Method and apparatus for monitoring a restraint device
US7319400B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L5/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The instant invention is designed to detect when undue tension is placed on a belt or strap that is connected to a restraining vest, such undue pressure being indicative that a patient may be in trouble. It is preferable that, whatever sensor is used, it should be elastically resilient to return to its unstressed state after tension on the strap is removed. Additionally, it is preferable that the amount of force that is required in order to trigger an alarm be adjustable to accommodate patients of different weights. Finally, it is also preferable that the level of stress on the strap—and the duration over which it is applied—that is necessary to trigger an alarm be such that the patient cannot easily intentionally cause the device to sound an alarm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.