US5636378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact sensing vest
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-06-08
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Granted: 1997-06-10
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Expires: 2015-06-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus comprising a vest constructed using woven tubing which generally forms a mesh throughout the vest. The tubing is connected with a reservoir, wherein the tubing and reservoir are filled with electrically conductive fluid. The fluid communicates with a pair of leads to maintain a constant, low-level electrical contact therebetween. The woven tubing is covered with cloth-like material and a hardening substance, such as epoxy. Hence, the tubing will break when the vest receives a significant impact. When the tubing is broken, the fluid escapes from the tubing and breaks the electrical contact between the leads, whereby a transmitter is activated to send a recorded message. In addition, a position sensor is attached to the transmitter for activating the transmitter to send the recorded message if the apparatus is maintained in a non-vertical position for a predetermined period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Quentin L. Griffith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:44
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/05; A41D13/0518; A41D13/015; F; F41; F41J; F41J5/00; F41J5/04; F41J5/052; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S2/00; Y10S2/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An impact sensing apparatus, comprising: a vest having woven tubing; a reservoir in communication with the tubing, wherein the tubing and said reservoir form a sealed network for containing an electrically conductive fluid; wherein the tubing is capable of losing the fluid; means for sensing a loss of the fluid from the network; means for transmitting a message; and wherein said means for sensing activates said means for transmitting when fluid is lost from the tubing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An impact sensing apparatus, comprising: a vest having woven tubing; a reservoir in communication with the tubing, wherein the tubing and said reservoir form a sealed network for containing an electrically conductive fluid; wherein the tubing is capable of losing the fluid; means for sensing a loss of the fluid from the network; means for transmitting a message; and wherein said means for sensing activates said means for transmitting when fluid is lost from the tubing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubing forms a mesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubing is covered with a cloth-like material and a hardening substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting includes a transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for sensing includes a pair of leads connected to said transmitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for sensing includes two pair of leads connected to said transmitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said transmitter sends digitally recorded information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for manually activating said means for transmitting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for manually activating includes having a rip cord connected with the tubing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
An impact sensing apparatus, comprising: a garment having means for containing an electrically conductive fluid, wherein said means for containing is capable of losing the fluid; means for sensing a loss of the fluid from said means for containing; means for transmitting a message; and wherein said means for sensing activates said means for transmitting when there is a loss of the fluid from said means for containing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
An impact sensing apparatus, comprising: a garment having means for containing an electrically conductive fluid, wherein said means for containing is capable of losing the fluid; means for sensing a loss of the fluid from said means for containing; means for transmitting a message; and wherein said means for sensing activates said means for transmitting when there is a loss of the fluid from said means for containing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for containing includes tubing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tubing forms a mesh.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tubing is covered with a cloth-like material and a hardening substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for transmitting includes a transmitter for sending digitally recorded information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for sensing includes a pair of leads connected to said means for transmitting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a power switch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means for manually activating said means for transmitting, said means for manually activating includes having a rip cord connected with said means for containing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
An impact sensing apparatus, comprising: an electrically conductive fluid; a garment having means for containing said fluid, wherein said means for containing is capable of losing the fluid; means for sensing a loss of said fluid from said means for containing; means for transmitting a message; and wherein said means for sensing activates said means for transmitting when there is a loss of said fluid from said means for containing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
An impact sensing apparatus, comprising: an electrically conductive fluid; a garment having means for containing said fluid, wherein said means for containing is capable of losing the fluid; means for sensing a loss of said fluid from said means for containing; means for transmitting a message; and wherein said means for sensing activates said means for transmitting when there is a loss of said fluid from said means for containing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said garment is a vest having woven tubing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5557263A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-09 | 2000-12-09 | 2001-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | 2005-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-09 | 2008-12-09 | 2009-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |