Switch apparatus responsive to pressure or distortion
US4484043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1982 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/6892
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for monitoring the presence of a patient in a hospital bed including an elongated, thin, generally rectangular base member of insulating flexible material, such as high-density polyethylene foam, having a generally rectangular cutout opening therein, a rectangular, thin, electrically conductive member affixed to each surface of the base, the base serving to normally maintain the conductive elements spaced apart from each other, a plastic cover cemented to the exterior surface of each of the conductive elements, the edges of the plastic cover being sealed around the full periphery of the device, a cable having two conductors, one conductor being attached to each of the conductive members, the device being generally about 4 inches wide and 34 inches long so that it may be positioned under a patient in a hospital bed, the weight of the patient serving to distort the device so that the conductive members are in contact, providing a closed signal, and the device being sufficiently rigid so that in the absence of a patient the conductive members are not in contact, thereby the absence of a patient from a hospital bed can be indicated when the device is connected to suitable …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.