Patent Grant
9226551
The present invention relates generally to clasp mechanisms that require wearer assistance for removal. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to clasp mechanisms that require assistance, but not a key or other tool, for removal. The present clasp mechanisms may be used to secure location-tracking devices on persons suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive disorders where removal of the device poses a risk to the personal safety of the wearer.
Millions of people suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive disorders. The number of people suffering from cognitive disorders will increase in the coming years as a larger percentage of the population enters old age. Many people suffering from cognitive disorders wander or otherwise become lost due to their disorder. If a person suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementia becomes lost, they may suffer serious injury.
Various means have been developed to track or locate patients with dementia or other cognitive disorders when they wander or get lost. These include Global Positioning System (“GPS”) location-tracking devices that a patient may wear along with a receiver device for the family or caregiver. If the person with Alzheimer's or other dementia becomes lost, the caregiver will be able to determine the location of the person by utilizing the receiver.
Due to the patient's cognitive disorder, the patient may try to remove or otherwise dispose of any location-tracking device that they carry or wear. For this reason, typical securing or clasping mechanisms such as those used for jewelry, wrist watches, or the like are not adequate for use in attaching a location-tracking device to a patient suffering from dementia. These types of securing or clasping devices are designed to be removed by the wearer without the need for additional assistance and are therefore inadequate for use with a location-tracking device designed to be worn by a person that is suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementia.
To prevent the patient suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementia from removing or otherwise disposing of a location-tracking device, many location-tracking devices for use with patients feature a means for locking the location device to the patient. In the case of a wrist or ankle wearable location-tracking device, the method of attachment may typically involve (i) the use of a disposable plastic band and clasp combination that must be cut off or (ii) a reusable clasping band that is secured by the use of a lock and key.
The use of a location-tracking device attached to a patient by a disposable plastic band and clasp combination, or the like, that must be cut off in order to be removed from the patient has several drawbacks. First, these securing mechanisms are not reusable. Second, the clasp and band combinations are typically made of thin plastic and are not comfortable. Third, the clasp and band are typically obtrusive, resulting in the patient being self-conscious about wearing the device.
The use of a location-tracking device that is attached to a patient by a reusable securing device that can only be removed by unlocking the latch or clasp with a key or removal tool also presents problems. The key to the clasping band can be lost, forgotten, or otherwise unavailable to emergency responders. The use of a key or removal tool to lock and unlock the clasp may also upset some patients.
Due to the limitations of traditional and previously developed means and methods for securing a location-tracking device to a patient, there exists a current need for more efficient and effective devices and methods for securing a location-tracking device to patients with dementia or other cognitive disorders.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a more efficient and effective securing device (e.g., for securing a location-tracking device onto a patient with dementia or other cognitive disorders). Embodiments of the present invention address the above-described problems and/or other problems by providing a locking clasp that is comfortable, unobtrusive, and that can be unlocked by anyone using a two-hand grip, but cannot be unlocked by only using one hand.
In an exemplary embodiment, the securing device typically includes a locking clasp with a symmetric design having two substantially identical portions. Each portion typically includes a clasp enclosure, a male T-slider, and a female T-channel. The two portions of the clasp are typically joined by inserting the male T-slider of a first portion into the female T-channel of a second portion, and vice versa. When the T-slider is inserted into the T-channel, fixed ratchet teeth on the T-slider engage movable ratchet teeth on a movable spring arm. The two portions of the clasp lock together (e.g., to secure an adjoining wristband). The clasp may be unlocked by (i) simultaneously and sufficiently displacing each movable spring arm in order to disengage each set of movable ratchet teeth with its corresponding fixed ratchet teeth and (ii) applying the shear force necessary to slide one half of the clasp past the other. A release button is typically attached to each movable spring arm and extends beyond the clasp enclosure through a button hole. The release buttons can be used to displace each movable spring arm. Once the release button is released after being displaced, the release button and its corresponding movable spring arm will return to their original position due to the spring force exerted by the spring arm.
The T-slider typically includes an end cap, which prevents dirt and debris from fouling the operation of the fixed ratchet teeth, the movable ratchet teeth, and the movable spring arm. The end cap also prevents users from disengaging the fixed ratchet teeth and the movable ratchet teeth by inserting objects into the latch. The clasp typically includes electrical contacts, which complete a circuit via wires when the clasp is locked. The continuity of the circuit may be monitored by the microprocessor to determine if the securing device is locked or unlocked.
In one embodiment, the securing device may include a location-tracking device (e.g., a location-tracking device secured to an adjoining wristband). Accordingly, in a related aspect, the present invention embraces a securing device that is simple to use and requires no special skills or mechanical aptitude to attach and remove a location-tracking device from a patient.
The foregoing, as well as other objectives and advantages of the invention and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further specified within the following detailed description and its accompanying figures.
In one aspect, the present invention embraces a securing device. In one embodiment, the securing device facilitates efficient and secure attachment of a location-tracking device (15) onto a patient with dementia or other cognitive disorders.
As depicted in
Each portion of the securing clasp typically includes a clasp enclosure, a male T-slider 7, and a female T-channel 8. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in
The securing clasp is capable of being unlocked by simultaneously disengaging the movable ratchet teeth 5 and applying the shear force necessary to slide one half of the clasp past the other. Typically, a release button 1 is attached to the movable spring arm 6 and extends beyond the clasp enclosure through the button hole 9. When pressed, the release button 1 is displaced (e.g., laterally displaced), thereby displacing the movable spring arm 6. As depicted in
The T-slider 7 portion of the exemplary securing clasp typically includes an end cap 3, which prevents dirt and debris from fouling the operation of the fixed ratchet teeth 4, the movable ratchet teeth 5, and the movable spring arm 6. The end cap 3 also prevents wearers (e.g., patients) from disengaging the fixed ratchet teeth 4 and the movable ratchet teeth 5 by inserting objects into the clasp. The securing device also typically includes electrical contacts 10, which complete a circuit via wires 11 when the clasp is closed. The continuity of the circuit may be monitored by a receiver or the like in order to determine if the clasp is locked or unlocked.
The foregoing notwithstanding, the securing clasp need not embrace the symmetric design depicted in
The present securing device may be utilized to attach a location-tracking device (e.g., a GPS) to a wearer (e.g., by attaching the location-tracking device to the wristband 2).
More particularly, the present securing device may be used to secure a location-tracking device onto a patient with dementia or other cognitive disorders. Because the present securing device cannot be easily unlocked using one hand, it cannot be easily removed by a patient wearing the securing device. Moreover, the present securing device provides a locking mechanism that is comfortable and unobtrusive. Therefore, the present securing device is a more efficient and effective device for securing a location-tracking device onto a patient with dementia or other cognitive disorders.
In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and, as such, are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.
This application hereby claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/707,103 for a “Locking Clasp Requiring Wearer Assistance for Removal” (filed Sep. 28, 2012, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140090213 A1 | Apr 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61707103 | Sep 2012 | US |
