,
11
C, respectively. On a substantially central part of the spring holder
20
, a recessed spring seat
28
is formed to fixedly hold the coil spring
19
at an inner end portion thereof as viewed in the direction of arrow Y. Formed on a lower part of the spring holder
20
is an upper wall forming portion
31
as an upper wall of the mouth
53
. The engaging portions
27
B,
27
C are maintained in fixed engagement with the engaged portions
29
B,
29
C, so that the spring holder
20
is fixedly secured on the buckle base
11
. As a result of this fixed securement, the mouth
53
is formed by the upper wall forming portion
31
, the rolled lugs
32
B,
32
C and the guide floor
26
.
The release button
18
is provided with an operating portion
61
, which can be pressed by a user, and arms
62
B,
62
C arranged on opposite sides of the operating portion
61
such that the arms
62
B,
62
C extend out horizontally in the direction of arrow Y. This release button
18
moves in the directions of arrows X,Y with the arms
62
B,
62
C slidably supported by the side walls
11
B,
11
C. Further, on an inner end wall of the operating portion
61
of the release button
18
as viewed in the direction of arrow Y, fingers
63
B,
63
C are formed such that they can be brought into contact with the curved surface
54
of the holder member
17
.
A recessed spring seat
64
for holding the coil spring
19
is formed on the inner end wall of the operating portion
61
at a substantially central part thereof. As the coil spring
19
.held by the recessed spring seat
64
is fixedly held at the opposite end thereof by the recessed spring seat
28
, the release button
18
is biased normally in the direction of arrow X by the coil spring
19
.
The buckle main body
10
constructed as described above is enclosed in an unillustrated cover.
A description will next be made about a specific operation of the buckle assembly according to the first embodiment.
When the tongue plate
5
has not been inserted yet in the buckle main body
10
, the slider
12
is placed in the state that, as is illustrated in FIG.
2
and FIG.
11
, the slider
12
is in contact with the inner edge portion, as viewed in the direction of arrow X, of the opening
25
of the bottom wall
11
A of the buckle base
11
by the biasing force of the coil spring
13
.
The holder member
17
is biased in an upper left direction by the coil spring
15
, whereby the support apertures
57
B,
57
C in the holder member
17
and the slots
33
B,
33
C in the side walls
11
B,
11
C are arranged at a certain angle therebetween, respectively.
Further, the auxiliary lock member
16
is located at the inner edges of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C as viewed in the direction of arrow Y and also at the inner edges of the slots
33
B,
33
C (in the non-locking position). At this time, the latch plate
14
is allowed to retain under the biasing force of the coil spring
15
the state that the latch portion
41
is located in an upper position. Accordingly, the auxiliary lock member
16
is out of contact with the latch plate
14
.
To latch the tongue plate
5
in the buckle main body
10
, the tongue plate
5
is firstly inserted into the buckle main body
10
through the mouth
53
as illustrated in FIG.
2
and FIG.
3
. At this time, the leading end of the tongue plate
5
causes the slider
12
to move in the direction of arrow Y so that the coil spring
13
is compressed. When the slider
12
comes into contact with the legs
44
B,
44
C of the latch plate
14
, the latch plate
14
begins to pivot toward the locking position (in a counterclockwise direction shown in the drawings) about the support portions
46
B,
46
C as fulcrums.
Concurrently with the above motion, the holder member
17
begins to move in response to the pivotal motion of the latch plate
14
while compressing the coil spring
15
with the curved surface
54
maintained in contact with the lock control member
21
. Described specifically, the holder member
17
moves downward in a substantially vertical direction together with the latch plate
14
while being prevented from moving approximately in the direction of arrow X by the lock control member
21
. By this movement of the holder member
17
, the auxiliary lock member
16
is pressed by upper edges of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C as shown in
FIG. 4
, so that the auxiliary lock member
16
begins to move toward the retaining position in the direction of arrow X in the slots
33
B,
33
C of the side walls
11
B,
11
C. Namely, the auxiliary lock member
16
undergoes the above-described movement by the cam action of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C and that of the slots
33
B,
33
C.
When the tongue plate
5
is inserted, the latch plate
14
and the holder member
17
move further as illustrated in FIG.
5
. The curved surface
54
of the holder member
17
is then caused to move beyond the lock control member
21
, whereby the holder member
17
disengages toward a point below the lock control member
21
(toward a side on which the inserted tongue plate
5
is located). As a result, the holder member
17
becomes movable substantially in the direction of arrow X.
Subsequent to this motion, the planar surface
55
of the holder member
17
comes into contact with the lower surface of the lock control member
21
as illustrated in
FIG. 6
, and by the biasing force of the coil spring
15
, the holder member
17
changes the direction of its movement substantially in the direction of arrow X. As a consequence, the auxiliary lock member
16
moves at a stretch to the outer edges of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C of the holder member
17
as viewed in the direction of arrow X and also to the outer edges of the slots
33
B,
33
C as viewed in the direction of arrow X, that is, to the retaining position, so that the auxiliary lock member
16
is brought into contact with the support surface
42
of the latch plate
14
. By this time, the latch plate
14
has moved to the latching position and has completed the latching of the tongue plate
5
. It is therefore possible to prevent the auxiliary lock member
16
from being held between the latch plate
14
and the slots
33
B,
33
C of the side walls
11
B,
11
C of the buckle base
11
.
Since the auxiliary lock member
16
is allowed to come into contact with the support surface
42
of the latch plate
14
only when the latch plate
14
is in the latching position, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary lock member
16
from attaining a balance and becoming stationary at an intermediate position.
In this state, a force applied toward the unlatching position of the latch plate
14
(in the releasing direction) is borne by the support surface
42
of the latch plate
14
, the auxiliary lock member
16
, and the slots
33
B,
33
C of the side walls
11
B,
11
C. The force is therefore divided, thereby making it possible to further enhance the reliability for strength.
Next, upon pulling the tongue plate
5
out of the buckle main body
10
, the release button is pressed in the direction of arrow Y. The fingers
63
B,
63
C of the release button
18
then come into contact with the curved surface
54
of the holder member
17
as shown in FIG.
7
.
When the release button
18
is pressed further, the holder member
17
begins to move in the direction of arrow Y (in a substantially horizontal direction) as depicted in FIG.
8
. Accordingly, the auxiliary lock member
16
is pressed via the support apertures
57
B,
57
C of the holder member
17
and begins to move in the direction of arrow Y, whereby the contact between the auxiliary lock member
16
and the support surface
42
of the latch plate
14
is canceled. At this time point, the outer edge, as viewed in the direction of arrow X, of the planar surface
55
of the holder member
17
is still located on the lower surface of the lock control member
21
, so that the latch plate
14
is held by the holder member
17
and remains in the latching position. Further, the holder member
17
is also prevented from moving in a substantially vertical direction.
When the release button
18
is pressed still further, the outer edge, as viewed in the direction of arrow X, of the planar surface
55
of the holder member
17
is caused to move beyond the lock control member
21
and disengages from the lower surface of the lock control member
21
as shown in FIG.
9
. As a result, it becomes possible for the holder member
17
to move in a substantially vertical direction. In continuation with this, the holder member
17
, as is illustrated in
FIG. 10
, moves upward in a substantially vertical direction at a stretch by the biasing forces of the coil springs
15
,
13
with the curved surface
54
maintained in contact with the lock control member
21
.
Concurrently with this upward movement of the holder member
17
in the substantially vertical direction, the latch plate
14
pivots toward the unlatching position (in a clockwise direction) by the biasing force of the coil spring
15
about the support portions
46
B,
46
C as fulcrums and moves to the unlatching position, so that the latching of the tongue plate
5
is canceled as shown in FIG.
11
.
At the same time, the auxiliary lock member
16
is pressed by the lower edges of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C of the holder member
17
and moves in the direction of arrow Y at a stretch in the slots
33
B,
33
C of the side walls
11
B,
11
C. Described specifically, the auxiliary lock member
16
is caused to move by the cam action of the support apertures
57
B,
57
C and that of the slots
33
B,
33
C. At this time, the auxiliary lock member
16
is supported only in the support apertures
57
B,
57
C and the slots
33
B,
33
C and is out of contact with the latch plate
14
. The auxiliary lock member
16
therefore moves to a non-retaining position without stopping at an intermediate position.
As has been described above, the auxiliary lock member
16
does not interfere with the latch plate
14
except when the latch plate
14
is exactly in the locking position, and when the latch plate
14
is about to move toward the unlatching position, the auxiliary lock member
16
moves at a stretch by the above-mentioned cam actions. Upon performing a change-over of the latch plate
14
between the latching position and the unlatching position, the auxiliary lock member
16
is therefore held and pinched by the biasing force of the coil spring
15
, which urges the auxiliary lock member
16
, and the biasing force of the coil spring
13
, which urges the slider
12
, thereby making it possible to prevent the auxiliary lock member
16
from attaining a balance and becoming stationary at an intermediate position.
In the first embodiment described above, the support apertures
57
B,
57
C of the holder member
17
were formed as elongated apertures. It is however to be noted that the support apertures
57
B,
57
C are not limited to such a shape and can be apertures of a different shape insofar as cam action can be produced.
A description will next be made about the second embodiment of the present invention.
As is illustrated in FIG.
12
through
FIG. 17
, the buckle assembly
100
according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a tongue plate
105
, through a webbing slot
106
of which an unillustrated webbing extends, and a buckle main body
110
for releasably latching the tongue plate
105
.
The tongue plate
105
is provided at an end portion thereof with a latching aperture
160
and at an opposite end portion thereof with the webbing slot
107
for permitting therethrough an insertion of the webbing (not shown).
The buckle main body
110
is provided with a buckle base
111
functioning as a frame, a slider
112
movable in response to an insertion or removal of the tongue plate
105
, a coil spring
113
for causing the slider
112
to move, a latch plate
114
for latching the tongue plate
105
, a coil spring
115
for rocking the latch plate
114
, a lock pin
116
for controlling a rocking motion of the latch plate
114
, a holder member
117
for supporting the coil spring
115
and also movably supporting the lock pin
116
, a release button
118
for canceling latching of the tongue plate
105
, a coil spring
119
biasing the release button
118
in a direction in which the tongue plate
105
is pulled out, a spring holder
120
with which the coil spring
119
is maintained in contact, a switch
121
for detecting a latched or unlatched state of the tongue plate
105
, and a lower cover
122
L and an upper cover
122
U between which the above-described elements are accommodated.
In the second embodiment, the lock member comprises the holder member
117
and the lock pin
116
.
Incidentally, a stay
107
is fixed at a free end thereof on the buckle main body
110
by a rivet
123
.
The buckle base ill is provided with a bottom wall
111
A and a pair of opposing side walls
111
B,
111
C arranged upright at opposite sides of the bottom wall
11
A, and is therefore configured substantially in a turned square U-shape as viewed in transverse cross-section. At an end portion of the bottom wall
111
A as viewed in a direction in which the tongue plate is pulled out (the leftward direction in FIG.
12
through
FIG. 16
; this direction will hereinafter be called “leftward”), a guide floor
126
is formed such that the tongue plate
105
is guided by the guide floor
126
when the tongue plate
105
is inserted or removed. In addition, the bottom wall
111
A is also provided with an opening
125
for allowing the slider
112
to slide in a direction in which the tongue plate
105
is inserted and removed. At a substantially central part of an inner edge portion of the opening
125
as viewed in a direction in which the tongue plate
105
is inserted (the rightward direction in FIG.
12
through
FIG. 16
; this direction will hereinafter be called “rightward”), a holding lug
145
is formed such that it holds the coil spring
113
at a right end portion thereof.
Through approximately central parts of the side walls
111
B,
111
C, horizontally-elongated slots
133
B,
133
C are formed such that the lock pin
116
is supported at opposite ends thereof movably leftward and rightward. Below the slots
133
B,
133
C, cranked slots
134
B,
134
C are formed as a control portion for movably supporting beads
129
A,
129
B of the release button
118
to be described subsequently herein. Each of these cranked slots
134
B,
134
C has such a substantially crank shape that it is bent upward on a right side of an approximately central part in the horizontal direction and that it again extends in a substantially horizontal direction. In other words, each of the cranked slots
134
B,
134
C is formed such that it is bent from a position where the release button
118
presses the holder member
117
to a point in the proximity of a position at which the holder member
117
is released from the lock control member
131
to be described in detail subsequently herein.
Further, on the right sides of the slots
133
B,
133
C, receiving notches
136
B,
136
C are formed such that support portions
146
B,
146
C, which are formed at opposite side walls of an inner end portion of the latch plate
114
to be described in detail subsequently herein, are rockably inserted and supported.
The slider
112
is configured in a substantially turned U-shape as viewed in transverse cross-section, and is constructed such that the coil spring
113
is held at a left end thereof in a recess
139
formed between a substantially planner upper plate
137
and a lower portion
138
arranged on a lower wall of the upper plate
137
and configured in an L-shape as viewed in longitudinal cross-section. Formed on opposite side walls of a right end portion of the slider
112
are pressing portions
135
B,
135
C for pressing legs
144
B,
144
C of the latch plate
114
to be described in detail subsequently herein. Incidentally, the coil spring
113
is fixed at a right end thereof on the holding lug
145
of the bottom wall
11
A.
The slider
112
is slidably supported with the lower portion
138
thereof loose-fitted in the opening
125
of the buckle base
111
. When the tongue plate
105
is inserted into the buckle main body
110
, the slider
112
is pressed by the leading end of the tongue plate
105
and is hence caused to slide rightward against biasing force of the coil spring
113
, whereby the slider
112
presses the legs
144
B,
144
C, which are arranged on lower ends of both side portions of the latch plate
114
to be described in detail subsequently herein, so that the latch plate
114
is caused to pivot counterclockwise (in a direction in which the latch plate
114
latches the tongue plate
105
). When the tongue plate
105
is pulled out, on the other hand, the slider
112
is caused to return leftward under the biasing force of the coil spring
113
.
Through an approximately central part of the latch plate
114
, an opening
140
is formed such that the holder member
117
to be described in detail subsequently herein is partly inserted there. At a left end portion of the latch plate
114
, a latch portion
141
—which is to be inserted into the latching aperture
160
of the tongue plate
105
for the latching of the tongue plate
105
when the tongue plate
105
is inserted into the buckle main body
110
—is formed extending downward. Formed between the latch portion
141
and the opening
140
is a support surface
142
which can be brought into contact with the lock pin
116
to be described in detail subsequently herein.
On the opposite side walls of the right end portion of the latch plate
114
, the support portions
146
A,
146
B are arranged extending from the opposite side walls. These support portions
146
A,
146
B are rockably (pivotally) supported in the receiving notches
136
B,
136
C of the side walls
111
B,
111
C. Described specifically, the latch plate
114
rocks about the support portions
146
B,
146
C as fulcrums and moves to the latching position, in which the latch plate
114
latches the tongue plate
105
, or to an unlatching position, in which the latching of the tongue plate
105
is cancelled. On the opposite side walls of a right end portion of the latch plate
114
, the legs
144
B,
144
C are arranged extending downward. The slider
112
can be brought into contact at pressing portions
135
B,
135
C thereof with these legs
144
B,
144
C as mentioned above.
At a substantially central part of the right end portion of the latch plate
114
, an abutting portion
143
is formed upright. Formed through a substantially central part of the abutting portion
143
is an opening
149
. A shaft
147
to be described in detail subsequently herein can be inserted into the opening
149
and can also be pulled out of the opening
149
.
The holder member
117
is provided with a main part
151
, side walls
152
B,
152
C, which are formed on opposite side walls of the main part
151
, and the shaft
147
formed at a substantially central part of a right end portion of the main part
151
.
The main part
151
is formed of a curved surface
154
arranged on a left outer side, an upper surface
155
formed in continuation with an upper part of the curved surface
154
, a tilted surface
156
arranged in continuation with the upper surface
155
, and a protuberance
158
extending downward from a substantially central part of the tilted surface
156
.
Extending over the curved surface
154
and the upper surface
155
, two ridges
151
B,
151
C are formed such that they can be brought into contact with a face
132
A of the spring holder
120
to be described in detail subsequently herein. The face
132
A defines a left end of an opening
132
formed in a upper part of the spring holder
120
.
The protuberance
158
is inserted in the opening
140
of the latch plate
114
, and at end walls thereof as viewed in a transverse direction, is provided with claws
158
B,
158
C which project outward in the transverse direction. Both of these claws
158
B,
158
C are maintained in slidable engagement with the lower wall of the latch plate
114
at locations adjacent the opening
140
. Namely, the holder member
117
is arranged such that the latch plate
114
is embraced by both of the claws
158
B,
158
C.
Incidentally, the main part
151
is open at a surface (a lower surface) located opposite the upper surface
155
, and is constructed such that the lock pin
116
inserted in the support apertures
157
B,
157
C formed in the side walls
152
B,
152
C, said support apertures
157
B,
157
C being to be described in detail subsequently herein, are exposed through the lower surface.
Through substantially central parts of the side walls
152
B,
152
C, the support apertures
157
B,
157
C are opened in the form of elongated apertures tilted relative to the upper surface
155
. Through these support apertures
157
B,
157
C, the lock pin
116
is movably inserted. Opposite end portions of the lock pin
116
which extends through the support apertures
157
B,
157
C are inserted in the slots
133
B,
133
C of the buckle base
111
movably leftward and rightward. Formed on lower left end portions of the side walls
152
B,
152
C are abutting portions
159
B,
159
C, with which tilted portions
163
B,
163
C of the release button
118
can be brought into contact upon effecting a release of the tongue plate
105
by pressing the release button
118
as will be described in detail subsequently herein.
In a stage where the tongue plate
105
has not been inserted yet (see FIG.
13
and FIG.
16
), the holder member
117
is biased leftward by the coil spring
115
.
The lock pin
116
is therefore located on the side of the right edges of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C and the slots
133
B,
133
C. At this time, the support apertures
157
B,
157
C are arranged in positions oblique relative to the slots
133
B,
133
C, in other words, at predetermined angles relative to the slots
133
B,
133
C.
The shaft
147
is formed such that it has smaller diameter at a right end thereof than at a left end thereof. The coil spring
115
is loose-fitted on the shaft
147
so that owing to the arrangement of the shaft
147
, the coil spring
115
is prevented from being bent or broken when it undergoes expansion and contraction. The small-diameter portion of the shaft
147
is dimensioned such that the small-diameter portion of the shaft
147
can freely extend back and forth through the opening
149
formed in the abutting portion
143
of the latch plate
114
. On the other hand, the large-diameter portion of the shaft
147
is dimensioned greater than the diameter of the opening
149
.
As has been described above, the shaft
147
freely extends back and forth through the opening
149
of the latch plate
114
, and the claws
158
B,
158
C are in slidable engagement with the latch plate
114
in such a way that the claws
158
B,
158
C embrace the latch plate
114
therein. The holder member
117
can therefore slide on the latch plate
114
in response to a movement of the latch plate
14
.
The spring holder
120
is arranged on the left side of the buckle base
111
. On a substantially central part of the left end wall of the spring holder
120
, a raised spring seat
128
is formed to fixedly hold the coil spring
119
at a right end portion thereof. Between a lower wall of the spring holder
120
and the bottom wall
11
A of the buckle base
111
, a space is formed as a mouth
153
to permit an insertion of the tongue plate
105
.
The opening
132
is formed in an upper part of the spring holder
120
. The opening
132
is constructed such that, when the tongue plate
105
has been brought into a latched state (see FIG.
14
and FIG.
15
), the curved surface
154
and upper surface
155
of the holder member
117
penetrate under a portion which defines a left edge of the opening
32
. When the tongue plate
105
has not been inserted yet in the buckle main body
110
(see FIG.
13
and FIG.
16
), the holder member
117
is inserted at a left end portion thereof in the opening
132
such that the ridges
151
B,
151
C formed on the curved surface
154
of the holder member
117
is in contact with the face
132
A which defines the left edge of the opening
132
. Incidentally, the portion which defines the left edge of the opening
132
serves as a lock control portion
131
which controls movements of the holder member
117
.
The release button
118
is provided with an operating portion
161
, which can be pressed by a user, and arms
162
B,
162
C arranged on opposite sides of the operating portion
161
such that the arms
162
B,
162
C extend out rightward horizontally. The release button
118
is also provided with tilted portions
163
B,
163
C, which serve as drive portions for coming into contact with the abutting portions
159
B,
159
C of the holder member
117
and causing the holder member
117
to the first position.
This release button
118
is slidably arranged on the side walls
11
B,
111
C such that the beads
129
B,
129
C formed on the inner walls of the right end portions of the arms
162
B,
162
C are movably supported in the cranked slots
134
B,
134
C formed in the side walls
111
B,
111
C. Namely, this release button
118
is designed such that, when the release button
118
is pressed rightward to release the tongue plate
105
from the buckle main body
110
, the advancement of the release button
118
is facilitated owing to the guiding of the beads
129
B,
129
C by the cranked slots
134
B,
134
C.
A raised spring seat
164
for holding the coil spring
119
at a left end portion thereof is formed on the inner end wall of the operating portion
161
at a substantially central part thereof. As the coil spring
119
held by the raised spring seat
164
is fixedly held at a right end portion thereof by the raised spring seat
128
of the spring holder
120
, the release button
118
is biased normally leftward by the coil spring
119
.
A description will next be made about a specific operation of the buckle assembly according to the second embodiment.
When the tongue plate
105
has not been inserted yet in the buckle main body
110
, the slider
112
is placed on a left side by the biasing force of the coil spring
113
as illustrated in FIG.
13
and FIG.
16
.
The holder member
117
is biased in an upper left direction by the coil spring
115
, whereby the support apertures
157
B,
157
C in the holder member
117
and the slots
133
B,
133
C in the side walls
111
B,
111
C are arranged at a certain angle therebetween, respectively.
Further, the lock pin
116
is located at the right edges of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C and also at the right edges of the slots
133
B,
133
C. At this time, the latch plate
114
is allowed to retain under the biasing force of the coil spring
115
the state that the latch portion
41
is located in an upper position.
To latch the tongue plate
105
in the buckle main body
110
, the tongue plate
105
is next inserted into the buckle main body
110
through the mouth
153
. At this time, the leading end of the tongue plate
105
causes the slider
112
to move rightward so that the coil spring
113
is compressed. When the slider
112
comes into contact at the pressing portions
135
B,
135
C thereof with the legs
144
B,
144
C of the latch plate
114
, the latch plate
114
begins to pivot toward the locking position (in a counterclockwise direction shown in the drawings) about the support portions
146
B,
146
C as fulcrums.
Concurrently with the above motion, the holder member
117
begins to turn (move) in response to the pivotal motion of the latch plate
114
while compressing the coil spring
115
with the ridges
151
B,
151
C formed on the curved surface
154
being maintained in contact with the lock control portion
131
. Described specifically, the holder member
117
begins to undergo the above-described turning while being prevented from moving leftward by the lock control member
31
. By this turning of the holder member
117
, the lock pin
116
is pressed by upper edges of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C, so that the lock pin
116
begins to move leftward in the slots
133
B,
133
C of the side walls
111
B,
111
C. Namely, the lock pin
116
undergoes a movement toward the retaining position by the cam action of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C and that of the slots
133
B,
133
C.
When the tongue plate
105
is inserted, the latch plate
114
and the holder member
117
turn (move) further. The curved surface
154
of the holder member
117
is then caused to move beyond the lock control portion
131
, whereby the holder member
117
penetrates under the lock control portion
131
. As a result, the holder member
117
becomes movable leftward. As a consequence, the lock pin
116
moves to the left edges of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C of the holder member
117
. As the latching portion
141
of the latch plate
114
has already completed its engagement with the latching aperture
160
of the tongue plate
105
at the time point of the above-described penetration of the holder member
117
, it is possible to prevent the lock pin
116
from being held between the latch plate
114
and the slots
133
B,
133
C of the buckle base
111
.
The leftward movement of the holder member
117
continues until the holder member
17
comes under the biasing force of the coil spring
115
into contact with the lock pin
116
moved to the left edges of the slots
133
B,
133
C of the buckle base
111
, and the latching is completed.
Incidentally, a force applied toward the unlatching position of the latch plate
114
(in the releasing direction) is borne by the support surface
142
of the latch plate
114
, the lock pin
116
, and the slots
133
B,
133
C. The force is therefore divided, thereby making it possible to further enhance the reliability for strength.
Next, upon pulling the tongue plate
105
out of the buckle main body
110
, the release button is pressed rightwards. The tilted portions
163
B,
163
C of the release button
118
then come into contact with the abutting portions
159
B,
159
C of the holder member
117
as shown in FIG.
15
. When the release button
118
is pressed further, the holder member
117
begins to move rightward (in a substantially horizontal direction). The lock pin
116
is pressed via the holder member
117
and begins to move rightward (toward the non-retaining position), whereby the contact between the lock pin
116
and the support surface
142
of the latch plate
114
is canceled.
At this time point, the left edge of the upper surface
155
of the holder member
117
is still located on the lower surface of the lock control portion
131
, so that the latch plate
114
is held by the holder member
117
, remains in the latching position and has not moved to the unlatching position. When the release button
118
is pressed still further, the left edge of the upper surface
155
of the holder member
117
is caused to move beyond the lock control portion
131
and disengages from the lower surface of the lock control portion
131
. As a result, it becomes possible for the holder member
117
to move upward in a substantially vertical direction.
During these movements, the release button
118
is caused to move with the beads
129
B,
129
C guided by the cranked slots
134
B,
134
C. Since the cranked slots
134
B,
134
C are configured in a substantially crank form as mentioned above, the release button
118
is twisted or prized counterclockwise as viewed in FIG.
15
.
Even if a foreign matter such as dirt or sugar-containing juice has penetrated to the inside of the buckle main body
110
and the sliding performance between the tilted portions
163
B,
163
C of the release button
118
and the abutting portions
159
B,
159
C of the holder member
117
has been deteriorated, it is still possible to surely achieve the movement of the holder member
117
toward the first position (in a substantially vertical direction) owing to the above-described twisting (prizing) of the release button
118
.
By the above-described action of the release button
118
, the holder member
117
, as is illustrated in
FIG. 16
, moves at a stretch toward the first position, which corresponds to the unlatching position of the latch plate, by the biasing forces of the coil springs
15
,
13
.
At the same time, the lock pin
116
is pressed by the lower edges of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C of the holder member
117
and moves at a stretch to the retaining position (rightward) in the slots
133
B,
133
C of the side walls
111
B,
111
C. Described specifically, the lock pin
116
is caused to move by the cam action of the support apertures
157
B,
157
C and that of the slots
133
B,
133
C. At this time, the lock pin
116
is supported only in the support apertures
157
B,
157
C and the slots
133
B,
133
C and is out of contact with the latch plate
114
. The lock pin
116
therefore moves to a non-retaining position without stopping at an intermediate position.
Concurrently, the latch plate
114
pivots toward the unlatching position (in a clockwise direction) by the biasing force of the coil spring
115
about the support portions
146
B,
146
C as fulcrums and moves to the unlatching position, so that the latching of the tongue plate
105
is canceled.
In the second embodiment described above, the slots
134
B,
134
C were configured in the substantially crank form. The slots
134
B,
134
C are however not limited to such a crank form, and their shape can be modified, for example, into such a substantially L-shaped form that, as is illustrated in
FIG. 18
, the slots are bent upward at right parts thereof with respect to substantially central parts thereof as viewed in the horizontal direction or into such a curved form that, as is shown in
FIG. 19
, the slots are upwardly curved at right parts thereof. In essence, no particular limitation is imposed on the form of the slots
134
B,
134
C insofar as they can induce a twisting or prizing motion of the release button
118
toward the unlatching position.
Provided that the release button
118
can be caused to undergo the same motion as that described above, guide ridges or the like may be arranged in place of the cranked slots
134
B,
134
C to guide the beads
129
B,
129
C.
Claims
- 1. A buckle assembly comprising a tongue plate and a buckle main body for releasably holding said tongue plate, wherein said buckle main body is provided with:a base; a lock control member supported on said base; a latch plate supported on said base movably between a latching position, in which said latch plate is in latching engagement with said tongue plate, an unlatching position, in which said latch plate is out of latching engagement with said tongue plate; an auxiliary lock member supported on said base movably between a retaining position, in which said auxiliary lock member retains said latch plate in said latching position, and a non-retaining position, in which said auxiliary lock member does not retain said latch plate in said latching position; and a holder member held on said latch plate movably relative to said latch plate and provided with a cam portion for controlling a motion of said auxiliary lock member, said holder member being capable of assuming a first position, in which said holder member is in contact with said lock control member on a side of a leading edge of said lock control member as viewed in a direction of insertion of said tongue plate such that under biasing force of a biasing member, said latch plate is retained in said unlatching position and said auxiliary lock member is brought to said non-retaining position, and a second position, in which said holder member is located on a side of said lock control member, where said tongue plate to be inserted is positioned, such that said auxiliary lock member is brought to said retaining position.
- 2. A buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base is provided with guide paths for supporting said auxiliary lock member, and said guide paths extend substantially in parallel with said direction of insertion of said tongue plate.
- 3. A buckle assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cam portion is provided with slots, which permit extension of said auxiliary lock member therethrough and which, when said holder member has assumed said first position, extend in intersecting directions relative to the corresponding guide paths in said base.
- 4. A buckle assembly according to claim 3, wherein said slots are formed such that said slots intersect the corresponding guide paths in said base irrespective of the position of said holder member.
- 5. A buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary lock member is a pin.
- 6. A buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said holder member is held movably relative to said latch plate in said latched position thereof in a direction substantially parallel with said direction of insertion of said tongue plate.
- 7. A buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said buckle base is provided with a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending upright from said bottom wall; and said buckle assembly is provided further with a release button for bringing said holder member from said second position to said first position when pressed and also with a control portion for controlling said release button at a leading end thereof, as viewed in a pressing direction of said release button, in a direction away from said bottom wall of said buckle base when a pressed stroke of said release button has increased.
- 8. A buckle assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control portion is formed in said buckle base.
- 9. A buckle assembly according to claim 8, wherein said control portion comprises slots formed in said side walls of said buckle base, respectively, such that said slots are maintained in engagement with engaging portions arranged on a leading end of said release button as viewed in a pressing direction of said release button.
- 10. A buckle assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of said slots comprises a first part extending in said pressing direction of said release button, a second part extending substantially in parallel with said first part at a position more apart from said bottom wall of said buckle base on a still inner side of an inner end of said first part as viewed in said pressing direction of said release button, and a connecting part connecting said first part and said second part together.
- 11. A buckle assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of said slots comprises a first part extending in said pressing direction of said release button and a second part extending from an inner end of said first part in said pressing direction of said release button and in a direction away from said bottom wall of said buckle base.
- 12. A buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said assembly is provided further with a release button for bringing said holder member from said second position to said first position, a biasing member for biasing said release button and a spring holder arranged on said buckle base for supporting said biasing means thereon, and said lock control member is formed at a part of said spring holder.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
10-370542 |
Dec 1998 |
JP |
|
11-223647 |
Aug 1999 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (12)