Child carseat alert system

• US 20060208911A1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leroychelle Davis
• Original Assignee: Leroychelle Davis
• Inventors: Davis, LeRoychelle
• Granted Patent: US 7,250,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.400
• 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 2/26 for children B60N2/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A device for alerting a user to the presence of a child in a vehicle comprising a housing having a first sensor for sensing the presence of at least one of a child and infant positioned therein. A means for detecting the operative mode of a vehicle engine is connected to the first sensor. A means for indicating the presence to a third party is connected to the first sensor. The indicating means is activated and indicates to the third party the presence of said at least one child and infant upon the detecting means detecting that the vehicle engine is in a first off mode and the first sensor sensing the presence of the at least one child and infant.

Claims

1. A device for alerting a user to the presence of a child in a vehicle comprising:

a) a housing having a first sensor for sensing the presence of at least one of a child and infant positioned therein;

b) means connected to said first sensor for detecting the operative mode of a vehicle engine; and

c) means connected to said first sensor for indicating said presence to a third party;

wherein said indicating means is activated and indicates to said third party said presence of said at least one child and infant, upon said detecting means detecting said vehicle engine is in a first off mode and said first sensor sensing said presence of said at least one child and infant.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed as a child car seat that is selectively connectable within a cabin of a vehicle.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed as seat of a vehicle formed integral with said vehicle.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor is a weight sensor for sensing a weight of said at least one infant and child positioned within said housing.

5. The device as recited in claim 4, further comprising a processor connected to each of said detecting means and said first sensor and for comparing said sensed weight with a predetermined weight amount.

6. The device as recited in claim 5, wherein said predetermined weight amount in an amount indicative that said at least one infant and child is not positioned in said housing.

7. The device as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor is further connected between said first sensor and said indicating means and signals said indicating means to indicate to said third party said presence of said at least one infant and child upon determining that said sensed weight is greater than said predetermined weight and that said vehicle engine is in said first off mode.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said detecting means is positioned within a vehicle electrical system.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said detecting means is connected to said vehicle engine and includes a second sensor for sensing said operative mode thereof and means for communicating said sensed operative mode via a operation signal to said first sensor.

10. The device as recited in claim 9, further comprising a switch connected between said second sensor and said engine, wherein upon said engine being in said first off mode, said switch is in a first open position and upon said engine being in a second on mode, said switch is in a second closed position.

11. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein said operation signal is an off signal when said switch is in said first open position and said operation signal is an on signal when said switch is in said second closed position.

12. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicating means is at least one of an audible alert, a visual alert, a vibrational alert and a verbal alert.

13. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a restraining mechanism connected to said housing for restraining said at least one infant and child therein.

14. The device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a third sensor connected to said first sensor for sensing the status of said restraining mechanism.

15. The device as recited in claim 14, wherein said indicating means is activated upon said third sensor sensing said restraining mechanism is in a first locked position and said first sensor senses said presence and said detecting means detects said engine is in said first off mode.

16. The device as recited in claim 13, wherein said indicating means is activated upon said third sensor sensing said restraining mechanism is in a second unlocked position and said first sensor senses said presence and said detecting means detects said engine is in a first on mode.

17. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicating means is positioned on at least one of an external surface of a vehicle and an internal surface of a vehicle.

18. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicating means is a remote unit that is selectively transportable with said third party.

19. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a time delay mechanism connected between said first sensor and said indicating means for intentionally delaying activation of said indicating means for a predetermined amount of time.