James alert car seat

Abstract

The James Alert Car Seat is an alarm system for a baby seat that allows a user to activate a monitoring unit by simply fastening a child into a car seat. A set of wireless alert units attached to a set of keys or other convenient object will vibrate or beep if the user moves further than a preset distance from the vehicle, preventing a user from accidentally leaving a child in a car seat. The James Alert Car Seat is comprised of a conventional infant car seat equipped with a plastic base, padded fabric cover, nylon safety straps with a metal buckle fastening system, a sensor switch located on the metal buckle fastening system that activates and deactivates the seat's monitor system, and a wireless alert unit capable of receiving a signal from the seat's monitor system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional Application or foreign patent application.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to safety devices for baby seats and the like. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of seat alarms.

BACKGROUND

One of a parent's worst fears is accidentally leaving a baby inside a car after departing from the vehicle. Many child-related fatalities from heat or cold have occurred because a parent or caregiver accidentally left a child in a car seat. In addition, accidentally leaving a child in a car seat can result in other types of injury to a child and increase the likelihood of the kidnapping of a child. To date, no child car seat has adequately addressed the need to alert a parent or caregiver of the child's presence in the car should he accidentally forget to take the child with him when he departs the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, the James Alert Car Seat allows a caregiver to activate a monitoring unit by simply fastening a child into a car seat. A set of wireless alert units attached to a set of keys or other convenient object attached to the caregiver will vibrate or beep if the caregiver moves further than a preset distance from the vehicle without deactivating the monitor by unbuckling the child, thereby preventing a user from accidentally leaving a child in a car seat.

In one embodiment of the invention, the James Alert Car Seat includes a conventional infant car seat equipped with a plastic base, padded fabric cover, nylon safety straps with a metal buckle fastening system, a sensor switch located on the metal buckle fastening system that activates and deactivates the seat's monitor system, and a wireless alert unit capable of receiving a signal from the seat's monitor system.

Although the device described herein is often referred to in conjunction with a car seat or baby seat, it should be understood that such a device could be used for a variety of types of seats.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a car seat and alarm system that prevents a user from accidentally leaving a child in his seat after the user departs from a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the James Alert Car Seat.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the wireless alert units for use with the James Alert Car Seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The James Alert Car Seat of the present invention is comprised of at least some of the following: a conventional infant car seat equipped with a plastic base, padded fabric cover, nylon safety straps with a metal buckle fastening system, a sensor switch located on the buckle fastening system that activates and deactivates the seat's monitor system, and a wireless alert unit capable of receiving a signal from the seat's monitor system.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, a seat 1 with arm rests 2 is connected to a back rest 3. The back rest 3 has a head rest 4 on top. The seat 1, arm rests 2, back rest 3, and head rest 4 are all covered with a padded fabric 5. Safety straps 6 protrude from the back rest 3 and seat 1. The safety straps 6 are made of nylon and the seat 1 has a plastic base 7. On one end of the safety straps 6 a metal end protrusion (not pictured) fits into a corresponding metal buckle 8. A sensor switch 9 is located on the metal buckle 8. An insulated wire 10 connects on one end to a monitor 11 mounted on the back rest 3 and on the other end to the strap protruding from the seat 1 such that the end of the wire 10 contacts or almost contacts the sensor switch 9 located on the metal buckle 8 when the end protrusion and metal buckle 8 are connected.

The monitor 11 is equipped with a rechargeable battery (not pictured). A safety arm 12 with a pad 13 is also attached to the rear of the back rest and maneuverable over the child once he is placed in the seat 1.

FIG. 2 shows the perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the wireless alert units 20. The wireless alert units 20 are designed to detect a signal from the monitor when the monitor is activated after the metal end protrusion and metal buckle are connected. The wireless alert units 20 are attached to a key ring 21 for convenient use and are also equipped with a battery.

The James Alert Car Seat is designed to remind a user of a baby's presence in a car seat should he accidentally forget the baby when he departs from a vehicle. It allows the user to activate a monitoring unit by simply fastening a child into a car seat. A set of wireless alert units attached to a set of keys or other convenient object will vibrate or beep if the user moves further than a preset distance from the vehicle, preventing a user from accidentally leaving a child in a car seat. The same type of wireless monitoring system could also be used in a baby carriage to prevent a parent or caregiver from wandering too far from a baby carriage.

In addition, the monitor can be equipped with the same technology used for locating stolen vehicles. The monitor could emit a signal that can be located through the use of a global positioning system. The monitor can also be powered through the use of a cord that plugs into a cigarette lighter in a car.

The components of the James Alert Car Seat may vary but will likely utilize plastics, fabric, metal, and electronic components.

Ideally, the James Alert Car Seat is constructed of the best quality materials commonly accepted and used in the manufacturing industry today. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

Plastic may be used in the production process of the James Alert Car Seat. The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of the James Alert Car Seat can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

All electronic components of the invention will also be ideally selected from those currently having the highest industry ratings. These components will also meet and/or exceed all safety and usage regulations. Wiring and associated connecting hardware should be insulated and otherwise protected from intrusion by any harmful or degrading elements, including water, medium level temperatures, and low to medium impact force.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

For example, but not by way of limitation, a pressure sensor could be utilized instead of the electronic sensor discussed herein. In this embodiment, the sensor is activated by the weight of a child placed in the car seat or stroller. If a user wanders too far from the car seat or stroller while the pressure sensor is still activated by the weight of the child, the parent or caregiver will be alerted via an audible alarm or vibration from the wireless alert.

Claims

1. A car seat and alarm system comprising:

(a) a seat;

(b) a back rest attached to the seat;

(c) a first safety strap and a second safety strap attached to the seat;

(d) an end protrusion on the first safety strap and a buckle on the second safety strap;

(e) a sensor switch located on the buckle;

(f) a wire attached to a monitor on one end and the first safety strap on the other end; and

(g) a wireless alert unit equipped with a battery and capable of detecting a signal from the monitor.

2. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 further comprising a set of arm rests.

3. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the first safety strap and second safety strap are made of nylon.

4. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the first safety strap protrudes from the seat and the second safety strap protrudes from the back rest.

5. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the end protrusion and the buckle are made of metal.

6. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the wireless alert unit vibrates when activated.

7. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the wireless alert unit makes an audible sound when activated.

8. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein a battery is located within the monitor.

9. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the wireless alert unit is attached to a key ring.

10. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the monitor emits a signal detectable by a global positioning system.

11. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 further comprising

a base attached to the bottom of the seat.

12. The car seat and alarm system of claim 11 wherein the base is made of plastic.

13. The car seat and alarm system of claim 2 wherein the seat, the set of arm rests, and the back rest are covered with a padded fabric.

14. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 further comprising

a safety arm attached to the rear of the back rest and maneuverable over the back rest.

15. The car seat and alarm system of claim 14 further comprising

a pad located on the safety arm.

16. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 further comprising a head rest attached to the top of the back rest and covered with a padded fabric.

17. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the monitor has a power cord.

18. The car seat and alarm system of claim 1 wherein the monitor is mounted to the rear of the back rest.

19. A baby carriage and alarm system comprising:

(a) a seat attached to a frame with a plurality of legs;

(b) said legs having a plurality of wheels;

(c) a first safety strap and a second safety strap attached to the seat;

(d) an end protrusion on the first safety strap and a buckle on the second safety strap;

(e) a sensor switch located on the buckle;

(f) a wire attached to a monitor on one end and the first safety strap on the other end;

(g) a battery located within the monitor; and

(h) a wireless alert unit equipped with a battery and capable of detecting a signal from the monitor.

20. A car seat and alarm system comprising:

(a) a seat;

(b) a back rest;

(c) a first safety strap and a second safety strap attached to the seat;

(d) an end protrusion on the first safety strap and a buckle on the second safety strap;

(e) a weight sensor pad located under the seat;

(f) a wire attached to a monitor on one end and the weight sensor pad on the other end;

(g) a battery located within the monitor; and

(h) a wireless alert unit equipped with a battery and capable of detecting a signal from the monitor.