Load signaling device for a patient's foot

• US 3,974,491 A
• Filed: 07/22/1974
• Issued: 08/10/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (Smithkline Beecham PLC)
• Original Assignee: SmithKline Corporation (Smithkline Beecham PLC)
• Inventors: Sipe, John Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wannisky, William M.
• Application Number:
  US05/490,313
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 340/279, 340/272, 340/240, 200/85 R, 200/86.5, 177/208, 177/209, 116/70, 128/2 R, 128/2.1, 73/172, 46/175, 33/3 A
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/14 adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/24 using pneumatic or hydraulic actuator for storing energy in a spring motor H01H3/301

Abstract

A device for signaling a patient when a predetermined load is placed on the patient'"'"'s foot comprises a resilient foot pad having a toe end and a heel end and adapted to substantially cover the inner sole of a shoe. A resilient liquid filled tube is mounted within the pad with the tube extending from adjacent the toe end to adjacent the heel end of the pad. A signaling device is controlled by a pressure responsive means in communication with the liquid in the tube for the actuation of the signaling means at a predetermined pressure of said liquid.

Claims

1. A device for signaling a patient when a predetermined load is placed on the patient'"'"'s foot comprising:

a resilient foot pad having a toe end and a heel end and adapted to overlie the inner sole of a shoe.

a resilient tube mounted within said pad, said tube extending from adjacent the toe end of the pad to adjacent the heel end of the pad,

a liquid filling said tube,

signaling means,

pressure responsive means in communication with the liquid in said tube to control the actuation of said signaling means at a predetermined pressure of said liquid.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the tube has a plurality of loops within the foot pad.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the pressure responsive means includes a resilient expansible member and a switch actuated by said member.

4. The device of claim 3 in which the expansible member is a bladder.

5. The device of claim 1 having adjustable means to vary the pressure at which the signaling means is actuated.