Pet restraint system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9637085-B2
Application number	US-201514803391-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 20, 2015
Priority date	Jul 20, 2015
Publication date	May 2, 2017
Grant date	May 2, 2017

Abstract

A restraint system includes a plurality of sensors deployable in a vehicle, a restraint device, and a computing device. The restraint device includes a tether, a collar, an actuator coupled to a stopper, and an identification tag. The computing device is programmed to engage the stopper to prevent the tether from extending beyond a predetermined length upon at least one of the sensors indicating the identification tag.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A restraint system, comprising:
a plurality of sensors deployable in a vehicle;
a restraint device including a tether, an actuator coupled to a stopper, and an identification tag; and
a computing device programmed to identify one of the sensors detecting the identification tag, and to instruct the actuator to engage the stopper to prevent the tether from extending beyond a boundary specified for the sensor detecting the tag.

2. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sensors are located in or on at least one of a central console, a passenger seat, and a rear seat of the vehicle.

3. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the restraint device is attachable to at least one of a headrest and a seat belt in the vehicle.

4. The restraint system of claim 3 , wherein the restraint device further comprises a securing latch that is attachable to a case and to at least one of the headrest and the seat belt.

5. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the restraint device further includes a spindle and a spring attached to the spindle.

6. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the stopper is moveable toward the spindle to stop the spindle from rotating.

7. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the spindle includes a plurality of spaces configured to receive the stopper.

8. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the restraint device further includes a motor connected to the stopper, and the motor is configured to move the stopper to stop the spindle.

9. The restraint system of claim 8 , wherein the motor is communicatively connected to the actuator.

10. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the spindle is a ratchet.

11. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the stopper is at least one of a pawl and a hook.

12. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the tether is wrapped around the spindle.

13. A method, comprising:
determining whether a sensor detects an identification tag;
sending a signal to a restraint device based on detection of the identification tag;
identifying one of the sensors detecting the identification tag; and
activating an actuator in the restraint device to prevent a tether from extending beyond a boundary specified for the sensor detecting the tag.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the tether is configured to be attached to a collar.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is configured to move a stopper toward a rotator to stop the rotator from rotating, the tether being wrapped around the rotator.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the rotator is a spindle with a plurality of spaces configured to receive the stopper.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the stopper is a pawl.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the restraint device is configured to attach to at least one of a headrest and a seat belt in a vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising a latch configured to attach to a case and to at least one of the headrest and the seat belt.

20. The method of claim 13 , further comprising deactivating the actuator when the sensor no longer detects the identification tag.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Sanchez Huipio Saulo Ratzel
• Rovira Vilchis Oscar
• Pulido Plauchud Maria Fernanda

Classifications

• B60R22/48 Primary

  Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness · CPC title

• A01K27/003

  Leads, leashes · CPC title

• A01K15/04

  Devices for impeding movement; Devices for impeding passage through fencing {, e.g. hobbles or the like; Anti-kicking devices (impeding passage under fences A01K15/006)} · CPC title

• B60R21/01512

  Passenger detection systems · CPC title

• B60R21/015

  including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats {, and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use} · CPC title