Cushion spring safety system

• US 4,075,443 A
• Filed: 08/11/1976
• Issued: 02/21/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Towmotor Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Towmotor Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fatur, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/713,467
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 180/101, 180/102, 200/61.58 R, 200/85 A, 200/85 R, 340/278
• US Class Current: 200/85.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/38 specially constructed for use on tractors or like off-road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs

Abstract

A system for disabling or neutralizing a vehicle when less than a predetermined force is exerted upon the spring assembly of the operator'"'"'s seat of such vehicle. A contact plate is mounted directly upon the spring assembly interiorly of the padding and outer covering of the seat. A pressure responsive push-type switch is mounted upon a pair of torsion springs attached to the seat frame also interiorly of the padding and outer covering. At any time a given predetermined force is exerted upon the outer covering, padding and contact plate, the switch will be in contact with the contact plate and will permit the vehicle to operate. Whenever, through excessive operator bouncing or the like, such predetermined force is removed, contact between the plate and switch will be interrupted and the vehicle will be rendered inoperative.

Claims

1. In a vehicle, a seat having seat frame members, and seat covering material mounted upon said frame members, a vehicle safety system including:

spring means mounted upon said frame members for supporting said covering material, pressure activated switch means for rendering said vehicle capable of operation when activated and incapable of operation when deactivated, at least one torsion spring having a free end and a fixed end, said fixed end being mounted upon said seat frame members, said switch means being mounted on said free end so that said at least one torsion spring is located interiorly of said covering material and of the confines of said seat, contact means mounted upon said spring means for engaging said switch means to activated said switch means upon the application of a predetermined force to said covering material and for disengaging said switch means to deactivate said switch means upon the cessation of application of said predetermined force, said contact means including a pair of flat plate members and means attaching said flat plate members to said spring means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spring means include at least a pair of flat wound sinusoidal spring members.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said at least one torsion spring extends from its fixed end, outwardly and obliquely upwardly towards said spring means so that its free end is positioned closely proximate to said contact means.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said at least one torsion spring comprises a pair of torsion springs extending in substantially parallel configuration.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the fixed ends of said torsion springs are formed into loops.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said switch means comprises a switch, and fastening means attaching said switch to the free ends of said torsion springs.