Patent Application
20070268115
The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, of which:
The time out device shown in
At one end, the sheet has a clip 2 by which it can be secured in a rolled up configuration when necessary.
At the opposite end of the sheet, the device has an attached control section 3 which in this case comprises a box made from a rigid plastics material. This houses a countdown timer and other necessary controls, electrical and electronic connections and signaling means, as well as a housing for batteries. A child-proof lid 4 may be provided on the box 3 to ensure that a child cannot tamper with the controls, in particular to alter the selected time out period or otherwise affect operation of the timer. This lid can be lifted to reveal an on/off switch, controls to start and stop the timer and an input means by which an adult user may select a desired time out duration.
A visual display 5, such as a LCD, is provided in the lid 4. This shows the amount of time left on the timer before the selected time out period expires. Such a display may be used to provide any other relevant information to a user of the device.
Also provided in the lid 4 is an integrated speaker 6, through which appropriate sounds can be transmitted to a user, for instance signaling the start or end of, and/or an interruption to, the desired time out period.
The control box may have rounded edges, to prevent injury to users and damage to property, for example if a child misuses the device during a temper tantrum. The rounded edges may be further softened by the addition of over-moulded rubber or a similar thermoplastic elastomer such as Santoprene™. Ideally the box is made from a resilient material which will effectively “bounce” on impact rather than breaking.
Inside the flexible sheet 1 there is incorporated a pressure sensitive electronic film or pad (not shown), which detects whether or not a child is sitting on the sheet and signals accordingly to a programmed circuit board contained within the control section 3. This in turn can start or stop operation of the timer. Instead or in addition, one or more (for instance, one or two) movement sensors may be incorporated into the side of the control section 3, so as to detect if a child stands up or moves away from the sheet.
The device shown in
Firstly, the flexible sheet 1 is unrolled from around the control box 3, onto a suitable surface such as a chair or step or a corner of the floor. An adult user can then open the child-proof lid 4 and switch on the device via a concealed or otherwise protected on/off switch. The adult then selects, by means of a key pad or dial inside the box 3, an appropriate duration for the time out period, for instance a number of minutes from say 1 to 6—this is the period for which the timer is set to count down.
A child is then seated on the flexible sheet, which is detected by the pressure sensitive film, in turn starting the countdown timer. At this point, an audible signal such as a simple beep sound may be emitted from the speaker 6. If the child gets off the sheet during the countdown, a different audible signal (for example a regular beep—beep—beep sound) may be produced, alerting the adult that the child has stood up. When the child sits down again the audible signal ends and the countdown either continues or (depending on the mode of operation, as explained below) re-sets back to the originally selected time out duration.
Once the countdown is completed, again an audible signal may be produced (for example, in this case, a ten second tune), to let both the child and the adult know that the time out session is at an end.
Any suitable audible signal may be emitted by a device according to the invention, for example a trumpet fanfare or a simple beep. Alternatively the start and/or end of the time out period may be signaled purely visually or in some other detectable manner.
Instead or in addition, a device according to the invention may provide visual or any other detectable signals, to an adult and/or a child user, regarding the remaining duration of the designated time out period and/or any interruptions. By way of example, lights or other visual signs may be used to indicate when a time out period starts, ends and/or is interrupted—lights simulating traffic lights may for instance indicate (as in the
In the
According to the second mode of operation, if the child stands up off the flexible sheet, the timer will pause at whatever point it has reached and will not re-start the countdown until the child sits back down on the sheet.
After use, the adult turns off the power and the flexible sheet 1 can then be rolled up around the control box 3. The roll can be secured using the clip 2, which is an interlocking clip located at the centre of the free end of the sheet. The device can now readily be stored and transported; it is therefore easy to use even in locations away from the home or nursery. Moreover when not in use, the control section 3 can be protected by the sheet 1 rolled around it.
The alternative device shown in
The mat incorporates a pressure sensor (not seen) which is built into the foam. The region shown generally at 13 is the area in which a child is intended to sit during a time out period, and may be marked out in any appropriate manner, for instance using a foam insert of a different colour to the rest of the mat, or with a printed image. If the child leaves the mat the pressure sensor will signal accordingly to the control section of the device.
The control section includes an on/off button 14, and a mechanical dial 15 by which the user can select the duration of the time out period. By way of a signaling means, the device has three lights, together labelled 16, which are designed to emulate a set of traffic lights. A red light is activated when the time out period begins, to indicate that the child must remain seated on the mat. Sixty seconds before the end of the time out period (or thirty seconds before if a period of only one minute is selected), an amber light is activated to indicate that the child will soon be free to move. Finally, at the end of the period, a green light is activated to indicate that the child has completed the designated punishment and may now leave.
An audible signal may also accompany the end of the time out period, for instance a piece of music, an animal noise or some other sound designed to appeal to, and reward, the child. The device may also emit an audible signal when the device is first switched on, for example a few seconds of music to indicate that the device is ready for a child to sit on. A loudspeaker 17 is provided in the control section for this purpose.
The time selector dial 15 may incorporate a child-proof mechanism. For example, a tough mechanical clicking mechanism may be included, that only allows the dial to turn when a coin is engaged in a slot at the top of the dial, or that otherwise prevents the dial from being turned by fingers alone. The controls may also be so designed that once the countdown has been initiated, manipulation of the dial cannot influence the originally selected time period nor interfere with the countdown timer.
A further function may be provided, which switches off power to the device if at any point during the countdown the on/off button 14 is pressed and held down. An audible signal may be emitted at this point (different to that emitted at the end of a properly completed time out period) to alert an adult user that the device is being switched off. The control means may be arranged to allow this to happen only if the mat 11 is unoccupied, to prevent a child from sitting on the mat and then turning off the timer.
In other respects, operation of the
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0610127.3 | May 2006 | GB | national |
