IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,720,019

Granted Patent B2

US 8,720,019 · App. 12/943,811 · Granted May 13, 2014

Buckle assemblies for personal restraint systems and associated methods of use and manufacture

Inventors: Fred Buckingham (Elkhart, IN); Mark E. Main (Bremen, IN)

Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 8,720,019
App. No.: 12/943,811
Granted: May 13, 2014
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Personal restraint systems with buckle assemblies for use in vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a personal restraint system includes a connector configured to be coupled to a web. The restraint system also includes a buckle assembly configured to releasably retain the connector. In this embodiment, the buckle assembly includes a frame having a locking feature configured to engage a tongue of the connector. The buckle assembly also includes a locking member movably positioned adjacent to the frame that retains the tongue in a locked position. The buckle assembly further includes an actuator that can be actuated by a user to move the tongue out of the locked position.

Claims (72)

1. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a connector configured to be coupled to a web, wherein the connector includes a tongue having an engagement portion; and

a buckle assembly configured to releasable retain the tongue of the connector, the buckle assembly including:

a frame having a locking feature that contacts the engagement portion when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly;

a locking member adjacent to the frame, wherein the locking member is movable relative to the frame between a locked position and an unlocked position, and wherein the locking member retains the engagement portion of the tongue in contact with the locking feature when the locking member is in the locked position;

a button adjacent to the frame, wherein the button is movable relative to the frame to urge the locking member away from the locked position and to urge the tongue away from the locking feature; and

a housing at least partially enclosing the frame and the locking member, wherein the frame remains stationary relative to the housing and the tongue pivots relative to the housing to disengage the locking feature from the engagement portion.

2. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a connector configured to be coupled to a web, wherein the connector includes a tongue having an engagement portion; and

a buckle assembly configured to releasable retain the tongue of the connector, the buckle assembly including:

a frame having a locking feature that contacts the engagement portion when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly;

a button adjacent to the frame, wherein the button is movable relative to the frame to urge the locking member away from the locked position and to urge the tongue away from the locking feature, and

wherein the tongue urges the locking member from the locked position toward the unlocked position when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly.

3. The personal restraint system of claim 2 wherein the button simultaneously contacts the locking member and the tongue to urge the locking member away from the locked position and to urge the tongue away from the locking feature.

4. The personal restraint system of claim 2 :

wherein the tongue is at least generally parallel to the frame when the engagement portion engages the locking feature; and

wherein the tongue is positioned at an inclined angle relative to the frame when the engagement portion disengages the locking feature.

5. The personal restraint system of claim 2 wherein the locking member comprises:

a tongue contact surface configured to slide against a distal edge of the tongue; and

a button contact surface separate from the tongue contact surface and configured to contact the button.

6. The personal restraint system of claim 2 wherein the button comprises an ejecting feature extending from an underside of the button, the ejecting feature having:

a locking member urging surface configured to slide against the locking member, wherein the locking member urging surface is at an inclined angle relative to the underside of the button;

and a tongue urging surface separate from the locking member urging surface and configured to slide against the tongue.

7. The personal restraint system of claim 2 , further comprising:

a first cover;

a second cover opposite the first cover, wherein the first and second covers form an insertion opening;

wherein the button pivots between the first cover and the frame;

wherein the locking member slides between the second cover and the frame; and

wherein the tongue is inserted and retracted through the insertion opening and pivots about the insertion opening.

8. The personal restraint system of claim 2 :

wherein the frame further comprises at least one sidewall extending from a base portion, the sidewall having a guide channel; and

wherein the locking member further comprises a guide member extending laterally therefrom, wherein the guide channel at least partially receives the guide member to limit the movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions.

9. The personal restraint system of claim 2 wherein the engagement portion includes an engagement surface extending into an aperture.

10. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a connector configured to be coupled to a web, wherein the connector includes a tongue having an engagement portion; and

a buckle assembly configured to releasably retain the tongue of the connector, the buckle assembly including:

a frame having a locking feature that contacts the engagement portion when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly;

a button adjacent to the frame, wherein the button is movable relative to the frame to urge the locking member away from the locked position and to urge the tongue away from the locking feature; and

at least one biasing member urging the locking member toward the locked position, wherein the locking member at least partially ejects the tongue from the buckle assembly when the tongue disengages from the locking feature and the locking member moves from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

11. A connector and buckle assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a web;

a connector configured to be coupled to the web, wherein the connector has a tongue; and

a buckle assembly configured to releasable retain the connector when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including:

a frame having a locking feature configured to engage the tongue in a locked position;

a locking member movably positioned adjacent to the frame and biased toward the tongue, wherein the locking member retains the tongue in the locked position; and

an actuator movably positioned adjacent to the frame, wherein manipulation of the actuator drives the actuator against each of the locking member and the tongue to move the tongue out of the locked position,

wherein the locking member is slidably positioned adjacent to a first side of the frame, and the actuator is pivotally positioned adjacent to a second side of the frame, and wherein the second side is opposite the first side.

12. A connector and buckle assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a web;

a connector configured to be coupled to the web, wherein the connector has a tongue; and

a buckle assembly configured to releasably retain the connector when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including:

a frame having a locking feature configured to engage the tongue in a locked position;

a locking member movably positioned adjacent to the frame and biased toward the tongue, wherein the locking member retains the tongue in the locked position;

at least one biasing member that urges the locking member toward the locked position.

13. The personal restraint system of claim 12 wherein the locking member includes a first contact surface separate from a second contact surface, and wherein the tongue slides along at least a portion of the first contact surface and the actuator slides along at least a portion of the second contact surface.

14. The personal restraint system of claim 12 wherein the connector is a first connector, the tongue is a first tongue, the web is a first web, and the locking feature is a first locking feature, and wherein the personal restraint system further comprises:

a second web; a second connector configured to be coupled to the second web, wherein the second connector has a second tongue; and a second locking feature on the frame, wherein the second locking feature retains the second tongue in the locked position, and wherein manipulation of the actuator drives the actuator against each of the locking member, the first tongue, and the second tongue to move the first and second tongues out of the locked position.

15. The personal restraint system of claim 12 wherein the locking feature is integrally formed with the frame, and wherein the frame remains stationary with reference to the actuator, the locking member, and the connector.

16. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a connector configured to be coupled to a web, wherein the connector includes a tongue having a locking feature; and

a buckle assembly configured to releasably engage the connector when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly, the buckle assembly including:

means for engaging the locking feature of the tongue to secure the tongue to the buckle assembly when the tongue is inserted into the buckle assembly in a locked position;

means for retaining the locking feature against the means for engaging when the tongue is in the locked position;

means for moving the means for retaining the locking feature away from the tongue to release the tongue from the locked position;

means for moving the tongue away from the means for engaging to release the tongue from the locked position; and

means for urging the tongue out of the buckle assembly when the tongue is not in the locked position.

17. The personal restraint system of claim 16 :

wherein the means for retaining comprises a locking member that moves along a linear path in the buckle assembly; and

wherein the means for moving the means for retaining and the means for moving the tongue comprises an actuator that pivots in the buckle assembly.

Assignments (12)

RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT REEL/FRAME 048365/0499 Recorded Jun 6, 2024

From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

To: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; AEROSONIC LLC; MOUNTAINTOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARCO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; CORRPRO COMPANIES, INC.; HARCO CORPORATION; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL AB; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS AS; TURNTIME TECHNOLOGIES AB; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; TRANSICOIL INC.; SOUTHCO, INC.; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY LLC; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; SOURIAU USA, INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; ROLLS-ROYCE PLC; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; AERO-INSTRUMENTS CO., LLC; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA, INC.; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARCO, LLC (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.; CALSPAN SYSTEMS, LLC; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.

Reel/Frame 067640/0147 →

CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064961 FRAME: 0671. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Oct 5, 2023

From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT

To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 065132/0644 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2023

From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT

To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 064961/0671 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2023

From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

To: TA AEROSPACE CO.; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECH TYEE, INC.; BEAM'S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Reel/Frame 063363/0753 →

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2023

From: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CENTURY HELICOPTERS, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS PLC

To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

Reel/Frame 063012/0788 →

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2020

From: AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION/LLC; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BEAM’S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC COMPANY; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.

To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 052352/0704 →

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2019

From: TRANSDIGM, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC (F/K/A AEROSONIC CORPORATION); AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS OF NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC (F/K/A BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION); BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC (F/K/A CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.); CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC (F/K/A WESTERN SKY, INDUSTRIES, LLC); HARCOSEMCO LLC (F/K/A HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED) (F/K/A HARCO LLC); HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC. (F/K/A AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.) (F/K/A BEAM'S INDUSTRIES, INC.); TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.

To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

Reel/Frame 048365/0499 →

CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 10, 2014

From: AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.

To: SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.

Reel/Frame 033961/0758 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 9, 2012

From: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.

To: CREDIT SUISSE AG

Reel/Frame 027830/0183 →

TERMINATION AND SECURITY RELEASE Recorded Mar 8, 2012

From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION