The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 1999
Filed:
May. 11, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
James G Stanley, Novi, MI (US);
Vinh H Tran, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Assignee:
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01L / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
73862391 ;
Abstract
A vehicle seat belt tension measurement apparatus comprises a seat belt deflecting device that forces a seat belt to travel a circuitous path. As seat belt tension increases the deflecting device is displaced. A bend sensor having an output signal responsive to a change in the radius of curvature thereof is secured to the deflecting device at a point subject to flexure as a result of increased seat belt tension. An air bag control system processor operatively coupled to the bend sensor inhibits the deployment of the air bag upon detection of a predetermined seat belt tension.