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Apparatus for reinforcing seatbelt usage in automobiles

  • US 20070285219A1
  • Filed: 06/13/2006
  • Published: 12/13/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for reinforcing seatbelt usage in automobiles, the apparatus comprising:

  • a buckle detection switch configured into a female portion of a seatbelt buckle of seatbelt system, the seatbelt system having the female buckle and male buckle portions that are operable to interlock with one another, said buckle detection switch being configured to generate a buckled seatbelt signal when the male portion is properly interlocked with the female portion;

    a weight sensor unit being operable for sensing weight applied to an automobile seat and generating a corresponding weight reading when a person is secured onto the seat with the seatbelt system;

    a sensor processing unit, said sensor processing unit being configured to receive the weight reading from said weight sensor and to generate an occupancy signal that indicates the seat is occupied;

    an occupancy signal transmission unit configured to receive said occupancy signal from said sensor processing unit and transmit said occupancy signal;

    a seatbelt monitor unit, said seatbelt monitor unit being configured to receive both said transmitted occupancy signal and said buckled seatbelt signal, said seatbelt monitor unit being further configured to generate and transmit an unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal if said buckled seatbelt signal indicates that the buckle is not buckled when said transmitted occupancy signal indicates that the respective seat is occupied;

    and an automobile handicapping unit, said automobile handicapping unit being configured to receive said unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal from said seatbelt monitor unit, and handicap the operation of the automobile in a predetermined way.

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