Visibly enhanced caregiver call device

• US 7,935,903 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crest Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Crest Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Niedzielski, Paul, Sowada, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Iuebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/500,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20080063151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• Field of Search: 200/298, 200/308, 200/310, 200/299
• US Class Current: 200/298
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/00 Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food service or tea-tables, trolleys or wagons A47B31/00; Prescription lists
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/70 with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort

Abstract

A call button device includes an electrical connector in electrical communication with an elongated electrical conductor. Also included is a cable housing at least a portion of the elongated conductor. Finally, the device includes a pendant member having an actuable switch that is in electrical communication with the electrical connector through the elongated conductor. The pendant member also includes a luminous portion configured to provide non-electrical illumination in a low light environment.

Claims

1. A call button device, comprising:

an electrical connector in electrical communication with an elongated electrical conductor;

a cable housing at least a portion of the elongated conductor; and

a pendant member having an elongated body with first and second ends located on opposing ends of the elongated body, the pendant member including an actuable switch that is in electrical communication with the electrical connector through the elongated conductor, the pendant member also including a luminous portion that provides non-electrical illumination, wherein the actuable switch is located at the first end of the pendant member and the elongated conductor is located at the second end of the pendant member, wherein the luminous portion at least partially surrounds the elongated body, and wherein the luminous portion comprises at least one band.

2. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the luminous portion comprises two or more bands.

3. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor interfaces with an alert system, and wherein actuation and deactivation of the actuable switch causes corresponding electrical signals to be communicated through the elongated electrical conductor and the electrical connector.

4. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the elongated conductor comprises multiple elongated conductors.

5. The call button device of claim 1, further comprising:

a clip releasably connected to the cable.

6. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the actuable switch is a single pole, single throw, normally open, momentary switch.

7. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the actuable switch is a detented switch.

8. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the pendant member comprises a polycarbonate material.

9. The call button device of claim 1, wherein the luminous portion comprises a polycarbonate material mixed with a photoluminescent pigment.

10. The call button device of claim 9, wherein the photoluminescent pigment comprises aluminate oxide doped with europium.

11. A call button device, comprising:

an inner housing assembly having first and second ends and a cavity that extends lengthwise through the inner housing assembly;

an outer housing assembly that surrounds the inner housing assembly;

a non-electrical illumination member that fits around a notch of the inner housing assembly and that extends through the outer housing assembly;

a switch located at the first end of the inner housing assembly; and

a cable that is inserted into the cavity through the second end of the inner housing assembly and that communicatively couples the switch to an alert system such that actuation and deactivation of the switch causes corresponding electrical signals to be communicated through the cable to the alert system.

12. The call button device of claim 11, wherein the non-electrical illumination member is located between the first and the second ends of the inner housing assembly.

13. The call button device of claim 11, and further comprising:

a grommet that is fitted over the cable at the inner housing assembly and that provides a seal within the cavity.

14. The call button device of claim 11, wherein the non-electrical illumination member comprises a phosphorescent material.

15. The call button device of claim 11, wherein the non-electrical illumination member comprises a polycarbonate material mixed with a photoluminescent pigment.

16. The call button device of claim 15, wherein the photoluminescent pigment comprises aluminate oxide doped with europium.

17. The call button device of claim 11, wherein the switch is a single pole, single throw, normally open, momentary switch.

18. The call button device of claim 11, wherein the switch is a detented switch.

19. The call button device of claim 11, and further comprising:

a clip releasably connected to the cable.

20. The call button device of claim 11, wherein the cable includes multiple elongated conductors.