Child safety tether

• US 5,848,576 A
• Filed: 01/07/1998
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mary Colaianni
• Original Assignee: Mary Colaianni
• Inventors: Colaianni, Mary
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bergin, James S.
• Application Number:
  US09/003,782
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 119/770, 119/792, 119/857, 119/859, 119/907, 340/573, 340/432, 340/542, 340/568
• US Class Current: 119/770
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/003 Leads, leashes
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 13/086 Safety harnesses for already walking children

Abstract

A webbing type tether is disclosed having two terminal harness loops that are dimensioned to be fastened around the waists of both the care giver and the child. Embedded in the webbing is a length of wire that ends in cooperating pairs of conductive panels at the open ends of the harness loops. These panels complete a circuit when the harness loops are fastened in place, and the whole is powered to sound an audio alarm when the circuit is broken. Additionally, intermediate the two harness loops, preferably closer to the child'"'"'s harness, is a third loop that will allow the care giver to pull the child towards them quickly in case of an emergency or sudden hazard. The invention is also provided with a test switch to simulate the breaking of the circuit and a power indication LED.

Claims

1. A safety tether device, comprising:

A tether portion including a first end and a second end;

a first harness loop proximate said first end of said tether portion, said first harness loop including a pair of first harness loop free ends, said first harness loop free ends including engagement means for attaching said first harness loop free ends one to the other;

a second harness loop proximate said second end of said tether portion, said second harness loop including a pair of second harness loop free ends, said second harness loop free ends including engagement means for attaching said second harness loop free ends one to the other;

alarm circuit means including alarm means and power supply means,

wherein said first and said second harness loop free ends further include flat overlapping conductive surfaces electrically connected with said power supply means such that when both said first and second harness loop engagement means are engaged, said power supply means supplies power to said alarm circuit means and when any of said harness loop engagement means are disengaged to detach said first or said second harness loop free ends from one another said power supply means is interrupted and said alarm means is activated.

2. The safety tether device according to claim 1, wherein said power supply means and said alarm means are contained within a housing, and said housing is located proximate said first or said second harness loop.

3. The safety tether device according to claim 2, wherein both first and said second harness loop engagement means are a buckle and tongue type.

4. The safety tether device according to claim 2, wherein said flat overlapping conductive surfaces comprise conductive adhesive tape.

5. The safety tether device according to claim 1, further including a testing means, said testing means comprising a switch to interrupt said power supply means and activate said alarm means.

6. The safety tether device according to claim 5, wherein said power supply means and said alarm means are contained within a housing, and said housing is located proximate said first or said second harness loop.

7. The safety tether device according to claim 6, wherein both first and said second harness loop engagement means are a buckle and tongue type.

8. The safety tether device according to claim 6, wherein said flat overlapping conductive surfaces comprise conductive adhesive tape.

9. The safety tether device according to claim 1, further including a power supply switch and power indication means, said power indication means comprising a light emitting diode connected to said power supply means and said power supply switch such that when said power supply switch is actuated, said light emitting diode emits visible light.

10. The safety tether device according to claim 9, wherein said power supply means, said power indication means, said power supply switch, and said alarm means are contained within a housing, and said housing is located proximate said first or said second harness loop.

11. The safety tether device according to claim 10, wherein both first and said second harness loop engagement means are a buckle and tongue type.

12. The safety tether device according to claim 10, wherein said flat overlapping conductive surfaces comprise conductive adhesive tape.