Patent US4246913A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4246913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for reducing the desire to smoke
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-04-02
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Granted: 1981-01-27
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Expires: 1999-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A device for use by a smoker in developing a subconscious aversion to smoking. The device includes a special pressure transducer that is coupled to a holder for a smoking article such as a cigarette, for sensing whenever smoke is drawn from the cigarette and for producing a corresponding electrical control signal. The device further includes a transformer for converting the control signal to an electrical shock signal having a substantially higher voltage level, a potentiometer for permitting a manual adjustment of the voltage of the shock signal to a prescribed level, and a pair of electrodes for coupling the shock signal to the skin of the smoker, whereby every time smoke is drawn from the cigarette, a small, but annoying, electrical shock is received by the smoker.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Ogden
- 👤 Robert P. Lawrence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:25
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24F; A24F47/00; A24F13/00; A24F13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A device for use by a smoker in reducing the desire to draw smoke from a smoking article, comprising: means for sensing the drawing of smoke from a smoking article, and for producing a corresponding electrical control signal, said sensing means including means for holding the smoking article and for creating a partial vacuum whenever smoke is drawn therethrough, and pressure transducer means, coupled to said holding means, for sensing the presence of the partial vacuum therein and producing the control signal; an electrical transformer for converting the control signal into an electrical shock signal, said electrical shock signal having a voltage level higher than that of the control signal; a potentiometer for permitting a manual adjustment of the voltage level of the electrical shock signal to a prescribed level; a pair of electrodes for engagement with the skin of a smoker; and means for coupling the electrical shock signal to said pair of electrodes, whereby an electrical shock is administered to the skin of the smoker whenever smoke is drawn from the smoking article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A device for use by a smoker in reducing the desire to draw smoke from a smoking article, comprising: means for sensing the drawing of smoke from a smoking article, and for producing a corresponding electrical control signal, said sensing means including means for holding the smoking article and for creating a partial vacuum whenever smoke is drawn therethrough, and pressure transducer means, coupled to said holding means, for sensing the presence of the partial vacuum therein and producing the control signal; an electrical transformer for converting the control signal into an electrical shock signal, said electrical shock signal having a voltage level higher than that of the control signal; a potentiometer for permitting a manual adjustment of the voltage level of the electrical shock signal to a prescribed level; a pair of electrodes for engagement with the skin of a smoker; and means for coupling the electrical shock signal to said pair of electrodes, whereby an electrical shock is administered to the skin of the smoker whenever smoke is drawn from the smoking article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure transducer means includes: first and second electrical contacts spring-biased apart from each other; and a resilient diaphragm that is movable in response to the partial vacuum to urge said first and second electrical contacts into contact with each other.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for use by a smoker in reducing the desire to draw smoke from a smoking article, comprising: means for sensing the drawing of smoke by a smoker from a smoking article, and for producing a corresponding control signal, said sensing means including: means for holding the smoking article and for creating a partial vacuum whenever smoke is drawn therethrough, and pressure transducer means, coupled to said holding means, for sensing the presence of a partial vacuum therein and producing the corresponding control signal, whereby said pressure transducer means produces the control signal whenever smoke is drawn through said holding means; and signal means, reponsive to the control signal, for automatically and contemporaneously producing an effect that is annoying to the smoker, whereby the smoker develops a subconscious aversion to smoking.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for use by a smoker in reducing the desire to draw smoke from a smoking article, comprising: means for sensing the drawing of smoke by a smoker from a smoking article, and for producing a corresponding control signal, said sensing means including: means for holding the smoking article and for creating a partial vacuum whenever smoke is drawn therethrough, and pressure transducer means, coupled to said holding means, for sensing the presence of a partial vacuum therein and producing the corresponding control signal, whereby said pressure transducer means produces the control signal whenever smoke is drawn through said holding means; and signal means, reponsive to the control signal, for automatically and contemporaneously producing an effect that is annoying to the smoker, whereby the smoker develops a subconscious aversion to smoking.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said pressure transducer means includes: first and second electrical contacts spring-biased apart from each other; and a resilient diaphragm that is movable in response to a partial vacuum to urge said first and second electrical contacts into contact with each other.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |