Vehicle seat belt utilization safety system

• US 20080309061A1
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walter J. Mundy
• Original Assignee: Walter J. Mundy
• Inventors: Mundy, Walter J.
• Application Number:
  US11/818,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20080309061A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/801.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4858 for sensing pressure on seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4891 preventing use of the vehicle when the seatbelt is not fastened
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

The system algorithm defines the apparatuses and methods for the operation of any vehicle that travels the streets, roads and highways that will provide a safe incentive for the operator to insure that all occupied seats have seat belts properly fastened. The system provides that improperly fastened or altered seat belt will cause the operator to experience a denial of engine start or reduction of speed to safe control speed.

Claims

1. The Vehicle Seat Belt Utilization Safety System is comprised of the apparatuses required to provide the operator of any street, road or highway vehicle with one or more seats equipped with seat belts, major incentive to comply with the use of the seat belt by providing the following;

(a) Start denial or delay.

(b) Warning display and sound.

(c) All passenger and operator seat (s) occupied identified using seat pressure sensors.

(d) Speed reduction warning and control if any seat belt is unfastened or disabled after starting.

4. The apparatuses required to provide for the claim 1 (a) will require the addition of a circuit to the start switch mechanism, or push on/off button, FIG. 1F from the Microprocessor, FIG. 1. (a)

5. The Apparatuses required to provide for the claim 1.(b) will require the addition of a circuit from the Microprocessor, FIG. 1.A to warning light displays, FIG. 1D and warning alarm FIG. 1D existing in all vehicles. An additional alarm will be included to provide the operator a warning of the conditions outlined in claim 1.(d) will be initiated within a fixed time interval.

6. The Apparatuses required to provide for the claim 1.(c) will require a circuit from the Microprocessor, FIG. 1A to pressure sensors from the seat (s) FIG. 1.B.

7. The Apparatuses required to provide for the speed reduction and control as described in claim 1. (d) will require the addition of a circuit from the Microprocessor FIG. 1.A to an additional speed Control FIG. 1.G that will over ride the Cruise Control System, or engine accelerator FIG. 1.G and/or will warn the operator that the system will gradually reduce the vehicle to the minimum safe speed and within a safe time frame.

2. The Automotive Industry has not provided any of the safety apparatuses or capabilities of the proposed system other than seat belt warning display and alarm sound, both of which are readily disarmed or ignored and do not provide the incentive to require the operator or passenger to comply.

3. The Vehicle Seat Belt Utilization Safety. System is designed to be an integrated system in new vehicles and to provide an after market system for installation in existing vehicles.

8. The location of the component parts of the Vehicle Seat Belt Utilization Safety System will integrate existing and new parts and circuits to provide the Automotive Industry with maximum flexibility in the use of existing technology and innovative design to accommodate the many makes and models of vehicles. Both wire and wireless transponder chip technology may be employed.