Smart closure

• US 20040066291A1
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Tracy, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,340,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2812 for securing the child to the child seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45529 Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage

Abstract

A multi-part closure provides remote indication of a secured or unsecured state of the closure. The closure includes first and second mating members that when engaged define a secured state and when disengaged define an unsecured state. A self-contained transmitter is disposed in the first member. A switch is disposed in the first member in electrical communication with the transmitter. The switch is positioned within the first member for engagement by the second member when the first and second members are mated with and secured to one another. A remote receiver provides indication of the engage or disengaged state of the first and second members.

Claims

1. A multi-part closure that provides remote indication of a secured or unsecured state of the closure, comprising:

first and second mating members, the members defining a secured state when the members are mated with and secured to one another and an unsecured state when the members are not mated with and not secured to one another;

a self-contained transmitter disposed in the first member;

a switch in electrical communication with the transmitter, the switch being positioned such that mating the first and second members with one another changes a state of the switch; and

a remote receiver,

wherein when the first and second members are in mating engagement with one another, the switch changes state and wherein the change in the state of the switch is indicated by the remote receiver.

2. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the switch is disposed in the first member and is positioned for engagement by the second member when the first and second members are engaged with one another.

3. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes a battery.

4. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmitter and remote receiver are wireless.

5. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the remote receiver provides indication of the members being in the secured state indication of the members being in the unsecured state.

6. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the remote receiver provides visual indication of the state of the members.

7. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the remote receiver provides audible indication of the state of the members.

8. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the remote receiver provides vibratory indication of the state of the members.

9. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the closure is a buckle.

10. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 9 wherein the buckle is a two-part buckle.

11. The multi-part closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the switch is a sealed switch.

12. A buckle closure that provides remote indication of a secured or unsecured state of the closure, comprising:

a female receptacle member having top and bottom walls and side walls defining an interior channel, the female receptacle member having apertures formed at a rear end thereof contiguous with the interior channel;

a wireless self-contained transmitter disposed in the female receptacle member;

a switch in electrical communication with the transmitter;

a male insert member configured for receipt in the female receptacle member, the male insert member including a base portion and a pair of flexible arms extending from the base portion, the arms configured for flexing toward and away from a centerline of the male member; and

a remote receiver,

wherein the male member is inserted into the female member for secure engagement therewith by locking of the flexible arms in the apertures and wherein engagement of the male and female members with one another changes a state of the switch, the change of state of the switch being indicated by the remote receiver.

13. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 12 wherein the switch is disposed in the female receptacle member extending at least in part into the interior channel.

14. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 13 wherein the female member interior channel includes a central channel and wherein the male member includes a switch engaging element formed as a central guide element extending along the centerline of the male element.

15. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 12 wherein the transmitter includes a battery.

16. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 12 wherein the remote receiver provides indication of the members being in the secured state indication of the members being in the unsecured state.

17. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 12 wherein the remote receiver provides audible indication of the state of the members.

18. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 12 wherein the remote receiver provides vibratory indication of the state of the members.

19. The buckle closure in accordance with claim 12 wherein the switch is a sealed switch.