Posture position sensor

• US 5,168,264 A
• Filed: 03/06/1992
• Issued: 12/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hermenegildo C. Agustin
• Original Assignee: Hermenegildo C. Agustin
• Inventors: Agustin, Hermenegildo C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/846,837
• Time in Patent Office: 270 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/689, 200/61.52, 200/DIG. 2
• 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

An electronic posture position sensor device for alerting the user whenever an incorrect posture is assumed. The posture position sensor includes an electrical circuit that includes, a power means, a switch assembly, an electronic timer capable of being set at predetermined cycles, and an alerting means. The switch assembly comprises a first conducting pendulum and two sensor terminals attached, respectively, to second and third selectively positionable conducting pendulums. The second and third pendulums have a clamping means which allow the user to manually position the second and third pendulums for different sitting positions. When an incorrect posture is assumed, the switch assembly is opened which allows current to flow from the power means through the circuit to the timer. When the predetermined timer cycle elapses, the current causes the alert means to alert the user when sitting in an incorrect sitting position.

Claims

1. A posture position sensor for attachment to a user'"'"'s article of clothing for alerting the user whenever an incorrect posture position is assumed, said sensor comprising:

A) a housing;

B) an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit having;

i) an electronic timer capable of being set at predetermined time cycles;

ii) alert means to alert the user of an incorrect posture;

iii) power means located within said housing to provide current to said electrical circuit;

iv) a switch assembly including;

(a) a first conducting pendulum rotatably fastened to a support member disposed within said housing;

(b) a first conducting terminal disposed on a second selectively-positionable conducting pendulum pivotally attached to said support member, said second pendulum having conducting clamping means for selectively positioning said second pendulum in predetermined positions;

c) a second conducting terminal disposed on a third selectively-positionable conducting pendulum pivotally attached to said support member, said third pendulum having conducting clamping means for selectively positioning said third pendulum in predetermined positions;

wherein when said switch assembly is open, causing said predetermined electronic timer cycle to begin, said first conducting pendulum is disengaged from said first or second conducting terminals, wherein when said switch assembly is closed, causing said predetermined timer cycle to restart, said first conducting pendulum is disengaged from said first or second conducting terminals, and wherein said switch assembly allows said alert means to produce a signal only when said switch assembly is open for period of time longer than said predetermined timer cycle;

c) a first set button connected to said second conducting pendulum clamping means for manually selecting the position of said second conducting pendulum; and

d) a second set button connected to said third conducting pendulum for manually selecting the position of said third conducting pendulum.

2. The posture position sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor housing further comprises means for attaching said sensor to a user'"'"'s article of clothing.

3. The posture position sensor of claim 2 wherein said sensor attaching means comprises at least two alligator clips.

4. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor further comprises an electronic timer cycle set knob.

5. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor further comprises a power switch to manually control said power means to said sensor.

6. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said alert means is a vibrator motor.

7. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said alert means is a buzzer.

8. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said alert means is a beeper.

9. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said power means is a battery.

10. The posture sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing is two inches in height, two inches in width and one-half inch in depth.