Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (30) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (30). An arm (106) is associated with the elongated member (30). The arm (106) receives a force from the elongated member (30) when tension in the seat belt webbing (24) increases. The force acts on the arm (106) through a moment arm creating a torsion force on the arm (106). At least a portion of the arm (106) moves in response to the torsion force. A device (102) is responsive to movement of the at least a portion of the arm (106) due to the torsion force to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: An apparatus (510) includes seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (520) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (520). A sensor of the apparatus 510 includes an arm (560) that is associated with the elongated member (520). The elongated member (520) moves at least a portion of the arm (560) in response to a change in tension in the seat belt webbing (24). The sensor also includes a device (558) that is responsive to movement of the arm (560) to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24). Structure (604) of the apparatus (510) reduces a variable moment acting on the arm as a result of off-axis loading of the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises seat belt webbing (24). An elongated member (30) is connected with the seat belt webbing (24). Tension in the seat belt webbing (24) is transmitted to the elongated member (30). An arm (106) is associated with the elongated member (30). The arm (106) receives a force from the elongated member (30) when tension in the seat belt webbing (24) increases. The force acts on the arm (106) through a moment arm creating a torsion force on the arm (106). At least a portion of the arm (106) moves in response to the torsion force. A device (102) is responsive to movement of the at least a portion of the arm (106) due to the torsion force to provide an output signal indicative of the tension in the seat belt webbing (24).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes a seat belt buckle (12) for receiving a seat belt tongue (16). A Hall effect device (62) is mounted on the seat belt buckle (12). The Hall effect device (62) has at least one electrical lead (72, 74). A magnet (68) is mounted on the seat belt buckle (12). The magnet (68) and the Hall effect device (62) are moveable relative to each other to first relative positions upon receipt of the seat belt tongue (16) in the seat belt buckle (12). The Hall effect device (62) provides a signal in response to the magnet (68) and the Hall effect device (62) being moved to the first relative positions. An electrical conductor (92, 94) has an electrical connection (110, 114) with the electrical lead (72, 74). The electrical connection (110, 114) is provided by melted portions (112, 116) of the electrical lead (72, 74) and the electrical conductor (92, 94) that are bonded together.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12). The buckle (12) includes a base (28) that defines a passage (32) into which the lockable element (16) is insertable, and a latch (42) movable to lock the lockable element against movement in the passage. The buckle (12) also includes a sensor (60) and a magnet (62). The magnet (62) is movable from a first position to a second position when the lockable element (16) is inserted into the passage (32). The magnet (62) creates a magnetic field of a first flux density acting on the sensor (60) to cause the sensor to provide a first output when the magnet is in the first position. The magnet (62) creates a magnetic field of a second flux density, different than the first flux density, acting on the sensor (60) to cause the sensor to provide a second output, different than the first output, when the magnet is in the second position. The magnet (62) has an interference fit with one of the lockable element (16) and the buckle (12).