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:
Nov. 01, 2005
Filed:
Sep. 02, 2003
Brian Michael Curtis, Orion Township, MI (US);
Jeffrey A. Clark, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Maria T. Kremer, Armada, MI (US);
Harald Lichtinger, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Michael Allan Dingman, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Brian Michael Curtis, Orion Township, MI (US);
Jeffrey A. Clark, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Maria T. Kremer, Armada, MI (US);
Harald Lichtinger, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Michael Allan Dingman, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, unknown;
Abstract
An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.