Immersion control device and associated alarm system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An immersion control device comprising:
- (a) a fluid filled support device,(b) fluid chamber means located below and in a generally supporting relationship with the fluid filled support device,(c) fluid interconnecting means providing a fluid passage between the fluid filled support device and the fluid chamber means,(d) sensing means for sensing a fluid pressure change within the support device and the fluid chamber means, the sensing means including;
1. a first conductor,2. a second conductor, and3. at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor movable between a spaced apart position and a contacting position, wherein the movement of either or both the conductors is in response to the change in fluid pressure within the immersion control device.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An immersion control device. The device includes a fluid filled manifold and a fluid filled support device. Fluid pressure in the fluid filled support device equals fluid pressure in the fluid manifold notwithstanding respective fluid volumes. Immersion depth is controlled by increasing or decreasing fluid pressure. A fluid pressure regulator operates manually or automatically in response to a feedback of a fluid pressure change. Regulating members and spaced apart conductors or conductive stages can be used to provide feedback and activate an alarm, the fluid pressure regulator or both.
59 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. An immersion control device comprising:
-
(a) a fluid filled support device, (b) fluid chamber means located below and in a generally supporting relationship with the fluid filled support device, (c) fluid interconnecting means providing a fluid passage between the fluid filled support device and the fluid chamber means, (d) sensing means for sensing a fluid pressure change within the support device and the fluid chamber means, the sensing means including; 1. a first conductor, 2. a second conductor, and 3. at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor movable between a spaced apart position and a contacting position, wherein the movement of either or both the conductors is in response to the change in fluid pressure within the immersion control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An immersion control device comprising:
-
(a) lower support means for supporting a fluid chamber, (b) upper support means movably connected to the lower support means, the lower support means and upper support means defining a fluid chamber enclosure, the upper support means supporting a fluid filled device, (c) wall means, the wall means in cooperative relationship so as to allow relative movement between the lower support means and the upper support means, the relative movement generally limited to movement of the support means toward and away from each other, (d) fluid chamber means, the fluid chamber means located within the fluid chamber enclosure, (e) a fluid interconnecting means providing a fluid tight passage between the fluid chamber means and the fluid filled device, (f) means for sensing a change in fluid pressure, the sensing means connected to the lower support means, the upper support means and the wall means, and (g) the sensing means including a plurality of spaced apart conductive stages. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An immersion control device comprising:
-
(a) a fluid filled support device for maintaining a desired depth of immersion for supporting a weight of a person or object, the desired depth of immersion corresponding to a fluid pressure, the fluid filled support device having one fluid volume, (b) a fluid chamber means having another fluid volume, the fluid chamber means in supporting relationship with the fluid filled support device, (c) a sensing means for sensing fluid pressure within the fluid chamber means and the fluid filled support device, and (d) the fluid filled support device fluid pressure equal to the fluid chamber means fluid pressure independent of any difference between the one fluid volume and the other fluid volume. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of providing a determined immersion depth in an immersion control device, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing a fluid filled support device for supporting an individual or an object, (b) providing a fluid filled chamber means connected to the fluid support device such that fluid pressure in the fluid filled support device is equal to fluid pressure in the fluid chamber means independent of the fluid volumes of either the fluid filled support device or the fluid chamber means, (c) determining a desired immersion depth for the individual or object supported by the fluid filed support device, the desired immersion depth corresponding to a desired fluid pressure within the immersion control device, (d) connecting a sensing means to the fluid chamber means to respond to a fluid pressure change, (e) the sensing means sensing the fluid pressure change in the fluid chamber means, the fluid pressure change correlating to a corresponding change in the immersion depth of the object or individual supported by the fluid filled support device, and (f) locating the fluid chamber means in a supporting relationship with respect to the fluid filled support device.
-
Specification