Apparatus for deterring thumbsucking

• US 4,692,748 A
• Filed: 07/18/1986
• Issued: 09/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George F. Pinsak, Henry H. Morton Jr
• Original Assignee: George F. Pinsak, Henry H. Morton Jr
• Inventors: Morton, Henry H. Jr., Pinsak, George F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/887,863
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/604, 200/61.04, 200/DIG. 2
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/50 Devices for preventing finger-sucking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches

Abstract

A glove apparatus for deterring thumbsucking, including a glove body to which is affixed a battery-operated electrical alarm arrangement. The alarm arrangement includes a module containing a battery, an alarm device, and an electrical contact mounted in the wristband of the glove body for surface contact by the electrical contact with the user'"'"'s wrist. An electrical wire lead extending through the glove body connects the module electrically with another electrical contact insulatively attached to the outward surface of the thumb portion of the glove body to be exposed outwardly without being in surface or other electrical contact with the user'"'"'s thumb. When the user inserts the thumb into the mouth, a continuous electrical circuit is completed through the alarm arrangement and through the user'"'"'s body to enable the battery to activate the alarm device to sound an audible alarm alerting the user to remove the thumb from the mouth.

Claims

1. Apparatus for deterring a person from sucking a digit of the hand, said apparatus comprising a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, circuit means electrically connecting said first and second electrical contacts for potential electrical current flow therebetween, a source of electrical current electrically associated with said circuit means for supplying electrical current thereto, alarm means electrically associated with said circuit means for activation by electrical current flow through said circuit means, and means for attaching said first contact in electrical contact with the person'"'"'s skin and for attaching said second contact to one digit of the person'"'"'s hand in electrically insulated relation therefrom and exposed outwardly thereof for completing a continuous electrical circuit through said circuit means and through the body of the person when the digit is inserted in the person'"'"'s mouth in electrical contact therewith for permitting flow of electrical current from said source through said circuit means to activate said alarm means to alert the person to remove the digit from the mouth.

2. Apparatus for deterring a person from sucking a digit of the hand according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said electric current source is a low voltage battery.

3. Apparatus for deterring a person from sucking a digit of the hand according to claim 1 and characterizied further in that said alarm means includes means for sounding an audible signal.

4. Apparatus for deterring a person from sucking a digit of the hand according to claim 1 and characterizied further in that said attaching means includes glove means for wearing on the person'"'"'s hand.

5. Glove apparatus for deterring a person from thumbsucking, said glove apparatus comprising a glove body adapted to be worn on the person'"'"'s hand, a first electrical contact affixed to said glove body for electrical contact with the person'"'"'s skin, a second electrical contact affixed to said glove body for exposure outwardly of the person'"'"'s thumb in electrically insulated relation therefrom, circuit means electrically connecting said first and second electrical contacts for potential electrical current flow therebetween, battery means attached to said glove body in electrical association with said circuit means for supplying electrical current thereto, and alarm means attached to said glove body in electrical association with said circuit means for activation of an audible signal by electrical current flow through said circuit means, said first and second electrical contacts being adapted to complete a continuous electrical circuit through said circuit means and through the body of the person when the thumb is inserted in the person'"'"'s mouth in electrical contact therewith for permitting flow of electrical current from said battery means through said circuit means to activate said alarm means to alert the person to remove the thumb from the mouth.

6. Glove apparatus for deterring a person from thumbsucking according to claim 5 and characterized further in that said battery means is arranged to provide a source of low voltage electric current to avoid risk of electrical shock to the person.

7. Glove apparatus for deterring a person from thumbsucking according to claim 5 and characterized further in that said first electrical contact, said battery means and said alarm means are mounted together as a module attached to said glove body.

8. Glove apparatus for deterring a person from thumbsucking according to claim 7 and characterized further in that said glove body includes a cuff portion, said module being attached to said cuff portion for contact of said first electrical contact with the person'"'"'s wrist.

9. Glove apparatus for deterring a person from thumbsucking according to claim 8 and characterized further in that said glove body includes a thumb portion, said second electrical contact being attached to said thumb portion and exposed outwardly therefrom.

10. Glove apparatus for deterring a person from thumbsucking according to claim 9 and characterized further in that said battery means is arranged to provide a source of low voltage electric current to avoid risk of electrical shock to the person.