Child restraint system comprising weight sensor
First Claim
1. A child restraint system adapted to be mounted within an automotive vehicle for transporting a child occupant having a weight less than a maximum weight limit, said child restraint system comprising a shell defining a compartment sized and shaped for receiving a child occupant;
- a cushion disposed within the compartment, said cushion comprising a weight sensor providing an electrical signal indicative of the weight of the child occupant, and a control unit operable coupled to the weight sensor to receive the electrical signal, said control unit being capable of processing said electrical signal to compare the weight of the child occupant to the maximum weight limit and providing an alert signal when the weight of the child occupant exceeds the maximum weight limit.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A child restraint system adapted to be mounted within an automotive vehicle for transporting a child occupant having a weight less than a maximum weight limit, said child restraint system comprising
a shell defining a compartment sized and shaped for receiving a child occupant; -
a cushion disposed within the compartment, said cushion comprising a weight sensor providing an electrical signal indicative of the weight of the child occupant, and a control unit operable coupled to the weight sensor to receive the electrical signal, said control unit being capable of processing said electrical signal to compare the weight of the child occupant to the maximum weight limit and providing an alert signal when the weight of the child occupant exceeds the maximum weight limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A child restraint system adapted to be mounted within an automotive vehicle for transporting a child occupant having a weight within a weight range defined by a maximum weight limit, said child restraint system comprising
a base adapted to be installed in the automotive vehicle; -
a carrier adapted to be assembled to said base, said carrier comprising a shell defining a compartment sized and shaped for receiving a child occupant and a cushion disposed within the compartment, said cushion comprising a weight sensor comprising a bladder containing a fluid having a pressure indicative of the weight of the child occupant and a pressure sensor operably coupled to said fluid for sensing the pressure thereof and providing an electrical signal indicative of the sensed pressure, and a control unit operably coupled to the pressure sensor to receive the electrical signal, said control unit being capable of processing said electrical signal to determine the weight of the child occupant and to compare the weight of the child occupant to the maximum weight limit, said control unit providing an alert signal when the weight of the child occupant exceeds the maximum weight limit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for transporting a child occupant in a child restraint system, said child occupant having a weight, said child restraint system comprising a control unit and being characterized by a maximum weight limit, said method comprising
providing an electrical signal to said control unit from a weight sensor positioned within the child restraint system, said electrical signal being indicative of the weight of the child occupant; -
processing said electrical signal to compare the weight of the child occupant to the maximum weight limit; and
providing an alert signal when the weight of the child occupant exceeds the maximum weight limit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification