CA2755379A1 - A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child/pet inside of vehicle - Google Patents
A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child/pet inside of vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2755379A1 CA2755379A1 CA 2755379 CA2755379A CA2755379A1 CA 2755379 A1 CA2755379 A1 CA 2755379A1 CA 2755379 CA2755379 CA 2755379 CA 2755379 A CA2755379 A CA 2755379A CA 2755379 A1 CA2755379 A1 CA 2755379A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cue
- physical
- vehicle
- child
- keyring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
- B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
- B60R2011/0005—Dashboard
Abstract
This invention is a product which helps drivers to remember that there is a child / pet inside of vehicle. The product consists of two cues, one visual and one physical. The visual cue serves as a constant reminder that there may be a child in the car. The physical cue reminds the driver of child / pet in the car at end of the trip. The two cues work together to create a simple yet effective reminder that there is a child / pet still inside the vehicle when the driver arrives at the destination.
Description
DESCRIPTION
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child / pet inside of vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This product helps people to remember that there is a child/ pet in their vehicle. As surprising as it may sound, there have been many unfortunate cases every year where people have forgotten a child in the vehicle. These unfortunate people include a police officer, an accountant, an electrician, a college professor... Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can get extremely hot or cold in just a few minutes placing a forgotten child/ pet in extreme danger. There were 49 cases of child deaths due to being left in the car in 2010 alone in the United States according to San Francisco State University. Most of the children were 3 years old or younger. An excellent history of the problem can be found in the Pulitzer Prize winning article by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post called 'Fatal Distraction'.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a unique product to remind drivers that they have a child/
pet in the vehicle. The inside of a parked vehicle can become a deadly place in a very short period of time as temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius in just a few minutes.
The invention has a unique combination of a visual and physical cue to help drivers remember there is a child/pet in the vehicle.
1. Visual cue: A device is permanently attached to the dashboard of a vehicle in a spot visible from the driver's seat. This serves as a constant reminder while the driver is in the vehicle that there may be a child/pet in the vehicle.
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child / pet inside of vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This product helps people to remember that there is a child/ pet in their vehicle. As surprising as it may sound, there have been many unfortunate cases every year where people have forgotten a child in the vehicle. These unfortunate people include a police officer, an accountant, an electrician, a college professor... Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can get extremely hot or cold in just a few minutes placing a forgotten child/ pet in extreme danger. There were 49 cases of child deaths due to being left in the car in 2010 alone in the United States according to San Francisco State University. Most of the children were 3 years old or younger. An excellent history of the problem can be found in the Pulitzer Prize winning article by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post called 'Fatal Distraction'.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a unique product to remind drivers that they have a child/
pet in the vehicle. The inside of a parked vehicle can become a deadly place in a very short period of time as temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius in just a few minutes.
The invention has a unique combination of a visual and physical cue to help drivers remember there is a child/pet in the vehicle.
1. Visual cue: A device is permanently attached to the dashboard of a vehicle in a spot visible from the driver's seat. This serves as a constant reminder while the driver is in the vehicle that there may be a child/pet in the vehicle.
2. Physical cue: Upon entering a vehicle and having placed the child/ pet in the back, the driver physically attaches part of the device to the car keyring. Upon arrival at destination, driver cannot remove keys from vehicle without the physical reminder that there is a child/baby in the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
Diagram 1 is of a visual cue that is permanently attached to the dashboard of the vehicle in a place very visible from the driver's seat and close to the ignition. The device serves as a constant reminder that there may be a child/ pet in the vehicle.
Diagram 2 shows how one end of the device is attached to the car keys when there is a child/ pet in the vehicle to create a physical reminder when the driver arrives at the destination. The driver cannot remove keys from car without being reminded there is a child/ pet still in the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
Diagram 1 is of a visual cue that is permanently attached to the dashboard of the vehicle in a place very visible from the driver's seat and close to the ignition. The device serves as a constant reminder that there may be a child/ pet in the vehicle.
Diagram 2 shows how one end of the device is attached to the car keys when there is a child/ pet in the vehicle to create a physical reminder when the driver arrives at the destination. The driver cannot remove keys from car without being reminded there is a child/ pet still in the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a unique product to remind a driver that a child/ pet is in the vehicle. No other known device has this combination of visual and physical cues to remind drivers that there is a child/ pet in the vehicle.
Visual cue - a preferably bright and very distinct object is permanently fastened to the vehicle's dashboard in a place very visible from the driver's seat. It should be very noticeable so as to serve as a reminder - but it should neither obstruct vision nor physical movements (eg. changing radio dial, adjusting mirror, driving). A plastic device in the shape of a stop sign in bright red with a written reminder in the center may serve well as a reminder that there maybe a child in the car. An all black rectangular object may not be a good visual cue as it may blend in too easily into the usually dark dashboards of vehicles.
The object should be large enough to be clearly visible from the driver's seat (e.g. at least 2 cm square/diameter) but shouldn't be too large that it obstructs driver's vision or use of controls (e.g. a visual cue which is 30cm x 30cm may hinder driver's vision and/or driver's adjusting of certain dials/controls making driving less safe). The fastening of the object to the dashboard should be strong enough to withstand the wide range of temperatures and physical movements associated with normal use. The visual cues may also have reflective or glowing or illuminating qualities that may enhance the effect.
Physical Cue - a cord-like device that the driver attaches the to the car keyring. One end is attached to the visual cue. Other end attaches to the driver's ignition keyring. Physical cue may be a thin cord-like material that is 0.5mm thick or may be considerably thicker (eg. a white visual cue in the shape of a plush toy cat's body and the physical cue in the shape of cat's 1 cm thick tail.) The physical cue is may be retractable so as to not disturb the driver in any way, but not necessarily retractable. Physical cue must be long enough to attach easily to the keys yet short enough that it doesn't affect driver movement.
Length of the physical cue when in use should be about the shortest distance between the visual cue and the keys (as opposed to being able to be wrapped around the steering wheel 2 times before attaching to the keys) plus what is necessary for easy attachment to keychain (may be clip/some other fastening device or the string itself).
This invention is a unique product to remind a driver that a child/ pet is in the vehicle. No other known device has this combination of visual and physical cues to remind drivers that there is a child/ pet in the vehicle.
Visual cue - a preferably bright and very distinct object is permanently fastened to the vehicle's dashboard in a place very visible from the driver's seat. It should be very noticeable so as to serve as a reminder - but it should neither obstruct vision nor physical movements (eg. changing radio dial, adjusting mirror, driving). A plastic device in the shape of a stop sign in bright red with a written reminder in the center may serve well as a reminder that there maybe a child in the car. An all black rectangular object may not be a good visual cue as it may blend in too easily into the usually dark dashboards of vehicles.
The object should be large enough to be clearly visible from the driver's seat (e.g. at least 2 cm square/diameter) but shouldn't be too large that it obstructs driver's vision or use of controls (e.g. a visual cue which is 30cm x 30cm may hinder driver's vision and/or driver's adjusting of certain dials/controls making driving less safe). The fastening of the object to the dashboard should be strong enough to withstand the wide range of temperatures and physical movements associated with normal use. The visual cues may also have reflective or glowing or illuminating qualities that may enhance the effect.
Physical Cue - a cord-like device that the driver attaches the to the car keyring. One end is attached to the visual cue. Other end attaches to the driver's ignition keyring. Physical cue may be a thin cord-like material that is 0.5mm thick or may be considerably thicker (eg. a white visual cue in the shape of a plush toy cat's body and the physical cue in the shape of cat's 1 cm thick tail.) The physical cue is may be retractable so as to not disturb the driver in any way, but not necessarily retractable. Physical cue must be long enough to attach easily to the keys yet short enough that it doesn't affect driver movement.
Length of the physical cue when in use should be about the shortest distance between the visual cue and the keys (as opposed to being able to be wrapped around the steering wheel 2 times before attaching to the keys) plus what is necessary for easy attachment to keychain (may be clip/some other fastening device or the string itself).
How it is used:
At first, the visual cue is permanently attached to the vehicle's dashboard.
Subsequently, every time a driver has a child/ pet in the vehicle, the driver attaches the physical cue to the car key ring when child/pet is in the vehicle. Start vehicle and drive to destination. At destination, the driver cannot remove the car keys from the car without the physical cue reminding the driver that the child/ pet is still in the vehicle.
Why this invention is better than other products used to alert drivers of children in back of vehicle: Unlike other products, this product has no mechanical or electrical parts that can fail, no electronic components that can be interfered with, may have no batteries to replace nor power cords to attach, not difficult assemble/attach, and has two cues that a child is on board (whereas most other products have only one). It creates almost no interference with the driver's view of road nor driver's physical movements (doesn't obstruct adjusting of dials, pushing of buttons...). It is also very affordable and so everyone can have one in the vehicle.
It is a simple, low cost, yet highly effective solution to a potentially fatal lapse.
At first, the visual cue is permanently attached to the vehicle's dashboard.
Subsequently, every time a driver has a child/ pet in the vehicle, the driver attaches the physical cue to the car key ring when child/pet is in the vehicle. Start vehicle and drive to destination. At destination, the driver cannot remove the car keys from the car without the physical cue reminding the driver that the child/ pet is still in the vehicle.
Why this invention is better than other products used to alert drivers of children in back of vehicle: Unlike other products, this product has no mechanical or electrical parts that can fail, no electronic components that can be interfered with, may have no batteries to replace nor power cords to attach, not difficult assemble/attach, and has two cues that a child is on board (whereas most other products have only one). It creates almost no interference with the driver's view of road nor driver's physical movements (doesn't obstruct adjusting of dials, pushing of buttons...). It is also very affordable and so everyone can have one in the vehicle.
It is a simple, low cost, yet highly effective solution to a potentially fatal lapse.
Claims (15)
1. A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child/pet in the vehicle.
The product is comprised of:
a. A Visual Reminder/Cue - The visual cue is attached to a vehicle's dashboard in a spot highly visible from the driver's seat and serves as a constant reminder that there may be a child/ pet is in the vehicle.
b. A Physical Reminder/Cue. The physical cue is the part of the device that attaches to car keyring. When driver arrives at destination, s/he cannot remove keys from vehicle without the physical cue reminder that there is a child / pet still in the vehicle.
The product is comprised of:
a. A Visual Reminder/Cue - The visual cue is attached to a vehicle's dashboard in a spot highly visible from the driver's seat and serves as a constant reminder that there may be a child/ pet is in the vehicle.
b. A Physical Reminder/Cue. The physical cue is the part of the device that attaches to car keyring. When driver arrives at destination, s/he cannot remove keys from vehicle without the physical cue reminder that there is a child / pet still in the vehicle.
2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the visual cue combined with the physical cue create a product that is more effective at reminding drivers of child/pet in back of vehicle than just one or the other cues.
3. Visual cue in claim 1 is fastened to the dashboard via foam tape.
4. Visual cue in claim 1 may be fastened to the dashboard via a hook and loop (Velcro) fastener.
5. Visual cue in claim 1 may be fastened to the dashboard via a screw.
6. One end of physical cue in claim 1 attaches to visual cue.
7. One end of physical cue in claim 1 attaches to car keyring.
8. Physical cue in claim 1 is a string-like device.
9. Physical cue in claim 1 may be thin (eg. nylon cord 0.5mm in width) or thick (eg.
fluffy tail of a plush toy cat made of polyester 1cm in width).
fluffy tail of a plush toy cat made of polyester 1cm in width).
10. Physical cue in claim 1 must be long enough to attach easily to keyring.
11. Physical cue in claim 1 may attach to keyring via a clip for easy attachment /
detachment.
detachment.
12. Physical cue in claim 1 may attach to keyring via a via hook & eye fastener.
13. Physical cue in claim 1 may attach to keyring via a snap.
14. Physical cue in claim 1 may attach to keyring via a maillon.
15. Physical cue in claim 1 may attach to keyring via a carabiner
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2755379 CA2755379A1 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2011-10-11 | A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child/pet inside of vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2755379 CA2755379A1 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2011-10-11 | A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child/pet inside of vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2755379A1 true CA2755379A1 (en) | 2013-04-11 |
Family
ID=48052064
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2755379 Abandoned CA2755379A1 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2011-10-11 | A product that helps drivers to remember that there is a child/pet inside of vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2755379A1 (en) |
-
2011
- 2011-10-11 CA CA 2755379 patent/CA2755379A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20141014 |