Patent ID: 6737862
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A mechanical fastening system, comprising:a tongue; a buckle configured to receive therewithin said tongue, said buckle having a selectively releasable latch, wherein said releasable latch selectively retains said tongue irremovably with respect to said buckle when said tongue is seated within said buckle; and a magnetoresistive latch engagement detector, comprising: a magnetosensitive switch, comprising: a magnetosensitive device located within said buckle; at least one biasing magnet located adjacent said magnetosensitive device which provides a magnetic field at said magnetosensitive device; and an electronic circuit driving said magnetosensitive device and outputting a signal responsive to changes in magnetic flux density of said magnetic field at said magnetosensitive device; and a flux bar comprising a component of at least one of said buckle and said tongue, said flux bar being magnetically permeable and movable relative to said magnetosensitive device so as to cause the flux density to vary at said magnetosensitive device responsive to the movement of the flux bar; wherein a predetermined signal is provided by said electronic circuit due to movement of said flux bar when said tongue is latchably retained in said buckle, and a signal other than said predetermined signal is provided by said electronic circuit due to movement of said flux bar when said tongue is not latchably retained in said buckle.