MAGNETIC BUCKLE SWITCH

• US 3,770,919 A
• Filed: 03/06/1972
• Issued: 11/06/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald J. Lewis
• Original Assignee: Donald J. Lewis
• Inventors: Lewis, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/232,042
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.18,61.58B 180/82C 280/15SB 297/388 340/525B 307/1SB 335/205,207
• US Class Current: 200/61.58B
• 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 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/002 Actuation by moving ferromagnetic material, switch and magnet being fixed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0046 Limit switches, also fail-safe operation or anti-tamper considerations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/008 Change of magnetic field wherein the magnet and switch are fixed, e.g. by shielding or relative movements of armature for reed switches H01H36/002

Abstract

Switch in seat belt buckle which operates upon insertion of tongue of buckle and operates under magnetic force when tongue is not inserted in buckle to give signal indication or interlock with ignition.

Claims

1. A safety seat belt assembly in a vehicle with driver awareness means for indication to the driver that the safety seat belt has not been buckled, which comprises:

a. a buckle connected to a first section of seat belt webbing, said webbing being attached to the vehicle;

b. a tongue connected to a second section of seat belt webbing, said webbing being attached to the vehicle;

c. an opening in said buckle into which said tongue is inserted;

d. a latch bar in said buckle for engaging and locking the tongue when inserted in the opening of the buckle;

e. a release button in said buckle for release of the latch bar to permit the tongue to be withdrawn from the buckle;

f. switch means mounted in said buckle, said switch means having two operable positions; and

g. magnet means comprising a magnet disposed in the buckle on the side opposite the switch with the tongue when inserted in the buckle interposed between the magnet and the switch, said switch means being in one operable position under the force of said magnet when the tongue is not inserted in said buckle and being in a second operable position when said tongue is interposed between the magnet and the switch.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said switch designed to open under the force of the magnet means when the tongue is inserted.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said switch designed to close under the force of the magnet means when the tongue is inserted.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said magnet means comprising a magnet located on the opposite side of the buckle in relation to the tongue from said switch and a magnet on the same side of the buckle in relation to the tongue as said switch, said magnet on the opposite side of the buckle causing said switch to open under the magnetic force when the tongue is not inserted and said magnet on the same side of the buckle as the switch causing said switch to close when the tongue is inserted and the force of the first named magnet is therefore lessened.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, said switch means comprising two reeds spaced apart.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said magnet means and reeds located adjacent to the webbing end of the buckle thereby requiring operation of the switch means as the tongue is engaged.