WARNING DEVICE FOR DRIVERS AND THE LIKE

• US 20090121882A1
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sami H. Al-Mutairi
• Original Assignee: Sami H. Al-Mutairi
• Inventors: Al-Mutairi, Sami H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,868,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep includes a pressurized collar adapted to fit around an individual'"'"'s neck with an operable portion of the collar under the individual'"'"'s chin and in close proximity thereto. A pressure sensor and an alarm are provided to sense an increase in pressure due to the individual'"'"'s chin pressing against the collar and sound an alarm in response to the increase in pressure. The alarm may be audible or tactile.

Claims

1. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep, said warning device comprising:

a pressurized collar adapted to fit around the neck of an individual;

a pressure sensor for sensing a change in internal pressure of said pressurized collar due to the tilt of an individual'"'"'s head; and

an alarm for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep in response to a change in the internal pressure of the collar.

2. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 1 in which said pressurized collar passes under the chin of an individual so that a forward tilt of the individual'"'"'s head increases the pressure within said collar to thereby activate said alarm.

3. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 2 in which said alarm is an audible alarm.

4. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 2 in which said alarm provides a tactile warning.

5. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep in accordance with claim 4 in which said alarm electrically shocks the individual.

6. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 2 which includes an electrical power source and means for connecting said power source to said alarm.

7. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 2 which includes means for alerting a passenger in a motor vehicle of a driver'"'"'s tendency to fall asleep.

8. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 2 which includes means for delaying the alarm to thereby avoid false alarms when an individual'"'"'s head is intentionally tilted.

9. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 8 which includes a mercury switch and a high density non-conductive substance disposed in said switch.

10. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 5 in which said warning device includes an electric switch, a power source, a mild shocker and a clip and wherein said electric switch, power source and mild shocker are adapted to be mounted on an ear of an individual and said clip is adapted for touching the individual'"'"'s ear so that a tilt of the individual'"'"'s head results in a mild electrical shock to the individual.

11. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep, said warning comprising:

means for detecting a change in the forward/aft tilt of an individual'"'"'s head;

an alarm for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep in response to a change in the position of the individual'"'"'s head; and

in which said warning device includes an electrical circuit having a power source, a mild shocker, a clip for connecting said shocker to an ear of the individual and a switch for connecting said shocker to said power source when an individual'"'"'s head tilts forward to thereby warn the individual that they are falling asleep.

12. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 11 in which said electrical circuit includes said power source, said mild shocker, said clip and said switch disposed on an ear of an individual.

13. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 12 which includes a mercury switch and a high density non-conductive fluid disposed in said switch.

14. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep comprising the steps of:

providing a pressurized collar and placing the pressurized collar around the neck of an individual with a portion of the pressurized collar under the chin of and in close proximity to the chin of the individual;

sensing an increase in pressure within the pressurized collar; and

activating an alarm in response to an increase in pressure.

15. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 14 which includes the step of providing an audible alarm and activating the audible alarm.

16. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 14 in which the alarm is a water bottle with a sprayer directed toward the face of an individual and wherein activating the alarm directs water into the face of the individual.