US5098122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Velocity change sensor with improved spring bias
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Inc
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Filing: 1990-09-24
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An accelerometer for a passenger restrain system in a motor vehicle includes a housing with a path for an inertial element, and a coil spring member for urging the inertial element toward a preselected position. When the vehicle decelerates at a rate higher than a preset rate, the ball moves away from the preselected position and closes an electrical contact.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen Breed
- 👤 Ted Thuen
- 👤 Carl Grossi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/135; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14; H01H35/141; H01H35/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle, an accelerometer comprising: a. a housing; b. an inertial element; c. path means disposed in said housing for defining a path for said inertial element; d. contact means disposed in said housing; and e. spring coil means for urging said inertial element toward a preselected position on said path, said path being arranged and constructed to allow said inertial element to move away from said preselected position in the presence of a deceleration of said motor vehicle, said spring coil means including a blade attached to a spring coil, said blade having pivoted by the movement of said inertial element to contact said contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle, an accelerometer comprising: a. a housing; b. an inertial element; c. path means disposed in said housing for defining a path for said inertial element; d. contact means disposed in said housing; and e. spring coil means for urging said inertial element toward a preselected position on said path, said path being arranged and constructed to allow said inertial element to move away from said preselected position in the presence of a deceleration of said motor vehicle, said spring coil means including a blade attached to a spring coil, said blade having pivoted by the movement of said inertial element to contact said contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The accelerometer of claim 1 further including indicating means disposed in said housing for indicating the position of said inertial element within said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The accelerometer of claim 2 wherein said indicating means include a pair of electrical contacts having an open and a closed contact position, said contact positions being defined by the position of said inertial element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The accelerometer of claim 1 wherein said path means includes a chamber housing said inertial element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
An accelerometer for a passenger restraint system in a motor vehicle comprising: a housing; an inertial element disposed within said housing; c. path means for defining a path of movement for said inertial element; d. contact means disposed in said housing; and e. spring coil means for biasing said inertial element, said spring coil means including a flexible blade attached to a spring coil and arranged to urge said inertial element toward a rest position, said blade being pivoted by the movement of said inertial element to contact said contact means when said motor vehicle undergoes an acceleration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
An accelerometer for a passenger restraint system in a motor vehicle comprising: a housing; an inertial element disposed within said housing; c. path means for defining a path of movement for said inertial element; d. contact means disposed in said housing; and e. spring coil means for biasing said inertial element, said spring coil means including a flexible blade attached to a spring coil and arranged to urge said inertial element toward a rest position, said blade being pivoted by the movement of said inertial element to contact said contact means when said motor vehicle undergoes an acceleration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The accelerometer of claim 5 further comprising indicating means for indicating the position of said inertial element within said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The accelerometer of claim 5 wherein said contact means comprises a second blade.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The accelerometer of claim 7 wherein said first and second blades cooperate for slowing said inertial element down after contact is made between said first and said second blades.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The accelerometer of claim 5 wherein said path means comprises a tubular chamber holding said inertial element and a gas for dampening the movement of said inertial element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle comprising: a. an air bag arranged and disposed for restraining a passenger when the motor vehicle experiences a deceleration; b. air bag inflating means for inflating said air bag; and c. an accelerometer for sensing said deceleration for activating said air bag inflating means, said accelerometer comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) an inertial element disposed in said housing; (iii) path means for defining a path of movement for said inertial element within said housing; and (iv) coil spring means disposed in said housing for urging said inertial element toward a first position in the absence of said deceleration, said coil spring means including a first blade disposed in said housing and extending into said path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
A passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle comprising: a. an air bag arranged and disposed for restraining a passenger when the motor vehicle experiences a deceleration; b. air bag inflating means for inflating said air bag; and c. an accelerometer for sensing said deceleration for activating said air bag inflating means, said accelerometer comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) an inertial element disposed in said housing; (iii) path means for defining a path of movement for said inertial element within said housing; and (iv) coil spring means disposed in said housing for urging said inertial element toward a first position in the absence of said deceleration, said coil spring means including a first blade disposed in said housing and extending into said path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising a contact means disposed within said housing for contacting first blade as said inertial element moves from said first to a second position along said path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said contacting means comprises a second blade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said path means consists of a plurality of ribs extending within said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said ribs define a chamber, wherein said chamber has a lateral slot, and wherein said spring means extends into said chamber through said slot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |