Seat belt restraint and alarm system and method of use thereof

• US 20060061201A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles W. Skinner
• Original Assignee: Charles W. Skinner
• Inventors: Skinner, Charles W.
• Application Number:
  US10/945,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061201A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/00 Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles safety belts or body harnesses in general A62B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/105 for children adaptation of children's seats for seat belts B60N2/265, B60N2/2803
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A seat belt restraint and alarm system and method of use thereof, comprising electronic circuitry within an automobile key. Upon activation via coupling of a seat belt, removal of the alert beyond a selected distance from a vehicle will result in activation of an alarm advising a parent or other caregiver that a child is still secured within the vehicle. A vehicular transmitter/receiver senses the presence or absence of a circuit component or a signal from the key-borne device and if absent, signals back to sound the alarm.

Claims

1. A seat belt restraint and alarm system comprising:

a portable alarm.

2. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for sensing seat belt engagement;

3. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 2, further comprising:

a means for sensing distance from a vehicle; and

4. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 3, further comprising:

a means for activating said portable alarm.

5. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 4, wherein said means for sensing distance is in communication with said means for activating said portable alarm.

6. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 3, wherein said means for sensing seat belt engagement is in communication with said means for sensing distance from said vehicle.

7. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 4, wherein said means for sensing seat belt engagement is in communication with said means for activating said portable alarm.

8. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 2, further comprising a seat belt having component halves, wherein said means for sensing seat belt engagement comprises a switch device, wherein said switch device is activated via engagement of said component halves of said seat belt.

9. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 8, wherein said switch device is contained within one of said component halves of said seat belt.

10. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 1, wherein said portable alarm is contained within an automobile key.

11. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 1, wherein said portable alarm is contained within an automobile key holder.

12. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 3, wherein said means for sensing distance from a vehicle is contained within an automobile key.

13. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 3, wherein said means for sensing distance from a vehicle is contained within an automobile key holder.

14. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 3, wherein said means for sensing distance from a vehicle comprises a portable circuit component comprising means for determining breach of a perimeter by said portable circuit component.

15. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 14, wherein said means for determining breach of a perimeter activates an alarm if said portable circuit component is missing from an area defined by said perimeter.

16. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 14, wherein said means for determining breach of a perimeter activates if said portable circuit component passes through said perimeter.

17. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 14 wherein said means for determining breach of a perimeter comprises means for determining lack of signal from a transceiver.

18. The seat belt restraint and alarm system of claim 3, wherein said means for sensing distance from a vehicle comprises a portable transceiver in communication with a vehicular receiver.

19. A method of providing a reminder that a child is still in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a seat belt restraint and alarm, said seat belt restraint and alarm comprising a portable alarm.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said seat belt restraint and alarm comprises a means for sensing seat belt engagement.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said seat belt restraint and alarm comprises a means for sensing distance from a vehicle.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said seat belt restraint and alarm comprises a means for activating said portable alarm.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

securing a child in the vehicle via a seat belt.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

leaving an area surrounding the vehicle; and

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

activating said seat belt restraint and alarm.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of securing a child in a vehicle via a seat belt comprises placing a child in a child seat and securing said child seat and child via the seat belt.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of

signaling that the seat belt is engaged.

28. An apparatus for signaling that a child is secured within a seat belt, said apparatus comprising:

a portable alarm, wherein said portable alarm is contained within an automobile key.

29. The apparatus for signaling of claim 28, further comprising a means for sensing seat belt engagement;

30. The apparatus for signaling of claim 28, further comprising a means for sensing distance from a vehicle;

and

31. The apparatus for signaling of claim 28, further comprising a means for activating said portable alarm.