Signal activating device for a nurse call system
First Claim
1. For use in activating a nurse call system as commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes, a signal activating device comprising:
- an elongate bar having a generally U-shaped configuration including a base portion and a pair of oppositely disposed downwardly extending sides, said base portion including a top surface and an underside surface extending between two opposite ends thereof,securing means attached to said opposite ends for securing said bar to two spaced apart supporting surfaces so as to extend transversely therebetween,switch means mounted on said bar, said switch means being operable between a normally open circuit position and a closed circuit position,a lead conductor cable electrically interconnected to said switch means and extending from said bar,switch operating means including a hollow tube fitted about an exterior of said bar extending substantially along a length thereof, and including an inner surface disposed in contact with said switch means, said hollow tube being structured and disposed to facilitate operation of said switch means between said open circuit position and said closed circuit position upon applying pressure thereto, andwhereby said closed circuit condition causes a current flow to be directed to the nurse call system for activation thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A signal activating device for activating a nurse call system as commonly used in hospitals and nursing homes to summon the attending personnel for assistance, wherein an elongate bar having circuitry electrically interconnected to the call system is supported on the railing structure of a bed or chair so as to extend transversely thereacross in a readily accessible location over a midportion of the body of a person in the bed or chair. A hollow tube is fitted over the bar in engaging, supported relation on a number of electric switches mounted at spaced intervals along the bar'"'"'s length such that pressure applied by the person to any location along the upper portion of the tube serves to operate at least one electric switch on the bar, thereby activating the nurse call system.
27 Citations
12 Claims
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1. For use in activating a nurse call system as commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes, a signal activating device comprising:
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an elongate bar having a generally U-shaped configuration including a base portion and a pair of oppositely disposed downwardly extending sides, said base portion including a top surface and an underside surface extending between two opposite ends thereof, securing means attached to said opposite ends for securing said bar to two spaced apart supporting surfaces so as to extend transversely therebetween, switch means mounted on said bar, said switch means being operable between a normally open circuit position and a closed circuit position, a lead conductor cable electrically interconnected to said switch means and extending from said bar, switch operating means including a hollow tube fitted about an exterior of said bar extending substantially along a length thereof, and including an inner surface disposed in contact with said switch means, said hollow tube being structured and disposed to facilitate operation of said switch means between said open circuit position and said closed circuit position upon applying pressure thereto, and whereby said closed circuit condition causes a current flow to be directed to the nurse call system for activation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. For use in activating a nurse call system as commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes, a signal activating device comprising:
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an elongate bar having a top surface and an underside surface extending between two opposite sides, securing means attached to said opposite ends for securing said bar to two spaced apart supporting surfaces so as to extend transversely therebetween, a plurality of switches mounted in spaced relation along a length of said bar, each of said plurality of switches being electrically interconnected with a pair of conductors and being operable between a normally open circuit position and a closed circuit position wherein operation of at least one of said switches serves to complete an electric circuit between the pair of conductors, a jack attached to free distal ends of said pair of conductors, a hollow tube fitted about an exterior of said bar extending substantially along the length thereof and including an inner surface disposed in contact with said plurality of switches, said hollow tube being structured and disposed to facilitate operation of at least one of said switches between said open circuit position and said closed circuit position upon applying pressure thereto, and whereby operation of at least one of said switches to said closed circuit position serves to activate the nurse call system.
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Specification