Patent ID: 6359245
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A vehicle seat safety system for a seat having a lower panel having upper and lower sides, a central region, lateral sides, a forward region and a rear region, said panel adapted to support a flexible cushion, the improvement comprising an opening defined in the lower panel central region, a vehicle control electrical switch mounted in said opening, said switch including an actuator vertically movable between switch open and closed positions extending from the lower panel upper side, a vertically movable actuator plate located below the cushion and extending over said switch actuator for selective engagement therewith for moving said actuator between its open and closed positions upon the application and removal of weight upon said actuator plate, said actuator plate being of an elongated configuration having front and rear edges, lateral sides and a central region, said actuator plate front edge, rear edge and lateral sides extending toward the seat lower panel forward region, rear region and lateral sides, respectively, said actuator plate including extensions defined on its lateral sides extending therefrom for applying weight to said actuator plate even though the seat occupant's weight is laterally shifted, a hinge defined on an actuator plate edge operatively connected to the seat lower panel, and biasing means biasing said actuator plate away from said switch actuator.