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 Title: |
US4958644:
Apparatus to discourage supine sleep
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Rodgers, David L.; San Francisco, CA 94109
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1990-09-25
/ 1988-11-15
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| Application Number: |
US1988000271565
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A41D 10/00;
A61F 5/56;
IPC-7:
A61F 39/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
A41D10/00; A61F5/56;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
128/871;
Original:
128/871;
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| Field of Search: |
128/62 R,63,64,65,871,846,848,90,91 R,91 A
002/114,44-46
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| Priority Number: |
| 1988-11-15 |
US1988000271565 |
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| Abstract: |
An apparatus and method are provided for discouraging supine sleep, such as to avoid sleep apnea or snoring. A support device is provided, preferably with strap-like attachments, to maintain the wearable apparatus in an effective position adjacent to the back of the sleeper. A plurality of prods are positioned on the support device in a two-dimensional array. The sharpness of the prods, as felt by the sleeper, is adjustable, such as by adjusting the surface area, thickness or compressibility of material surrounding the prods, or modifying or coating the prod points. Sharpness is adjusted to either cause a supine sleeper to shift to a non-supine position, or to cause sufficient, preferably non-awakening, arousal to maintain respiration and/or to avoid snoring.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Townsend and Townsend ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Hafer, Robert A.; Brown, Michael
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| Maintenance Status: |
E1 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 12 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus usable for preventing interruption of a sleeper's respiration, comprising:
- a support structure;
- a plurality of pointed prods, attached to said support structure to position said plurality of prods in a two-dimensional array to permit contact of a plurality of said prods with the sleeper over an area said two-dimensional array defining; wherein said means for controlling the degree of sharpness comprises a layer of compressible material substantially surrounding at least a portion of each said plurality of pointed prod; and said layer is undercut at least in a region adjacent to one of said plurality of pointed prods, said one prod having a tip, said layer including a region adjacent said tip and a region spaced from said tip, said undercut region providing a hole having a frustoconical profile with a larger diameter in the region adjacent the tip than in the region spaced from the tip.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 6 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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