← Back to Patent Explorer
US5128655A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flexion monitoring device

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-01-09
•
Granted: 1992-07-07
•
Expires: 2011-01-09
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The invention is a monitoring device used to monitor bending of the back and spinal column that counts and displays the number of bends of the back beyond a predetermined angle during a specified time of operation, and also provides the option to emit an audible tone each time the predetermined angle is exceeded.

Inventors

  • 👤 Edward E. Shore

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 00:56
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B23/00; A63B23/02; A63B23/0244; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1116; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 256 words
a flexion monitoring device comprising: a two part electronic components housing having a section for mounting a counting means for gathering and storing data to determine the extent of improper forward bending of the low back, with said counting means being located interiorly in one end of said section; a switching means, mounted interiorly in said front section to sense a predetermined degree of flexion of said low back and to supply an activating electrical signal to said counting means on each event wherein said predetermined degree of flexion of said low back is reached; a viewing means located on the same end of said front section as said counting means to permit observing of an accumulated count upon said counting means from the exterior of said front section; a rear section of said two part electronics components housing for mounting an electric battery power source interiorly in its own separate compartment; a warning means mounted interiorly in said rear section, with its sound emitting portion protruding exteriorly, to alert the water of said flexion monitoring device of said improper forward bending of the low back, through activation by said electrical signal from said switching means located in said front section; a voltage reducing means located between the positive source of said electrical battery power source and the positive input to said counting means; and a function selector key locking means mounted interiorly in said rear section with its key receptacle protruding exteriorly for selecting either a counting function or a counting and warning function combined.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 256 words
a flexion monitoring device comprising: a two part electronic components housing having a section for mounting a counting means for gathering and storing data to determine the extent of improper forward bending of the low back, with said counting means being located interiorly in one end of said section; a switching means, mounted interiorly in said front section to sense a predetermined degree of flexion of said low back and to supply an activating electrical signal to said counting means on each event wherein said predetermined degree of flexion of said low back is reached; a viewing means located on the same end of said front section as said counting means to permit observing of an accumulated count upon said counting means from the exterior of said front section; a rear section of said two part electronics components housing for mounting an electric battery power source interiorly in its own separate compartment; a warning means mounted interiorly in said rear section, with its sound emitting portion protruding exteriorly, to alert the water of said flexion monitoring device of said improper forward bending of the low back, through activation by said electrical signal from said switching means located in said front section; a voltage reducing means located between the positive source of said electrical battery power source and the positive input to said counting means; and a function selector key locking means mounted interiorly in said rear section with its key receptacle protruding exteriorly for selecting either a counting function or a counting and warning function combined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 78 words
A flexion monitoring device attachable to the spinal column of a person for monitoring the frequency of bending of the lower back, comprising: a counting circuit; a position sensitive switch connected to and advancing said counting circuit each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; and a display device for displaying the number of counts registered by said counting circuit indicative of the number of times the lower back is bent through said predetermined angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 78 words
A flexion monitoring device attachable to the spinal column of a person for monitoring the frequency of bending of the lower back, comprising: a counting circuit; a position sensitive switch connected to and advancing said counting circuit each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; and a display device for displaying the number of counts registered by said counting circuit indicative of the number of times the lower back is bent through said predetermined angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 48 words
The monitoring device of claim 2, including: a warning device capable of emitting an audible signal; and a second position sensitive switch connected to and energizing said warning device to cause it to emit an audible signal each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The monitoring device according to claim 3, including a key switch for switching the monitoring device between off and two operating modes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 49 words
The monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein said two operating modes are: (1) counting each time the lower back is bent though a predetermined angle; and (2) counting as in (1), and also emitting an audible tone each time the lower back is bent though a predetermined angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 118 words
A flexion monitoring device attachable to the spinal column of a person for monitoring the frequency of bending of the lower back, comprising: a counting circuit; a position sensitive switch connected to and advancing said counting circuit each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; a display device for displaying the number of counts registered by said counting circuit indicative of the number of times the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; a warning device capable of emitting an audible signal; and a second position sensitive switch connected to and energizing said warning device to cause it to emit and audible signal each time the lower back is bent through said predetermined angle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 118 words
A flexion monitoring device attachable to the spinal column of a person for monitoring the frequency of bending of the lower back, comprising: a counting circuit; a position sensitive switch connected to and advancing said counting circuit each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; a display device for displaying the number of counts registered by said counting circuit indicative of the number of times the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; a warning device capable of emitting an audible signal; and a second position sensitive switch connected to and energizing said warning device to cause it to emit and audible signal each time the lower back is bent through said predetermined angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 64 words
The monitoring device according to claim 6, including a key switch for switching the monitor device between off and two operating modes, wherein said two operating modes are: (1) counting each time the lower back is bent though a predetermined angle; and (2) counting as in (1), and also emitting an audible tone each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3582935A Cited
US4617525A Cited
US4871998A Cited
US4958145A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-07-07 1996-01-06 1996-07-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-07-07 2000-01-06 2000-07-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-07-07 2004-01-06 2004-07-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag