The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 31, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 11, 1998
Fred H Holmes, Cleveland, OK (US);
Sanford G Fitzgerald, Tulsa, OK (US);
Bed-Check Corporation, Tulsa, OK (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for monitoring the occupancy status of a toilet seat. In more particular, it applies to a pressure sensitive switch that can be used in combination with an electronic monitoring device to notify a nearby care-giver or a remote nurse's station that a patient has raised himself or herself from the toilet. Broadly speaking, the instant device is composed of two elements--a pressure sensitive switch and an actuator--that are installed between the toilet seat and the upper rim of the toilet bowl. Pressure on the toilet seat is communicated via the actuator to the pressure sensitive switch which, when compressed, completes an electrical circuit. When the pressure is removed, the electrical circuit is broken, thereby signaling that the patient has risen from his or her seated position on the toilet.