Passenger detection system

• US 20020149490A1
• Filed: 04/13/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Darryl Butler, Lonnell Butler
• Original Assignee: Darryl Butler, Lonnell Butler
• Inventors: Butler, Darryl, Butler, Lonnell
• Application Number:
  US09/833,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149490A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/667
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/242 Bus seats

Abstract

A passenger seat detection system for vehicles is disclosed. The detection system will alert the driver of a bus if people or objects are still remaining on a seat within that particular vehicle. Each seat will contain an incorporated sensor which will detect the weight of an object or person sitting on that seat. The sensor is electronically connected to an internal electronic system that connects up to a dashboard light and horn, alerting a driver to the presence of someone or something remaining on the vehicle. The passenger seat detection system could be used on all types of buses and other means of transportation, such as trains, airplanes, or other common carrier or public means of transportation.

Claims

1. A passenger detection system comprising

(a) a vehicle, the vehicle including a dashboard,

(b) at least one sensor activation light located on the dashboard,

(c) a plurality of seats located within the vehicle, each seat including a support structure to fixedly attach the seat to a floor surface within the vehicle, each seat including a cushion-type platform, and

(d) a plurality of sensors, each sensor comprising a first metal plate, each sensor further comprising a second metal plate, the second metal plate being placed immediately adjacent to the first metal plate, the second metal plate being placed perpendicular to the first metal plate, each sensor further comprising a first wire having two ends, a first end and a second end, the first end of the first wire connected to a power source, the second end of the first wire connected to the first metal plate, each sensor further comprising a second wire having two ends, a first end and a second end, the first end of the second wire connected to at least one sensor activation light on the dashboard of the vehicle, the second end of the second wire connected to the second metal plate, each sensor being located within a cushion-type platform of a seat, and

(e) means for activating the sensor activation lights on the dashboard.

2. A passenger detection system according to claim 1, wherein the means for activating the sensor activation lights on the dashboard further comprises:

(a) an amount of weight placed on a cushion-type platform of a seat above the location of a sensor located within the seat,

(b) an amount of power originating from the power source and passing onward through the first wire to the first metal plate,

(c) wherein the first metal plate touches the second metal plate, causing power from the power source to travel through the first metal plate to the second metal plate on to the second wire, allowing the power to travel to the sensor activation light on the dashboard, causing the sensor activation light on the dashboard to light up.

3. A passenger detection system according to claim 1 which further comprises a horn, the horn being located on the dashboard, the horn being connected to the second end of the second wire, wherein the horn would commence to emit sound when the horn would receive power input from the second wire.

4. A passenger detection system according to claim 3 which further comprises a shut-off switch, the shut-off switch mounted within the vehicle near the rear portion of the vehicle, the shut-off switch being electronically connected to the horn in such a manner that if a user activates the shut-off switch, the horn will cease emitting sound.

5. A passenger detection system according to claim 3 wherein the horn would emit an intermittent series of sounds when activated upon receiving power input from the second wire.

6. A passenger detection system according to claim 3 wherein the horn would emit a continuous sound when activated upon receiving power input from the second wire.