Child alert system for automobiles

• US 5,793,291 A
• Filed: 05/13/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carolyn M. Thornton
• Original Assignee: Carolyn M. Thornton
• Inventors: Thornton, Carolyn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US08/645,597
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/429, 340/309.15, 340/457, 340/573, 340/584, 340/438, 340/449, 340/425.5, 340/666, 340/667, 340/522, 340/521, 236/566, 236/49.3
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

The present invention, in one form, is an alarm system for detecting the presence of a person locked in a parked automobile. The alarm system includes a motion detector and a temperature detecting element coupled to a NOR gate. The motion detector transmits a low signal to the NOR gate once it detects motion within the interior of the automobile. The temperature detecting element transmits a low signal to the NOR gate if the temperature in the automobile exceeds a pre-determined extreme temperature. The NOR gate, upon receiving low signals from both the temperature detecting element and the motion detector, transmits an alarm signal.

Claims

1. A method of warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting motion within the interior of the automobile;

determining an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile;

comparing the determined actual temperature to an extreme temperature; and

activating an alarm to produce an alarm signal if motion is detected within the interior of the automobile and the actual temperature is greater than the extreme temperature.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extreme temperature is approximately about 100 degrees fahrenheit.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the automobile includes a horn, and wherein activating the alarm comprises the step of transmitting an alarm signal to the horn.

4. An alarm system for warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said alarm system comprising:

a motion detecting element detecting motion within the interior of the automobile;

a temperature detecting element detecting an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; and

an alarm element having a motion input portion and a temperature input portion, said motion detecting element electrically coupled to said alarm element motion input portion, said temperature detecting element electrically coupled to said alarm element temperature input portion, said alarm element configured to transmit an alarm signal when said motion detecting element detects motion and said temperature detecting element detects an extreme temperature.

5. An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said alarm element comprises an NOR gate.

6. An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said automobile includes a horn, and wherein said alarm element comprises an output coupled to the horn.

7. An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a relay coupled between said temperature detecting element and said alarm element.

8. An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said alarm element further comprises an output portion, and wherein said alarm system further comprises a timing circuit coupled to said output portion of said alarm element.

9. An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said temperature detecting element comprises a normally open switch.

10. An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the automobile includes an accessory switch, and said motion detecting element is coupled to the accessory switch.

11. An alarm system in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a timing circuit coupled in electrical series circuit between the accessory switch and said motion detecting element.

12. A method of warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting motion within the interior of the automobile;

determining an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile;

comparing the determined actual temperature to an extreme temperature; and

activating an alarm to produce an alarm signal if motion is detected within the interior of the automobile and the actual temperature is less than the extreme temperature.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the extreme temperature is approximately about 0 degrees fahrenheit.