US4444202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breathing exerciser
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-04-16
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Granted: 1984-04-24
•
Expires: 2002-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A breathing exerciser, comprising: first and second tubes; a lower cap member having bores for receiving one end of each of the tubes, the lower cap member having a passageway communicating between the first tube and a lower inlet/outlet opening; an upper cap member having bores for receiving the other ends of the tubes, and having a passageway communicating between both the tubes and an upper inlet/outlet opening; a floor member closing the lower end of the second tube; a floatable indicating member disposed in the second tube, the indicating member being upwardly movable during fluid flow into the upper inlet/outlet opening, through the first tube and out of the lower inlet/outlet opening, the amount of upward movement depending upon the rate of fluid flow; a valve assembly for adjusting the effective size of at least one of the inlet/outlet openings, for controlling the fluid flow rate required to move the indicating member over an effective range; and, openings in the second tube for calibrating the effective range, whereby the volume of air inhaled through the exerciser can be monitored and controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Rubin
- 👤 Brent Weinerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/087; A61B5/0875; A61M; A61M11/00; A61M11/06; A61M16/00; A61M16/0003; A61M2016/003; A63; A63B; A63B23/00; A63B23/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A breathing exerciser, comprising: first and second tubes; a lower cap member, said lower cap member having means for receiving one end of each of the tubes, the lower cap member having a lower inlet/outlet opening defining a mouth-piece and a passageway communicating between the first tube and said lower inlet/outlet opening; an upper cap member, said upper cap member having means for receiving the other ends of the tubes and having an upper inlet/outlet opening and a passageway communicating between both the tubes and said upper inlet/outlet opening; means for closing the lower end of the second tube; a floatable indicating member disposed in the second tube, the indicating member being upwardly movable by a vacuum induced during fluid flow along a fluid flow path from the upper inlet/outlet opening, through the first tube and out of the lower inlet/outlet opening, the amount of movement depending upon the rate of fluid flow; means disposed in said upper inlet/outlet opening for adjustably limiting and delimiting the fluid flow rate in an effective range; and, means for calibrating the effective range of the adjusting means, including the second tube having at least one opening immediately above the closing means and at least one opening immediately below the upper cap member, whereby the tidal volume of air inhaled through the exerciser can be monitored and controlled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A breathing exerciser, comprising: first and second tubes; a lower cap member, said lower cap member having means for receiving one end of each of the tubes, the lower cap member having a lower inlet/outlet opening defining a mouth-piece and a passageway communicating between the first tube and said lower inlet/outlet opening; an upper cap member, said upper cap member having means for receiving the other ends of the tubes and having an upper inlet/outlet opening and a passageway communicating between both the tubes and said upper inlet/outlet opening; means for closing the lower end of the second tube; a floatable indicating member disposed in the second tube, the indicating member being upwardly movable by a vacuum induced during fluid flow along a fluid flow path from the upper inlet/outlet opening, through the first tube and out of the lower inlet/outlet opening, the amount of movement depending upon the rate of fluid flow; means disposed in said upper inlet/outlet opening for adjustably limiting and delimiting the fluid flow rate in an effective range; and, means for calibrating the effective range of the adjusting means, including the second tube having at least one opening immediately above the closing means and at least one opening immediately below the upper cap member, whereby the tidal volume of air inhaled through the exerciser can be monitored and controlled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The breathing exerciser of claim 1, wherein the upper cap member has at least one aperture therethrough comprising said upper inlet/outlet opening, and said means for limiting and delimiting the fluid flow rate comprising a valve disk, having at least one slot therethrough, the valve disk being rotatably attached to the upper cap member, whereby the slot of the valve disk can be adjustably moved into and out of a position corresponding to the at least one aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The breathing exerciser of claim 1, wherein the means for closing the lower end of the second tube comprises a disk member sealably inserted into the tube member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The breathing exerciser of claim 1, wherein the means for closing the lower end of the second tube comprises a web portion of the lower cap member, the lower cap member having at least one passageway communicating between the lower end of the second tube and exteriorly of the lower cap member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The breathing exerciser of claim 1, wherein the lower cap member comprises a tapered end portion surrounding the lower inlet/outlet opening, whereby the exerciser can be easily connected, by frictional engagement, to tubes of different diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The breathing exerciser of claim 1, wherein the tube receiving means in both the lower and upper cap members comprises structure defining receiving bores and abutment shoulders, the bores being so dimensioned as to enable the tubes to be pressed-fitted therein, whereby the exerciser may be easily disassembled and reassembled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The breathing exerciser of claim 1, in combination with a nebulizer, said nebulizer having an output which is in fluid communication with the lower inlet/outlet opening, whereby the dosage of medicine dispensed by the nebulizer may be easily and reliably regulated.
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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) | 1987-04-24 | 1987-10-24 | 1988-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | 1992-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-24 | 1995-10-24 | 1996-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |