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Dual resistance switch for buckle confirmation

  • US 5,590,904 A
  • Filed: 08/15/1995
  • Issued: 01/07/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for restraining a vehicle occupant, said apparatus comprising:

  • a seat belt for extending across the vehicle occupant;

    a tongue associated with said seat belt;

    a buckle for receiving and latching said tongue in said buckle;

    a seat belt buckle switch operatively connected to said buckle, said seat belt buckle switch having electrically conductive normally closed contacts;

    a resistor network electrically connected to said normally closed contacts, said resistor network comprising a first resistor in series with said contacts and a second resistor in parallel with said contacts, said resistor network providing a first electrical signal having a first characteristic dependent upon the resistance value of said first resistor when said seat belt buckle switch is closed and a second electrical signal having a second characteristic dependent upon the resistance values of said first resistor and said second resistor when said seat belt buckle switch is open; and

    a controller operatively connected to said resistor network for monitoring said first and second signals.

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