Device giving warning when undesired lifting position is assumed

• US 5,089,808 A
• Filed: 10/26/1990
• Issued: 02/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amsau Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Amsau Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Amirdash, Omar S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/603,511
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/689, 340/693
• US Class Current: 340/573.7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons

Abstract

A device giving warning when an undesired lifting position is assumed by a worker preparing to lift an object has a case having a longitudinal axis. A switch is mounted in the case and has operative and inoperative positions and assumes an operative position when the switch is tilted from the vertical beyond a predetermined angle. An alarm is carried by the case and electronic circuitry is connected to the tilt switch and to the alarm for actuating the alarm when the tilt switch is moved from the vertical beyond the predetermined position.

Claims

1. A device adapted to be inserted into the shirt pocket of a wearer giving warning when an undesired lifting position is assumed by a worker in the bending of the worker'"'"'s back in preparing to lift an object, comprising an elongate case having a longitudinal axis and having a top wall, said case being of a size so that it can be placed in the shirt pocket of the wearer, a switch mounted in the case and having operative and inoperative positions and assuming an operative position when the switch is tilted from the vertical beyond a predetermined angle, an alarm carried by the case and electronic circuitry connected to the tilt switch and to the alarm for actuating the alarm when the tilt switch is moved from the vertical beyond said predetermined position, a clip secured to the outside of the case and extending below the top wall, and adapted to be secured to the shirt pocket of the wearer to prevent the device from falling out of the shirt pocket of the wearer while the worker is bending his back and an additional switch mounted in the case and extending through the top wall so that it is readily accessible to the wearer for operation of the same while the device is in the shirt pocket of the wearer, said additional switch being connected into said electronic circuitry for turning said electronic circuitry on and off.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes timing means for preventing a signal from being emitted by the alarm prior to the elapse of a predetermined time, during which time the tilt switch is in an operative position.

3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said circuitry includes an oscillator for generating an audible tone.

4. A device as in claim 3 wherein said circuitry includes an additional oscillator for modulating said audible tone.

5. A device as in claim 2 wherein said timing means of said timing circuitry includes a resistive/capacitive network and means for discharging said resistive/capacitive network.

6. A device as in claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes batteries and conductors connected to said batteries.

7. A device as in claim 1 wherein said alarm is in the form of an audible speaker.