System and method for attaching and securing a sensor
Inventors
Haggis, John • Howie, Eric • Flowers, Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11464452-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensor strap system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a sensor capable of detecting physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject; a top strap extending along a top surface of a bed, the top strap configured to secure the sensor to the top surface of the bed; and a circumferential strap extending about a circumference of the bed and coupled with the top strap.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a sensor strap system for attaching a sensor to a bed, where the sensor is capable of detecting physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject. The system includes a top strap extending along a top surface of the bed and configured to secure the sensor to the top surface, and a circumferential strap extending about a circumference of the bed and coupled with the top strap.
The invention addresses attaching and securing a sensor to a bed so that the sensor position is maintained relative to the bed. By using the combination of a top strap and a circumferential strap coupled to the top strap, the sensor is held at a defined location on the bed, including embodiments where the bed is a mattress. The system also specifies corner indicators and fixed coupling positions to fix a position of the sensor relative to a length of the bed.
In mattress embodiments, the circumferential strap includes at least one non-stretchable portion and at least one stretchable portion, with corner indicators positioned at mattress corners. In sensor pad configurations, two top straps extend along the top surface of the mattress and connect the sensor pad to the circumferential strap, with ends coupled at fixed positions along the circumferential strap to fix the position of the sensor pad relative to the bed length. Electrical conductors are arranged along the top strap, including configurations that allow electrical conductor length to expand and contract to accommodate stretching of the top strap.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set covers three principal inventive feature groups.
Top strap coupled to circumferential strap for bed attachment
A sensor strap system for attaching a sensor to a bed, comprising a sensor capable of detecting physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject; a top strap extending along a top surface of the bed, the top strap configured to secure the sensor to the top surface of the bed; and a circumferential strap extending about a circumference of the bed and coupled with the top strap.
Non-stretchable and stretchable circumferential portions with corner indicators and conductor along top strap
A sensor strap system for attaching a sensor to a mattress having an outer circumference and corners, comprising a sensor capable of detecting physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject; a top strap extending along a top surface of the mattress, the top strap configured to secure the sensor to the top surface of the mattress; a circumferential strap extending about a circumference of the mattress, the circumferential strap having at least one non-stretchable portion with which the top strap is coupled, and at least one stretchable portion, and further comprising two corner indicators each positioned at one of the corners of the mattress; and an electrical conductor connected to the sensor, the electrical conductor arranged along the top strap.
Two top straps coupled at fixed positions to fix sensor placement along bed length
A sensor strap system for attaching a sensor pad to a mattress having an outer circumference and four corners, comprising a sensor pad capable of detecting physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject; a circumferential strap extending about a circumference of the mattress, the circumferential strap having at least one non-elastic portion and at least one elastic portion, the circumferential strap further comprising two corner indicators, each corner indicator positioned at one of the four corners of the mattress; and two top straps extending along the top surface of the mattress connecting the sensor pad to the circumferential strap, wherein an end of each of the two top straps is coupled with the circumferential strap at a fixed position along the circumferential strap to fix a position of the sensor relative to the length of the bed, wherein the at least one non-elastic portion of the circumferential strap extends along a portion of the length of the mattress from at least one of the two corner indicators to the fixed positions along the circumferential strap where the end of each of the two top straps is coupled with the circumferential strap.
Across the independent claims, coverage centers on securing a sensor or sensor pad to a bed or mattress using a top strap and a coupled circumferential strap, with mattress-specific features including non-stretchable and stretchable circumferential portions plus corner indicators, and sensor pad embodiments requiring two top straps with ends coupled at fixed positions to fix sensor placement relative to the bed length. Electrical conductors are arranged along the top strap in at least one embodiment.
Stated Advantages
Fixes a position of the sensor relative to the length of the bed.
Keeps the sensor pad at a defined location relative to the bed length using fixed positions along the circumferential strap coupled to the ends of the two top straps.
Documented Applications
Monitoring physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject using a sensor attached to a bed, including embodiments for a mattress.
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