Crib gate position indicator

• US 6,433,699 B1
• Filed: 10/01/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C&S Enterprises Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cynthia J. Slomowitz, Scott M. Slomowitz
• Inventors: Slomowitz, Cynthia J., Slomowitz, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van T
• Application Number:
  US09/968,232
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/556, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/522, 340/666, 340/686.1, 340/545.1
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A gate sensor for use with a baby crib having a displaceable gate that can be moved into an open or a closed position. The gate sensor detects the open condition of the displaceable gate and transmits a wireless signal to a remotely-located indicator. The gate sensor includes a first portion that contains a transmitter and which can be coupled to the crib or the crib gate. The gate sensor also includes a second portion that is coupled to the displaceable gate, or to the crib accordingly, for interacting with the first portion when the displaceable gate is moved into the open position to cause the first portion to transmit the wireless signal.

Claims

1. A gate sensor for use with a baby crib having a displaceable gate that can be moved into an open or a closed position, said gate sensor detecting the open condition of the displaceable gate and transmitting a wireless signal to a remotely-located indicator, said gate sensor comprising:

a first portion containing a transmitter coupled to the crib;

a second portion coupled to the displaceable gate, said second portion interacting with said first portion when said displaceable gate is moved into the open position to cause said first portion to transmit said wireless signal; and

said first and second portions having no electrical conductors exposed to the baby crib.

2. The gate sensor of claim 1 wherein said first portion comprises a displaceable switch and said second portion comprises a tapered edge for engaging said displaceable switch when the displaceable gate is placed into the open position.

3. The gate sensor of claim 2 wherein the displaceable gate is a vertically-displaceable gate having a lower molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said lower molding and said first portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said lower molding.

4. The gate sensor of claim 2 wherein said first and second portions are coupled to the crib and the displaceable gate using hook and pile means.

5. The gate sensor of claim 2 wherein the displaceable gate is a rotatably-displaceable gate having an upper molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said upper molding and said first portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said upper molding.

6. The gate sensor of claim 1 wherein the displaceable gate is a rotatably-displaceable gate having an upper molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said upper molding and said first portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said upper molding and wherein said first portion comprises an emitter/detector and said second portion comprises a passive target, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that interacts with said passive target, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, to form a new signal that is detected by said detector which activates said transmitter.

7. The gate sensor of claim 1 wherein the displaceable gate is a rotatably-displaceable gate having an upper molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said upper molding and said first portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said upper molding and wherein said first portion comprises a detector and said second portion comprises an emitter, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that is detected by said detector, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, said detector activating said transmitter.

8. The gate sensor of claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion form a non-contact sensor.

9. The gate sensor of claim 8 wherein said first portion comprises an emitter/detector and said second portion comprises a passive target, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that interacts with said passive target, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, to form a new signal that is detected by said detector which activates said transmitter.

10. The gate sensor of claim 8 wherein said first portion comprises a detector and said second portion comprises an emitter, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that is detected by said detector, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, said detector activating said transmitter.

11. A gate sensor for use with a baby crib having a displaceable gate that can be moved into an open or a closed position, said gate sensor detecting the open condition of the displaceable gate and transmitting a wireless signal to a remotely-located indicator, said gate sensor comprising:

a first portion containing a transmitter coupled to the displaceable gate;

a second portion coupled to the crib, said second portion interacting with said first portion when said displaceable gate is moved into the open position to cause said first portion to transmit said wireless signal; and

said first and second portions having no electrical conductors exposed to the baby crib.

12. The gate sensor of claim 11 wherein said first portion comprises a displaceable switch and said second portion comprises a tapered edge for engaging said displaceable switch when the displaceable gate is placed into the open position.

13. The gate sensor of claim 12 wherein the displaceable gate is a vertically-displaceable gate having a lower molding, said first portion being coupled adjacent one end of said lower molding and said second portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said lower molding.

14. The gate sensor of claim 12 wherein said first and second portions are coupled to the crib and the displaceable gate using hook and pile means.

15. The gate sensor of claim 12 wherein the displaceable gate is a rotatably-displaceable gate having an upper molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said upper molding and said second portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said upper molding.

16. The gate sensor of claim 11 wherein the displaceable gate is a rotatably-displaceable gate having an upper molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said upper molding and said first portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said upper molding and wherein said first portion comprises an emitter/detector and said second portion comprises a passive target, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that interacts with said passive target, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, to form a new signal that is detected by said detector which activates said transmitter.

17. The gate sensor of claim 11 wherein the displaceable gate is a rotatably-displaceable gate having an upper molding, said second portion being coupled adjacent one end of said upper molding and said first portion being coupled to a leg of the crib adjacent said one end of said upper molding and wherein said first portion comprises a detector and said second portion comprises an emitter, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that is detected by said detector, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, said detector activating said transmitter.

18. The gate sensor of claim 11 wherein said first portion and said second portion form a non-contact sensor.

19. The gate sensor of claim 18 wherein said first portion comprises an emitter/detector and said second portion comprises a passive target, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that interact with said passive target, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, to form a new signal that is detected by said detector which activates said transmitter.

20. The gate sensor of claim 18 wherein said first portion comprises a detector and said second portion comprises an emitter, said emitter emitting a second wireless signal that is detected by said detector, when the displaceable gate is in an open condition, said detector activating said transmitter.

21. A gate sensor for use with a baby crib having a displaceable gate that can be moved into an open or a closed position, said gate sensor detecting the open condition of the displaceable gate and transmitting a wireless signal to a remotely-located indicator, said gate sensor comprising:

a housing including a pair of downwardly-directed members extending from each end of a central portion, said central portion being disposed on a horizontal support surface located at a lower part of the crib, said housing including;

a microphone and transmitter for detecting the sounds of the infant or toddler placed in the crib and for generating a wireless signal representative of the sounds;

a switch interfaced with the displaceable gate and electrically coupled to a signal generator to a power source whenever the displaceable gate is in an open condition to form a crib gate open condition signal; and

said signal generator having an output coupled to said transmitter for incorporating said crib gate open condition signal into said wireless signal.

22. A method for detecting the open condition of a displaceable gate of a crib, said method comprising the steps of:

coupling a first member comprising a transmitter to the crib;

coupling a second member to the displaceable gate;

said first member and said second member interacting with each other to cause said transmitter to transmit a wireless signal to a remote indicator whenever the displaceable gate is opened; and

wherein said method requires no electrical conductors being exposed to the crib.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said first member and said second member interact with each other by said second member contacting a switch in said first member.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said first member and said second member interact with each other by non-contact interaction.

25. A method for detecting the open condition of a displaceable gate of a crib, said method comprising the steps of:

coupling first member comprising a transmitter to the displaceable gate;

coupling a second member to the crib;

said first member and said second member interacting with each other to cause said transmitter to transmit a wireless signal to a remote indicator whenever the displaceable gate is opened; and

wherein said method requires no electrical conductors being exposed to the crib.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said first member and said second member interact with each other by said second member contacting a switch in said first member.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said first member and said second member interact with each other by non-contact interaction.