US3720915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle crash sensor condition tester
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A crash sensor condition tester for use with a sensor assembly employed for actuating a vehicle safety apparatus upon the occurrence of a collision. The sensor assembly includes an inertia member positioned for movement in response to vehicle deceleration of a predetermined magnitude to actuate an electrical switch means. The switch means, in turn, serves to complete an electrical circuit to energize a detonator. This actuates the safety system which employs a confinement which, upon energization of the detonator, is inflated to an expanded condition. The sensor testing device includes a mechanism to move the inertia member to actuate the switch means. The detonator means is electrically deactivated and an indicator means provides an indication when the switch means is actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/017; B60R21/0173; G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a vehicle safety system including a safety device having a deactivated condition and an activated condition to which the safety device is operated by an electrically actuated device, a crash sensor including a movable inertia member positioned for movement relative to said vehicle in response to vehicle deceleration of a predetermined magnitude, and electrical switch means responsive to a predetermined movement of said inertia member for completing an electrical circuit to energize the electrically actuated device, testing means for testing for the operability of the said crash sensor including means for moving said inertia member sufficient to actuate said switch means, and means for electrically deactivating said electrically actuated device when said inertia member is moved by said testing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a vehicle safety system including a safety device having a deactivated condition and an activated condition to which the safety device is operated by an electrically actuated device, a crash sensor including a movable inertia member positioned for movement relative to said vehicle in response to vehicle deceleration of a predetermined magnitude, and electrical switch means responsive to a predetermined movement of said inertia member for completing an electrical circuit to energize the electrically actuated device, testing means for testing for the operability of the said crash sensor including means for moving said inertia member sufficient to actuate said switch means, and means for electrically deactivating said electrically actuated device when said inertia member is moved by said testing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a vehicle safety system including a safety device having a deactivated condition and an activated condition to which the safety device is operated by an electrically actuated device, a crash sensor including a movable inertia member positioned for movement relative to said vehicle in response to vehicle deceleration of a predetermined magnitude, and electrical switch means responsive to a predetermined movement of said inertia member for completing an electrical circuit to energize the electrically actuated device, testing means for testing for the operability of the said crash sensor including means for moving said inertia member sufficient to actuate said switch means, and means for electrically deactivating said electrically actuated device when said inertia member is moved by said testing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a vehicle safety system including a safety device having a deactivated condition and an activated condition to which the safety device is operated by an electrically actuated device, a crash sensor including a movable inertia member positioned for movement relative to said vehicle in response to vehicle deceleration of a predetermined magnitude, and electrical switch means responsive to a predetermined movement of said inertia member for completing an electrical circuit to energize the electrically actuated device, testing means for testing for the operability of the said crash sensor including means for moving said inertia member sufficient to actuate said switch means, and means for electrically deactivating said electrically actuated device when said inertia member is moved by said testing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said testing means further includes indicator means for providing an indication that said switch means is actuated, and said indicator means including a visual display means for providing a visual display indicative that said switch means is actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator means is electrically energizable, and electric circuit means for electrically energizing said indicator means when said switch means is actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deactivating means includes means responsive to said moving means for deactivating said detonator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said deactivating means includes cut-out switch means responsive to said moving means for electrically deactivating said electrically actuated device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said moving means is electrically energizable for, when electrically energized, moving said inertia member sufficient to actuate said switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said moving means includes a solenoid having a coil and a rod positioned so that upon energization of said coil, said rod moves in a given direction to displace said inertia member sufficient to actuate said switch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as set forth in claim 7 including cut-out switch means having a first condition during which said electrically actuated device may be energized and a second condition during which said electrically actuated device is electrically disconnected from said switch means, and resilient means for resiliently biasing said solenoid rod to engage said cut-off switch means and maintain same in its first condition until said solenoid coil is energized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 for use with a vehicle employing an ignition switch having an OFF position, a START position for starting the vehicle and a RUN position for normal vehicle operation, said improvement further comprising said inertia member moving means being electrically energizable, and START circuit means adapted to be completed through said ignition switch when in said START position for energizing said inertia member moving means sufficient to actuate said switch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as Set forth in claim 9 wherein said indicator means and said switch means are connected in series for circuit completion through said ignition switch when it is in said START position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3489917A
Cited
US3622974A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |