US4245651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detecting body movements
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-03-13
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1999-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An electro-mechanical transducer suitable for use in a cot or bed to detect body movements comprising a resiliently compressible assembly which emits noise while being compressed or expanded and a microphone for detecting the noise thus produced thereby to permit of the control of alarm or signal means. The device is particularly designed to give warning of cessation of breathing movements of infants while asleep with the objective of reducing the incidence of so called "cot deaths".
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Frost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; A61B5/6892; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1103; A61B5/113; A61B5/1135; A61G; A61G12/00; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/0051; A61M16/021; A61B2503/00; A61B2503/04; A61B2503/045; A61B2503/06; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0204; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/16; A61B2562/164; A61B2562/24; A61B2562/247; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6802; A61B5/6804; A61B5/6805; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6823; A61G2203/00; A61G2203/70; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An apnoea alarm system for use in a cot or bed to detect body movements comprising a back plate having a microphone supported thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom, a flexible cover attached to the back plate and extending in front thereof thereby to define an intervening space and a resiliently compressible packing arranged within said space, said packing comprising means, comprising a plurality of flexible sheets of material disposed generally parallel to the back plate, for emitting noise in response to being bent or crumpled, the microphone being arranged to detect the noise produced by said means to permit the control of an output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apnoea alarm system for use in a cot or bed to detect body movements comprising a back plate having a microphone supported thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom, a flexible cover attached to the back plate and extending in front thereof thereby to define an intervening space and a resiliently compressible packing arranged within said space, said packing comprising means, comprising a plurality of flexible sheets of material disposed generally parallel to the back plate, for emitting noise in response to being bent or crumpled, the microphone being arranged to detect the noise produced by said means to permit the control of an output means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sheets of resiliently compressible material are disposed generally parallel to the back plate with at least one of said sheets of resiliently compressible material being arranged between two adjacent sheets of said flexible noise emitting material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 1, further comprising a pouch in which said said back plate, said cover and said packing are enclosed, said pouch being formed of a flexible, waterproof, hygienic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 3, wherein said pouch is secured to a blanket arranged to be positioned underneath or around the occupant of the cot or bed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 3, wherein said pouch is secured to a vest to be worn by the occupant of a cot or bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 3, wherein said pouch is formed of P.V.C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 1, including output means comprising an output device, means for activating said output device and hold-off means controlled by the said microphone for preventing activation of said output device while sound of a predetermined intensity is being received by the microphone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, including delay means for preventing activation of said output device until the lapse of a predetermined period during which sound of said predetermined intensity has not been received by the microphone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein said hold-off means comprises an electronic trigger in circuit with an inverting amplifier which has no output while the trigger is receiving an input from the microphone and vice versa, and means controlled by the output from the inverting amplifier for causing said output device to be activated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein the inverting amplifier is connected to an output stage thereby to transmit a pulsed audio frequency signal to the latter when the inverting amplifier has an output, thereby to cause said output device to be activated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, including connector means for enabling means for rendering the breathing sounds audible to be connected in the circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, including a storage battery for energizing said output means, means for indicating the condition of the battery, and switch means for isolating said output means from the battery consequent upon connecting recharging means in circuit therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein said output device comprises an alarm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein said output device comprises a signal means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7 including connector means for enabling recording means for the breathing sounds to be connected in the circuit.
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) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |