Abstract:
A seat belt alarm system to alert users to the presence of an infant or child, or disabled, infirm or elderly person in a vehicle. The seat belt alarm utilizes a portable bracket configured to removably attach to a female receptacle of a seat belt system. The bracket includes a tension mechanism positioned to be acted upon by a male buckle of a seat belt system when the male buckle of the seat belt mates with the female receptacle of the seat belt system. In a depressed state, the tension mechanism activates a signal transmitter configured to transmit a local signal received by a signal receiver integrated in a keychain fob. When the keychain fob moves outside of a signal range (e.g., 10 feet) while the tension mechanism remains in a depressed state, an alarm and/or red indicator light on the keychain fob is/are activated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/629,592 filed Nov. 23, 2011 which is incorporated in its entirety herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable seat belt alarm configured to alert users to the presence of an infant or child in a vehicle thus preventing the infant or child from being left inadvertently in the vehicle. The portable seat belt alarm is also suitable for preventing the disabled, infirm and elderly from being left inadvertently in the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Approximately 40 children die annually and many more suffer debilitating injuries after being left inadvertently in vehicles. The deaths are usually the result of heat stroke or hypothermia. A busy or hectic schedule is the primary cause behind a parent or guardian leaving a child in a vehicle inadvertently. In other words, the parent or guardian simply forgets that the child is in the vehicle. Similar occurrences can happen with the disabled, infirm and elderly. 
     It would be advantageous to develop a seat belt alarm system configured to alert users to the presence of an infant or child, or disabled, infirm or elderly person in a vehicle. More advantageously the seat belt alarm should be portable and adaptable to various seat belt types. 
     SUMMARY 
     The embodiments of the present invention involve a bracket configured to removably attach to a female receptacle of a seat belt system. In one embodiment, the bracket includes a tension mechanism positioned to be acted upon by a male buckle of a seat belt system when the male buckle of the seat belt system mates with the female receptacle of the seat belt system. In a depressed state, the tension mechanism activates a signal transmitter configured to transmit a local signal received by a signal receiver integrated into, or otherwise forming part of, a keychain fob. A green indicator light on the fob indicates that the signal is being received. When the keychain fob moves outside of a signal range (e.g., 10 feet) and the tension mechanism remains in a depressed state, an audible alarm and/or red indicator light on the keychain fob is/are activated. 
     The bracket is configured to fit on different seat belt types including factory-installed seat belt systems, infant seat belt systems and booster seat belt systems. The portability of the bracket allows it to be moved between the same types of, or different types of, seat belt systems providing users with flexibility and reduced costs. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top perspective view of a portable bracket according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an underside view of the portable bracket with a battery compartment exposed according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  illustrate a keychain fob according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate top and side perspective views of the bracket attached to a female receptacle of a seat belt system with a side-positioned release button according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the bracket attached to a female receptacle of a seat belt system with a top-positioned release button according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of the bracket attached to a female receptacle of a seat belt system of a booster seat according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front perspective view of the bracket attached to a female receptacle of a seat belt system of an infant seat according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of a seat belt alarm system according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart detailing a methodology of using the system according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for protecting children and infants, along with the disabled, infirm and elderly, left in a vehicle inadvertently. The components, unless otherwise noted, may be fabricated of any number of suitable materials including, but not limited to, plastics, metals, alloys, polymers and/or composites and may be fabricated using any number of suitable techniques including, but not limited to, molding, machining, casting and rapid prototyping. 
       FIG. 1  shows a portable bracket  100  forming part of a seat belt alarm system  300  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The portable bracket  100  comprises a first arm  105  positioned to traverse a face  111  of a female receptacle  110  of a seat belt system and a second arm  115  positioned to traverse a locking slot face  112  of said female receptacle  110 . In one embodiment, the second arm  115  is substantially orthogonal to said first arm  105 . The first arm  105  may define a space  106  allowing user access to a seat belt system release button  113 . The second arm  115  defines a space  116  for passage, and insertion into a locking slot  117  of said female receptacle  110 , of a male buckle  114  associated with the seat belt system. The space  116  also allows user access to a seat belt system release button  119 . 
     Opposite edges of the first arm  105  support hook and loop straps  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  dimensioned to wrap around the female receptacle  110  and connect to one another thereby removably attaching the portable bracket to the female receptacle  110 . While hook and loop straps  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  are referenced herein, other suitable straps may include connection means in the form of snaps, buttons, ties, magnets and the like. An indicator light  125  on a face of the first arm  105  is configured to signify that a signal transmitter  310  integrated in the bracket  100  is active and transmitting a signal. The indicator light  125  may involve a light emitting diode (LED) or other illumination device. In one embodiment, the indicator light  125  is green to signify the signal transmitter  310  is active and transmitting a signal. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other colors may serve the same purpose. 
     A tension button  130  positioned on said second arm  115  is positioned such that, when said male buckle  114  is inserted into the locking slot  117  of said female receptacle  110 , the tension button  130  is depressed by the male buckle  114  causing a switch  330  to close thereby activating the signal transmitter  310 . In one embodiment, the tension button  130  is spring-biased such that the tension button  130  is urged outward from a front surface of said second arm  115  and the switch  330  is open until the male buckle  114  is inserted in the locking slot  117  causing the tension button  130  to be forced inward closing the switch  330 . Other means may be used to maintain the tension button  130  in an outward position when the male buckle  114  is not inserted in the locking slot  117  and to allow inward movement of the tension button  130  when the male buckle  114  is inserted into the locking slot  117 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, an underside of the first arm  105  includes a battery compartment  135 . As shown, three circular batteries  136  drive the indicator light  125  and signal transmitter  310  contained within the bracket  100 . Power is provided to both the indicator light  125  and signal transmitter  310  responsive to the switch  330  being closed. The battery compartment  135  may be integrated in any suitable location within the bracket  100  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  show a keychain fob  150  with an integrated signal receiver  340  for receiving a signal transmitted by signal transmitter  310 . While a keychain fob  150  is referenced herein, a key-chain, key ring or other key holding device may incorporate the signal receiver and other components detailed herein. The keychain fob  150  includes a red indicator light  155  and green indicator light  160 . When illuminated, the green indicator light  160  indicates that the signal is being received by the signal receiver  340  from the signal transmitter  310 . In other words, the seat belt alarm system  300  is active and the keychain fob  150  is in range of the signal transmitter  330 . When illuminated, the red indicator light  155  indicates that the key fob  150  is out of range of the signal transmitter  310  and the seat belt alarm system  300  remains active such that a person remains belted in the vehicle. The red indicator light  155  may act as a strobe light or flash to make it more noticeable. An integrated audible alarm  350  also activates responsive to the keychain fob  150  moving out of range of the signal transmitter  310  while the seat belt alarm system  300  remains active. A battery compartment  165  drives the keychain fob  150 . 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate top and side perspective views of the bracket  100  attached to the female receptacle  110  of a seat belt system with a side-positioned release button  119  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The straps of hook and loop fasteners  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  secure the bracket  100  to the female receptacle  110 . Once the bracket  100  is in position, the tension button  130  is positioned for depression by the male buckle  114  to activate the seat belt alarm system  300 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the bracket  100  attached to the female receptacle  110  of a seat belt system with a top-positioned release button  113  according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of the bracket  100  attached to the female receptacle  110  of a seat belt system of a booster seat  175  according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 7  illustrates a front perspective view of the bracket  100  attached to the female receptacle  110  of a seat belt system of an infant seat  180  according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of a seat belt alarm system  300  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The seat belt alarm system  300  comprises a bracket  305 , signal transmitter  310  integrated in said bracket  305 , battery compartment  315  integrated into said bracket  305 , indicator light  320  integrated in said bracket  305 , switch  325 , tension button  330 , keychain fob  335 , signal receiver  340  integrated in said keychain fob  335 , green indicator light  345  integrated in said keychain fob  335 , red indicator light  350  integrated in said keychain fob  335  and audible alarm  355  integrated in said keychain fob  335 . When the switch  325  is closed by depression of the tension button  330 , the signal transmitter  310  transmits a signal  311  received by said signal receiver  340 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a flow chart  400  detailing one methodology of how the seat belt alarm system  300  works. At  405 , the bracket  100  is attached to the female receptacle  110  of a seat belt system. At  410 , the male bracket  114  is inserted into the locking slot  117  of the female receptacle  110 . At  415 , the tension button  130  is depressed by the male bracket  114  during insertion into the locking slot  117  and the switch  330  is closed by the tension button  130  being depressed thereby connecting power to the signal transmitter  310  and indicator light  320 . At  420 , the signal transmitter  310  begins transmitting its signal and indicator light  125  illuminates responsive to the switch  330  closing. At  425 , the signal receiver in the keychain fob  150  begins receiving the transmitted signal  311 . At  430 , responsive to the signal being received, the green indicator light  345  illuminates. At  435 , it is determined if the key fob  150  is in range. If so, at  440 , it is determined if the seat belt alarm system is active. If not, at  445 , the system is deemed inactive (i.e., seat belt unbuckled) caused by the male buckle  114  being disengaged from the female receptacle  110  while the keychain fob  150  was in range of the transmitted signal. If the seat belt alarm system  330  is found active at  440 , the flow chart  400  loops back to  435 . If, at  435 , it is determined that the key fob  150  is out of range while the system is active (i.e., seat belt buckled), the red indicator light  350  illuminates, the green indicator light  345  turns off and the alarm  355  sounds. That is, a person remains restrained in the vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, an optional vibrator  375  may be incorporated into the keychain fob  150  to further place the user on alert when required. 
     In another embodiment, the bracket  100  and the keychain fob  150  may include means for alerting the user that the batteries are low. For example, the indicator light  125  integrated in the bracket  100  may flash responsive to a low power reading from the batteries or the passage of a predetermined time period commensurate with the performance specification of the batteries. Regarding the keychain fob  150 , the red indicator light  155  and/or green indicator light  160  may flash and/or the audible alarm  355  may chirp and/or the vibrator  375  may intermittingly activate responsive to a low power reading from the batteries or the passage of a predetermined time period commensurate with the performance specification of the batteries. Other alerting means are suitable as well. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.