US4059830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sleep alarm device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-31
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Granted: 1977-11-22
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Expires: 1995-10-31
Abstract
Abstract In at least one embodiment, a sleep inhibiting device comprises a plurality of ring-like, metallic contacting devices worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand. The contacting devices close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of the adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship. The sleep inhibiting device may also comprise means for physically attracting the ring-like devices to each other, thereby requiring a wearer to consciously apply a countering force to prevent physical contact of the ring-like devices. Upon inadvertent relaxation of the muscles of the hand and fingers of a wearer, the ring-like devices are brought into contact with each other and thereby close a circuit that activates a stimulation means, such as a buzzer, and thereby awakens the wearer. In one embodiment of this invention, the ring-like devices are magnetized and oppositely poled to increase the likelihood of contact upon relaxation of the muscles of the fingers and hand. In a second embodiment, electrically contacting devices extend along the exterior surface of the finger portions of a glove that is worn by the wearer.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray H. Threadgill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:11
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H13/00; F41H13/0012; F41H13/0018; G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A switching apparatus comprising at least two switch contacts, adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand and adapted to close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, each said contact comprising: a ring-like device having a face portion for contacting a similar face portion on an adjacent switch contact and adapted to be removably positioned on a human finger and to be retained thereon by frictional engagement with said finger, and means urging said face portions toward each other in opposition to muscular forcing of said fingers apart when said devices are on said two fingers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A switching apparatus comprising at least two switch contacts, adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand and adapted to close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, each said contact comprising: a ring-like device having a face portion for contacting a similar face portion on an adjacent switch contact and adapted to be removably positioned on a human finger and to be retained thereon by frictional engagement with said finger, and means urging said face portions toward each other in opposition to muscular forcing of said fingers apart when said devices are on said two fingers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switching apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring-like device is in the shape of a hollowed frustum of a cone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switching apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring-like device is a cylinder having an adjustable portion whereby the diameter of said cylinder can be varied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switching apparatus as defined in claim 1, including means for urging said two contacts toward each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a sleep-inhibiting apparatus adapted to be worn on the hand of a human being and adapted to be electrically connected to stimulation means that is actuated by the closing of an electrical circuit, an improved switching device comprising: switch means including contacts adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand with said contacts in oppositing positions whereby said contacts close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of any of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, and means physically connected to said switch means and adapted to apply a force between said switch means urging said switch means into contact whereby said electrical circuit is closed and said stimulation means is actuated in response to inadvertent relaxation of muscles of a human hand upon which said switch means are worn.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a sleep-inhibiting apparatus adapted to be worn on the hand of a human being and adapted to be electrically connected to stimulation means that is actuated by the closing of an electrical circuit, an improved switching device comprising: switch means including contacts adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand with said contacts in oppositing positions whereby said contacts close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of any of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, and means physically connected to said switch means and adapted to apply a force between said switch means urging said switch means into contact whereby said electrical circuit is closed and said stimulation means is actuated in response to inadvertent relaxation of muscles of a human hand upon which said switch means are worn.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a sleep inhibiting apparatus as defined in claim 5, said switch means comprising at least two hollow cylinders and said force applying means comprising a resilient strap interconnecting said cylinders.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a sleep inhibiting apparatus as defined in claim 6, each such cylinder being an adjustable ring and adjacent rings being magnetized to have oppositely poled opposing faces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a sleep inhibiting apparatus as defined in claim 6, each such cylinder comprising a flexible magnetic material, said cylinders being magnetized to have oppositely poled faces on adjacent surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a sleep inhibiting apparatus as defined in claim 5, said switch means comprising at least two hollowed, cone-shaped elements, each said element having longitudinal length greater than its maximum diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a sleep inhibiting apparatus as defined in claim 5, said switch means comprising a glove having glove fingers and adapted to be worn on the human hand, and said attraction means comprising magnetized material forming at least a part of said fingers of said glove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a sleep inhibiting apparatus as defined in claim 8, said magnetic material consisting of a powdered ferrite bonded by a synthetic resin to form a flexible sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a sleep inhibiting device as defined in claim 10 wherein said glove further comprises a portion having mounting means adapted for retaining a sound generating device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sleep responsive switching apparatus comprising: support means including at least two switch contacts adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand, said two switch contacts being adapted to close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, and attraction means integral with said support means and adapted to urge said switch contacts toward each other and to bring said adjacent fingers into electrical contact with each other upon relaxation of the muscles controlling said adjacent fingers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sleep responsive switching apparatus comprising: support means including at least two switch contacts adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand, said two switch contacts being adapted to close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, and attraction means integral with said support means and adapted to urge said switch contacts toward each other and to bring said adjacent fingers into electrical contact with each other upon relaxation of the muscles controlling said adjacent fingers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sleep responsive switching apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said attraction means comprises a resilient tension strap connected to said support means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sleep responsive switching apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said switch contacts are magnets that are polarized to be attracted to each other when worn on said adjacent fingers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sleep responsive switching apparatus comprising: support means including at least two switch contacts adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand and adapted to close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, and means comprising a resilient tension strap connected to said support means for urging said switch contacts towards each other in opposition to muscular forces of said fingers apart when said contacts are worn on said adjacent fingers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sleep responsive switching apparatus comprising: support means including at least two switch contacts adapted to be worn on adjacent fingers of a human hand and adapted to close an electrical circuit when brought into mutual contact as a result of said adjacent fingers being brought into a contiguous relationship, and means comprising a resilient tension strap connected to said support means for urging said switch contacts towards each other in opposition to muscular forces of said fingers apart when said contacts are worn on said adjacent fingers.
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) | 1980-11-21 | 1981-05-23 | 1981-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-21 | 1985-05-23 | 1985-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-21 | 1989-05-23 | 1989-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |