GB2270786A - Child or infant holder with alarm system. - Google Patents

Abstract

A holder, eg cot, pram, child seat, for a child or infant includes a pressure sensitive pad 5 so disposed and arranged that the weight of the infant and/or child when in the holder naturally bears upon the pad, the pressure sensitive pad being so arranged and electrically connected that upon removal of the infant and/or child an appropriate electrical circuit is actuated such that an electrical power source 7 thereby provides an alarm 8,9 of the removal of the infant and/or child from the holder. When the holder is a child seat, Fig 3 not shown, the lap strap (24) contains an electrically conductive wire (26) which is electrically connected to the alarm circuit such that release of the strap sets off the alarm. <IMAGE>

Description

ALARM SYSTEMS This invention relates to alarm systems, and more particularly to alarm systems intended to warn parents or carers that an infant or child is subject to disturbance and/or removal from a holder for the infant or child.

In present day society an activity of gross anti social behaviour, and therefore a significant fear to the parents or carers concerned, is the removal of babies or infants from their holders, be they mobile holders such as prams or pushchairs, or fixed holders such as cots or play-pens by third parties.

Whilst the activity concerned might constitute a very limited activity, the fear engendered thereby is most significant for parents and carers of such infants or babies.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective alarm system providing warning of the removal of such child or infant of a sure and certain nature so as to provide reassurance to carers and parents of such infant or child, and to provide immediate alarm in the event of any such removal occurring.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a holder for a child or infant including a pressure sensitive pad so disposed and arranged that the weight of the infant and/or child when in the holder naturally bears upon the pad, the pressure sensitive pad being so arranged and electrically connected that upon removal of the infant and/or child an appropriate electrical circuit is actuated such that an electrical power source thereby provides an alarm of the removal of the infant and/or child from the holder.

The pressure pad is provided with appropriate electrical connections such that with the child or infant disposed thereon, the alarm circuit can be "set", removal of the child or infant actuating the alarm circuit.

The holder for the infant and/or child may comprise a fixed holder such as a play-pen or cot, or may comprise a movable holder such as a perambulator, pushchair or other baby or child transporter.

The electrical power source may comprise one or more electric batteries mounted in or adjacent a wall of the holder, or any other suitable electrical source.

There may be provided a switch for "arming" the alarm system, this may comprise a simple hidden switch, or may comprise, for example an electric key pad switching device. A test switch may be additionally incorporated to test the system for satisfactory operation at any time.

The alarm system may comprise a sounding device such as a bell or buzzer or similar arrangement. A warning light may be provided, which may be arranged to glow or flash when the system is actuated.

In one embodiment of the invention, an additional protective arrangement may be included. Thus where a seat belt or lap strap or similar restraining arrangement is provided for the infant or child within its holder, be it a child seat, a pushchair, a pram, or carrycot, or other form of holder, the restraining device may be electrically conductive or include an electrically conductive element and may be included in the circuitry of the alarm system when the restraining device is disposed in its secured disposition.

The restraining device may be coupled in a circuit incorporating an arming switch, and the arrangement may be such that on placing the restraining device about the child in its secured disposition, and actuating the arming switch, any unsecuring of the restraining device, be it by the child or any other, will ensure that the alarm will be actuated.

The alarm may be audible, and/or visual (for example by means of flashing lights) and may well be associated to or comprise the alarm system hearinbefore described in connection with the pressure sensitive pad arrangement.

Alternatively the alarm may be separate therefrom and, for example, where the infant or child holder is for in-car usage, may be connected to an alarm system associated with a car security alarm system.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system may incorporate a remote sensing device so that the owner or carer of the child or infant can have warning from a distance if the alarm system is actuated.

Such a remote system may comprise, for example, a radio transmitter associated with the alarm system connecting to a fixed or portable hand held radio receiver incorporating its own alarm emitter system such as a sound and/or light emitter.

Where the alarm system is to be fitted to a mobile child holder, the transmitting and receiving arrangements may incorporate a distance sensor arranged to be actuated and give alarm should the mobile child holder device, be it pushchair, carrycot, perambulator or any similar mobile child holder, be moved a predetermined or pre-selected distance from the user's remote receiving device.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood two embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a child's cot incorporating the invention; Figure 2 represents schematically a child's pushchair incorporating an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a child seat illustrating an additional aspect of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that a cot 1 having a hood 2, a box like holding body 3, and legs 4 has disposed within it and associated with the child's mattress, a pressure sensitive pad 5. This is connected to an electronic assembly 6 disposed beneath the cot powered by a plurality of batteries 7. Connected to the electronic system are a pair of warning alarm devices 8,9 actuable on the pressure sensitive pad being disturbed by the removal of the child therefrom, the devices comprising a flashing warning light 9, and an alarm sounder 8.

A switch 10 is provided adjacent the electronic circuitry, hidden from ready view and enabling the alarm system to be armed. Alternatively, the arrangement may incorporate a numeric keypad arming arrangement, and may also include a test switch.

The arrangement of Figure 2 is essentially similar to that of Figure 1 in that a pushchair 11 having the usual features of a back 12, legs 13 carrying wheels 14, and a base comprising a seat 5 and side arms 16, the seat 15 carrying a pressure sensitive pad 17 of the same kind as described in relation to Figure 1 hereinabove.

As before a multiplicity of batteries 18 are provided and a hidden switch 19 or electric keypad and test switch are provided. Mounted within the back is an alarm sounder 20, together with a flashing warning light 21 both of which are intended to be actuated upon removal of the infant and/or child from the pressure sensitive pad.

The system may well also incorporate, with respect to the embodiments of both Figures 1 and 2, a fixed or portable remote alarm receiving devices (not shown), arranged to detect remotely from the alarm system carried on the cot and pushchair respectively actuation of the alarm signal and produce in the portable receiver a visual and/or audible alarm.

In addition to the arrangement described in relation to and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a further safety and alarm arrangement may be provided as is illustrated in Figure 3.

In Figure 3 is shown diagramatically a child seat 22 incorporating a full harness seat belt arrangement 23, although it is to be appreciated that any similar restraining device, such as a single lap strap as such, could alternatively be utilised.

As can be-seen the lap strap part 24 of the harness incorporates a releasable restraining buckle 25 for securing about the waist of a child after it has been placed in the harness. -- The lap strap and buckle arrangement are electrically conductive, by including for example a conductive wire 26 or wire braid into the strap connecting to the buckle on both sides.

The conductive lap strap is connected electrically to an alarm arrangement 27 and to an arming switch 28.

In operation, after placing the child on the seat 22 within the harness 23 and securing the buckle 25 of the lap strap 24, the arming switch 28 is switched on, whereafter any uncoupling of the buckle 25 either, by the child or another person, will lead to actuation of the alarm 27. Normal release of the lap strap buckle 25 can be accomplished without setting off the alarm 27 by previously turning off the arming switch 28.

As previously mentioned the alarm may be audible or visible, or a combination of both. It may be associated with or indeed comprise the alarm system described in relation to Figures 1 and 2, or may be separate therefrom, and where the seat 22 is intended for use within a car, may, in this instance, comprise the theft alarm system of the car itself.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of alarm systems in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A holder for a child or infant including a pressure sensitive pad so disposed and arranged that the weight of the infant and/or child when in the holder naturally bears upon the pad, the pressure sensitive pad being so arranged and electrically connected that upon removal of the infant and/or child an appropriate electrical circuit is actuated such that an electrical power source thereby provides an alarm.

of the removal of the infant and/or child from the holder.

2. A holder as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pressure pad is provided with appropriate electrical connections such that with the child or infant disposed thereon, the alarm circuit can be "set", removal of the child or infant actuating the alarm circuit.

3. A holder as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which comprise a fixed holder such as a play-pen or cot.

4. A holder as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which comprises a movable holder such as a perambulator, pushchair or other baby or child transporter.

5. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the electrical power source comprises one or more electric batteries mounted in or adjacent a wall of the holder.

6. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims including a switch for ',arming" the alarm system.

7. A holder as claimed in Claim 6 further comprising a test switch incorporated to test the system for satisfactory operation at any time.

8. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the alarm system comprises a sounding device such as a bell or buzzer or similar arrangement.

9. A holder as claimed in Claim 8 wherein a warning light is provided.

10. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims further comprising a restraining device which is electrically conductive or includes an electrically conductive element included in the circuitry of the alarm system when the restraining device is disposed in its secured disposition.

11. A holder as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the restraining device is coupled in a circuit incorporating an arming switch, and the arrangement is such that on placing the restraining device about the child in its secured disposition, and actuating the arming switch, any unsecuring of the restraining device will ensure that the alarm will be activated.

12. A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the system incorporates a remote sensing device.

13. A holder as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the radio transmitter associated with the alarm system connecting to a fixed or portable hand held radio receiver incorporating its own alarm emitter system such as a sound and/or light emitter

14. A holder as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the transmitting and receiving arrangements incorporate a distance sensor arranged to be actuated and give alarm should the holder be moved a distance from the users remote receiving device.

15. A holder for a child or infant substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.