Automotive seat belt assembly for encouraging passenger use

• US 4,673,195 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 06/16/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James B. Boyd, Kathleen A. Abell
• Original Assignee: James B. Boyd, Kathleen A. Abell
• Inventors: Abell, Kathleen A., Boyd, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Love, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferriter, Karin L.
• Application Number:
  US06/820,668
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801, 180/270, 180/273, 297/468, 340/52 E, 307/10 SB
• US Class Current: 280/801.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

An automotive passenger seat belt contains a selectively energizable and de-energizable DC electrical outlet into which the passenger may plug various electrical entertainment devices, such as radios, stereos, electronic games and the like to receive operating power. Energization of the electrical outlet is controlled by a switch which is placed in its energizing position only in response to coupling of the two seat belt portions together, indicating that the seat belt is being used. The electrical outlet is automatically de-energized in response to decoupling of the seat belt portions. The electrical outlet has an adjustment to provide different DC voltages for different types of electrical devices which may be connected thereto. An optional remote indicator can also be connected to the switch to indicate whether or not the seat belt portions are coupled.

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat belt having a pair of selectively detachable belt portions for securing a passenger when said portions are coupled together, and selectively detachable belt coupling means for coupling said belt portions together, the improvement which comprises an electrical switch connected to an electrical power source and having selective energizing and de-energizing positions, a passenger-accessible electrical outlet connected to said switch so as to be selectively energized when said switch is in said energizing position and de-energized when said switch is in said de-energizing position, and means interconnecting said switch with said belt coupling means for placing said switch in said energizing position automatically in response to the coupling of said belt portions by said belt coupling means, and automatically placing said switch in said de-energizing position in response to the decoupling of said belt portions by said belt coupling means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical outlet is mounted on said belt-coupling means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical switch is mounted on said belt-coupling means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including passenger-adjustable means interposed between said electrical outlet and said power source for selectively varying the voltage level at said electrical outlet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including indicator means remotely connected to said electrical switch for indicating the decoupling of said belt portions in response to said electrical switch being in its de-energizing position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said indicator means comprises a visual indicator.