Electromechanical tactile stimulation device worn on a belt for the prevention of snoring

• US 5,381,801 A
• Filed: 08/17/1993
• Issued: 01/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David W. Spinks, Jerry M. Mcshane
• Original Assignee: David W. Spinks, Jerry M. Mcshane
• Inventors: McShane, Jerry M., Spinks, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/107,305
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 128/848, 128/871, 128/876, 128/846, 128/870, 128/869, 2/DIG. 11, 2/311, 2/312, 2/315, 224/253, 224/251, 224/240, 600/26, 600/27, 601/70, 601/71, 601/79, 340/573
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00

Abstract

A plurally pocketed belt is wearable by a sleeping person, and provides for pressure responsive alerting devices to be inserted within one or more of the pockets. The pockets are preferably disposed in the central back, lateral, and/or rearward lateral areas of the belt when the belt is being worn, thus providing a variety of placement choices for the anti-snoring devices which may be installed therein. The devices may comprise an electromechanical vibrator, activated by a pressure switch when the device is positioned between the sleeper and an underlying surface, and/or rigid, monolithic devices having multiple projections which serve to encourage the sleeper to shift positions when disposed between the sleeper and an underlying surface. The relatively non-compliant devices provide better stimulus to encourage the sleeper to shift positions than other, softer devices developed, and provide a variety of stimuli in order that a sleeper cannot become accustomed to a single type of stimulus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the prevention of snoring by a user of said apparatus, comprising:

a belt having first and second ends with cooperating frontal closure means thereon, a left dorsal portion, a right dorsal portion, a medial dorsal portion, a left lateral portion and a right lateral portion, and plural pockets installed along said belt, wherein said left dorsal portion, said right dorsal portion, said medial dorsal portion, said left lateral portion and said right lateral portion each includes at least one of said pockets, whereby said belt is worn about a torso of a user;

at least one tactile stimulation device, wherein said at least one tactile stimulation device is installed in at least one of said dorsal pockets, and in at least one of said lateral pockets;

said tactile stimulation device includes a battery powered electromechanical device having a motor driving an eccentrically balanced wheel and activated by a pressure sensitive switch when said pressure sensitive switch is located between the underlying surface and the torso of the user, whereby

said eccentrically balanced wheel produces a vibration when said motor is activated by means of said pressure sensitive switch;

whereby when said tactile stimulation device is between the user and an underlying surface, said tactile stimulation device provides tactile stimulation to the user, whereby the user changes sleeping positions in response to the tactile stimulation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

timer delay means installed in series with said electromechanical device and said pressure sensitive switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a rigid and hard case surrounding said electromechanical device, whereby said case provides tactile discomfort in combination with vibration when said electromechanical device is interposed between a person and an underlying surface and said motor is activated.