Flexion monitoring device

• US 5,128,655 A
• Filed: 01/09/1991
• Issued: 07/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kathy, Fortworth, Tx. Aiken, Paul, Fortworth, Tx. Aiken
• Original Assignee: Kathy, Fortworth, Tx. Aiken, Paul, Fortworth, Tx. Aiken
• Inventors: Shore, Edward E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US07/639,110
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/689, 200/61.52, 200/DIG. 2, 128/782
• US Class Current: 340/573.7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches

Abstract

The invention is a monitoring device used to monitor bending of the back and spinal column that counts and displays the number of bends of the back beyond a predetermined angle during a specified time of operation, and also provides the option to emit an audible tone each time the predetermined angle is exceeded.

Claims

1. a flexion monitoring device comprising:

a two part electronic components housing having a section for mounting a counting means for gathering and storing data to determine the extent of improper forward bending of the low back, with said counting means being located interiorly in one end of said section;

a switching means, mounted interiorly in said front section to sense a predetermined degree of flexion of said low back and to supply an activating electrical signal to said counting means on each event wherein said predetermined degree of flexion of said low back is reached;

a viewing means located on the same end of said front section as said counting means to permit observing of an accumulated count upon said counting means from the exterior of said front section;

a rear section of said two part electronics components housing for mounting an electric battery power source interiorly in its own separate compartment;

a warning means mounted interiorly in said rear section, with its sound emitting portion protruding exteriorly, to alert the water of said flexion monitoring device of said improper forward bending of the low back, through activation by said electrical signal from said switching means located in said front section;

a voltage reducing means located between the positive source of said electrical battery power source and the positive input to said counting means; and

a function selector key locking means mounted interiorly in said rear section with its key receptacle protruding exteriorly for selecting either a counting function or a counting and warning function combined.

2. A flexion monitoring device attachable to the spinal column of a person for monitoring the frequency of bending of the lower back, comprising:

a counting circuit;

a position sensitive switch connected to and advancing said counting circuit each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle; and

a display device for displaying the number of counts registered by said counting circuit indicative of the number of times the lower back is bent through said predetermined angle.

3. The monitoring device of claim 2, including:

a warning device capable of emitting an audible signal; and

a second position sensitive switch connected to and energizing said warning device to cause it to emit an audible signal each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle.

4. The monitoring device according to claim 3, including a key switch for switching the monitoring device between off and two operating modes.

5. The monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein said two operating modes are:

(1) counting each time the lower back is bent though a predetermined angle; and

(2) counting as in (1), and also emitting an audible tone each time the lower back is bent though a predetermined angle.

6. A flexion monitoring device attachable to the spinal column of a person for monitoring the frequency of bending of the lower back, comprising:

a counting circuit;

a position sensitive switch connected to and advancing said counting circuit each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle;

a display device for displaying the number of counts registered by said counting circuit indicative of the number of times the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle;

a warning device capable of emitting an audible signal; and

a second position sensitive switch connected to and energizing said warning device to cause it to emit and audible signal each time the lower back is bent through said predetermined angle.

7. The monitoring device according to claim 6, including a key switch for switching the monitor device between off and two operating modes, wherein said two operating modes are:

(1) counting each time the lower back is bent though a predetermined angle; and

(2) counting as in (1), and also emitting an audible tone each time the lower back is bent through a predetermined angle.