Resettable timer-alarm device used in monitoring geriatric patients

Claim 1

A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length of time, d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device, e. means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and the timing device, including means for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initial position, f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in the surroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine use by the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person of said patient, and g. wherein said device is used for surveillance, for instance during the night, of industries, military installations or other installations where a watchman checks certain points along his patrol route, wherein each point comprises said switch means connected to the timing device in parallel, causing the triggering means to return to the initial position when the watchman performs the checking operation.

Claim 2

A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length of time, d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device, e. means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and the timing device, including means for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initial position, f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in the surroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine use by the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person of said patient, and g. wherein said device is used for surveillance, for instance during the night, of industries, military installations or other installations where a watchman checks certain points along his patrol route, wherein each point comprises said switch means connected to the timing device in parallel, causing the triggering means to return to the initial position when the watchman performs the checking operation.

Claim 3

A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as The patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length of time, d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device, e. means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and the timing device, including means for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initial position, f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in the surroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine use by the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person of said patient, g. said timing device comprising a synchronous clock having (1) an output shaft; (2) a first clutch plate integrally connected with said output shaft; and (3) means causing the first clutch plate to rotate such as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours, h. said triggering means comprising (1) a second clutch plate; (2) means for moving the second clutch plate into contact with the first clutch plate; (3) a pointer fastened to the second clutch plate; and (4) a switch in the alarm device circuit constructed to be closed and opened by said pointer; and i. said means for moving the second clutch plate into contact with the first clutch plate comprising a coil spring disposed adjacent the second clutch plate, said coil spring constructed to urge the second clutch plate to rotate back into its initial position.

Claim 4

A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as The patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length of time, d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device, e. means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and the timing device, including means for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initial position, f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in the surroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine use by the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person of said patient, g. said timing device comprising a synchronous clock having (1) an output shaft; (2) a first clutch plate integrally connected with said output shaft; and (3) means causing the first clutch plate to rotate such as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours, h. said triggering means comprising (1) a second clutch plate; (2) means for moving the second clutch plate into contact with the first clutch plate; (3) a pointer fastened to the second clutch plate; and (4) a switch in the alarm device circuit constructed to be closed and opened by said pointer; and i. said means for moving the second clutch plate into contact with the first clutch plate comprising a coil spring disposed adjacent the second clutch plate, said coil spring constructed to urge the second clutch plate to rotate back into its initial position.

Claim 6

A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length of time, d. a plurality of switch means in the living quarters of the patient for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device, e. spring means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and the timing device subsequent to the releasing of the coupling and for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initial position, and f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in said living quarters, at least one of said objects comprising a switch in an electric appliance being in daily routine use by the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person of said patient.

Claim 7

A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length of time, d. a plurality of switch means in the living quarters of the patient for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device, e. spring means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and the timing device subsequent to the releasing of the coupling and for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initial position, and f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in said living quarters, at least one of said objects comprising a switch in an electric appliance being in daily routine use by the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person of said patient.