US5966784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for indicating the locked or unlocked condition of a seat belt buckle
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1997-07-25
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Granted: 1999-10-19
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Expires: 2017-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A Hall effect device (60) is exposed to a magnetic field having flux lines extending in a first direction relative to the Hall effect device (60) if a seat belt tongue (16) is not locked in a seat belt buckle (12). The Hall effect device (60) is exposed to a magnetic field having flux lines extending in a second, opposite direction relative to the Hall effect device if the tongue (16) is locked in the buckle (12). The output of the Hall effect device (60) indicates whether or not the tongue (16) is locked in the buckle (12).
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Arbogast
- 👤 Derrick G. Titus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/48; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01544; B60R21/01546; B60R2021/01204; B60R2022/4808; B60R2022/4816; B60R22/34; B60R22/343; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45602; Y10T24/45623; Y10T24/4566; Y10T24/4567
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method comprising the steps of: exposing a Hall effect device to a magnetic field having flux lines extending in a first direction relative to said Hall effect device if a seat belt tongue is not interlocked with a latch mechanism; and exposing said Hall effect device to a magnetic field having flux lines extending in a second, opposite direction relative to said Hall effect device if said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism, whereby the output of said Hall effect device indicates whether or not said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method comprising the steps of: exposing a Hall effect device to a magnetic field having flux lines extending in a first direction relative to said Hall effect device if a seat belt tongue is not interlocked with a latch mechanism; and exposing said Hall effect device to a magnetic field having flux lines extending in a second, opposite direction relative to said Hall effect device if said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism, whereby the output of said Hall effect device indicates whether or not said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said Hall effect device is exposed to a first magnetic field having a first polarity if said seat belt tongue is not interlocked with said latch mechanism, and to a second magnetic field having a second, opposite polarity if said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein a first magnetic pole energizes said Hall effect device if said seat belt tongue is not interlocked with said latch mechanism, and a second, opposite magnetic pole energizes said Hall effect device upon interlocking of said belt tongue with said latch mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein a conductor is moved to an actuated position conducting a magnetic field from said second magnetic pole to said Hall effect device upon interlocking of said seat belt tongue with said latch mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said conductor is interposed between said Hall effect device and said first magnetic pole when in said actuated position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus comprising: a latch mechanism which releasably interlocks with a seat belt tongue; a Hall effect device; and switching means for exposing said Hall effect device to a first magnetic field having a first polarity if a seat belt tongue is not interlocked with said latch mechanism, and for exposing said Hall effect device to a second magnetic field having a second, opposite polarity if said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus comprising: a latch mechanism which releasably interlocks with a seat belt tongue; a Hall effect device; and switching means for exposing said Hall effect device to a first magnetic field having a first polarity if a seat belt tongue is not interlocked with said latch mechanism, and for exposing said Hall effect device to a second magnetic field having a second, opposite polarity if said seat belt tongue is interlocked with said latch mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said Hall effect device comprises a bipolar Hall effect sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising deployment means for deploying a vehicle occupant protection device in response to a predetermined vehicle condition, said deployment means operating in a first mode in response to an output provided by said Hall effect device under the influence of said first magnetic field, and operating in a second mode in response to an output provided by said Hall effect device under the influence of said second magnetic field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said deployment means deploys said protection device when operating in said first mode and does not deploy said protection device when operating in said second mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus comprising: a latch mechanism which releasably interlocks with a seat belt tongue; a Hall effect device; a source of a first magnetic field having a first polarity, said source of said first magnetic field being located in energizing relationship with said Hall effect device; and a source of a second magnetic field having a second, opposite polarity; said latch mechanism including means for moving said source of said second magnetic field relative to said Hall effect device so as to locate said source of said second magnetic field in energizing relationship with said Hall effect device upon interlocking of a seat belt tongue with said latch mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus comprising: a latch mechanism which releasably interlocks with a seat belt tongue; a Hall effect device; a source of a first magnetic field having a first polarity, said source of said first magnetic field being located in energizing relationship with said Hall effect device; and a source of a second magnetic field having a second, opposite polarity; said latch mechanism including means for moving said source of said second magnetic field relative to said Hall effect device so as to locate said source of said second magnetic field in energizing relationship with said Hall effect device upon interlocking of a seat belt tongue with said latch mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said Hall effect device comprises a bipolar Hall effect sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said moving means moves said source of said second magnetic field to an actuated position interposed between said Hall effect device and said source of said first magnetic field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said source of said first magnetic field comprises a permanent magnet, said source of said second magnetic field comprising an armature having an actuated position conducting said second magnetic field from said magnet to said Hall effect device.
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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) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |