1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to belt buckles, and more particularly to seat belt buckles; but, as the name implies, is not limited to these uses and is applicable wherever a catch of the nature described below is needed.
An object of this invention is the provision of a catch which will allow instant escape from a vehicle if used as a seat belt buckle, or instant release of cargo if used as a carge buckle. When used as a seat belt, this catch can be adjusted to release with the slap of a hand or the push of an arm struggling to be freed. The advantages of this characteristic can be easily seen--in many accidents survival depends in escaping the vehicle instantly, i.e., if it is burning or about to fall from an escarpment. This adjustment is determined by the producer in advance of fabrication in the preferred embodiment, but the concept includes an adjustment in the produced article. By elevating the stud further from the bottom of the male member, more tilt is required to depress the dog and spring and thereby release the male member; also by shortening the stud the same objective is accomplished. Whether the mechanism is adjusted for hair trigger release or for deliberate release, it is a faster release than that available in conventional button release seat belts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is replete with buckles having housings, snaps, and levers of one type or another--i.e. C. J. Schumann's Snap Lock Buckle (U.S. Pat. No. 2,110,684)--and many safety belt buckles have been cited in the prosecution of the prior and pending application.