Baby seat belt alarm system

• US 20040164856A1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fred Mesina
• Original Assignee: Fred Mesina
• Inventors: Mesina, Fred
• Granted Patent: US 6,924,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• 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 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2803 Adaptations for seat belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A seat belt alarm system activates an alarm when a child is buckled in a car seat and when the car key is removed from the ignition. The seat belt alarm system includes a belt buckle having a belt-buckled sensor and a transmitter that transmits a belt-buckled signal when the belt is buckled. A remote key module includes a key-removed sensor that senses when the key is not in a keyhole. The key module further includes a receiver and an alarm device that is activated when the key is not in the keyhole and the belt-buckled signal is received from the transmitter. In another variation, a controller is provided. The controller may be coupled to various components including the belt-buckled sensor, a key-removed sensor, a transmitter and additional devices such as a horn, air conditioning, etc. The controller instructs the transmitter to send an activate-alarm signal to a receiver in the key module when a belt-buckled signal and a key-removed signal are input to the controller. The alarm device may provide a sound, vibration, light, or another indicator. Another variation includes a removable baby seat with a seat belt alarm system. Still another variation includes an automobile having a seat belt alarm system.

Claims

1. A seat belt alarm system comprising:

a seat belt buckle comprising a seat belt-buckled sensor and a transmitter coupled to said seat belt-buckled sensor, said seat belt buckle adapted to transmit a belt-buckled signal from the transmitter when the seat belt is buckled; and

a key module, said key module remote to said belt buckle and comprising a receiver for receiving the belt-buckled signal, said key module further comprising a voltage source, an alarm device, and a key-removed sensor, said key-removed sensor being coupled to said receiver, voltage source, and alarm device such that when the key is not in a keyhole and said belt-buckled signal is received by said receiver, said alarm device is activated.

2. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 wherein said key-removed sensor is a mechanical switch.

3. The seat belt alarm system of claim 2 wherein said mechanical switch comprises a mechanically biased rod member that is displaced when the key is inserted into the keyhole.

4. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 wherein said key-removed sensor is an electronic switch that detects when the key is not in a keyhole.

5. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 wherein said alarm device is adapted to make a sound.

6. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 further comprising at least one indicator light that indicates when the seat belt buckle is locked.

7. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 wherein the buckle includes a passageway for receiving a tongue-shaped belt member.

8. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 wherein said seat belt buckle sensor is an electronic switch that is turned ON when the buckle is buckled.

9. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 comprising a controller coupled to said seat belt-buckled sensor, said controller activating the transmitter when said seat belt is buckled.

10. The seat belt alarm system of claim 1 wherein the key module further comprises a controller coupled to said key-removed sensor, said alarm device, and said receiver, said controller being configured to activate the alarm device in response to signals received from said key-removed sensor and said receiver.

11. An automobile comprising:

a seat;

a seat belt buckle having a seat-belt sensor therein, said seat-belt sensor generating a seat belt-buckled signal when the seat belt is buckled;

a key-removed sensor that generates a key-removed signal when a key is not in a keyhole;

a transmitter for sending an alarm-activate signal to a remote device; and

a controller coupled to the seat-belt sensor, the key-removed sensor, and the transmitter, said controller configured to activate the transmitter in response to the key-removed signal and the belt-buckled signal.

12. The automobile of claim 11 further comprising a horn coupled to said controller, said controller activating said horn in response to said key-removed signal and the belt-buckled signal.

13. The automobile of claim 11 further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to said controller.

14. The automobile of claim 11 wherein the transmitter is configured to send the alarm-activate signal to one of a pager, cell phone, and a keyless entry device.

15. The automobile of claim 11 wherein the transmitter is configured to send the alarm-activate signal to a remote key module, said key module containing a receiver and an alarm device.

16. An infant car seat system comprising:

an infant car seat, said infant car seat being adapted to be removably secured in a passenger car seat;

an infant seat belt connected to the infant car seat to hold the infant in the infant car seat;

a seat belt buckle and a seat belt-buckled sensor within said seat belt buckle, said seat belt buckle attached to said seat belt;

a transmitter coupled to said seat belt-buckled sensor, said transmitter generating a belt-buckled signal when the seat belt is buckled; and

a remote key module comprising an alarm device, a key-removed sensor that senses when the key is not in a keyhole and provides a key-removed signal, and a receiver for receiving said belt-buckled signal from said transmitter, said alarm device coupled to said key-removed sensor and said receiver such that said alarm device is activated in response to said belt-buckled signal and said key-removed signal.

17. The infant car seat system of claim 16 further comprising an infant car seat base, said base being securable in the passenger seat and being detachably interlockable with said infant car seat.

18. The infant car seat system of claim 16 wherein the belt-buckled sensor is an electronic switch that completes a circuit when the belt is buckled.

19. A car seat belt alarm system comprising:

a child presence sensor and a transmitter coupled to said child presence sensor such that when a child is present in the car seat a child-present signal is transmitted from the transmitter; and

a key module, said key module remote to said child presence sensor and comprising a receiver for receiving the child-present signal, said key module further comprising a voltage source, an alarm device, and a key-removed sensor, said key-removed sensor being coupled to said receiver, voltage source, and alarm device such that when the key is not in a keyhole and said child-present signal is received by said receiver, said alarm device is activated.

20. The car seat belt alarm system of claim 19 wherein said child presence sensor is a load cell.

21. The car seat belt alarm system of claim 19 wherein said child presence sensor is a belt-buckled sensor.

22. The car seat belt alarm system of claim 19 wherein said key module is adapted to be attached to a key.

23. The car seat car seat belt alarm system of claim 19 wherein said key module is integral with a key.