GB2429103A - Monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A monitoring device (2) comprising a resilient loop (4) and a moveable member (6) mounted with respect to the loop, the moveable member only being moveable along the loop upon application of a predetermined amount of force thereto. Preferably the loop is worn on a wrist. Also disclosed are a breast-feeding monitor and a counting device.

Description

Title: Monitoring Device

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a monitoring device.

It is often useful to be able monitor certain conditions, events or actions and maintain a record thereof. Complex monitoring means exist, such as handheld electronic devices, which enable the user to keep a record as desired but such items may be expensive, bulky and inconvenient to use. In certain situations, such as breast-feeding an infant or recording the number of kicks per day that an expectant mother experiences by her unborn baby, it is desirable to have a simple, cheap, convenient and effective means of monitoring these events without having to resort to more sophisticated means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring device that is simple to use and cheap to manufacture.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a monitoring device comprising a loop and a moveable member mounted with respect to said ioop, the moveable member only being moveable along the ioop upon application of a predetermined amount of force thereto.

The loop is preferably in the form of a wristband for wearing on the user's wrist. More preferably, the loop is made from a resilient material, such as silicon rubber wherein the loop can be stretched over the user's hand. However, it is to be appreciated that the loop may comprise a length of material provided with fixing means, such as a buckle, for formation of the loop.

The nioveable member is preferably in the form of a housing that at least partially surrounds at least part olthe loop, the housing having a slot thercthrough for passage of the loop. More preferably, the housing has a window in an intended upper surface thereof to enable the loop to be viewed therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the housing only partially surrounds the loop to enable removal of the housing therefrom. However, the housing may totally encase the loop, if desired.

The member preferably comprises a roof part having two limbs extending therefrom wherein the roof contains the window. Preferably, the limbs extend substantially perpendicularly from the roof part. A base part may connect the ends of the limbs remote from the roof to provide a slot between the roof and base part for passage of the loop. Alternatively, each limb is provided with an inwardly extending flange. A gap is provided between the flanges to allow insertion of the loop. This enables the loop to be exchanged for another.

The member comprises a cursor for movement along the loop. It is important to provide a loop and cursor that only allow for movement of the cursor with respect to the loop upon application of force to the cursor, i.e. to provide for manual movement of the cursor only when desired by the user. It has been found, for example, that the provision of a resilient silicon rubber ioop through a member having a slot with a depth that is slightly less than the depth of the loop enables the loop to be compressed within the slot to provide the necessary friction to ensure that the member is only moveable upon application of force thereto and indeed this is a preferred aspect of the present invention.

However, other means may be provided to allow controlled movement of the cursor along the loop. For example, at least one protuberance may he provided on the loop which must be forcibly overcome to effect movement of the cursor.

Alternatively, the loop and cursor may be provided with complementary male and female portions, for example in the form of scrrations.

Preferably, the cursor is coniprised of a plastics material. The cursor may be moveable around all or only a part of the loop.

In this manner, the cursor can be moved along the loop by a distance determined by the user. The loop may include any desired information on the outer surface thercof, such as numbers or letters. For example, the loop may have the numbers 1 to 10 to provide a simple and convenient counting device that may be worn by the user. Alternatively or additionally, the loop may have the letters L and R embossed thereon to enable a breast feeding mother to record from which breast the baby has fed.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a breastfeeding monitoring device comprising a ioop and a moveable member mounted with respect to said loop, the ioop having the symbols L and R embossed or printed thereon and the member being moveable between a fixed position in line with the letter L and a fixed position in line with the letter R. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a counting device comprising a loop and a moveable member mounted with respect to said loop, the loop having at least two numerals embossed or printed thereon and the member being moveable between a fixed position in line with the one numeral and a fixed position in line with the at least one other numeral.

It is to be appreciated that the aforementioned embodiments could he combined in a single device. The monitoring device may be utilised for any desired application. For example, it may be used to count the number of kicks experienced by an expectant mother from her unborn child, the number of glasses ol water drunk by the wearer each day or the number of portions of fruit and vegetables consumed by the wearer each day.

It is to be appreciated that additional information may be provided on the loop and/or moveable member, such as advertising material.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front plan view of a moveable cursor for the monitoring device shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 4a to 4c illustrate the manner of use of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a monitoring device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The device comprises a wristband 4 of silicon rubber carrying a moveable cursor 6. The band 4 has a series of numbers, for example, I to 10 and/or letters, such as L, R embossed on its outer surface.

The cursor 6 is in the form of a moveable member comprising a roof part IDa having side walls lOb extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. Each side wall has an inwardly extending flange lOc and the roof part is provided with a hole lOd for forming a window through the member. A gap lOe between the flanges of the opposing side walls enables the band 4 to be inserted therebetween and held between the roof part and flanges. The band and cursor are dimensioned such that the cursor is only able to slide along the band upon the application of a predetermined amount of force thereto. This is achieved by the slot between the roof part and flanges being of a slightly smaller depth than the depth of the band. The resilient nature of the band enables it to be compressed within the slot providing the necessary friction between the band and cursor to ensure the cursor only moves upon application of force thereto.

In this manner, the device can be used to monitor events and/or actions. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the outside of the band has the letters 0 to 10 embossed thereon and the letters L and R for left and right. The device is intended for use by an expectant and then breastfeeding mother to keep count of the number of kicks experienced by her unborn baby in one day and then to monitor which breast the infant is fed from to ensure that alternate breasts are used for feeding. Figures 4a to 4c show how the member 6 can be fixed at the number "two" by means of the friction between the member and the band. The window 1 Od enables the wearer to view the number through the member to check the number of kicks that have been recorded.

Once the expectant mother experiences another kick from her unborn baby, she is able to apply force to the member 6 to move it on to the number "three" and so oii.

The present invention provides a simple device for enabling an expectant mother to keep a count of her baby's movements, thereby preventing unnecessary worrying. Once the baby is born, if she chooses to breastfeed, the L and R markers on the band can be used to remind her which breast to feed from. The silicon rubber band and plastic cursor are waterproof and comfortable and the cursor will only move when significant force is applied to it, thereby allowing the device to be removed from the wrist whilst keeping the cursor in position.

It is to he appreciated that the monitoring device according to the present invention could be used to monitor any number of events, actions or conditions, such as the portions of fruit and vegetables consumed per day, the number of glasses of water drank or tablets taken. Furthermore, whilst it is envisaged that the wrist will be the most convenient location to wear the device, it is not limited to this and may be worn, for example, around the ankle.

Claims (17)

1. I. A monitoring device comprising a ioop and a moveable member mounted with respect to said loop, the moveable member only being moveable along the loop upon application of a predetermined amount of force thereto.
2. 2. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the member is moveable manually by the user applying force thereto
3. 3. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the ioop is in the form of a wristband for wearing on the user's wrist.
4. 4. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the loop is made from a resilient material.
5. 5. A monitoring device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the moveable member is in the form of a housing that at least partially surrounds at least part of the loop, the housing having a slot therethrough for passage of the loop.
6. 6. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the housing has a window in an intended upper surface thereof to enable the loop to be viewed therethrough.
7. 7. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the housing only partially surrounds the loop to enable removal of the housing therefrom.
8. 8. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the housing comprises a roof part having two limbs extending therefrom wherein the roof contains the window.
9. 9. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the limbs extend substantially perpendicularly from the roof part.
10. 10. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein a base part connects the ends of the limbs remote from the roof to provide a slot between the roof and base part for passage of the loop.
11. 11. A monitoring device as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein each limb is provided with an inwardly extending flange and a gap is provided between the flanges to allow insertion of the loop.
12. 12. A monitoring device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the loop comprises a resilient silicon rubber passing through a member having a slot with a depth that is slightly less than the depth of the loop thereby enabling the loop to be compressed within the slot to provide the necessary friction to ensure that the member is only moveable upon application of force thereto.
13. 13. A monitoring device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein at least one protuberance is provided on the loop which must be forcibly overcome to effect movement of the member.
14. 14. A monitoring device as claimed in any one of claims I to Ii wherein the loop and member are provided with complementary male and female portions to allow controlled movement of the member along the loop.
15. 15. A breast-feeding monitoring device comprising a ioop and a moveable member mounted with respect to said loop, the loop having the symbols L and R embossed or printed thereon and the member being moveable between a fixed position in line with the letter L and a fixed position in line with the letter R.
16. 16. A counting device comprising a loop and a moveable member mounted with respect to said loop, the loop having at least two numerals embossed or printed thereon and the member being moveable between a fixed position in line with the one numeral and a fixed position in line with the at least one other numeral.
17. 17. A monitoring device substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 to 4d of the accompanying drawings.