Signaling device

• US 20060055544A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fred N. Morguelan
• Original Assignee: Fred N. Morguelan
• Inventors: Morguelan, Fred N.
• Application Number:
  US10/938,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055544A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A portable, handheld, battery powered signaling device for emitting signals corresponding to a physical sensation being experienced by the user of the device. The device includes a handgrip portion and a novel sensor in the form of a force sensitive resistor, which changes resistance when a gripping force is applied by the user to the handgrip portion of the device. The sensor is operably interconnected with signaling devices in the form of visible and audible signals, which are energized when the user squeezes the handgrip. By exerting greater or lesser forces on the handgrip the user is able to control the visible and audible signals and in this way quantify the degree of the physical sensation being experienced.

Claims

1. A handheld signaling device for emitting signals corresponding to a physical sensation being experienced by the user, comprising:

(a) a housing having an internal chamber;

(b) gripping means connected to said housing for gripping by the user to exert a pressure thereon corresponding to the degree of the physical sensation being experienced by the user;

(c) sensor means operably associated with said gripping means for sensing pressure exerted thereon by the user and for emitting a signal in response thereto; and

(d) signaling means operably associated with said sensor means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and for emitting a signal in response thereto.

2. The signaling device as defined in claim 1 in which said signaling means comprises an illuminable light mounted on said housing.

3. The signaling device as defined in claim 1 in which said signaling means comprises an audible noise generating device mounted within said chamber of said housing.

4. The signaling device as defined in claim 1 in which said sensor means comprises a force sensitive resistor that changes its resistance when a force is applied thereto.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 further including electrical circuit means carried by said housing for interconnecting said sensor means and said signaling means.

6. A handheld signaling device for emitting signals corresponding to a physical sensation being experienced by the user, comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) gripping means connected to said housing for gripping by the user to exert a pressure thereon corresponding to the degree of the physical sensation being experienced by the user;

(c) sensor means operably associated with said gripping means for sensing pressure exerted thereon by the user and for emitting a signal in response thereto, said sensor means comprises a force sensitive resistor that changes its resistance when a force is applied thereto;

(d) signaling means operably associated with said sensor means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and for emitting a signal in response thereto, said signaling means comprising a plurality of illuminable lights mounted on said housing in a spaced apart relationship; and

(e) electrical circuit means carried by said housing for interconnecting said sensor means and said signaling means.

7. The signaling device as defined in claim 6 in which said electrical circuit means comprises with a microcontroller operably associated with said sensor means for receiving a signal there from.

8. The signaling device as defined in claim 6 in which said signaling means further comprises an audible noise generating device carried by said housing.

9. The signaling device as defined in claim 8 in which said audible noise generating device comprises a speaker.

10. A handheld, portable signaling device for emitting signals corresponding to a physical sensation being experienced by the user, comprising:

(a) a housing, including first and second interconnected side members, said side members cooperating to define an internal chamber;

(b) gripping means connected to said housing for gripping by the user to exert a pressure thereon corresponding to the degree of the physical sensation being experienced by the user, said gripping means comprising a hand grip movable by the user relative to said housing between first and second positions;

(c) sensor means operably associated with said gripping means for sensing pressure exerted thereon by the user and for emitting a signal in response thereto, said sensor means comprising a force sensitive resistor that changes its resistance in response to forces applied thereto by said hand grip moving between said first and second positions as a result of forces applied to said hand grip by the user;

(d) signaling means operably associated with said sensor means for receiving said signal from said sensor means and for emitting a signal in response thereto, said signaling means comprising a plurality of illuminable lights mounted on said housing in a spaced apart relationship and an audible noise generating device disposed within said internal chamber of said housing; and

(e) electrical circuit means carried by said housing for operably interconnecting said sensor means and said signaling means.

11. The signaling device as defined in claim 10 in which said electrical circuit means comprises with a microcontroller operably associated with said sensor means for receiving signals there from.

12. The signaling device as defined in claim 11 in which said audible noise generating device comprises a speaker.