Abstract: A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a shell portion configured for use with or without a base portion; at least one an adjustable tether secured to the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other; a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether; and an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the child seat. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of positional angle of the child seat relative to a first axis. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to calculate a first angle value based on the first signal. The controller is further configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first angle value is not within a predetermined angular range from the first axis.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat has at least a first seat belt guide member configured to engage a vehicle seat belt webbing for securing the child seat to a vehicle seat. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the first seat belt guide member. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of tension being applied to the vehicle seat belt webbing. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal. The controller further is configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first tension value is less than a predetermined tension value.

Abstract: The child restraint system comprises a harness that extends through one of a plurality of slots in the shell for restraining a child occupant within the child restraint system, and a control unit for determining whether the harness is properly adjusted based upon the size of the child. Belt location sensors are disposed at the slots to detect the presence of a harness belt. The child restraint system also includes temperature sensors responsive to body temperature of the child. The control unit processes the signals from the belt location sensors and the proximity sensors and issues an alert signal if the belt location is not the recommended belt location based upon the size of the child.

Abstract: A child restraint system for transporting a child within an automotive vehicle includes a weight sensor for determining the weight of the child and compares the child's weight to a recommended weight range. The weight sensor is disposed within a cushion that lines a shell and provides an electrical signal to a control unit. The control unit processes the electrical signal and provides an alert signal when the weight is not within the recommended range. Also, the child restraint system may include a second sensor for sensing a condition that depends upon the child's weight such as directional orientation or angular orientation of the child restraint system, or location or tension of a vehicle seat belt or tether that secures the child restraint system within the vehicle, or the location or tension of a harness for restraining the child occupant within the child restraint system.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant sensor for a seat has a dielectric in the form of a fluid-filled elastomeric bladder, and the sensor includes a primary region that is subjected to occupant force and a secondary region that is shielded from occupant force. The secondary region includes an appendage of the bladder that is disposed beneath a back cushion of the seat, either in a cavity of the seat cushion or below a frame element that supports the seat cushion. A spring clamp normally biases fluid out of the appendage, but occupant-related force applied over a broad area of the seat produces a flow of bladder fluid into the appendage against the bias force of the spring clamp. A pair of auxiliary conductor plates is oppositely disposed about the bladder appendage, and the capacitance between the auxiliary conductor plates is measured as an indication of fluid pressure in the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object proximity sensor system and method to determine the distance between a vehicle occupant and the system. Once determined, the distance is used in determining whether to enable or disable an air bag in the vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the object proximity sensor system includes a light transmitter capable of emitting light beams that illuminate a predefined area and are capable of reflecting off an object positioned in the predefined area, a light receiver capable of detecting the reflected light beams and including an imaging sensor capable of acquiring an image of the object in the illuminated predefined area and capable of distinguishing a plurality of imaged spots in the image, and a microcontroller coupled to the light receiver and operable to determine diameters of the imaged spots. The microcontroller then uses the diameters of the spots to determine the object's distance from the light transmitter.

Abstract: An occupant presence detection apparatus detects a change in capacitance between upper and lower conductor plates disposed on or near upper and lower surfaces of a fluid-filled elastomeric seat bladder, and a semi-rigid mat disposed between the seat cushion and the bladder includes a peripheral cavity at least partially surrounding the upper conductor plate. When occupant weight applied to the seat cushion is transmitted to the bladder, it distends into the peripheral cavity of the semi-rigid mat, producing a significant reduction in the separation between the upper and lower conductor plates, and a corresponding significant increase in the detected capacitance. Once the bladder has fully distended into the cavity, additional loading due to increased occupant weight produces only a minimal further increase of the measured capacitance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite material comprising a boehmite substrate coated with a precipitated silica, the composite having a BET specific surface area of from 1 m2/g to 50 m2/g, such that the composite material has a % silica coating parameter value of about 5% to about 50%. Also disclosed is a dentifrice comprising this composite material. When included in a dentifrice composition, the composite material not only provides excellent abrasive and cleaning performance but also has compatibility with other ingredients used in dentifrice formulations, such as fluoride, flavors and cationic species.

Abstract: A fluid-filled seat bladder assembly includes multiple capacitive sensing elements for detecting variation in bladder deformation due to occupant weight. The bladder is defined by upper and lower elastomeric sheets that are peripherally sealed by welding, and the capacitive sensors are defined by metalized films adjoining the upper and lower elastomeric sheets. The bladder fluid separating the upper and lower metalized films acts as a dielectric material, and the capacitance or electric field coupling of each sensor increases when the separation between the respective upper and lower films decreases due occupant seat weight. The cumulative change in capacitance or electric field coupling reflects the total seated weight, and the individual capacitance or electric field coupling changes provide a profile of the pressure distribution across the seat for improved occupant classification.

Abstract: A universal, compartment-wide system identifies the presence and position of occupants of a multi-place vehicle by utilizing the occupants to conduct and radiate place-specific radio frequency signals that are received at various locations in the passenger compartment. The place-specific radio frequency signals are developed by low power transmitters disposed in the various seat/place locations, and a receiver disposed at a central location that is remote from the transmitters receives and decodes the signals radiated by the occupants to determine the number and location of the occupants. Additional receivers may be installed in specified regions to detect occupant intrusion into such regions, and in various control panels to assess driver distraction and to tailor the functional content and capability depending on whether a driver or non-driver is interacting with the control panel.

Abstract: Precipitated silicas having wet cake moisture values in excess of 85%, BET surface areas of 600-700 m.sup.2 /g, oil absorption values of 50 to 60 cc/100 g, total intruded volume of about 1.2 to 0.8 cc/g, and a median pore radius of 50 .ANG. to 20 .ANG. are produced by a low temperature silica precipitation process. The silicas have unique flatting characteristics and are additionally useful as conditioning agents for food and salt and in dentifrice compositions.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system includes modular conveyor units and modular transfer units, which are driven by the driveshafts from adjacent modules. The transfer units include a first driveshaft segment extending below the conveyor frame and first and second multi-direction wheels mounted on the shaft segment such that when the first driveshaft segment rotates, it drives the first wheel in a forward direction and the second wheel in a backward direction, the wheels being independently shiftable relative to the top surface of the conveyor frame so as to either convey a product or not convey a product.

Abstract: The rollers of a live roller conveyor are driven by drive wheels, which are driven from a driveshaft extending along the conveyor. When the drive wheels and their respective conveyor rollers are in contact with each other, the drive wheels cause the conveyor rollers to rotate. When the drive wheels and conveyor rollers are out of contact, the rollers are not driven and can accumulate product. Relative motion between the drive wheels and the conveyor rollers causes the drive to be engaged and disengaged.

Abstract: A conveyor transfer unit includes conveyor rollers driven by a drive shaft and transfer belts which are selectively driven to the left and to the right at right angles to the conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A lineshaft-driven accumulation conveyor includes a plurality of intermediate shafts which run parallel to the drive shaft and are independently driven from the drive shaft, each of the intermediate shafts driving a zone of conveyor rollers.

Abstract: The rollers of a live roller conveyor are driven by drive wheels, which are driven from a driveshaft extending along the conveyor. When the drive wheels and their respective conveyor rollers are in contact with each other, the drive wheels cause the conveyor rollers to rotate. When the drive wheels and conveyor rollers are out of contact, the rollers are not driven and can accumulate product. Relative motion between the drive wheels and the conveyor rollers causes the drive to be engaged and disengaged.This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 5,375,696, dated Nov. 12, 1996, Request No. 90/003,811.

Abstract: A conveyor has a drive wheel which is driven from a driveshaft and .[.which moves.]. .Iadd.relative motion between the drive wheel and conveyor roller causes movement .Iaddend.into and out of driving engagement. In the preferred embodiment, there is a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft, and the drive gear drives a drive wheel, which is mounted on a drive wheel mounting frame that pivots about the axis of the drive shaft, so that the drive wheel is constantly driven from the driveshaft and pivots into and out of driving engagement with the conveyor roller.