US 11,945,344 B2
Magnetic shoulder harness buckle for a child restraint
Michael L. Longenecker, Lancaster, PA (US); Michael S. Degrace, Red Lion, PA (US); and Matthew J. Ransil, Richland, PA (US)
Assigned to Artsana USA, Inc., Lancaster, PA (US)
Filed by ARTSANA USA, INC., Lancaster, PA (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/975,096.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/293,325, filed on Dec. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0202358 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. A44B 11/25 (2006.01); B60N 2/26 (2006.01)
CPC B60N 2/265 (2013.01) [A44B 11/2519 (2013.01); A44B 11/2546 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
7. A buckle for a harness used in a child safety seat comprising:
a base part having a first magnetic element;
a latch part configured to engage the base part; and
a slide part having a second magnetic element and a third magnetic element moveably connected to the latch part and moveable between opposing latched and unlatched positions, movement of the slide part to the latched position aligning the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element in a magnetically attracting configuration to attract the latch part into engagement with the base part, movement of the slide part to the unlatched position aligning the first magnetic element and the third magnetic element into a magnetically repelling configuration to urge the latch part out of engagement with the base part;
wherein the base part further comprises a flange engageable by a portion of the slide part when in the latched position to retain the latch part engageably connected to the base part and a post structure;
wherein the latch part includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the post structure, the first magnetic element being disposed in a distal end of the post structure, movement of the slide part toward the latched position engaging the post structure to retain the latch part connected to the base part; and
wherein the flange comprises a first flange portion disposed on the post structure and a second flange portion disposed on the base part adjacent to the post structure, the slide part further comprising a first catch portion and a second catch portion, the first and second catch portions simultaneously engaging respective first and second flange portions when the slide assembly part is in the latched position.