Infant monitoring system for automobiles

• US 5,668,526 A
• Filed: 06/26/1996
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brenda M. Collins
• Original Assignee: Brenda M. Collins
• Inventors: Collins, Brenda M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US08/668,349
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 359/871, 359/872, 340/326, 340/555, 340/556, 340/573
• US Class Current: 340/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08

Abstract

A system for visually monitoring infants in rear-facing infant carriers in the rear seats of autos includes a front mirror mounted in the driver'"'"'s forward field of vision, and a rear mirror mounted in a rear mirror assembly on the backrest of the auto'"'"'s rear seat. Front and rear mirrors are adjustable so the driver can visually monitor the infant without taking her eyes from the road. The rear mirror assembly is made attractive to the infant by being in the likeness of a teddy bear, a clown, or an activity center with an assortment of devices to engage the infant'"'"'s attention. The rear mirror assembly also includes pockets on either side, battery-powered lights, cassette tape players, etc.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring an infant in a rear seat of an automobile, having a front mirror mounted in a driver'"'"'s forward field of vision, a rear mirror observable in said front mirror, said rear mirror reflecting an image of an infant carrier in the rear seat, a rear mirror assembly including said rear mirror, wherein the improvement comprises:

said rear mirror assembly including visual and audible means to attract the infant so that the infant'"'"'s face is oriented towards said rear mirror assembly,

a rear mirror assembly mounting bar releasably attached to a backrest of a back seat of the automobile,

said mounting bar having a foot, a top in the shape of an inverted J, and means for adjustably mounting said rear mirror assembly,

said mounting bar top to engage a top of a rear seat backrest, and

said mounting bar foot to engage a slit between said rear seat backrest and a rear seat bench.

2. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said means for adjustably mounting said rear mirror assembly includes a mirror assembly mounting bolt received by a series of openings in said mounting bar.

3. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said rear mirror assembly is in the likeness of a teddy bear with said rear mirror mounted on said teddy bear.

4. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said rear mirror assembly is in the likeness of a clown with said rear mirror mounted on said clown.

5. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said rear mirror assembly is an activity box with said rear mirror mounted on said activity box.

6. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said rear mirror assembly includes a cassette tape player.

7. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said rear mirror assembly includes at least one pocket attached thereto.