US3777175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety arrangements for road vehicles
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1972-04-11
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A safety arrangement for a road vehicle includes a means for detecting the presence of a passenger in a road vehicle comprising a flexible container within a passenger seat in the vehicle, and a fluid pressure operated electrical switch actuable by displacement of fluid from the container. There may also be provided a switch responsive to the vehicle gear selector mechanism, together with a warning device and switches associated with the driver''s and passenger''s safety harness, the arrangement being such that the warning device is actuated if a gear other than neutral is selected and harness for occupants of the vehicle is not secured.
Inventors
- 👤 K Lewis
- 👤 R Gleeson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/14; B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/003; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01516; H01H35/00; H01H35/003; H01H35/24; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/40; B60N2210/44; B60N2210/46; B60R22/00; B60R22/48; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4858
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A safety arrangement for a road vehicle comprising a deformable container for inclusion in a passenger seat of the vehicle, a fluid pressure operated electrical switch having a pressure space connected to said deformable container and actuable by displacement of fluid under pressure from said container, a second switch responsive to the position of a gear selector mechanism for the vehicle, said second switch being closed when a drive gear is selected, a third switch associated with a passengers safety harness for the vehicle, said third switch being closed when the parts of said harness are interengaged, and an electrical warning device, said pressure operated switch and said second and third switches being in series with said warning device, whereby said warning device operates when there is an occupant of said passenger seat, said safety harness parts are not interengaged and a drive gear is selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A safety arrangement for a road vehicle comprising a deformable container for inclusion in a passenger seat of the vehicle, a fluid pressure operated electrical switch having a pressure space connected to said deformable container and actuable by displacement of fluid under pressure from said container, a second switch responsive to the position of a gear selector mechanism for the vehicle, said second switch being closed when a drive gear is selected, a third switch associated with a passengers safety harness for the vehicle, said third switch being closed when the parts of said harness are interengaged, and an electrical warning device, said pressure operated switch and said second and third switches being in series with said warning device, whereby said warning device operates when there is an occupant of said passenger seat, said safety harness parts are not interengaged and a drive gear is selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said pressure space is defined by a flexible bellows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said fluid pressure oeprated switch comprises a plunger axially movable by an increase in pressure in said pressure space, a conductor element on said plunger, a pair of contacts interconnectible by said element in one axial position of said plunger, and biasing means opposing movement of said plunger in response to the pressure in said pressure space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A safety arrangement as claimed in claim 3 in which said elements are interconnected by said plunger when the latter is at an axial end of its movement in response to the pressure in said pressure space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A safety arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said second electric switch includes a member engageable with each of a plurality of selectively movable rods in said selector mechaniSm, and further biasing means urging said member towards engagement with said rods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A safety arrangment as claimed in claim 5 in which said member is movable against said further biasing means to close said further switch when any one of said rods is moved away from a position corresponding to neutral gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A safety arrangement as claimed in claim 6 which includes a fourth electrical switch associated with a driver''s safety harness for the vehicle, said fourth switch being closed when the parts of the associated harness are interengaged, said fourth switch being connected in parallel with said pressure operated switch and said third switch, and an ignition switch for the vehicle, the parallel arrangement being connected in series with said second switch between said warning device and said ignition switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3363715A
Cited
US3533095A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |