Seat belt tension sensing device

• US 20040011277A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Finecard International Limited
• Original Assignee: Finecard International Limited
• Inventors: Shepherd, Benjamin Gregory, Barnes, F. Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,854,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/202
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/2815 with additional belt accessories, e.g. a belt tension detector
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4841 for sensing belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/105 for children adaptation of children's seats for seat belts B60N2/265, B60N2/2803
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/102 using sensors located at a non-interrupted part of the flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/44 Portable personal alarms

Abstract

A seat belt tension sensing device adapted for sensing tension in a belt securing a child'"'"'s car seat in a vehicle, and comprising a housing (52) having a upper housing member (50) hingedly attached (at 54) to a lower housing member 52, and a closure catch (58) to permit the passage of a length of seat belt (36) through the housing to pass over a depressible switch (66). Within the housing is a power source (40) and alarm/indicator (41) responsive to a signal emitted by the switch (66) when actuated by the scar belt (36) passing over the switch. Sufficient belt tension may be shown by a visible indicator, while insufficient tension may be indicated by an audible alarm.

Claims

1. A seat belt tension sensing device adapted for sensing tension in a belt securing a child'"'"'s car seat in a vehicle, said sensing device comprising a housing having a lower member and an upper member connected together so as to hold a seat belt there between;

a sensor on the housing over which the belt is to pass and adapted to activate a responder including an audible and/or visible alarm/indicator to provide an indication as to whether a predetermined tension is present in the belt.

2. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a lower member and an upper member hingedly connected to said lower member, and means to secure said upper and lower members in closed relationship so as to hold a length of said belt there between.

3. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 2, wherein said closure member comprises a latch.

4. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is an electrical switch adapted to be depressed by the belt when under adequate tension and to be released thereby when inadequate tension is present.

5. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the upper housing member is provided in the form of a pair of rods or rollers spaced apart at opposite sides of the lower housing member, and the tension sensor is formed as a depressible bar over which the belt is to pass between the rods or rollers under which it also is to pass.

6. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm/indicator comprises means producing a visible signal responsive to the sensor for indicating sufficient tension in the belt.

7. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm/indicator comprises means of producing an audible signal responsive to said sensor for indicating insufficient tension in the belt.

8. A seat belt tension sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the housing contains a power source connected to the sensor and to an audible/visible indicator/switch.