Child protection device

• US 5,936,530 A
• Filed: 04/02/1998
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Meinhold
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Meinhold
• Inventors: Meinhold, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US09/054,187
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/531, 340/539, 340/693, 340/573.1, 340/693.9, 340/693.5
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A child protection device has in one embodiment an alarm unit which includes a casing, a receiver disposed in the casing for detecting a system-enabling signal remotely transmitted, a battery in the casing for powering the receiver, and a speaker disposed in the casing in electrical connection with the receiver for emitting a siren in response to the receiver is detecting the system-enabling signal. The child protection device also has a strap attached to the casing for affixing the child protection device onto a child, the strap being constructed of a strong, durable and unbreakable material and a lock for locking the strap in place on the child. In one version, the strap is sized and shaped so as to enable the child protection device to be worn as a bracelet on the wrist of the child. In another version, the strap is sized and shaped so as to enable the child protection device to be worn as a harness on the torso of the child.

Claims

1. A child protection device comprising:

(a). a strap constructed of a strong, durable and unbreakable material, said strap being sized and shaped to fit around the wrist of a child,

(b). a locking mechanism for lockably securing said strap onto the wrist of the child, and

(c). an alarm unit comprising,

(i). a casing attached to said strap,

(ii). a receiver disposed in said casing for detecting a system-enabling signal remotely transmitted through a communication medium, said receiver including a processor,

(iii). a battery disposed in said casing for powering said receiver, and

(iv). a speaker disposed in said casing in electrical connection with said receiver for emitting an alarm signal in response to said receiver detecting the system-enabling signal, the alarm signal being an approximately 120 decibel siren, wherein the volume of the siren emitted by said speaker can be remotely adjusted through the communication medium.

2. The child detection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alarm signal can be tracked in order to determine the location of said child detection device.

3. The child detection device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the trackable alarm signal is a radio frequency signal.

4. The child detection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communication medium is a cellular communication medium.

5. The child detection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism enables said strap to be adjustably fitted snugly around the wrist of the child.

6. The child detection device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said locking mechanism is key operated.

7. A child protection device comprising:

(a). an alarm unit comprising,

(i). a casing,

(ii). a receiver disposed in said casing for detecting a system-enabling signal remotely transmitted through a communication medium, said receiver including a processor,

(iii). a battery for powering said receiver, and

(iv). a speaker disposed in said casing in electrical connection with said receiver for emitting an alarm signal in response to said receiver detecting the system-enabling signal, the alarm signal at peak being an approximately 120 decibel siren, wherein the volume of the siren emitted by said speaker can be remotely adjusted through the communication medium, and

(b). strap means attached to said alarm casing, said strap means being constructed of a strong, durable and unbreakable material and being sized and shaped to fit as a harness around the torso of a child.

8. The child detection device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the alarm signal can be tracked in order to determine the location of said child detection device.

9. The child detection device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the trackable alarm signal is inaudible to the human ear.

10. The child detection device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the communication medium is a cellular communication medium.

11. A child protection device comprising:

(a). a strap constructed of a strong, durable and unbreakable material, said strap being sized and shaped to fit around the wrist of a child,

(b). a locking mechanism for lockably securing said strap onto the wrist of the child, and

(c). an alarm unit comprising,

(i). a casing attached to said strap,

(ii). a receiver disposed in said casing for detecting a system-enabling signal remotely transmitted through a communication medium, said receiver including a processor,

(iii). a battery disposed in said casing for powering said receiver, and

(iv). a signal emitter disposed in said casing in electrical connection with said receiver for emitting an alarm signal in response to said receiver detecting the system-enabling signal, wherein the volume of the alarm signal emitted by said signal emitter can be remotely adjusted through the communication medium.

12. A child protection device comprising:

(a). an alarm unit comprising,

(i). a casing,

(ii). a receiver disposed in said casing for detecting a system-enabling signal remotely transmitted through a communication medium, said receiver including a processor,

(iii). a battery for powering said receiver, and

(iv). a signal emitter disposed in said casing in electrical connection with said receiver for emitting an alarm signal in response to said receiver detecting the system-enabling signal, wherein the volume of the alarm signal emitted by said signal emitter can be remotely adjusted through the communication medium, and

(b). strap means attached to said alarm casing, said strap means being constructed of a strong, durable and unbreakable material and being sized and shaped to fit as a harness around the torso of a child.

13. A child protection device comprising:

(a). a strap constructed of a strong, durable and unbreakable material, said strap being sized and shaped to fit around the wrist of a child,

(b). a locking mechanism for lockably connecting the first end of said strap to the second end of said strap, and

(c). an alarm unit comprising,

(i). an alarm casing attached to said strap,

(ii). a transceiver disposed in said alarm casing for detecting a system-enabling signal remotely transmitted through a communication medium and emitting an alarm signal in response thereto, wherein the volume of the alarm signal emitted by said transceiver can be remotely adjusted through the communication medium, said transceiver including a processor, and

(iii). a battery disposed in said alarm casing for powering said receiver.

14. A personal alarm device comprising:

a. a strap adapted to be attached to a person, and

b. an alarm unit on said strap, said alarm unit comprising,

i. a receiver for detecting a system enabling signal remotely transmitted through a communication medium and emitting an alarm signal in response thereto, the alarm signal at peak being an approximately, 120 decibel siren and the volume of the alarm signal emitted by said transceiver being remotely adjusted through the communication medium, and

ii. a battery for powering said receiver.