Latch sensing seat belt buckle
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a lockable element and a buckle for receiving and locking said lockable element in said buckle, said buckle comprising;
a base defining a passage into which the lockable element is insertable in a first direction;
a latch moveable to lock said lockable element against movement in said passage;
a sensor for sensing a magnetic field, said sensor providing an output signal, the magnitude of which is dependent upon the flux density of a magnetic field acting on said sensor; and
a magnet that is movable from a first position to a second position when said lockable element is inserted into said passage, said magnet creating a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on said sensor to cause said sensor to provide a first output signal when said magnet is in said first position;
said magnet creating a magnetic field of a second flux density that acts on said sensor, different than said first flux density, when said magnet is in said second position to cause said sensor to provide a second output signal different than said first output signal;
said magnet having an interference fit with one of said lockable element and said buckle, said one of said lockable element and said buckle including a first surface defining a shaped recess with a first length, said magnet having a second surface with a second length larger than said first length, said first and second surfaces being in abutting engagement and providing said interference fit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12). The buckle (12) includes a base (28) that defines a passage (32) into which the lockable element (16) is insertable, and a latch (42) movable to lock the lockable element against movement in the passage. The buckle (12) also includes a sensor (60) and a magnet (62). The magnet (62) is movable from a first position to a second position when the lockable element (16) is inserted into the passage (32). The magnet (62) creates a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on the sensor (60) to cause the sensor to provide a first output when the magnet is in the first position. The magnet (62) creates a magnetic field of a second flux density, different than the first flux density, acting on the sensor (60) to cause the sensor to provide a second output, different than the first output, when the magnet is in the second position. The magnet (62) has an interference fit with one of the lockable element (16) and the buckle (12).
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a lockable element and a buckle for receiving and locking said lockable element in said buckle, said buckle comprising;
a base defining a passage into which the lockable element is insertable in a first direction;
a latch moveable to lock said lockable element against movement in said passage;
a sensor for sensing a magnetic field, said sensor providing an output signal, the magnitude of which is dependent upon the flux density of a magnetic field acting on said sensor; and
a magnet that is movable from a first position to a second position when said lockable element is inserted into said passage, said magnet creating a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on said sensor to cause said sensor to provide a first output signal when said magnet is in said first position;
said magnet creating a magnetic field of a second flux density that acts on said sensor, different than said first flux density, when said magnet is in said second position to cause said sensor to provide a second output signal different than said first output signal;
said magnet having an interference fit with one of said lockable element and said buckle, said one of said lockable element and said buckle including a first surface defining a shaped recess with a first length, said magnet having a second surface with a second length larger than said first length, said first and second surfaces being in abutting engagement and providing said interference fit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus comprising:
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a lockable element and a buckle for receiving and locking said lockable element in said buckle, said buckle comprising;
a base defining a passage into which the lockable element is insertable in a first direction;
a latch moveable to lock said lockable element against movement in said passage;
a sensor for sensing a magnetic field, said sensor providing an output signal, the magnitude of which is dependent upon the flux density of a magnetic field acting on said sensor; and
a magnet that is movable from a first position to a second position when said lockable element is inserted into said passage, said magnet creating a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on said sensor to cause said sensor to provide a first output signal when said magnet is in said first position;
said magnet creating a magnetic field of a second flux density that acts on said sensor, different than said first flux density, when said magnet is in said second position to cause said sensor to provide a second output signal different than said first output signal;
said magnet having an interference fit with one of said lockable element and said buckle, said one of said lockable element and said buckle including a first cylindrical surface defining a cylindrically shaped recess having a first diameter, and said magnet having a second cylindrical surface of a second diameter, greater than said first diameter, said first and second cylindrical surfaces being in abutting engagement and providing said interference fit. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. Apparatus comprising:
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a lockable element and a buckle for receiving and locking said lockable element in said buckle, said buckle comprising;
a base defining a passage into which the lockable element is insertable in a first direction;
a latch moveable to lock said lockable element against movement in said passage;
a sensor for sensing a magnetic field, said sensor providing an output signal, the magnitude of which is dependent upon the flux density of a magnetic field acting on said sensor;
an ejector movable within said passage; and
a magnet that is movable from a first position to a second position when said lockable element is inserted into said passage, said magnet creating a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on said sensor to cause said sensor to provide a first output signal when said magnet is in said first position;
said magnet creating a magnetic field of a second flux density that acts on said sensor, different than said first flux density, when said magnet is in said second position to cause said sensor to provide a second output signal different than said first output signal;
said magnet having an interference fit with one of said lockable element and said buckle, said ejector having a pair of guide portions engageable with said base and a central portion located between said guide portions, said central portion having a first cylindrical surface defining a cylindrically shaped recess having a first diameter, and said magnet having a second cylindrical surface of a second diameter, greater than said first diameter, said first and second cylindrical surfaces being in abutting engagement and providing said interference fit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification