Patent ID: 6684972
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: B60K,B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus to ensure use of a seat belt in a motor vehicle, said apparatus comprising:(a) a first means disposed in a seat portion of such motor vehicle for generating and transmitting a first signal indicative of an occupant seated in a seat; (b) a second means disposed at least one of in and on a predetermined portion of such seat belt for generating and transmitting a second signal representative of such seat belt being one of unlatched and latched; (c) a third means disposed at least one of adjacent and on such seat belt in a predetermined location and connected to receive said second signal for generating and transmitting a third signal when such seat belt detected as being latched by said second means, extends insufficiently to encircle such occupant of such motor vehicle; (c) a fourth means disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle connected to receive said first signal indicating such presence of such occupant in such seat of such motor vehicle thereby enabling said fourth means to generate and transmit a fourth signal when said fourth means is activated by also receiving one of said second signal indicating that such seat belt corresponding to such presence of such occupant in such seat of such motor vehicle is unlatched and said third signal indicating that such seat belt is latched but extends insufficiently to encircle such occupant; and (d) a disabling unit disposed in a predetermined location on such motor vehicle connected to receive said fourth signal for preventing gear engagement in such motor vehicle when said disabling unit receives said fourth signal indicating that such seat belt corresponding to an occupied seat in such motor vehicle is one of unlatched and latched but extending insufficiently to encircle such passenger.