Patent ID: 6357790
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
Apparatus for use with a removable child seat in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle seat on which a removable child seat may or may not be present; a seat belt webbing pretensioner for retracting seat belt webbing associated with said vehicle seat; a first sensor for providing a first output signal in response to a vehicle collision of a magnitude above a predetermined threshold; a second sensor for providing a second output signal in response to the presence of a child seat on said vehicle seat; a controller for receiving said first and second signals and, in response to said first output signal, for actuating said seat belt webbing pretensioner when a child seat is not present on said vehicle seat and inhibiting actuation of said seat belt webbing pretensioner when a child seat is present on said vehicle seat; and a visual indicator operatively coupled with said controller to receive a signal from said controller indicating the presence of a child seat on said vehicle seat and to provide a visual indication that actuation of said seat belt webbing pretensioner is inhibited.