Housing for a dual release twin buckle assembly
A housing assembly for twin latching mechanisms. The housing assembly includes two handles that can be pivoted to separately unlatch two belt connectors. The latching mechanisms are positioned within the housing such that when the handles are pivoted upwardly, their leading edges engage plunger mechanisms associated with the latching mechanisms. By engaging the plunger mechanisms, individual latches are disengaged and the associated belt connectors are ejected. A flange interconnects the two handles such that one or both handles are pivoted depending upon which handle is lifted by the operator. The housing provides a secure enclosure for the latch mechanisms and also shields the working components from the environment.
1. A vehicle restraint system ( 10 ) having twin buckles and a dual release assembly, the restraint system ( 10 ) comprising:
a lower base ( 20 ) having angled and upstanding side edges ( 22 ), a mounting bracket ( 56 ) having a first end secured to the lower base ( 20 ) and a second end secured to the vehicle, the mounting bracket ( 56 ) including anti-rotation fins ( 58 ) at the first end, the anti-rotation fins ( 58 ) preventing relative movement between the lower base ( 20 ) and the mounting bracket ( 56 );
a pair of passenger restraint belts, each belt including a distal end with a tongue ( 48 ) and an aperture ( 50 );
first and second laterally disposed, separate, and independently operable latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ) secured within the lower base ( 20 ), each latching mechanism including a male latching element ( 40 ) and a forward facing plunger ( 44 and 46 ), each latching mechanism ( 36 and 38 ) having an engaged orientation wherein the male latching element ( 40 ) is positioned within the aperture ( 50 ) of an associated tongue ( 48 ) to secure one of the restraint belts, each latching element ( 36 and 38 ) further including a disengaged orientation that is activated by depressing an associated plunger ( 44 and 46 ), wherein in the disengaged orientation the male latching element ( 40 ) is released from the aperture ( 50 )
a first handle ( 24 ( a )) having a rearward end with an upstanding lip ( 26 ), a forward end with a rounded extent ( 28 ), and a connecting flange ( 25 ), the first handle ( 24 ( a )) being pivotally secured to the lower base ( 20 ) via a torsion spring ( 34 ), the spring ( 34 ) functioning to urge the first handle ( 24 ( a )) to a closed orientation relative to the base ( 20 ), the first handle ( 24 ( a )) having a pivoted orientation wherein the rounded extent ( 28 ) of the handle depresses an associated forward facing plunger ( 44 or 46 ) of an associated latching mechanism ( 36 or 38 ) to thereby release the associated tongue ( 48 );
a second handle ( 24 ( b )) having a rearward end with an upstanding lip ( 26 ) and a forward end with a rounded extent ( 28 ), the second handle ( 24 ( b )) being pivotally secured to the lower base ( 20 ) via a torsion spring ( 34 ), the spring ( 34 ) functioning to urge the second handle ( 24 ( b )) to a closed orientation relative to the base ( 20 ), the second handle 124 (b)) having a pivoted orientation wherein the rounded extent ( 28 ) of the handle depresses an associated forward facing plunger ( 44 or 46 ) of an associated latching mechanism ( 36 or 38 ) to thereby release the associated tongue ( 48 );
whereby the connecting flange ( 25 ) interconnects the first and second handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) such that the first handle ( 24 ( a )) pivots along with the second handle ( 24 ( b ) but the second handle ( 24 ( b )) pivots by itself.
2. A protective housing for a female component of a vehicle restraint system, the female component including a plurality of laterally disposed and separate latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ), each latching mechanism ( 36 and 38 ) including a male latching element ( 40 ) and a forward facing plunger ( 44 or 46 ), wherein in an engaged orientation a tongue ( 48 ) of a restraint belt is releasably secured an associated latching mechanism ( 36 and 38 ) via the male latching element ( 40 ), and in a disengaged orientation the male latching element ( 40 ) is released by depressing an associated plunger ( 44 or 46 ), such that the tongue can be removed, the protective housing comprising:
a lower base ( 20 ) having a forward end and a rearward end and upstanding side edges ( 22 ), the lower base ( 20 ) being secured to the vehicle, the plurality of latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ) being secured within the lower base ( 20 );
a pair of handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )), each handle ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) having a rearward end with an upstanding lip ( 26 ) and a forward end with a rounded extent ( 28 ), the forward end of each handle being pivotally secured to the forward end of the lower base ( 20 ), whereby when the handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) are in a closed orientation debris is prevented from entering the plurality of latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ), and whereby when the handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) are in a pivoted orientation the rounded extent ( 28 ) of each handle engages the forward facing plungers ( 44 or 46 ) of the plurality of latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ) to thereby release the associated tongues ( 48 ); and
a connecting flange ( 25 ) interconnecting the first and second handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) such that the first handle ( 24 ( a )) pivots along with the second handle ( 24 ( b )) but second handle ( 24 ( b )) pivots independently of the first handle ( 24 ( a )).
3. The protective housing as described in claim 2 further comprising a mounting bracket ( 56 ) having a first end secured to the lower base ( 20 ) and a second end secured to the vehicle, the mounting bracket including anti-rotation fins at the first end, the anti-rotation fins ( 58 ) preventing relative movement between the base ( 20 ) and the mounting bracket ( 56 ).
4. The protective housing as described in claim 2 wherein both the handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) and the lower housing ( 20 ) have matched angled extents such that in the closed orientation the latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ) are fully enclosed.
5. The protective housing as described in claim 2 wherein two latching mechanisms ( 36 and 38 ) are included and further wherein the rounded extent ( 28 ) of the handles independently engage both associated plungers ( 44 or 46 ) in the pivoted orientation.
6. The protective housing as described in claim 2 wherein the upstanding lip ( 26 ) of each handle is sufficiently large to permit manipulation of the handle by an operator wearing protective gloves.
7. The protective housing as described in claim 2 wherein a torsion spring ( 34 ) is used to pivotally connect the handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) to the lower housing ( 20 ) and wherein the torsion ( 34 ) spring biases the handles ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) to the closed orientation.
8. The protective housing as described in claim 2 wherein the disengaged orientation is achieved when the associated handle ( 24 ( a ) and 24 ( b )) is pivoted at approximately 45 degrees relative to the lower base ( 20 ).