Patent Application
20170215526
The following disclosure relates generally to buckle assemblies for use in personal restraint systems and, more particularly, to buckle assemblies and associated systems and methods that are adapted for use in harsh environments.
A variety of vehicles include restraint systems to help restrain operators or passengers while the vehicles are in motion. Many of these restraint systems have buckles or other components that are releasably fastened together to connect two or more pieces of webbing. For example, seatbelts in most passenger vehicles include a buckle that is attached to a first piece of webbing. To secure a vehicle occupant, a tongue that is connected to a second piece of webbing is releasably engaged by the buckle. In most restraint systems, buckles generally have multiple internal components that are moveable to provide for releasable engagement of the tongue. For example, buttons, latches, springs and other components are often used to provide a releasable engagement mechanism. As with many mechanical devices, the operation of these components may be affected by the environment in which they operate.
Some vehicle types, e.g., off-road recreational utility vehicles (RUVs), are frequently operated in harsh environments that can expose restraint system components to a variety of contaminants. Exposing buckles or other components to mud, sand, water, and/or other contaminants, can affect the operation of the restraint system. In some cases, the contamination can restrict or prevent movement of a release button or other component that is necessary to release the tongue from the buckle. In other cases, contamination can restrict insertion of the tongue into the buckle. Cleaning, repairing or replacing buckles and other components to address such occurrences can require substantial time and expense.
The following disclosure describes various embodiments of buckle assemblies and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a buckle assembly for a personal restraint system includes a release actuator (e.g., a button) that can apply increased force to release a web connector. For example, a buckle assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a frame having a pair of opposing openings and a pawl pivotally mounted to the frame via the opposing openings. The pawl includes a latch portion positioned to releasably engage a web connector, and a biasing member is operably positioned between the release actuator and the pawl. The release actuator is movable to a first position to compress the biasing member and exert a first force against the pawl. The release actuator is also movable to a second position to further compress the biasing member and directly contact the pawl to exert a second force against the pawl. The second force can be greater than the first force, and the first and second forces together urge the pawl to rotate and disengage the latch portion from the web connector.
In several embodiments, buckle assemblies can include an ejector that urges a web connector out of the buckle assembly when the release actuator is operated. The ejector can also operate to engage the latch portion with the web connector. For example, insertion of a web connector into the buckle assembly can drive the ejector against the pawl to rotate the pawl and engage the latch portion with the web connector. In other embodiments, the devices, systems and associated methods can have different configurations, components, and/or procedures. Still other embodiments may eliminate particular components and/or procedures. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art, therefore, will understand that the present technology, which includes associated devices, systems, and procedures, may include other embodiments with additional elements or steps, and/or may include other embodiments without several of the features or steps shown and described below with reference to
As discussed above, exposure of personal restraint systems to harsh environments can affect the operation of various components. The present technology includes several embodiments of buckle assemblies and restraint system components that can mitigate the impact of harsh environments and contaminants. Certain details are set forth in the following description and
The buckle assembly 100 also includes a release actuator 220 (e.g., a release button) that can be slidably coupled to the frame 208. The release actuator 220 includes a plurality of guide features 221 and a first biasing member mount 222 (e.g., a first spring mount) that can engage an end portion of a first biasing member 224 (e.g., a first spring). The drive portion 218 includes a second biasing member mount 226 (e.g., a second spring mount) that can engage an opposite end portion of the first spring 224. The first spring 224 can be positioned to extend between the first spring mount 222 and the second spring mount 226, and the first spring 224 can bias the release actuator 220 toward the opening 104. The release actuator 220 slidably straddles the frame 208 and can be actuated to release the connector 106 by depressing the actuator 220 into the opening 104, as described in more detail below. A release actuator insert 228 is positioned between the housing upper portion 202 and the release actuator 220. The insert 228 contacts features on the frame 208 to provide a hard stop when the release actuator 220 is fully depressed into the opening 104. The components of the buckle assembly 100 can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 108, the latch portion 216 of the pawl 214, and/or other components can be constructed from metal or metal alloys (e.g., steel). Additionally, in several embodiments, the housing 102, the release button 220, the drive portion 218 of the pawl 214, and/or other components can be constructed from a variety of plastics (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE)).
An ejector 230 is slidably coupled to the frame 208 and biased toward the opening 104 by a second biasing member 232 (e.g., a second spring). When the release actuator 220 is actuated to unlatch the connector 106 from the buckle assembly 100, the second spring 232 can urge the ejector 230 to push the connector 106 out of the opening 104. A locking pin 234 can be movably received in the second openings 212 of the frame 208, and can be driven by the guide features 221 of the release actuator 220. The locking pin 234 can also interact with the pawl 214 to prevent inadvertent release of the connector 106.
The buckle assembly 100 can further include a switch 236 having an actuator 238 (e.g., an actuation lever). The pawl 214 can engage the actuator 238 to provide an indication of the status of the buckle assembly (e.g., unlatched or latched). Additionally, a coupling member 240 can couple a tang (not shown) to the frame 208. The tang can be coupled to a piece of webbing or another restraint system component to secure the buckle assembly 100 to an associated vehicle. In some embodiments, the tang and/or the frame can include load absorbing features that can interact with the coupling member 240 and provide for relative motion between the frame 208 and the tang. The relative motion can be used to provide an indication that the buckle assembly 100 has been subjected to a load sufficient to warrant repair or replacement of the buckle assembly 100. In several embodiments, such load absorbing and indicating features can be at least generally similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/236,792, filed Oct. 2, 2015, and entitled Load Indicators for Personal Restraint Systems and Associated Systems and Methods, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The switch 236 can be coupled to a load indicating component, the housing 102, or another component of the buckle assembly 100 such that the actuator 238 is positioned to be actuated via the pawl 214, as discussed in more detail below.
The contact between the contact surface 316 and the lever 238 provides an electrical indication via the switch 236 that the buckle assembly 100 is unlatched. For example, in some embodiments, the switch 236 can be part of an electrical circuit that is itself part of an electrical system in an associated vehicle. The electrical system can include buzzers, lights, or other components that can be energized depending on the condition of the electrical circuit that includes the switch 236. For example, in some embodiments, contact between the contact surface 316 and the lever 238 can open the switch 236. The associated electrical system can detect that the circuit is open and energize a buzzer and/or light to show that the buckle assembly 100 is unlatched. In other embodiments, engagement of the lever 238 can close the switch 236 to complete an electrical circuit that initiates the energization of a buzzer and/or light. Additionally, in several embodiments, a variety of electrical or mechanical interlocks can be initiated via operation of the switch 236. For example, in some embodiments, the electrical system of an associated vehicle can limit vehicle operation to a lower rate of speed based on the position of the switch 236 (i.e., open or closed)
When the buckle assembly 100 is in the unlatched position, the compression of the first spring 224 also acts on the first spring mount 222 to bias the release button 220 in the direction of arrow A3, i.e., toward the opening 104 (
In the fully latched position shown in
In some embodiments, the second force can be greater than the first force. For example, in some embodiments, the first force is limited to a maximum value, from compression of the first spring, that occurs when the release actuator 220 is depressed to the position where the first spring mount 222 contacts the second spring mount 226. The second force, however, is not limited. That is, most (if not all) of the force exerted on the release actuator 220 (by, e.g., the user) in the direction of arrow A4 is transmitted to the pawl 214 via the first force and the second force. Specifically, if the release actuator 220 is depressed to the position in which the first spring mount 222 contacts the second spring mount 226, any additional force applied to the release actuator 220 is transferred to the pawl 214 via the second force acting through the direct physical contact between the first spring mount 222 and the second spring mount 226. Regardless of whether the second force is greater than the first force, the second force provides additional force to rotate the pawl 214. In particular, the sum of the first force and the second force can result in a total force that can be significantly greater than the first force alone, and can help overcome any resistance to rotation of the pawl 214, as described in more detail below.
Depression of the release button 220 also drives the guide features 221 to move the locking pin 234. Specifically, the guide features 221 move the locking pin 234 to the junction of the lower portions 404 and the upper portions 402 of the second openings 212. With the locking pin 234 at the junction of the lower portions 404 and the upper portions 402, the first force and second force on the pawl 214 rotate the pawl, moving the latch arm 302 out of the latch opening 201 and moving the locking pin 234 in the direction of arrow A1 within the upper portions 402 (as shown in
Contaminants (e.g., dirt, moisture, etc.) that enter a buckle assembly can increase the friction on a latch or otherwise restrict the free movement of the latch or other buckle assembly components. This increased friction can prevent the proper operation of the associated buckle assembly. For example, in many existing buckle assemblies, a spring or other compressible component is used to release a latch. To prevent spring damage, many buckle assemblies include release buttons that contact internal components of the associated buckle assembly and “bottom out” before they fully compress their associated springs. Accordingly, the maximum force that can be exerted with such buckle assemblies is limited to that which does not fully compress the spring. This spring force may be insufficient to overcome obstructions or contamination in many existing buckle assemblies.
Buckle assemblies configured in accordance with the present technology can provide for reliable operation in harsh environments. For example, in addition to exerting a first force on the pawl 214 via the first spring 224, the direct contact of the release button 220 with the pawl 214 provides a second force on the pawl 214. The second force is applied via direct physical contact, and is not limited to a force generated via spring pressure. As discussed above, the direct contact can provide for the transfer of all (or most) of the force exerted on the release button 220 to the pawl 214. The direct contact and the transfer of additional force provided by the embodiments disclosed herein can help to reduce the likelihood of obstructed or “jammed” buckle assemblies. Additionally, although the illustrated embodiments include direct physical contact between the release button 220 and the pawl 214 (via the first spring mount 220 and the second spring mount 226), other embodiments can provide for the transfer of all (or most) of the force exerted on the release button 220 to the pawl 214 via indirect contact. For example, one or more intermediate components (e.g., rods, levers, blocks, slides, spacers, or other components) can be positioned between the release button 220 and the pawl 214. The intermediate component(s) can thereby transfer the force from the release button 220 to the pawl 214.
In several of the embodiments described above, the direct contact between the release button 220 and the pawl 214 provides for a transfer of additional force to the pawl 214 to release the connector 106 from the buckle assembly 100. In other embodiments, the first biasing member 224 can be designed to provide for a direct transfer of additional force. For example, in some embodiments, the first biasing member 224 can be designed and positioned to fully compress and transfer all (or most) of the force exerted on the release button 220 to the pawl 214. Specifically, rather than direct contact between the release button 220 and the pawl 214, the first biasing member 224 can reach a fully compressed position (e.g., a solid height position) prior to contact between the release button 220 and the pawl 214. In such embodiments, the first biasing member 224 can effectively become a “solid” member (with adjacent coils of the biasing member in contact with one another) to transfer forces from the release button 220 to the pawl 214. In several such embodiments, the first biasing member 224 can be selected based on axial rigidity or other criteria. For example, the first biasing member 224 can be selected based on one or more factors that help reduce the likelihood of buckling or axial bending during complete compression.
Existing buckle assemblies often include switches that register their condition (e.g., latched or unlatched) based on the insertion of a connector. That is, the switches are positioned to be actuated by the insertion of a connector tongue into the buckle assembly and full engagement of the tongue with the buckle assembly. In general, insertion of a tongue corresponds with latching, and these existing switches can thereby provide an indication that the connector is fully engaged in most situations (e.g., by activation of a buzzer or other electrical component by the switch). However, when contaminants or other issues prevent a latch from moving into position, these existing buckle assemblies and switches can provide a false indication. That is, insertion of a tongue into these existing buckle assemblies can provide an indication that the buckle assembly is latched, even when contaminants have prevented the latch from moving into the latched position.
Buckle assemblies configured in accordance with the present technology can provide more reliable indications of their condition. In particular, the buckle assemblies disclosed herein include the switch 236 positioned to be actuated via movement of the pawl 214, and not merely by insertion of the connector 106. Specifically, referring to
Moreover, the positioning of the switch 236 can provide for enhanced reliability of the buckle assembly 100 by reducing the exposure of the switch 236 to contaminants. For example, the buckle assembly 100 can be mounted in a vehicle with the lower portion 204 of the housing 102 positioned toward an associated seat, and the upper portion 202 of the housing 102 thereby being above the lower portion 204. In the illustrated embodiment of
In several embodiments, the pawl 902 can be included in the buckle assembly 100 in place of the pawl 214. In such embodiments, several aspects of the operation of the buckle assembly 100 and the pawl 214 can be at least generally similar to that described above with respect to the buckle assembly 100 and the pawl 214. For example, with reference to
Operation of the pawl 914 can also differ in several aspects from that of operation of the pawl 214. As discussed above with respect to operation of the pawl 214, the locking arm 304 of the latch portion 216 can move the locking pin 234. In contrast, with reference to
Buckle assemblies and restraint system components configured in accordance with the present technology can be designed and constructed to conform to a variety of regulations and standards. For example, the buckle assemblies and restraint system components disclosed herein can conform with Standard No. 209 (49 C.F.R. §571.209), SAE Standard J386 (Society of Automotive Engineers, Standard J386), UNECE Regulation No. 16 (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Technical Prescriptions for Wheeled Vehicles, Addendum 15, Regulation No. 16), and/or other regulations and standards.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present technology. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications or alterations can be made to the components or systems disclosed herein. Moreover, certain aspects of the present technology described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the inventions are not limited except as by the appended claims.
