First and second buckle members can be secured in a buckled configuration and can be separated in an unbuckled configuration by moving the buckle member(s) along an extraction direction. In the buckled configuration a row of one or more teeth of the first buckle member and a row of one or more teeth of the second buckle member can cooperate in responding to a tension force pulling the first buckle member away from the second buckle member along the extraction direction by opposing movement of the first buckle member away from the second buckle member along the extraction direction, and using the tension force to guide the first buckle member and the second buckle member laterally toward a centered position. A buckle can include this centering feature, a spring ejection mechanism, an obstruction to inhibit engagement with less than a predetermined number of teeth rows, and/or other features.

A buckle assembly includes a female buckle body that interchangeably mates with either one of a male buckle body or a retainer ring defining a leading bar. The female buckle body has a receptacle to receive an extension portion of the male buckle body slidable therein. A biased lever body is pivotally supported on the female buckle body for cooperating with a catch on the male buckle body between a blocking position retaining the extension portion in the receptacle and a released position allowing removal of the extension portion. The female buckle body also has a slot aligned with the receptacle to receive the leading bar of the retainer ring therein so that the lever body can also selectively retain the retainer ring mated with the female buckle body.

An independent buckle release assist device that is a shaped lever that allows a user to gain mechanical advantage to release a typical seat belt release button. The device uses the seat restraint as a leverage point to create the mechanical advantage required to reduce the force of actuating the button. The release assist device is also designed to both stay mounted at least partially around the seat restraint and to be removably mounted to the seat restraint.

A buckle assembly including a first portion, a second portion, an actuator and a lever. The first portion includes a hollow body, an open top, a locking slot extending through the hollow body and a fulcrum. A second portion of the buckle includes a base opposite of a locking leg, the locking leg including a cavity, and a channel. Inserting the second portion into the hollow body through the open top of the first portion causes the locking leg to engage the locking slot and to lock the first portion to the second portion. An actuator slideably engaged to the channel and includes an arm slideably connected to the cavity. Applying a force to the actuator causes the arm to withdraw the locking leg, disengaging the locking leg from the locking slot. A lever is mounted on the fulcrum to apply the force to the actuator when the lever is pulled.

A snap hook assembly includes a base assembly that has a hook at one end. A lever assembly including an actuation mechanism and an arm assembly fits through an opening defined through the base assembly. The arm assembly is positioned on one side of the base assembly and the actuation mechanism of the lever assembly is positioned on the opposite side of the base assembly. The actuation mechanism is fit within a housing so that the lever assembly may pivot with respect to the base assembly. A clasp is attached to the base assembly so that an end of the clasp is biased to contact the hook of the base assembly. When the lever assembly pivots, the arm assembly contacts and rotates the clasp to create a gap between the clasp and the hook.

A snap hook assembly includes a base assembly that has a hook at one end. A lever assembly including an actuation mechanism and an arm assembly fits through an opening defined through the base assembly. The arm assembly is positioned on one side of the base assembly and the actuation mechanism of the lever assembly is positioned on the opposite side of the base assembly. The actuation mechanism is fit within a housing so that the lever assembly may pivot with respect to the base assembly. A clasp is attached to the base assembly so that an end of the clasp is biased to contact the hook of the base assembly. When the lever assembly pivots, the arm assembly contacts and rotates the clasp to create a gap between the clasp and the hook.

Web adjusters for use with occupant restraint systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a web adjuster includes a cross bar operably coupled to a frame, and a release member that is pivotally coupled to the frame and configured to cooperate with the cross bar. In use, a web can be routed through the adjuster so that it passes around the cross bar and between the cross bar and a locking surface of the release member. A user can increase tension in the web by pulling a free end portion of the web through the adjuster. When the free end portion is released, the tension in the web drives the cross bar toward the locking surface to fixedly clamp the web therebetween and maintain the tension in the web. To release the tension in the web, the user can rotate the release member away from the frame, thereby moving the locking surface away from the cross bar and permitting the web to pass through the adjuster.

A buckle assembly includes a female buckle body that interchangeably mates with either one of a male buckle body or a retainer ring defining a leading bar. The female buckle body has a receptacle to receive an extension portion of the male buckle body slidable therein. A biased lever body is pivotally supported on the female buckle body for cooperating with a catch on the male buckle body between a blocking position retaining the extension portion in the receptacle and a released position allowing removal of the extension portion. The female buckle body also has a slot aligned with the receptacle to receive the leading bar of the retainer ring therein so that the lever body can also selectively retain the retainer ring mated with the female buckle body.

A connection arrangement for use with a wearable body harness has a first connector with a first fixed buckle configured to connect to a first portion of a first shoulder strap of the harness, and a first adjustable buckle configured to connect to a second portion of the first shoulder strap. The connection arrangement further has a second connector removably connectable to the first connector. The second connector has a second fixed buckle configured to connect to a first portion of a second shoulder strap of the harness, and a second adjustable buckle configured to connect to a second portion of the second shoulder strap. Each of the first adjustable buckle and the second adjustable buckle has an adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting a length of the second portion of the first and second shoulder straps by selective frictional engagement with the second portion of the first and second shoulder straps.

A locking device 1 includes a main body 2, a locking member 3 for locking a tongue 200, a lock releasing operation member 22 operated for releasing the lock of the tongue 200, a tongue guiding and discharging member 41 slid along an insertion direction of the tongue 200 in the main body 2 to guide the tongue 200 until the locking member 3 locks the tongue 200 and discharge the tongue 200 from the main body 2 when the lock of the tongue 200 is released, a power generator 5 having an operation member 53 pushed by the tongue guiding and discharging member 41 and pivotally moved in a plane parallel to the insertion direction of the tongue 200 when the tongue 200 is inserted into the main body 2 and generating electric power by utilizing external force applied through the operation member 53 and a wireless transmitting part 7 driven by the electric power generated by the power generator 5.