Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used with a vehicle seat (2) and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat. A sensor lever (100) transmits the load of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle seat (2) to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor lever (100) has a first end portion (102), a second end portion (112), and a middle portion (122) interposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion (122) of the sensor lever (100) is movable with the vehicle seat (2). The sensor lever (100) has a first sensor portion (107) disposed between the middle portion (122) and the first end portion (102). The sensor lever (100) has a second sensor portion (109) disposed between the middle portion (122) and the second end portion (112). The first and second sensor portions (107, 109) bend as the vehicle seat (2) moves vertically relative to the vehicle floor pan (4).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat (2). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20), a bracket (30), a spring element (240, 340 or 340, 350), a lever (90), and a sensor (992). The spring element (240, 340 or 340, 350) compresses to allow the vehicle seat frame (20) to move vertically when the load of the vehicle occupant acts on the vehicle seat (2). The lever (90) has a first end portion (100) and a second end portion (110) opposite the first end portion (100). The first end portion (100) is movable with the vehicle seat frame (20). The second end portion (110) is movable with the vehicle seat frame (20). The lever (90) has a middle portion (120) interposed between the first end portion (100) and the second end portion (110). The lever (90) bends as the vehicle seat frame (20) moves vertically relative to the bracket (30).

Abstract: An assembly (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat (2). The assembly (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2), a sensor (79) for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, and a housing (100) for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor (79) provides an output signal indicative of the amount of the load of the vehicle occupant. The housing (100) encloses the sensor (79) to protect the sensor (79).

Abstract: An assembly (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat (2). The assembly (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2), a sensor (79) for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, and a housing (100) for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor (79) provides an output signal indicative of the amount of the load of the vehicle occupant. The housing (100) encloses the sensor (79) to protect the sensor (79).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat frame (20) for supporting a vehicle occupant and a floor pan (4) for supporting the seat frame (20) for movement relative to the floor pan (4). The apparatus (10) includes a deflection member (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The deflection member (50) connects to the seat frame (20) for movement with the seat frame (20). The deflection member (50) has a first deflection surface (51). The sensor lever (70) connects to the floor pan (4). The sensor lever (70) has a second deflection surface (75) for engaging the first deflection surface (51) of the deflection member (50) and for deflecting as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70) changes as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The sensor (79) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (70) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (210) includes seat belt webbing (12), a parallelogram linkage (220), a sensor lever (370), and a sensor (379). The seat belt webbing (12) helps to protect the occupant (14) of the vehicle (18). The parallelogram linkage (220) includes a first beam (352) and a second beam (362) parallel to the first beam (352). The first and second beams (352, 362) each bend in response to at least part of a load applied by the seat belt webbing (12). The sensor lever (370) is interposed between the first and second beams (352). The sensor lever (370) has a connection with the first and second beams (352). The connection causes the sensor lever (370) to deflect upon bending of the first and second beams (352). The sensor (379) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (370) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount bending of the first and second beams (352, 362).

Abstract: An apparatus (210) includes seat belt webbing (12), a parallelogram linkage (220), a sensor lever (370), and a sensor (379). The seat belt webbing (12) helps to protect the occupant (14) of the vehicle (18). The parallelogram linkage (220) includes a first beam (352) and a second beam (362) parallel to the first beam (352). The first and second beams (352, 362) each bend in response to at least part of a load applied by the seat belt webbing (12). The sensor lever (370) is interposed between the first and second beams (352). The sensor lever (370) has a connection with the first and second beams (352). The connection causes the sensor lever (370) to deflect upon bending of the first and second beams (352). The sensor (379) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (370) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount bending of the first and second beams (352, 362).

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4). An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant and a weight sensing mechanism (40) for sensing the load. The weight sensing mechanism (40) includes a parallelogram linkage (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The parallelogram linkage (50) includes a first beam (52) and a second beam (62) parallel to the first beam (52). The beams (52, 62) have adjacent interconnected first ends (54, 64) that receive the load of the vehicle occupant and adjacent interconnected second ends (56, 66) that transmit the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The beams (52, 62) bend in response to the load of the vehicle occupant. The sensor lever (70) is interposed between the beams (52, 62) and deflects upon bending of the beams (52, 62).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat frame (20) for supporting a vehicle occupant and a floor pan (4) for supporting the seat frame (20) for movement relative to the floor pan (4). The apparatus (10) includes a deflection member (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The deflection member (50) connects to the seat frame (20) for movement with the seat frame (20). The deflection member (50) has a first deflection surface (51). The sensor lever (70) connects to the floor pan (4). The sensor lever (70) has a second deflection surface (71) for engaging the first deflection surface (51) of the deflection member (50) and for deflecting as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70) changes as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The sensor (79) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (70) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (210) includes seat belt webbing (12), a parallelogram linkage (220), a sensor lever (370), and a sensor (379). The seat belt webbing (12) helps to protect the occupant (14) of the vehicle (18). The parallelogram linkage (220) includes a first beam (352) and a second beam (362) parallel to the first beam (352). The first and second beams (352, 362) each bend in response to at least part of a load applied by the seat belt webbing (12). The sensor lever (370) is interposed between the first and second beams (352). The sensor lever (370) has a connection with the first and second beams (352). The connection causes the sensor lever (370) to deflect upon bending of the first and second beams (352). The sensor (379) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (370) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount bending of the first and second beams (352, 362).

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4). An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant and a weight sensing mechanism (40) for sensing the load. The weight sensing mechanism (40) includes a parallelogram linkage (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The parallelogram linkage (50) includes a first beam (52) and a second beam (62) parallel to the first beam (52). The beams (52, 62) have adjacent interconnected first ends (54, 64) that receive the load of the vehicle occupant and adjacent interconnected second ends (56, 66) that transmit the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The beams (52, 62) bend in response to the load of the vehicle occupant. The sensor lever (70) is interposed between the beams (52, 62) and deflects upon bending of the beams (52, 62).

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant, a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the seat (2), and a load sensing apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20), a bracket (30), a first member (60), a second member (70), a lever (90), and a sensor (99). The vehicle seat frame (20) supports a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2). The load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2) is transmitted through the bracket (30) from the vehicle seat frame (20) to the vehicle floor pan (4). The first member (60) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (20) and the bracket (30). The first member (60) is compressible as the seat frame (22) moves downward and is expandable as the seat frame (20) moves upward. The second member (70) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (20) and the bracket (30). The second member (70) is compressible as the seat frame (20) moves upward and is expandable as the seat frame (20) moves downward.

Abstract: A terminal assembly (10) for terminating a flexible circuit strip (12) that has a flexible conductor (e.g., 14A) extending along the strip. The assembly includes a terminus portion (24) of the strip (12) that has a registration opening (e.g., 40A). A rigid electrical contact (e.g., 28A) has a portion (34) that is pierced into the flexible conductor (e.g., 14A) and a portion (30) that extends away from the terminus portion (24) of the strip (12). A carrier (42) has a registration projection (e.g., 46A) that extends through the registration opening (e.g., 40A) and a retainer portion (e.g., 50A) engaged with the portion (30) of the contact (e.g., 28A) that extends away from the terminus portion (24) of the strip (12) to hold the contact at an orientation relative to the terminus portion of the strip.

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (12) for a vehicle occupant, a vehicle floor pan (10) for supporting the seat (12), and a weight sensing apparatus (40). The apparatus (40) includes a vehicle seat frame (42), a bracket (44), a member (46), a lever (60), and a sensor (80). The vehicle seat frame (42) supports a weight load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (12). The weight load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (12) is transmitted through the bracket (44) from the vehicle seat frame (42) to the vehicle floor pan (10). The member (46) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (42) and the bracket (44). The member (46) is compressible as the weight load on the seat frame (42) increases and is expandable as the weight load on the seat frame (42) decreases. As the member (46) compresses and expands the seat frame (42) moves vertically relative to the bracket (44). The lever (60) has a first end (62) fixed to and movable with the seat frame (42) and a second end (64) associated with the bracket (44).

Abstract: A system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlamps 703 of a vehicle having a dome light 50 which provides a variable dome light intensity includes a sensor 40, a memory 820, a comparator 810, and a circuit 18. The sensor 40 senses the intensity of ambient light and provides a first signal &agr; indicative of the intensity of the ambient light. The memory 820 stores a light value &sgr; corresponding to the intensity of the dome light 50. The comparator 810 receives the first signal &agr; a and compares the intensity of the ambient light with the stored light value &sgr;. The comparator 810 provides an output second signal &bgr; when the first signal is at or below the stored light value &sgr;. The circuit 18 turns on the vehicle headlamps 703 when the circuit 18 receives the output second signal &bgr;.

Abstract: A keyless access control system (10) controls access through an entranceway (e.g., a door 16) into a vehicle (12). A sealed security input module (14) of the system (10) is mounted on the vehicle (12) at a location to be accessible by an operator (18) located outside of the vehicle (12). The module (14) includes a keypad (22) manually actuatable by the operator (18) to enter a security code. The module (14) also includes a code-transmitting transmitter (26 and 28). A code-receiving receiver (38 and 40) is located in the vehicle. An induction power coupling (50) connects the security input module (14) and a vehicle power system (58). Preferably, a first half (48) of the induction coupling (50) is located in the module (14), and a second half (52) of the induction coupling is adjacent to the first half (48). During operation, power from the vehicle power system (58) is transferred to the module (14) via the induction coupling (50). The operator (18) manually inputs the security code to the module (14).

Abstract: A switch apparatus (12) includes a substrate (20) of a resilient material having a first surface (40), with a channel (44 or 46) formed through the substrate to define a flex portion (48) of the substrate. At least part of the flex portion (48) of the substrate (20) is movable relative to the substrate between a first position and a second position. A layer of an elastic material (62) is disposed over at least a substantial portion of the first surface (40) of the substrate (20). The layer of elastic material urges the flex portion (48) to the first position of the flex portion. A switch element (53) is operatively associated with the flex portion (48) of the substrate (20) and has an electrical condition which varies as a function of the position of the flex portion.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a carrier for an optical cable. The carrier supports the optical cable in a U-shaped configuration with parallel leg portions of the optical cable extending along opposite sides of the carrier. A pushbutton is supported by the optical cable. The pushbutton has actuation arms which engage the parallel leg portions of the optical cable. The optical cable is held by flexible arms which form channels into which the leg portions of the optical cable are snapped. Upon manual actuation of the pushbutton, the optical cable is deformed to reduce the intensity of a light beam transmitted through the optical cable.

Abstract: An improved switch includes two moving contact members which move in parallel planes. The switch may be moved to either of two positions to complete either of two circuits. The contact members are normally biased to a central neutral position. Since the contact members move in a plane, rather than pivoting on a yoke, there is greater tolerance in positioning the moving contact members.