Seat belt safety alarm

• US 5,627,512 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marcia M. Bogar
• Original Assignee: Marcia M. Bogar
• Inventors: Bogar, Marcia M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US08/485,280
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457.1, 340/573, 340/457, 280/801.1, 29/3, 24/163 R, 24/166, 24/168, 180/268, 200/61.58 B
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

A seat belt safety alarm comprised of a housing having a slotted opening in a side thereof. The housing has a heel secured therein adjacent to the slotted opening. The slotted opening is adapted to receive a seat belt tongue therein with the tongue fitting over the heel. The housing has a wall therein inwardly of the heel. A battery is secured within the housing. A circuit board is secured within the housing disposed above the battery. The circuit board has a wire electrically coupled with the battery. A speaker is secured within the top of the housing disposed above the circuit board. The speaker has a wire coupled to the circuit board. A tongue is secured to a side of the housing. The tongue is adapted for coupling with a seat belt buckle. A sensor switch is secured within the housing. The sensor switch has a wire coupled with the circuit board. The sensor switch has a switch portion extending outwardly of the housing disposed above the first end of the tongue.

Claims

1. A seat belt safety alarm for preventing a child from disengaging a seat belt comprising, in combination:

a housing having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, and an interior, the left side having a slotted opening therein, the interior having a heel secured therein adjacent to the slotted opening, the slotted opening being adapted to receive an existing seat belt tongue therein with the tongue fitting over the heel, the interior having a ledge secured therein disposed above the slotted opening, the interior having a wall therein inwardly of the heel, the right side having an opening formed therein, the opening having a door removably coupled thereto;

a clamp having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the top of the housing, the second end extending into the interior of the housing through the ledge thereof, the second end having a plate secured thereto, the clamp adjusting the plate up or down between the ledge and the heel of the housing;

a battery secured within the opening formed in the right side of the housing;

a circuit board secured within the interior of the housing disposed above the battery, the circuit board having a wire electrically coupled with the battery, the circuit board having a sensitivity adjustment screw extending outwardly of the top of the housing;

a speaker secured within the top of the housing disposed above the circuit board, the speaker having a wire coupled to the circuit board;

a tongue secured to the right side of the housing, the tongue having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tongue being adapted for coupling with a seat belt buckle, the second end of the tongue extending within the interior of the housing, the second end having a U-shaped portion secured thereto with a furthestmost portion overlapping the wall within the interior, the furthestmost portion and the wall having a spring therebetween;

a rheostat secured between the furthestmost portion of the U-shaped portion of the tongue and the wall of the interior, the rheostat having a wire coupled with the circuit board;

a sensor switch secured within the interior against the right side of the housing, the sensor switch having a wire coupled with the circuit board, the sensor switch having a switch portion extending outwardly of the right side of the housing disposed above the first end of the tongue.

7. The safety alarm as described in claim 1 wherein the housing being surrounded by an outer padded layer.

2. A seat belt safety alarm for preventing a child from disengaging a seat belt comprising, in combination:

a housing having a slotted opening in a side thereof, the housing having a heel secured therein adjacent to the slotted opening, the slotted opening being adapted to receive a seat belt tongue therein with the tongue fitting over the heel, the housing having a wall therein inwardly of the heel;

a battery secured within the housing;

a circuit board secured within the housing disposed above the battery, the circuit board having a wire electrically coupled with the battery;

a speaker secured within the top of the housing disposed above the circuit board, the speaker having a wire coupled to the circuit board;

a tongue secured to the right side of the housing, the tongue being adapted for coupling with a seat belt buckle;

a sensor switch secured within the housing, the sensor switch having a wire coupled with the circuit board, the sensor switch having a switch portion extending outwardly of the housing disposed above the first end of the tongue.

3. The safety alarm as described in claim 2 and further including a clamp having a first end and a second end, the first end of the clamp secured within the top of the housing, the second end of the clamp extending into the housing, the second end of the clamp having a plate secured thereto, the clamp adjusting the plate up or down between the ledge and the heel of the housing to secure an existing seat belt within the housing.

4. The safety alarm as described in claim 2 wherein the circuit board having a sensitivity adjustment screw extending outwardly of the top of the housing.

5. The safety alarm as described in claim 2 wherein the tongue having a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for coupling with a seat belt buckle, the second end extending within the interior of the housing, the second end having a U-shaped portion secured thereto with a furthestmost portion overlapping the wall within the interior, the furthestmost portion and the wall having a spring therebetween.

6. The safety alarm as described in claim 5 and further including a rheostat secured between the furthestmost portion of the U-shaped portion of the tongue and the wall of the housing, the rheostat having a wire coupled with the circuit board.