US3717347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for testing the reflexes or reaction time of a person
Assignee: HOTTENDORF AND CO
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Filing: 1971-01-27
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1991-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A coin inserted at the top of a column is initially held against falling down a channel. The coin actuates a circuit having a series of timing cycles; when a ''''gas'''' pedal is depressed, the end of the next cycle causes the coin to be released. A braking linkage is depressed by the operator to catch the coin fall as rapidly as possible.
Inventors
- 👤 W Hottendorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16; A61B5/162; A61B5/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person comprising means forming a channel for a falling body, means for supporting such a body disposed adjacent the upper end of said channel and means for suddenly withdrawing said support in response to a signal, time constant means for cyclicly generating a signal at spaced apart time intervals, first manually operable means for applying the next occurring signal generated by said time constant means to said supporting means when said manually operable means is actuated, whereby a variable delay time occurs between the operation of said first manually operable means and the withdrawal of said support depending on the relative time of first manually operable means operation in said cycle, a brake rod disposed in said channel and extending along the same, said brake rod being movable from an inactive position into an active position in which the latter position is adapted to stop the falling movement of said body, and Second manually operable means for causing said brake rod to move suddenly from the inactive into the active position to stop the movement of the body, the distance which the body has fallen until stopped indicating the reaction time of the person being tested.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person comprising means forming a channel for a falling body, means for supporting such a body disposed adjacent the upper end of said channel and means for suddenly withdrawing said support in response to a signal, time constant means for cyclicly generating a signal at spaced apart time intervals, first manually operable means for applying the next occurring signal generated by said time constant means to said supporting means when said manually operable means is actuated, whereby a variable delay time occurs between the operation of said first manually operable means and the withdrawal of said support depending on the relative time of first manually operable means operation in said cycle, a brake rod disposed in said channel and extending along the same, said brake rod being movable from an inactive position into an active position in which the latter position is adapted to stop the falling movement of said body, and Second manually operable means for causing said brake rod to move suddenly from the inactive into the active position to stop the movement of the body, the distance which the body has fallen until stopped indicating the reaction time of the person being tested.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person comprising means forming a channel for a falling body, means for supporting such a body disposed adjacent the upper end of said channel and means for suddenly withdrawing said support in response to a signal, time constant means for cyclicly generating a signal at spaced apart time intervals, first manually operable means for applying the next occurring signal generated by said time constant means to said supporting means when said manually operable means is actuated, whereby a variable delay time occurs between the operation of said first manually operable means and the withdrawal of said support depending on the relative time of first manually operable means operation in said cycle, a brake rod disposed in said channel and extending along the same, said brake rod being movable from an inactive position into an active position in which the latter position is adapted to stop the falling movement of said body, and Second manually operable means for causing said brake rod to move suddenly from the inactive into the active position to stop the movement of the body, the distance which the body has fallen until stopped indicating the reaction time of the person being tested.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for measuring the reaction time of a person comprising means forming a channel for a falling body, means for supporting such a body disposed adjacent the upper end of said channel and means for suddenly withdrawing said support in response to a signal, time constant means for cyclicly generating a signal at spaced apart time intervals, first manually operable means for applying the next occurring signal generated by said time constant means to said supporting means when said manually operable means is actuated, whereby a variable delay time occurs between the operation of said first manually operable means and the withdrawal of said support depending on the relative time of first manually operable means operation in said cycle, a brake rod disposed in said channel and extending along the same, said brake rod being movable from an inactive position into an active position in which the latter position is adapted to stop the falling movement of said body, and Second manually operable means for causing said brake rod to move suddenly from the inactive into the active position to stop the movement of the body, the distance which the body has fallen until stopped indicating the reaction time of the person being tested.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a movable member normally extending into said channel and said means for suddenly withdrawing said support comprises electromagnetic means connected to said member for moving said member out of said channel when a signal is applied to said electromagnetic means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said time constant means comprises an electronic circuit means for cyclicly generating a signal at substantially regular spaced apart time intervals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for applying the next occurring signal comprises a manually operable switched, said switch connected to close a circuit between said time constant means and said electromagnetic means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electronic circuit means comprises a unijunction transistor, a capacitor connected to the emitter of said transistor, means for charging said capacitor, a switching transistor, means for connecting the first base of said unijunction transistor to the base of said switching transistor when said first manually operable means is actuated, and means for connecting one of the remaining elements of said switching transistor to said electromagnetic means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said brake rod is held in said inactive position by spring means biasing said rod out of said channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |