Cap alarm system

• US 10,147,299 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2018
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jarvis, Raymond C.
• Original Assignee: Jarvis, Raymond C.
• Inventors: Jarvis, Raymond C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HALE, GLORIA M
• Application Number:
  US15/996,721
• Time in Patent Office: 183 Days
• Field of Search: 220913, 220914, 21951, 22001, 2171
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/006 convertible or adaptable for uses other than as headgear
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/22 adjustable in size ; Form-fitting or self adjusting head coverings; Devices for reducing hat size
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/242 Means for mounting detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

Headwear positionable upon a head of a wearer has a front, a back, sides, and a generally circular open bottom. A band has a first section extending downwardly from the side of the headwear. The first section is folded upwardly and terminates in a second section with a free end. A snap separably couples the free end of the band to a section of the band above the bend thereby creating a chamber. A vibrator is positioned in the chamber over the temple of the wearer. A tilt switch is positioned in the chamber and is operatively coupled to the vibrator whereby a nodding wearer will tilt the tilt switch to activate the vibrator and awaken the wearer. Batteries operatively couple the vibrator and the tilt switch.

Claims

1. A vibrating headwear system comprising:

a headwear positionable upon a head of a wearer, the headwear having a front, a back, sides, and a generally circular open bottom;

a band having a first section extending downwardly from a side of the headwear, the first section being folded upwardly and terminating in a second section with a free end, a snap separably coupling the free end of the band to a section of the band above the bend thereby creating a chamber;

a vibrator positioned in the chamber, the vibrator being positionable over a temple of a wearer, a tilt switch positioned in the chamber operatively coupled to the vibrator whereby a nodding wearer will tilt the tilt switch to activate the vibrator and awaken the wearer; and

batteries operatively coupled to the vibrator and the tilt switch.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the headwear is a cap.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the headwear, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, is a visor.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tilt switch is a non-mercury switch.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

a controller operatively coupled between the tilt switch and the vibrator to activate the vibrator for a first period of time when the tilt switch is first tilted and to inactivate the vibrator after the first period of time, the controller adapted to re-activate the vibrator for a second period of time greater than the first period of time when the tilt switch is tilted for a second time and to inactivate the vibrator after passage of the second period of time, the controller adapted to inactivate the vibrator when the tilt switch is tilted for a third period time.

6. A vibrating cap system (10) for initiating vibration when a driver nods his/her head to awaken the driver and abate traffic accidents, the initiating of vibration, the awakening of the driver and the abating of accidents being done in a safe, comfortable, convenient, and economical manner, the system comprising, in combination:

a cap (14) positionable upon the head of the driver, the cap having a hemispherical top (16), a generally circular open bottom (18), a front with a bill (20), a circumference adjusting back (22), and laterally positioned first and second sides (24)(26);

a first headband (30) and a laterally spaced second headband (32), each headband having an exterior section (34) extending downwardly from the first and second sides of the cap, each headband being folded upwardly forming a bend (35) and terminating in an interior section (36) with a free end (38), a snap (40) separably coupling the free end of the first headband to a section of the first headband above the bend thereby creating a first chamber (42);

an electrical assembly (102), positioned in the first chamber, including a printed circuit board (106), and a tilt switch (108), and a vibrator (110) and a controller (112), the printed circuit board having a printed circuit board length, the vibrator being positionable over a temple of the driver when worn, the tilt switch being operatively coupled to the vibrator whereby a nodding driver wearing the cap will tilt the switch to activate the vibrator to awaken the driver, the controller operatively coupled between the tilt switch and the vibrator to activate the vibrator for a first period of time when the tilt switch is first tilted and to inactivate the vibrator after the first period of time, the controller adapted to re-activate the vibrator for a second period of time greater than the first period of time when the tilt switch is tilted for a second time and to inactivate the vibrator after passage of the second period of time, the controller adapted to inactivate the vibrator when the tilt switch is tiled for a third period time;

a battery pack (104) and a switch (114) mounted on the outside of the cap as a source of electrical potential to power on and off the electrical assembly, the battery pack having a battery pack length; and

electrical leads (116) coupling the electrical assembly to the battery pack, the electrical leads having a length being less than the printed circuit board length and being less than the battery pack length.