Abstract: There is provided an improvement in a seat belt retractor mechanism of the type having a seat belt reel rotatably mounted in a support frame adapted to be assembled on a movable door of a vehicle, wherein the reel has at least on one end a generally circular ratchet plate for engaging a locking element movably mounted on the support frame between a first position allowing the reel to payout the belt freely and a second position engaging the ratchet plate to hold the reel against rotation to payout the seat belt. An inertia sensing element carried by the support frame shifts this locking element into the locked position upon being moved by inertia forces caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle to which the mechanism is mounted. In addition, an electromagnet is employed for increasing the amount of inertia force needed to move the inertia sensor element during such rapid changes in speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor is provided which includes a base assembly and a dipstick assembly. The base assembly includes an electronic printed circuit board assembly, electrical connections to both the dipstick assembly and a wiring harness, and a mounting assembly for securing it to an engine dipstick tube. The dipstick assembly includes a cap, a tube, and a sensor element. The cap is designed to provide the necessary keying and locking features to mate with the base assembly. The tube provides protection for lead wires which connect the sensing element to the printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A system for actuating a warning device when the level of a liquid in a receptacle is below a preselected level. This system includes a probe formed from a length of positive temperature coefficient wire whereby the resistance through the wire increases with increased temperature. This wire is mounted within the receptacle in a manner that allows the wire to be submerged in the liquid under normal conditions. A detection can be made when such wire is partially or completely out of the liquid. There is a first switching means in the system to apply a voltage across the wire and a detector means for actuating the warning device in response to an electrical characteristic of the wire as determined at a preselected control point in the circuit including the probe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the detector means includes a capacitor and a second switching means to ground the capacitor for a preselected time and then use the charged capacitor to follow the voltage of the probe.

Abstract: A system for actuating a warning device when the level of a liquid in a receptacle is below a preselected level. This system includes a probe formed from a length of positive temperature coefficient wire whereby the resistance through the wire increases with increased temperature. This wire is mounted within the receptacle in a manner that allows the wire to be submerged in the liquid under normal conditions. A detection can be made when such wire is partially or completely out of the liquid. There is a first switching device in the system to apply a voltage across the wire and a detector for actuating the warning device in response to an electrical characteristic of the wire as determined at a preselected control point in the circuit including the probe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the detector includes a capacitor and a second switching device to ground the capacitor for a preselected time and then use the charged capacitor to follow the voltage of the probe.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor adapted to be installed inside a reservoir of a liquid to be monitored. The level sensor includes a float made from magnetic material which moves between two opposed end positions along a predetermined up-and-down path following the top surface level of the liquid. An a.c. coil driven by a pulse generator is located at one end of the float path such that the magnetic material of the float is closer to the coil at this one end of the path than at the opposite end, and is thus a variable part of the "core" of the coil which changes in response to the liquid level in the reservoir. The magnetic flux generated by the coil and/or its inductive reactance, also being a function of the variable core and thus a function of the liquid level, can be monitored electrically to provide an indication of the liquid level to an operator. The level sensor can be used to provide a signal at a predetermined level, or to provide an output which is proportional to the level of the liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A snap action toggle switch having a spring contact element formed of resilient metal strip material and including a U-shaped body member rigidified against flexure and comprised of a pair of spaced parallel side legs integral with and connected at one end by a flat base end portion and a plate spring member connected at one end with said base end portion and extending flatwise therefrom in the same general direction as the side legs and located therebetween.