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:
Dec. 14, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 12, 2003
James G. Stanley, Novi, MI (US);
David S. Wilson, Clarkston, MI (US);
Ryan N. Steele, Dearborn, MI (US);
Donald A. Duda, Novi, MI (US);
Judson G. McDonnell, Howell, MI (US);
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An anchor plate operatively coupled to a seat belt incorporates a slot that slideably engages an anchor bolt, which is biased therein by a spring. A tension in the seat belt causes a deflection of the spring and an associated motion of the anchor bolt in the slot, which is sensed by a proximity sensor on the anchor plate. In another aspect, a carriage is adapted to slide relative to a bracket, and a first spring is operative between the carriage and the bracket so as to bias the carriage relative to the bracket in a direction opposite to a first direction. Either the bracket is operatively coupled to a vehicle frame with an anchor bolt and the seat belt operatively engages the carriage, or vice versa. A tension in the seat belt, when reacted by the anchor bolt, causes an associated motion of the carriage in the first direction, which is sensed by a displacement sensor. In one embodiment, a second spring is operative between the carriage and the bracket so as to bias the carriage in the first direction relative to said bracket, thereby substantially eliminating slack. One embodiment of the displacement sensor comprises a magnetic sensor coupled to the bracket, which measures the magnetic field between a pair of magnets having crossed pole orientations, operatively coupled to the carriage. In another aspect, a second carriage and associated displacement sensor provide an additional measure of tension.