Patent ID: 6288649
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a vehicle having a seat for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan for supporting the vehicle seat, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle seat frame for supporting a weight load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat;a bracket for transmitting the weight load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat from the vehicle seat frame to the vehicle floor pan;a member interposed between said vehicle seat frame and said bracket, said member being compressible as the weight load on said seat frame increases and being expandable as the weight load on said seat frame decreases, said member compresses and expands as said seat frame moves vertically relative to said bracket;a lever having a first end fixed to and movable with said seat frame and a second end associated with said bracket, said lever bending as said seat frame moves vertically relative to said bracket; anda sensor for detecting bending of said lever and providing an output weight signal indicative of the amount of bending of said lever.