US5341127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained bed wetting alarm
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-12-06
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Granted: 1994-08-23
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Expires: 2013-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A compact self-contained bedwetting alarm uses intermittent vibration to awaken the user. Sensors on the surface of the alarm enclosure sense the presence of urine and activate a low frequency vibration. The vibration is turned on and off by a timer so that the user is not lulled to sleep by the vibration. The alarm may be worn in close proximity to the source of urine. There are no external wires to entangle, and the position of the alarm close to the source of urine reminds the user to control the emission of urine when the alarm is on.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:24
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A nocturnal bedwetting alarm for alerting a sleeping user to a presence of urine by discontinuous mechanical vibrations, said alarm comprises: an enclosure for housing the entire alarm, said enclosure has a sensing surface; at least two sensor terminals on said sensing surface of said enclosure for sensing the presence of urine; an electromechanical device for inducing mechanical vibrations in said enclosure; switching means responsive to said terminals sensing the presence of urine for applying voltage to said electromechanical device so that said device induces vibrations in said enclosure; and a timer circuit electrically connected between said switching means and said electromechanical device to alternately open and close the circuit's electrical connection between said switching means and said electromechanical device so as to produce discontinuities in vibrations in said enclosure and thereby awaken the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A nocturnal bedwetting alarm for alerting a sleeping user to a presence of urine by discontinuous mechanical vibrations, said alarm comprises: an enclosure for housing the entire alarm, said enclosure has a sensing surface; at least two sensor terminals on said sensing surface of said enclosure for sensing the presence of urine; an electromechanical device for inducing mechanical vibrations in said enclosure; switching means responsive to said terminals sensing the presence of urine for applying voltage to said electromechanical device so that said device induces vibrations in said enclosure; and a timer circuit electrically connected between said switching means and said electromechanical device to alternately open and close the circuit's electrical connection between said switching means and said electromechanical device so as to produce discontinuities in vibrations in said enclosure and thereby awaken the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The alarm of claim 1 wherein said electromechanical device induces mechanical vibrations at the lower extreme of the audio spectrum and said timer circuit alternately opens and closes the electrical connection in tens of cycles per minute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
Alarm apparatus for discontinuously vibrating a sleeping user upon detecting a presence of urine in close proximity to the source of urine, said apparatus is compact, self-contained and comprises: an enclosure means for enclosing the entire alarm apparatus, said enclosure means has a surface positioned in close proximity to the source of urine; means for vibrating said enclosure means; means proximate to said surface of said enclosure means for sensing the presence of urine; switching means responsive to said sensing means for switching on said vibrating means; and cycling means responsive to said switching means for cycling said vibrating mean on and off to produce discontinuous vibration of said enclosure means whereby the discontinuous vibration of said enclosure means in close proximity to the source of urine awakens the user and alerts the user to stop urination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
Alarm apparatus for discontinuously vibrating a sleeping user upon detecting a presence of urine in close proximity to the source of urine, said apparatus is compact, self-contained and comprises: an enclosure means for enclosing the entire alarm apparatus, said enclosure means has a surface positioned in close proximity to the source of urine; means for vibrating said enclosure means; means proximate to said surface of said enclosure means for sensing the presence of urine; switching means responsive to said sensing means for switching on said vibrating means; and cycling means responsive to said switching means for cycling said vibrating mean on and off to produce discontinuous vibration of said enclosure means whereby the discontinuous vibration of said enclosure means in close proximity to the source of urine awakens the user and alerts the user to stop urination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said vibrating means vibrates said enclosure means at a frequency in the lower extreme of the audio spectrum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 4 wherein said cycling means cycles said vibrating means on and off in tens of cycles per minute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 4 wherein said cycling means cycles said vibrating means on and off about 20 cycles per minute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 3 wherein said vibrating means vibrates said enclosure means at substantially 30 cycles per second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cycling means cycles said vibrating means on and off at substantially 20 cycles per minute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1997-08-22 | 1998-02-21 | 1998-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-22 | 2002-02-21 | 2002-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-22 | 2006-02-21 | 2006-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |