Snooze alert device

• US 5,488,354 A
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 01/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Colvin Bobby
• Original Assignee: Colvin Bobby
• Inventors: Bobby, Colvin
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/349,017
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/575
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A snooze alert device comprises a flexible collar to be worn about a neck of a person. A portable power source is carried in the flexible collar. An audible alarm unit is carried in the flexible collar. A plurality of alarm actuating switches are disposed about the periphery of the collar. Each alarm actuating switch is electrically connected between the portable power source and the audible alarm unit. If the person trys to fall asleep and tilts the neck, the flexible collar will collapse and one said alarm actuating switch will close, causing the audible alarm unit to sound off and wake up the person.

Claims

1. A snooze alert device comprising:

a) a flexible collar to be worn about a neck of a person, said flexible collar including a pair of adjustable connector straps, so that said flexible collar can properly fit about different sized necks;

b) a portable power source carried in said flexible collar, said portable power source being a battery;

c) an audible alarm unit carried in said flexible collar;

d) a plurality of alarm actuating switches disposed about the periphery of said collar, each said alarm actuating switch electrically connected between said portable power source and said audible alarm unit, so that if the person tries to fall asleep and tilts the neck, said flexible collar will collapse and one said alarm actuating switch will close, causing said audible alarm unit to sound off and wake up the person;

e) a holder pocket to retain said battery therein; and

f) a flap over said holder pocket to seal said battery within said holder pocket.

2. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 1, wherein said audible alarm unit includes:

a) an alarm circuit electrically connected between each said alarm actuating switch and said battery;

b) a speaker coupled to said alarm circuit; and

c) a grille in said flexible collar in front of said speaker.

3. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 2, wherein each said alarm actuating switch includes:

a) a bendable plastic strip vertically mounted to an exterior surface of said flexible collar, said bendable plastic strip having a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart holes; and

b) a pair of adjustable contacts, with each said contact insertable into one said hole to engage with each other when said bendable plastic strap is bent over by the tilting of the neck of the person.

4. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 3, wherein said flexible collar further includes a stiff stem extending horizontally from a top edge thereof, so that when said flexible collar is worn on the neck of the person said stiff stem will be directly under the chin of the person in which the chin will press said stiff stem downwardly when the neck of the person tilts forward, causing said flexible collar to collapse under said stiff stem.

5. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 4, wherein said flexible collar further includes a plurality of bumpers mounted about said top edge thereof, so that when the neck of the person tilts backward and to either side the neck will press one of said bumpers downwardly, causing said flexible collar to collapse under said respective bumper.

6. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 5, wherein said flexible collar is fabricated out of a cloth material.

7. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 5, wherein said flexible collar is fabricated out of a soft plastic material.

8. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 5, wherein each said adjustable connector strap is a snap fastener type which includes:

a) a plurality of stud members mounted along said flexible collar; and

b) a socket member mounted in a distal end of said strap to engage with any one of said stud members.

9. A snooze alert device as recited in claim 5, wherein each said adjustable connector strap is a VELCRO fastener type which includes:

a) a first VELCRO tab mounted on said flexible collar; and

b) a second VELCRO tab mounted on a distal end of said strap to engage with said first VELCRO tab.