Apparatus and method for verifying seatbelt use in a motor vehicle

• US 6,215,395 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mary J.O. Slaughter, Ronald Jim Slaughter
• Original Assignee: Mary J.O. Slaughter, Ronald Jim Slaughter
• Inventors: Slaughter, Ronald Jim, Slaughter, Mary Jo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/357,797
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/457.1, 340/461, 340/458, 340/459, 340/468, 340/469, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• 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 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for monitoring the usage of individual vehicular seat belts. Each belt is equipped with a local indicator which is adapted to indicate when a seatbelt is not properly fastened. A second display, preferable near the vehicle'"'"'s dashboard and readily visible to the driver shows the status of each of the vehicle'"'"'s seatbelts. Finally, a third display located near the rear the rear window of the vehicle displays the status of all vehicle seatbelts in a fashion readily observable by a following motorist such as a law enforcement official. An optional seat occupancy sensor may also be used to render the system more intelligent and minimize indications of unbuckled seatbelts for unoccupied seats.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has at least one seat, said apparatus comprising:

at least one seatbelt having a first end and a second end and a separable connector therebetween, said separable connector having a separate, unfastened state and a fastened state, a switch operatively connected to said separable connector for producing unique outputs representative of said separated state and of said unseparated state, an occupancy sensor disposed to sense occupancy of the seat and to avoid responding to pressures less than those associated with human occupants;

at least one first indicator located proximate said separable connector, at least one second indicator located proximate a driver of said vehicle, and at least one third indicator located proximate a rear portion of said vehicle and disposed to be visible from outside said vehicle, wherein said first indicator, said second indicator, and said third indicator are each operatively connected to said switch and to said occupancy sensor such that when said seatbelt is in a separated, unfastened state and the associated seat has a human occupant, each one of said first, second and third indicators produces an output.

2. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein each passenger seat of the vehicle comprises a seatbelt and a separable connector, wherein each separable connector has a said switch connected thereto.

3. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said first indicator comprises a visual indicator element.

4. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 3, wherein said visual indicator comprises an LED.

5. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 3, wherein said second indicator and said third indicator each comprise a group of visual indicator elements, each one of said group of visual indicator elements being uniquely associated with a corresponding said separable connector and adapted to indicate the fastened and unfastened states of said corresponding separable connectors.

6. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said second indicating means is located proximate a driver of said vehicle and visible to said driver.

7. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said third indicating means is located proximate a rear portion of said vehicle and is visible from a position external to and behind said vehicle.

8. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said second indicator and said third indicator each comprises a group of visual indicator elements, each one of said group of visual indicator elements being uniquely associated with a corresponding seatbelt and adapted to indicate the fastened and unfastened state of said corresponding seatbelt.

9. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said second indicator and said third indicator each comprise a group of visual indicator elements, each one of said group of visual indicator elements being uniquely associated with a corresponding said separable connector and is adapted to indicate the fastened and unfastened states of said corresponding separable connectors.

10. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 9, further comprising a dimming circuit disposed to dim said second indicator responsive to interior light level in said vehicle.

11. The apparatus for monitoring seatbelt usage in a motor vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said first indicator, said second indicator, and said third indicator each are operatively connected to each said switch such that when each separable connector is in a fastened state each of said first indicator, said second indicator, and said third indicator produces an output.