Warning device for drivers and the like

• US 7,868,770 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sami H. Al-Mutairi
• Original Assignee: Sami H. Al-Mutairi
• Inventors: Al-Mutairi, Sami H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Quang
• Application Number:
  US11/939,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20090121882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 340/575, 340/573, 340/576, 340/573.1, 340/439, 364/413
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep includes a pressurized collar adapted to fit around an individual'"'"'s neck with an operable portion of the collar under the individual'"'"'s chin and in close proximity thereto. A pressure sensor and an alarm are provided to sense an increase in pressure due to the individual'"'"'s chin pressing against the collar and sound an alarm in response to the increase in pressure. The alarm may be audible or tactile.

Claims

1. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep, said warning device comprising:

a pressurized collar adapted to fit around the neck of the individual with a portion of the pressurized collar in the form of a diaphragm under the chin of and in close proximity to the chin of the individual for detecting a change in the forward/aft tilt of the individual'"'"'s head;

a pressure sensor for sensing a change in the internal pressure of said pressurized collar due to the tilt of the individual'"'"'s head; and

an alarm for alerting the individual of the tendency to fall asleep in response to said change in the forward/aft tilt of the individual'"'"'s head; and

in which said warning device includes an electrical circuit having a power source, a mild shocker, a clip for connecting said shocker to an ear of the individual and a mercury switch for connecting said shocker to said power source when the individual'"'"'s head tilts forward/aft to thereby warn the individual that they are falling asleep; and

wherein said mercury switch includes a mercury ball surrounded by a filler having a mass of relatively high density non-conductive liquid comparing to air to produce a slight delay action to avoid an alarm if the individual promptly lifts his/her head after looking down to check the instruments.

2. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 1 which includes an audible alarm and means for activating the audible alarm for alerting a passenger in a motor vehicle of a drivers tendency to fall asleep.

3. A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep according to claim 1 in which the alarm is a water bottle with a sprayer directed toward the face of an individual and wherein activating the alarm directs air from said diaphragm into said water bottle to spray water into the face of the individual.