Apparatus for prevention of key locked in car

• US 5,451,928 A
• Filed: 08/20/1993
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shiela Cody
• Original Assignee: Shiela Cody
• Inventors: Cody, Sheila
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US08/109,345
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/459, 340/568, 340/571, 340/572, 340/551, 340/539
• US Class Current: 340/457
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preventing a person from leaving an enclosed space having a door while leaving an article behind, such as preventing a driver from leaving an automobile while leaving the ignition keys within the automobile. Sensing elements are mounted on opposite sides of the door and a sensing device is located with the person. A shield which is adapted to cover the sensed element is attached to the ignition key. When the driver leaves the car without the ignition key, and without the shield covering the sensed element, the sensing device sounds an audible or visual alarm.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating an alarm corresponding to a person egressing a compartment through a doorway while leaving an article behind, comprising:

a sensing means mounted adjacent the doorway;

a sensed element carried by the person through the doorway;

a shielding element adapted to coact with the sensed element for preventing the sensed element from being sensed by said sensing means, said shielding element having means applied thereon for connecting said article to said shielding element; and

wherein said article comprises an ignition key for a car, and said compartment comprises an automobile.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a first sensor and a second sensor mounted on opposite sides of the doorway.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensed element comprises a first body and said shielding element comprises a second body having a concavity therein sized to receive said first body to shield said first body from said sensing means.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said concavity comprises a slot and said first body comprises a tabular shape tightly interfittable within said slot.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a radio frequency responsive device, and said sensed element comprises an electronic device which alters said radio frequency.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a magnetic sensing device and said sensed element is magnetic.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensed element is mounted onto a key chain.

8. A method for preventing unintentional egress from a vehicle while leaving the ignition key within the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a sensing device adjacent a vehicle door;

providing a first part which can be sensed by said sensing device to be retained by a driver of the vehicle; and

providing a second part connected to said ignition key, said second part fashioned to shield said first part from said sensing device;

causing said sensing device to activate an alarm when said first part egresses with the driver past the sensing device without being shielded by said second part.

9. An apparatus for preventing unintentional egress from a vehicle while leaving the ignition key within the vehicle, comprising:

a sensing device mounted adjacent a door of the vehicle;

an alarm device operatively connected to said sensing device to be activated by said sensing device for generating a user recognizable alarm;

a first part which is sensed by said sensing device upon departing the vehicle when not shielded by a second part to activate said alarm device to generate a user recognizable alarm, and retained by an operator of the vehicle;

a second part connected to an ignition key of the vehicle, said second part fashioned to shield said first part from said sensing device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first part comprises a first body, and said second part comprises a second body having a concavity therein sized to receive said first body to shield said first body from said sensing device;

and

said second part further comprises a flexible member connecting said second body to said ignition key.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a key chain and wherein said first part is carried on said key chain.