Vehicle seat belt warning and control system

Claim 2

A control and indicator system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a starter circuit, an ignition circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit and said ignition circuit and biased to return from said START position to a RUN position connecting said source to said ignition circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: first logic means connected with said seat switch means and said seat belt switch means for producing a START logic level output when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said logic means producing a START logic level output when said seat belt in-use responsive switch means are deactuated or when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are deactuated, second logic means connected with said first logic means and said starter and ignition circuit for producing a START logic level output in response to actuation of said ignition switch to said START position subsequent to production of said START logic level output from said first logic means, said second logic means producing a START logic level output in response to deactuation of said ignition switch to said normally open position, third logic means for controlling energization of said starter circuit and permitting energization of said starter circuit only in response to said START logic level output of either of said first or second logic means, visual indicator means, audible indicator means, fourth logic means responsive to the output of said first logic means for energizing one of said indicator means in response to said START logic level output of said first logic means, time delay means responsive to the output of said fourth logic means for energizing the other of said indicator means a predetermined interval of time after energization of said one of said indicator means.

Claim 3

A control and indicator system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, starter circuit including a transmission selector switch which is closed when the transmission selector is in neutral, an ignition circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit and said ignition circuit and biased to return from said START position to a RUN position connecting said source to said ignition circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: first logic means connected with seat switch means and said seat belt switch means for producing a START logic level output when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said first logic means prodUcing a START logic level output when said seat belt in-use responsive switch means are deactuated or when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are deactuated, said first logic means including time delay means responsive to operation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means for delaying the production of the START logic level output produced thereby for a predetermined interval of time after deactuation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means, second logic means normally producing said START logic level output but actuable to produce said START logic level output in response to actuation of said ignition switch to said START position subsequent to production of said START logic level output from said first logic means, third logic means for permitting energization of said starter circuit in response to said START logic level output of either of said first or second logic means, visual indicator means connected to said source when said ignition switch is in said RUN position, audible indicator means connected to said source in parallel with said ignition switch, fourth logic means responsive to the output of said first logic means and the position of said transmission selector switch means for energizing said visual and audible indicator means in response to said START logic level output of said first logic means while said transmission selector switch means is open, said fourth logic means including time delay means for delaying energization of said audible indicator means for a predetermined interval of time after energization of said visual indicator means.

Claim 4

A control and indicator system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, starter circuit including a transmission selector switch which is closed when the transmission selector is in neutral, an ignition circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit and said ignition circuit and biased to return from said START position to a RUN position connecting said source to said ignition circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: first logic means connected with seat switch means and said seat belt switch means for producing a START logic level output when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said first logic means prodUcing a START logic level output when said seat belt in-use responsive switch means are deactuated or when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are deactuated, said first logic means including time delay means responsive to operation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means for delaying the production of the START logic level output produced thereby for a predetermined interval of time after deactuation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means, second logic means normally producing said START logic level output but actuable to produce said START logic level output in response to actuation of said ignition switch to said START position subsequent to production of said START logic level output from said first logic means, third logic means for permitting energization of said starter circuit in response to said START logic level output of either of said first or second logic means, visual indicator means connected to said source when said ignition switch is in said RUN position, audible indicator means connected to said source in parallel with said ignition switch, fourth logic means responsive to the output of said first logic means and the position of said transmission selector switch means for energizing said visual and audible indicator means in response to said START logic level output of said first logic means while said transmission selector switch means is open, said fourth logic means including time delay means for delaying energization of said audible indicator means for a predetermined interval of time after energization of said visual indicator means.

Claim 5

A control and indicator system for use with motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a starter circuit including a transmission selector switch which is closed when the transmission selector is in a Neutral or Park position, an ignition circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit and said ignition circuit, means biasing said ignition switch to return from said START position to a RUN position connecting said source to said ignition circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: a first delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input and an output, time delay means connecting said initializing input with said seat occupancy responsive switch means for setting the output of said first delay flip-flop to a logic ''''0'''' in response to deactuation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means for a predetermined time interval, means connecting said seat occupancy responsive switch means to said data input, means connecting said seat belt in-use responsive switch means to said clock input whereby the output of said first delay flip-flop is switched to a logic ''''1'''' when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, first gate means connected with the output of said first delay flip-flop and said seat belt in-use responsive switch means for producing a logic ''''0'''' output only when the output of said first delay flip-flop is a logic ''''1'''' and said seat belt is in use, a second delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input and an output, means connecting said initializing input to said ignition switch for setting the output of said second delay flip-flop to a logic ''''1'''' when said ignition switch is open, second gate means connecting said data input of said second delay flip-flop with the output of said first gate means and the output of said second delay flip-flop whereby the data input to said second delay flip-flop is a logic ''''0'''' when either input to said second gate means is a logic ''''0,'''' means connecting the clock input of said second dElay flip-flop with said starter circuit whereby the output of said second delay flip-flop switches to a logic ''''0'''' when said ignition switch is placed in said START position subsequent to production of a logic ''''0'''' output from said first gate means, third gate means having inputs connected with the outputs of said first gate means and said second delay flip-flop for producing a logic ''''0'''' output in response to a logic ''''0'''' input from either said first gate means or said second delay flip-flop, means permitting energization of said starter circuit only in response to a logic ''''0'''' output from said third gate means, visual indicator means, audible indicator means, fourth gate means connected with the output of said first gate means and said starter circuit for energizing said visual indicator means when a logic ''''1'''' output is obtained from said first gate means and said transmission selector switch is open, time delay means responsive to the output of said fourth gate means for energizing said audible indicator means a predetermined interval of time after energization of said visual indicator means.

Claim 6

A control and indicator system for use with motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a starter circuit including a transmission selector switch which is closed when the transmission selector is in a Neutral or Park position, an ignition circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit and said ignition circuit, means biasing said ignition switch to return from said START position to a RUN position connecting said source to said ignition circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: a first delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input and an output, time delay means connecting said initializing input with said seat occupancy responsive switch means for setting the output of said first delay flip-flop to a logic ''''0'''' in response to deactuation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means for a predetermined time interval, means connecting said seat occupancy responsive switch means to said data input, means connecting said seat belt in-use responsive switch means to said clock input whereby the output of said first delay flip-flop is switched to a logic ''''1'''' when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, first gate means connected with the output of said first delay flip-flop and said seat belt in-use responsive switch means for producing a logic ''''0'''' output only when the output of said first delay flip-flop is a logic ''''1'''' and said seat belt is in use, a second delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input and an output, means connecting said initializing input to said ignition switch for setting the output of said second delay flip-flop to a logic ''''1'''' when said ignition switch is open, second gate means connecting said data input of said second delay flip-flop with the output of said first gate means and the output of said second delay flip-flop whereby the data input to said second delay flip-flop is a logic ''''0'''' when either input to said second gate means is a logic ''''0,'''' means connecting the clock input of said second dElay flip-flop with said starter circuit whereby the output of said second delay flip-flop switches to a logic ''''0'''' when said ignition switch is placed in said START position subsequent to production of a logic ''''0'''' output from said first gate means, third gate means having inputs connected with the outputs of said first gate means and said second delay flip-flop for producing a logic ''''0'''' output in response to a logic ''''0'''' input from either said first gate means or said second delay flip-flop, means permitting energization of said starter circuit only in response to a logic ''''0'''' output from said third gate means, visual indicator means, audible indicator means, fourth gate means connected with the output of said first gate means and said starter circuit for energizing said visual indicator means when a logic ''''1'''' output is obtained from said first gate means and said transmission selector switch is open, time delay means responsive to the output of said fourth gate means for energizing said audible indicator means a predetermined interval of time after energization of said visual indicator means.

Claim 7

A control system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a starter circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control system comprising: a delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input, and an output, means connecting said initializing input with said seat occupancy responsive switch means for setting and maintaining the output of said delay flip-flop at a START logic level when and for as long as said seat occupancy responsive switch means are deactuated, means connecting said seat occupancy responsive means to said data input and effective to establish a START logic level at said data input when the seat is occupied, and means connecting said seat belt in-use responsive switch means to said clock input whereby the output of said delay flip-flop is switched to a START logic level when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, starter circuit interrupt means responsive to production of said START logic level output for preventing energization of said starter circuit and responsive to said START logic level output for permitting energization of said starter circuit.

Claim 8

A control system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a starter circuit, an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control system comprising: a delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input, and an output, means connecting said initializing input with said seat occupancy responsive switch means for setting and maintaining the output of said delay flip-flop at a START logic level when and for as long as said seat occupancy responsive switch means are deactuated, means connecting said seat occupancy responsive means to said data input and effective to establish a START logic level at said data input when the seat is occupied, and means connecting said seat belt in-use responsive switch means to said clock input whereby the output of said delay flip-flop is switched to a START logic level when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, starter circuit interrupt means responsive to production of said START logic level output for preventing energization of said starter circuit and responsive to said START logic level output for permitting energization of said starter circuit.

Claim 9

The system defined in claim 4 further including a second delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input and an output, means connecting said initializing input to said ignition switch for setting the output of said second delay flip-flop to a START logic level when said ignition switch is open, gate means connecting said data input of said second delay flip-flop with the output of said first and second delay flip-flops whereby the data input to said second delay flip-flop is at a START logic level when either input to said gate means is a START logic level, means connecting the clock input of said second delay flip-flop with said starter circuit whereby the output of said second delay flip-flop switches to a START logic level when said ignition switch is placed in said START position subsequent to production of a START logic level output from said first delay flip-flop and is maintained at said START logic level as long as said ignition switch is closed, additional gate means interconnecting the output of said first and second flip-flops with said starter circuit interrupt means whereby said starter circuit is energizable in response to a START output from either said first or said second delay flip-flops.

Claim 10

A control and indicator system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a sTarter circuit, and an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: a delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input, and an output, means connecting said initializing input with said seat occupancy responsive switch means for setting and maintaining the output of said delay flip-flop at a first logic level as long as said seat occupancy responsive switch means is deactuated, means connecting said seat belt in-use responsive switch means to said clock input, means for establishing a second logic level at said data input whereby the output of said delay flip-flop is switched to said second logic level when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, AND function performing gate means producing a WARN logic level output when said seat belt is in use and the output of said flip-flop is at said second logic level and otherwise producing a WARN logic level output, starter circuit interrupt means responsive to the production of said WARN logic level output for preventing energization of said starter circuit and responsive to said WARN logic level output to permit energization of said starter circuit, indicator means energizable in response to said WARN logic level output, said means interconnecting said seat occupancy responsive means and said initializing input including time delay means for delaying the setting of said first logic level for a predetermined interval of time subsequent to deactuation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means.

Claim 11

A control and indicator system for use with a motor vehicle provided with a source of direct current, a sTarter circuit, and an ignition switch actuable from a normally open position to a START position connecting said source to said starter circuit, seat occupancy responsive switch means and seat belt in-use responsive switch means, said control and indicator system comprising: a delay flip-flop having a data input, a clock input, an initializing input, and an output, means connecting said initializing input with said seat occupancy responsive switch means for setting and maintaining the output of said delay flip-flop at a first logic level as long as said seat occupancy responsive switch means is deactuated, means connecting said seat belt in-use responsive switch means to said clock input, means for establishing a second logic level at said data input whereby the output of said delay flip-flop is switched to said second logic level when and only when said seat occupancy responsive switch means are actuated prior to actuation of said seat belt in-use responsive switch means, AND function performing gate means producing a WARN logic level output when said seat belt is in use and the output of said flip-flop is at said second logic level and otherwise producing a WARN logic level output, starter circuit interrupt means responsive to the production of said WARN logic level output for preventing energization of said starter circuit and responsive to said WARN logic level output to permit energization of said starter circuit, indicator means energizable in response to said WARN logic level output, said means interconnecting said seat occupancy responsive means and said initializing input including time delay means for delaying the setting of said first logic level for a predetermined interval of time subsequent to deactuation of said seat occupancy responsive switch means.