WO2005017847A1

WO2005017847A1 - An emergency alarm device

Info

Publication number: WO2005017847A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/001188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bengt Cassel
Original assignee: Be Ca Produktutveckling
Priority date: 2003-08-14
Filing date: 2004-08-12
Publication date: 2005-02-24
Also published as: SE0302217D0

Abstract

An automatic emergency alarm is carried on the wrist of, preferably, a person who lives alone. When the patient has lost his/her ability to move for some reason or another, the alarm is triggered automatically after a given time delay. This is achieved with the aid of a simple clock mechanism (not shown) which is actuated by a line (13) that actuated a line wheel (14) which, in turn, entrains with the aid of a fixedly mounted driver (15) a distributing arm (12) to a desired position from which the line wheel (14) is returned by means of a return spring (not shown) and the distributing arm (12) is also returned to its starting position at an hour-wise speed (optimised to 10 hours for instance). The resilient electric contact (19) on the distributing arm first comes into abutment with an electric contact (11) which therewith triggers warning signals (for instance vibrations and acoustic signals) wherewith the patient is initiated to draw in the line (13) and therewith prevent the fixed electric contact (18) on said arm from coming into abutment with the electric contact (11) and therewith prevent triggering of the automatic emergency alarm. The aforedescribed technical content is known and applied in such products as mobile telephones, watches and existing alarm systems.

Description

AN EMERGENCY ALARM DEVICE

The present invention relates to an emergency alarm device that has a reverse function and that comprises a clock part and a transmitter part, wherein the clock part includes a triple electric contact, a distributor arm, a line, and a line wheel that carries a driver, these components being arranged in a manner such that a patient is initiated to prevent triggering of an emergency alarm after selected time intervals. By reverse function is meant that the arrangement is not designed to trigger an alarm at the instigation of the user-the alarm is, instead, triggered automatically when the user is not able to prevent triggering of the alarm actively.

In the case of known emergency alarm devices, it is presumed that the patient is able to trigger the alarm herself/himself when necessary, which, in turn, assumes that the patient^'s state allows this to be done and that community services have the capacity to satisfy demand. The requirements involved are not met in a satisfactory manner.

Distinct from known emergency alarms, the inventive system is triggered automatically unless prevented by the patient. Prevention is achieved by the patient pulling out the aforesaid line to a chosen extent and up to almost a full revolution. This results in a grace period to the next automatic alarm situation, for example a grace period of between 10 minutes and 10 hours.

An activated emergency alarm is sent, e.g., to SOS 112 which, after a quick check, alerts an ambulance and a surveillance company with which the patient has a special agreement. A representative of the surveillance company shall visit the patients address as soon as possible and have in his/her possession keys with which ambulance personnel are able to enter doors etc. day and night and also attend to persons who live alone. The procedure is cheaper and safer in respect of patients and the community.

The features characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying claims. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplifying embodiment of the inventive device, wherein

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 in figure 2; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the clock part of the device.

The reference numeral 11 in the figures denotes an electric contact, the reference numeral 12 denotes a distributing arm, the reference numeral 13 denotes a line, and the reference numeral 14 denotes a line wheel that carries a driver 15 arranged in a clock part 16, which holds the electric contact 11 and a shaft 17 around which the distributing arm 12 is rotatably mounted, said arm 12 carrying a fixed electric contact 18 and a resilient electric contact 19. The line 13 includes a gripping portion 20 and extends out from the wheel 14, which is rotatable about the shaft 17. Although not shown, the device includes a vibrator, a return spring for the line wheel 14 and a simple clock mechanism whose spring drives the distributing arm 12. The clock part 16 is covered with a lid 21.

A transmitter part 22 accommodates a transmitter, batteries and signal equipment. The alarm device is conveniently carried around an arm or around the neck. Because of the transit opening through which the line 13 passes, it is difficult to make the device watertight. Consequently, the device must be removed from the patient when the patient handles lots of water or showers.

The technical content of the described device is known to the art and has been tested in such products as mobile telephones, watches and emergency alarms for example.

As the line 13 is drawn out with the aid of the gripping portion 20, the wheel 14 rotates clockwise in figure 2, wherewith the driver 15 comes into abutment with the distributing arm 12, which therewith moves in the same direction up to almost a full revolution as a maximum. In the starting position, the return spring for the line wheel 14 and the drive spring of the clock mechanism are under a certain amount of tension, which now increases. As a result, the line wheel returns with the line 13 to said starting position and the distributing arm 12 is returned, for instance at an hour-wise speed, until the resilient electric-contact 19 comes into abutment with the electric contact 11 , wherewith an electric circuit to the vibrator and possibly also to the acoustic signalling means is closed. Both warning systems are broken by pulling out the line 13 relatively immediately, therewith preventing the electric contact 18 on the distributing arm 12 from reaching the electric contact 11 and therewith avoid triggering an emergency alarm temporarily.

The resilient contact 19 on the distributing arm 12 may have the form of a leaf spring which triggers the warning systems and which functions to create a grace period, for instance a grace period of three minutes, before the fixed contact 18 reaches the contact 11.

The inventive device is intended solely for use in the home and preferably by those living alone, in respect of accidents or illnesses of a more serious nature that can be assumed to require ambulance transportation. In situations outside the home and within densely populated areas, it is thought that the need for assistance will be observed by and attended to by the general public.

Claims

1. An emergency alarm device that has a reverse function and that comprises a clock part (16) and a transmitter part (22), wherein the clock part includes an electric contact (11 ), a distributing arm (12) which carries a fixed electric contact (18), a line (13) and a line wheel (14) having a driver (15), the arrangement being such as to enable a patient to prevent triggering of an emergency alarm subsequent to the lapse of selected time intervals, characterized in that the emergency alarm is triggered automatically.

2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that warning signals initiate the patient in preventing triggering of an emergency alarm.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the warning signals can be programmed to selected time intervals.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the distributing arm (12) is driven by a clock mechanism.

5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the clock mechanism is programmed by the line wheel (14) under the influence of the line (13).