Back to results
US 7,466,237 B1Granted
Door suicide alarm
OwnerFrancis E. Cookinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A door alarm system is provided which activates an alarm when a door (such as the door to the patient's room, a bathroom door within the patient room, etc.) is closed with something (such as a sheet, cord or the like) over the top of door.
Claims16
A door alarm system comprising:
- a door frame having opposed side jambs and a header extending between said jambs, said door frame defining an opening;
- a door mounted in said door frame by a hinge assembly to be movable between an open position and a closed position;
- said door having a top, bottom and sides;
- said door top and said header defining a gap when said door is closed;
- a pressure sensitive switch mounted to the door proximate the door top;
- the switch extending substantially the full length of the door between the sides of said door;
- said switch having a height such that said switch extends into said gap when said door is closed;
- and
- an alarm;
- said switch being in communication with said alarm;
- whereby, when said switch detects pressure anywhere along its length, said switch will transmit a signal to activate said alarm.
8 more elements
A method for notifying hospital personnel of a suicide attempt by a patient, said method comprising:
- providing a door alarm system for a door to or in a patient's room;
- said door alarm system comprising an elongate pressure sensitive switch proximate the top of a door, said switch extending into a gap above said door;
- said switch being in communication with said door alarm system to activate an alarm when said door is closed with said item hanging over the top of the door.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.