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:
Mar. 19, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 30, 1999
Scott D. Devereaux, Rochester, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus includes a lockable element ( ) and a buckle ( ). The buckle ( ) includes a base ( ) that defines a passage ( ) into which the lockable element ( ) is insertable, and a latch ( ) movable to lock the lockable element against movement in the passage. The buckle ( ) also includes a sensor ( ) and a magnet ( ). The magnet ( ) is movable from a first position to a second position when the lockable element ( ) is inserted into the passage ( ). The magnet ( ) creates a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on the sensor ( ) to cause the sensor to provide a first output when the magnet is in the first position. The magnet ( ) creates a magnetic field of a second flux density, different than the first flux density, acting on the sensor ( ) to cause the sensor to provide a second output, different than the first output, when the magnet is in the second position. The magnet ( ) has an interference fit with one of the lockable element ( ) and the buckle ( ).