Extension unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12065098-B2
Application number	US-202318369008-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2023
Priority date	Oct 4, 2022
Publication date	Aug 20, 2024
Grant date	Aug 20, 2024

Abstract

An extension unit includes a buckle member, a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a webbing belt. The buckle member is engaged with a first tongue plate of a seat belt apparatus, includes a first holder holding the webbing belt, and a fixing member fixing an end of the webbing belt. The second coupling member is disposed between the buckle member and the first coupling member and coupled to the first coupling member. The webbing belt joins the buckle member and the first coupling member. The second coupling member is so disposed that a projected region extending inward in a vehicle width direction is defined. The projected region has a size corresponding to a thickness of an operator's hand and is not overlapped with the buckle member. The second coupling member includes a second holder holding the webbing belt extending from the first holder to the fixing member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An extension unit to be applied to a seat belt apparatus for a vehicle, the extension unit comprising:
a buckle member to be engaged with a first tongue plate of the seat belt apparatus;
a first coupling member comprising a second tongue plate to be engaged with a buckle body of the seat belt apparatus;
a second coupling member disposed between the buckle member and the first coupling member, the second coupling member comprising a coupling mechanism to be coupled to the first coupling member; and
a webbing belt joining the buckle member and the first coupling member, wherein
the buckle member comprises a first holder and a fixing member, the first holder holding a part of the webbing belt extending from the first coupling member, the fixing member fixing an end of the webbing belt,
the first coupling member comprises a third tongue plate to be engaged with the coupling mechanism of the second coupling member,
the second coupling member is so disposed that a projected region extending inward in a width direction of the vehicle is defined, the projected region having a size corresponding to a thickness of an operator's hand, the projected region not being overlapped with the buckle member, and
the second coupling member comprises a second holder holding a part of the webbing belt extending from the first holder to the fixing member.

2. The extension unit according to claim 1 , wherein the buckle member has a curved wall protruding inward in the width direction of the vehicle on a surface facing outward in the width direction of the vehicle.

3. The extension unit according to claim 1 , wherein, when the first tongue plate of the seat belt apparatus is engaged with the buckle member, the part of the webbing belt extending from the first coupling member is locked between the first tongue plate of the seat belt apparatus and the first holder.

4. The extension unit according to claim 2 , wherein, when the first tongue plate of the seat belt apparatus is engaged with the buckle member, the part of the webbing belt extending from the first coupling member is locked between the first tongue plate of the seat belt apparatus and the first holder.

5. The extension unit according to claim 2 , wherein
the buckle member comprises a button on a rear face of the curved wall protruding inward in the width direction of the vehicle,
the button comprises a pusher movable in a vertical direction to release engagement of the buckle member with the first tongue plate of the seat belt apparatus,
the fixing member is provided on a side face of the pusher, and
the second holder is movable in the vertical direction.

Assignees

• Subaru Corp

Inventors

• Furukawa Toshiya

Classifications

• A44B11/2553

  Attachment of buckle to strap · CPC title

• B60R2022/1806

  for buckles · CPC title

• B60R2022/1812

  Connections between seat belt and buckle tongue · CPC title

• B60R22/18 Primary

  Anchoring devices · CPC title

• B60R22/30 Primary

  Coupling devices other than buckles, including length-adjusting fittings {or anti-slip devices (adaptations of manual three-point seat belt systems for use by small passengers using other means than belt anti-slip devices B60R22/024; buckles A44B11/00; releasable fastenings in general F16B)} · CPC title