Pet restraint system

• US 9,637,085 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2015
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Sanchez Huipio, Saulo Ratzel, Rovira Vilchis, Oscar, Pulido Plauchud, Maria Fernanda
• Primary Examiner(s): Jabr, Fadey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahne, Kevin P
• Application Number:
  US14/803,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20170021798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/04 Devices for impeding movement; Devices for impeding passage through fencing , e.g. hobbles or the like; Anti-kicking devices impeding passage under fences A01K15/006
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/003 Leads, leashes
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/004 Retractable leashes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4808 Sensing means arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/10 specially adapted for children or animals children's seats B60N2/24
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/343 with electrically actuated locking means B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

A restraint system includes a plurality of sensors deployable in a vehicle, a restraint device, and a computing device. The restraint device includes a tether, a collar, an actuator coupled to a stopper, and an identification tag. The computing device is programmed to engage the stopper to prevent the tether from extending beyond a predetermined length upon at least one of the sensors indicating the identification tag.

Claims

1. A restraint system, comprising:

a plurality of sensors deployable in a vehicle;

a restraint device including a tether, an actuator coupled to a stopper, and an identification tag; and

a computing device programmed to identify one of the sensors detecting the identification tag, and to instruct the actuator to engage the stopper to prevent the tether from extending beyond a boundary specified for the sensor detecting the tag.

2. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sensors are located in or on at least one of a central console, a passenger seat, and a rear seat of the vehicle.

3. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the restraint device is attachable to at least one of a headrest and a seat belt in the vehicle.

4. The restraint system of claim 3, wherein the restraint device further comprises a securing latch that is attachable to a case and to at least one of the headrest and the seat belt.

5. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the restraint device further includes a spindle and a spring attached to the spindle.

6. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the stopper is moveable toward the spindle to stop the spindle from rotating.

7. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the spindle includes a plurality of spaces configured to receive the stopper.

8. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the restraint device further includes a motor connected to the stopper, and the motor is configured to move the stopper to stop the spindle.

9. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein the motor is communicatively connected to the actuator.

10. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the spindle is a ratchet.

11. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the stopper is at least one of a pawl and a hook.

12. The restraint system of claim 5, wherein the tether is wrapped around the spindle.

13. A method, comprising:

determining whether a sensor detects an identification tag;

sending a signal to a restraint device based on detection of the identification tag;

identifying one of the sensors detecting the identification tag; and

activating an actuator in the restraint device to prevent a tether from extending beyond a boundary specified for the sensor detecting the tag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tether is configured to be attached to a collar.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the actuator is configured to move a stopper toward a rotator to stop the rotator from rotating, the tether being wrapped around the rotator.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotator is a spindle with a plurality of spaces configured to receive the stopper.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the stopper is a pawl.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the restraint device is configured to attach to at least one of a headrest and a seat belt in a vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a latch configured to attach to a case and to at least one of the headrest and the seat belt.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising deactivating the actuator when the sensor no longer detects the identification tag.