US3874474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting the utilization of a vehicle safety belt
Assignee: Lectron Products Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-12
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-11-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting the proper utilization of a safety belt of a vehicle by a vehicle occupant which includes a high frequency oscillator and a sensing foil connected to the oscillator which is positioned in the seat of the vehicle. The oscillator is in a non-oscillating condition prior to the presence of the occupant in the seat, begins to oscillate when the occupant is positioned in the seat due to capacitive interaction between the occupant and the sensing foil in the seat, and stops oscillating upon buckling of the seat belt. Advantageously, the oscillator of the present apparatus has a power supply input impedance of large value so that the apparatus may be connected to the vehicle battery even when the ignition switch is turned off without detrimentally-high battery drain. Consequently, occupants who occupy the seat and fasten the safety belt prior to the closing of the ignition switch will be given credit for such action. This high power supply input impedance which results in low power drain is accomplished without sacrificing the efficiency and detection capability of the system and without sacrificing the protection of the system against voltage transients which may occur during periods of momentary heavy loads such as during the starting of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman G Quantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/48; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4816; B60R2022/4858; B60R2022/4883; B60R2022/4891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a vehicle for an occupant having an ignition switch and a power supply including a battery, an apparatus comprising: conductor means positioned to be proximate said occupant when said occupant is in a predetermined relationship with said vehicle; oscillating means connected to said conductor means for supplying oscillating electrical energy to said conductor means and for supplying an output signal when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; and input means for said oscillating means connecting said oscillating means to said power supply so that said oscillating means remains connected to said battery when said ignition switch is opened to provide an indication when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle even when said ignition switch is opened, said input means providing a relatively high input impedance to said oscillating means from said supply means for providing sufficient power to said oscillating means for operation of said oscillating means but limiting said power to said oscillating means to a level which allows operation of said oscillating means for long periods of time without excessive drain on said battery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a vehicle for an occupant having an ignition switch and a power supply including a battery, an apparatus comprising: conductor means positioned to be proximate said occupant when said occupant is in a predetermined relationship with said vehicle; oscillating means connected to said conductor means for supplying oscillating electrical energy to said conductor means and for supplying an output signal when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; and input means for said oscillating means connecting said oscillating means to said power supply so that said oscillating means remains connected to said battery when said ignition switch is opened to provide an indication when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle even when said ignition switch is opened, said input means providing a relatively high input impedance to said oscillating means from said supply means for providing sufficient power to said oscillating means for operation of said oscillating means but limiting said power to said oscillating means to a level which allows operation of said oscillating means for long periods of time without excessive drain on said battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a seat and wherein said conductor means is associated with said seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a safety belt and wherein said conductor means is associated with said safety belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input means includes resistor means connected intermediate said oscillating means and said power supply which has a relatively high value of resistance for providing said relatively high input impedance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conductor means provides a capacitance for said oscillating means and wherein said capacitance is changed from a first value when said occupant is not in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle to a second value when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle with said change in capacitance influencing the oscillation of said oscillating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said change in capacitance causes said oscillating means to oscillate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said oscillating means includes a transistor and bias means for said transistor for biasing said transistor partly on when said occupant is not in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle, and wherein said conductor means provides a capacitance for said bias means which changes from a first value of capacitance when said occupant is not in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle to a second valUe when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle for causing said transistor to oscillate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input impedance is at least approximately 33 Kohms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input means provides a sufficiently high input impedance so that said power provided to said oscillating means is less than about 4 milliamps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said input impedance is at least approximately 33 Kohms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a vehicle for an occupant having an ignition switch and a power supply including a battery, an apparatus, comprising: conductor means positioned to be proximate said occupant when said occupant is in a predetermined relationship with said vehicle; oscillating means connected to said conductor means for supplying oscillating electrical energy to said conductor means and for supplying an output signal when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; and input means for said oscillating means including capacitor means for protecting said oscillating means from current or potential transients from said power supply being connected to receive and dissipate said transients, said input means further including impedance means connecting said oscillating means to said power supply so that said oscillating means remains connected to said battery when said ignition switch is opened to provide an indication when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle even when said ignition switch is opened, said impedance means providing a relatively high input impedance to said oscillating means from said supply means for providing sufficient power to said oscillating means for operation of said oscillating means but limiting said power to said oscillating means to a level which allows operation of said oscillating means for long periods of time without excessive drain on said battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a vehicle for an occupant having an ignition switch and a power supply including a battery, an apparatus, comprising: conductor means positioned to be proximate said occupant when said occupant is in a predetermined relationship with said vehicle; oscillating means connected to said conductor means for supplying oscillating electrical energy to said conductor means and for supplying an output signal when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; and input means for said oscillating means including capacitor means for protecting said oscillating means from current or potential transients from said power supply being connected to receive and dissipate said transients, said input means further including impedance means connecting said oscillating means to said power supply so that said oscillating means remains connected to said battery when said ignition switch is opened to provide an indication when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle even when said ignition switch is opened, said impedance means providing a relatively high input impedance to said oscillating means from said supply means for providing sufficient power to said oscillating means for operation of said oscillating means but limiting said power to said oscillating means to a level which allows operation of said oscillating means for long periods of time without excessive drain on said battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said vehicle includes a seat and wherein said conductor means is associated with said seat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said vehicle includes a safety belt and wherein said conductor means is associated with said safety belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said vehicle has ground means providing a ground potential and wherein said capacitor means is connected between said power supply and said ground means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said input impedance is at least approximately 33 Kohms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said input means provides a sufficiently high input impedance so that said power provided to said oscillating means is less than about 4 milliamps.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said input impedance is at least approximately 33 Kohms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a vehicle for an occupant having safety belt means adapted to be secured for restraining said occupant, an apparatus comprising first conductor means positioned to be proximate said occupant when said occupant is in a predetermined relationship with said vehicle; oscillating means connected to said first conductor means for providing oscillating electrical energy when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; output means for receiving at least a portion of said oscillating electrical energy and being responsive to said received portion of said oscillating electrical energy for supplying an output signal indicating said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; and second conductor means associated with said safety belt means for diverting said oscillating electrical energy away from said output means when said safety belt means is secured for restraining said occupant to reduce the oscillating electrical energy received by said output means sufficiently to terminate said output sIgnal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a vehicle for an occupant having safety belt means adapted to be secured for restraining said occupant, an apparatus comprising first conductor means positioned to be proximate said occupant when said occupant is in a predetermined relationship with said vehicle; oscillating means connected to said first conductor means for providing oscillating electrical energy when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; output means for receiving at least a portion of said oscillating electrical energy and being responsive to said received portion of said oscillating electrical energy for supplying an output signal indicating said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle; and second conductor means associated with said safety belt means for diverting said oscillating electrical energy away from said output means when said safety belt means is secured for restraining said occupant to reduce the oscillating electrical energy received by said output means sufficiently to terminate said output sIgnal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said vehicle includes a seat and wherein said first conductor means is associated with said seat.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said vehicle includes a safety belt and wherein said second conductor means is associated with said safety belt.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said vehicle has a power supply and said oscillating means has input means which includes resistor means connected intermediate said oscillating means and said power supply which has a relatively high value of resistance for providing a relatively high input impedance to said oscillating means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said first conductor means provides a capacitance for said oscillating means and wherein said capacitance is changed from a first value when said occupant is not in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle to a second value when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle with said change in capacitance influencing the oscillation of said oscillating means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said change in capacitance causes said oscillating means to oscillate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said oscillating means includes a transistor and bias means for said transistor for biasing said transistor partly on when said occupant is not in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle, and wherein said conductor means provides a capacitance for said bias means which changes from a first value of capacitance when said occupant is not in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle to a second value when said occupant is in said predetermined relationship with said vehicle for causing said transistor to oscillate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said vehicle includes ground means providing a ground potential and wherein said second conductor is operative to divert said oscillating electrical energy to said ground means when said safety belt means is secured.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 further including switch means associated with said second conductor means which is closed when said safety belt means is secured.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said vehicle includes ground means providing a ground potential and wherein said second conductor means is operative to divert said oscillating electrical energy to said ground means through said switch means when said safety belt means is secured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |