GB2186723A

GB2186723A - Child theft alarm device

Info

Publication number: GB2186723A
Application number: GB08702942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Flatley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-15
Filing date: 1987-02-10
Publication date: 1987-08-19
Also published as: GB2186723B; GB8603761D0; GB8702942D0

Abstract

The device comprises a part 16 adapted to be fastened around a portion of the body of a baby or young child positioned in a perambulator, push-chair, carry-cot or the like, to complete an electrical circuit, means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken (as would occur at any attempt to remove the baby or child) without the device having first been disarmed. The part 16 may be a waist, wrist or ankle belt which is fastened by male and female press stud fittings 17,18 which complete an electrical circuit upon fastening. An electrically conductive loop 21 may also be provided to attach the perambulator etc to a fixed structure and to initiate a warning if it is broken and electrical continuity is interrupted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Protection device This invention concerns a device for the protection of a baby or young child when left unattended in a perambulator, push-chair, carry-cot or the like.

The incidence of child theft, though rare, is nonetheless sufficiently prevalent to cause concern amongst at least the more responsible of parents.

According to the present invention there is provided a protection device comprising a part adapted to be fastened around a portion of the body of a baby or young child positioned in a parambulator, push-chair, carry-cot or the like, to complete an electrical circuit, means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken (as would occur at any attempt to remove the baby or child) without the device having first been disarmed.

The part adapted to be fastened around a portion of the body may be comprised by a belt whose ends may be fastened by pressstud fittings or other means enabling continuity of an electric circuit.

Although a belt is preferred the part may be adapted to be secured around a wrist or ankle.

The device may be armed and disarmed by means of a key insertable into and removable from a lock or by input of a code number through a numeric key-pad or by any other suitable known means.

The warning signal is preferably an audible one given by a siren, bell or other suitabie device.

The electrical circuit may include provision for a further loop to be extended to encompass a lamp post, tree, drain-pipe or other fixed structure adjacent the position where the perambulator or the like is parked.

The circuit may include a self-latching relay or similar device to ensure that the means giving the warning signal remains operative even if continuity of the circuit is re-established without disarming of the device.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompamying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment thereof.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device; and Figure 2 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the device.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the device includes a control box 10 in which are mounted a key operable ganged two-pole switch 11, an electrically energisabie siren 12, a two-pin socket 13 and a pair of single pin sockets 14 and 15. The box 10 may be secured to the side of a perambulator.

A belt 16 adapted to be fitted around the waiste of a baby or child is provided and may be secured by engagement of a male pressstud fitting 17 with a selected one of several longitudinally spaced female press-stud fittings 18 to complete an electrical circuit between the pins of a two-pin plug 19 engageable with the socket 13 and connected with the belt 16 by a length of two-core flex 20. The flex 20 divides on entry to the belt 16 and one core connects with the fitting 17 whilst the other core connects with the fittings 18.

It will be understood that if the belt 16 is released or cut the circuit between the pins of plug 19 will be broken.

An electrically conducting cord 21 having single pin plugs 22 and 23 engageable with the sockets 14 and 15 to form a circuit therebetween is provided. The cord 21 may be passed around any fixed structure such as a lamp-post or drain pipe adjacent the position where the perambulator is parked. If the cord 21 is not so used the sockets 14 and 15 should be shorted with a plug having two interconnected pins, a jump lead or the like.

The siren 12 is in series with a battery 25 the upper and central movable contacts of a self-latching relay 26 and one pole of the switch 11.

The socket 13 is in series with the other pole of the switch 11 the central movable and lower contacts of the relay 26, the relay coil, a battery 27 and the sockets 14 and 15.

In use, the perambulator is parked, the belt 16 fitted around the waist of the occupant and, if desired, the cord 21 around any convenient fixture. The device is armed by operating the key lock to close the switch 11.

Any break in the circuit including the relay coil as by unplugging, releasing or cutting the belt 1 6 or inplugging or cutting the cord 21 will cause the siren 12 to be energised. Restoration of the circuit will not deactivate the siren 12. The switch 11 must be operated with the key to disarm the device and deactivate the siren 12 once it has been activated.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

1. A protection device comprising a part adapted to be fastened around a portion of the body of a baby or young child positioned in a perambulator, push-chair, carry-cot or the like, to complete an electrical circuit, means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken (as would occur at any attempt to remove the baby or child) without the device having first been disarmed.

2. A protection device according to claim 1 wherein said part is comprised by a belt whose ends may be adjustably fastened.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Protection device This invention concerns a device for the protection of a baby or young child when left unattended in a perambulator, push-chair, carry-cot or the like. The incidence of child theft, though rare, is nonetheless sufficiently prevalent to cause concern amongst at least the more responsible of parents. According to the present invention there is provided a protection device comprising a part adapted to be fastened around a portion of the body of a baby or young child positioned in a parambulator, push-chair, carry-cot or the like, to complete an electrical circuit, means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken (as would occur at any attempt to remove the baby or child) without the device having first been disarmed. The part adapted to be fastened around a portion of the body may be comprised by a belt whose ends may be fastened by pressstud fittings or other means enabling continuity of an electric circuit. Although a belt is preferred the part may be adapted to be secured around a wrist or ankle. The device may be armed and disarmed by means of a key insertable into and removable from a lock or by input of a code number through a numeric key-pad or by any other suitable known means. The warning signal is preferably an audible one given by a siren, bell or other suitabie device. The electrical circuit may include provision for a further loop to be extended to encompass a lamp post, tree, drain-pipe or other fixed structure adjacent the position where the perambulator or the like is parked. The circuit may include a self-latching relay or similar device to ensure that the means giving the warning signal remains operative even if continuity of the circuit is re-established without disarming of the device. The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompamying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment thereof. Of the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device; and Figure 2 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the device. Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the device includes a control box 10 in which are mounted a key operable ganged two-pole switch 11, an electrically energisabie siren 12, a two-pin socket 13 and a pair of single pin sockets 14 and 15. The box 10 may be secured to the side of a perambulator. A belt 16 adapted to be fitted around the waiste of a baby or child is provided and may be secured by engagement of a male pressstud fitting 17 with a selected one of several longitudinally spaced female press-stud fittings 18 to complete an electrical circuit between the pins of a two-pin plug 19 engageable with the socket 13 and connected with the belt 16 by a length of two-core flex 20. The flex 20 divides on entry to the belt 16 and one core connects with the fitting 17 whilst the other core connects with the fittings 18. It will be understood that if the belt 16 is released or cut the circuit between the pins of plug 19 will be broken. An electrically conducting cord 21 having single pin plugs 22 and 23 engageable with the sockets 14 and 15 to form a circuit therebetween is provided. The cord 21 may be passed around any fixed structure such as a lamp-post or drain pipe adjacent the position where the perambulator is parked. If the cord 21 is not so used the sockets 14 and 15 should be shorted with a plug having two interconnected pins, a jump lead or the like. The siren 12 is in series with a battery 25 the upper and central movable contacts of a self-latching relay 26 and one pole of the switch 11. The socket 13 is in series with the other pole of the switch 11 the central movable and lower contacts of the relay 26, the relay coil, a battery 27 and the sockets 14 and 15. In use, the perambulator is parked, the belt 16 fitted around the waist of the occupant and, if desired, the cord 21 around any convenient fixture. The device is armed by operating the key lock to close the switch 11. Any break in the circuit including the relay coil as by unplugging, releasing or cutting the belt 1 6 or inplugging or cutting the cord 21 will cause the siren 12 to be energised. Restoration of the circuit will not deactivate the siren 12. The switch 11 must be operated with the key to disarm the device and deactivate the siren 12 once it has been activated. It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof. CLAIMS

3. A protection device according to claim 2 wherein the ends of the belt may be fastened by press-stud fittings.

4. A protection device according to any preceding claim which includes a key-operable lock for arming and disarming the device.

5. A protection device according to any preceding claim including a conducting loop which may be included in said circuit and positioned aroun a fixed structure in the vicinity of the perambulator or the like.

6. A protection device according to any preceding claim wherein said means adapted to give a warning signal gives an audible signal.

7. A protection device according to claim 6 wherein said means is a siren.

8. A protection device according to any preceding claim wherein operation of the means adapted to give a warning signal will not terminate by re-establishing said circuit without disarming the device.

9. A protection device according to claim 8 incorporating a self-latching relay.

10. A protection device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the figures of the accompanying drawing.