Sound emitting device for maintaining correct posture or avoiding the effects of drowsiness

• US 20050235509A1
• Filed: 04/21/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DEH LLC
• Original Assignee: DEH LLC
• Inventors: Heath, Derek E.
• Application Number:
  US11/111,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20050235509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/512
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/245 Means for mounting audio or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/22 Motor vehicles operators, e.g. drivers, pilots, captains
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4561 Evaluating static posture, e.g. undesirable back curvature A61B5/1116 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0602 Non-electronic means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0688 using non-electronic means, e.g. mechanical, visual, acoustic or tactile means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/62 posture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A device for assisting a wearer of the device to maintain correct posture or avoid the effects of drowsiness. The device comprises a tubular member which may be attached to an article of clothing or the body of a wearer, and the tubular member houses a ball, or a hammer, which impacts the wall of the tubular member so as to emit an audible sound or ping whenever the device is tilted from is initial position, to thereby warn the wearer of the tilted condition and so that corrective action can be taken.

Claims

1. A device for assisting a wearer of the device to maintain a correct posture or avoid the effects of drowsiness, comprising

a tubular member configured to permit it to be attached to an article of clothing or the body of a wearer,

means mounted within the tubular member for impacting the wall of the tubular member so as to emit a sound whenever the tubular member is pivoted in either direction from an initial orientation,

whereby the device may be attached to an article of clothing or the body of the wearer so as to be disposed in said initial orientation when the wearer is in a position of correct posture, and when the wearer tilts from the position of correct posture a warning sound is emitted.

2. A device for assisting a wearer of the device to maintain a correct posture or avoid the effects of drowsiness, comprising

a tubular member having opposite end walls,

a ball retained within the tubular member so that the ball is free to roll into contact with either one of the end walls of the tubular member, said ball and end walls being composed of materials which result in an audible sound being emitted whenever the ball rolls into contact with one of the end walls,

whereby the device may be attached to an article of clothing or the body of the wearer so that the tubular support member is disposed substantially horizontally when the wearer is in a position of correct posture, and when the wearer tilts from the position of correct posture the ball rolls into contact with the lower one of the end walls to emit a warning sound.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising means interacting between the ball and the tubular member for releasably supporting the ball at a medial location along the length of the tubular member when the tubular member is in a horizontal orientation.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the supporting means comprises an arcuate curvature of the tubular member so that when the tubular member is oriented substantially horizontally, the ball will be moved by gravity to the medial location.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the supporting means comprises a detent formed in the side wall of the tubular member for releasably supporting the ball at the medial location when the tubular member is oriented substantially horizontally.

6. A device for assisting a wearer of the device to maintain a correct posture or avoid the effects of drowsiness, comprising

a tubular member,

a hammer pivotally mounted within the tubular member so as to be adapted to engage opposite wall portions of the tubular member,

said hammer and the opposite wall portions of the tubular member being composed of materials which result in an audible sound being emitted whenever the hammer pivots into contact with one of the opposite wall portions of the tubular member,

means for biasing the hammer toward a neutral position which is spaced from the opposite wall portions of the tubular member,

whereby the device may be attached to an article of clothing or to the body of the wearer in a predetermined orientation when the wearer of the device is in a position of correct posture, and when the wearer tilts either forwardly or rearwardly from the position of correct posture the hammer pivots against the force of the biasing means into contact with one of the opposite wall portions of the tubular member to emit a warning sound which alerts the wearer.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

8. An article of clothing having provision for assisting a wearer maintain correct posture or avoid the effects of drowsiness, comprising

a body garment,

a sound emitting device comprising a tubular member having opposite end walls, a ball retained within the tubular member so that the ball is free to roll into contact with either one of the end walls of the tubular member, said ball and end walls being composed of materials which result in an audible sound being emitted whenever the ball rolls into contact with one of the end walls,

said sound emitting device being mounted to the body garment so as to be disposed substantially horizontally when the body garment is worn by a wearer and the wearer is in a position of correct posture, and so that when the wearer moves from the position of correct posture the ball rolls into contact with one of the end walls and emits a warning sound.

9. The article of clothing of claim 8 wherein the body garment is a hat or cap.

10. The article of clothing of claim 9 wherein the sound emitting device is mounted within the band of the hat or cap so as to be positioned immediately adjacent the ear of the wearer.