US5361241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vib-a-wake
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-04-14
•
Granted: 1994-11-01
•
Expires: 2013-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A Vib-A-Wake wristwatch is provided that alerts the wearer by vibrating the entire watchband. Unlike watches that vibrate just the watch body, this provides a quieter and more effective alarm. Two vibrating watchband embodiments are provided. In the first, the watchband is vibrated using electromechanical means, and, in the second, the watchband is vibrated using a flexible piezoelectric crystal embedded in the watchband. A snooze alarm and accessory battery charger are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvator Ferrara
- 👤 Michael Sferrazza
- 👤 Pietro Oppedisano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:34
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B25/00; G04B25/02; G04B25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A Vib-A-Wake comprising in combination: a) a conventional electric wrist watch with vibrating means functioning to vibrate both watch and wrist band at pre-set alarm times; b) an energy transmitting watch band functioning to transmit vibrating energy from said watch at pre-set alarm times through said wrist band to a person's wrist waking up said person; and c) a spring loaded button which returns to its original position after suppression, and functions to extend said pre-set alarm time by a preset snooze time allowing said person to sleep longer before said pre-set alarm is reactivated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A Vib-A-Wake comprising in combination: a) a conventional electric wrist watch with vibrating means functioning to vibrate both watch and wrist band at pre-set alarm times; b) an energy transmitting watch band functioning to transmit vibrating energy from said watch at pre-set alarm times through said wrist band to a person's wrist waking up said person; and c) a spring loaded button which returns to its original position after suppression, and functions to extend said pre-set alarm time by a preset snooze time allowing said person to sleep longer before said pre-set alarm is reactivated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 1, where said means for vibrating the wrist band of said watch when a preset alarm time coincides with the current time registered on said watch comprises a magnetic wrist band vibrating system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 2, further comprising an oscillator; a magnetic coil and a pole piece, whereby said coil is wound around said pole piece wherein said coil is connected to said oscillator thereby creating an oscillating magnetic field; a metal strap embedded in said watchband; two aerometers, each of which is permanently affixed to an end of said metal strap, such that said aerometers are in close proximity to said pole piece, such that said oscillating magnetic field causes said aerometers and said metal band to vibrate at a low frequency, thereby alerting the wearer of said Vib-A-Wake that the alarm has occurred without producing any audible sound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 3, wherein said metal band is embedded in a canvas band.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 1, wherein said watch band is split lengthwise into two strips, the variable closure of which is facilitated using two strips of hook and loop file type fastener material wherein one strip of hook and loop pile type fastener material is permanently affixed to one surface of said split watchband and a second strip of hook and loop pile type fastener material is permanently affixed to the opposing surface of the remaining watchband segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 1, where said means for vibrating the wrist band of said watch when a preset alarm time coincides with the current time registered on said watch comprises a piezoelectric wrist band vibrating system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 6, further comprising an oscillator and a flexible piezoelectric crystal embedded in said watchband, wherein said oscillator is connected to said piezoelectric crystal such that said flexible crystal vibrates at a low frequency, thereby alerting the wearer of said Vib-A-Wake that the alarm has occurred without producing any audible sound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 7, wherein said flexible piezoelectric crystal is embedded in a canvas band.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hinged cover plate that covers conventional alarm setting buttons such that when said cover is hinged in the closed position, said buttons cannot be activated unintentionally.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetically operated snooze button.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 10, wherein said snooze button comprises an electromagnetically operated latch that when activated by the alarm, release a spring loaded button which projects from the body of said Vib-A-Wake, whereby the wearer may reset said button thereby turning off said alarm for some predetermined period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
A Vib-A-Wake, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a battery charger that recharges a storage battery inside said watch, whereby said watchband is slid over a cylindrical protrusion on said charger and electrical contact between said charger and said watchband is made by placing electrical contacts on the outer surface of said cylinder and on the inner surface of said watchband such that good electrical contact is made.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4130987A
Cited
US4427303A
Cited
US4862436A
Cited
US5020039A
Cited
US5179733A
Cited
US5072429A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-31 | 1998-05-02 | 1998-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-31 | 2002-05-02 | 2002-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-05-02 | 2006-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |