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:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 19, 1998
Barney J. Bauer, Fenton, MI (US);
Roger H. Garrell, Lake Orion, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A seat belt retractor ( ) comprises a frame ( ), a seat belt webbing spool ( ) rotatably mounted in the frame ( ), and an actuator ( ) for locking the seat belt webbing spool ( ) against rotation in at least one direction (B) in the frame ( ). The actuator ( ) is mounted to the frame ( ). An accelerometer ( ) provides an electrical output signal indicative of vehicle deceleration. The accelerometer ( ) is mounted on the frame ( ). A controller ( ) monitors the electrical output signal and causes the actuator ( ) to lock the seat belt webbing spool ( ) against rotation in the at least one direction (B) upon the occurrence of a predetermined amount of vehicle deceleration. The controller ( ) is mounted on the frame ( ).