David C Spinks

US Patent:

53818016, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Aug 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/107305

Inventors:

Jerry M. McShane - Deer Park TX
David W. Spinks - Pasadena TX

International Classification:

A61F 556
A61F 537
A41F 900
G08B 2300

US Classification:

128848

Abstract:

A plurally pocketed belt is wearable by a sleeping person, and provides for pressure responsive alerting devices to be inserted within one or more of the pockets. The pockets are preferably disposed in the central back, lateral, and/or rearward lateral areas of the belt when the belt is being worn, thus providing a variety of placement choices for the anti-snoring devices which may be installed therein. The devices may comprise an electromechanical vibrator, activated by a pressure switch when the device is positioned between the sleeper and an underlying surface, and/or rigid, monolithic devices having multiple projections which serve to encourage the sleeper to shift positions when disposed between the sleeper and an underlying surface. The relatively non-compliant devices provide better stimulus to encourage the sleeper to shift positions than other, softer devices developed, and provide a variety of stimuli in order that a sleeper cannot become accustomed to a single type of stimulus.

US Patent:

56858116, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Dec 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/574898

Inventors:

Jerry M. McShane - Deer Park TX
Mrugesh M. Shah - Pasadena TX
David W. Spinks - Pasadena TX

International Classification:

A63B 21012

US Classification:

482114

Abstract:

Universal muscular conditioning devices provide for the placement of two bidirectionally acting, frictionally resistant elements on opposite sides of a joint, in order to require a wearer of the device(s) to provide additional muscular exertion against the frictional resistance and thereby build muscular and joint strength. One embodiment includes a wrap which may be adjustably secured about the joint(s) or limb(s) of differently sized persons, thus eliminating the need for numerous such devices to fit different users. The wrap includes a plurality of pockets or sleeves, into which two of the frictionally resistive elements may be placed opposite one another, to the lateral and medial sides of the joint and essentially coaxial with the joint center. The present disclosure provides for different resistive elements, using (1) a variably compressible resilient member which bears against the interiors of the joints of the rotating arms to create friction therein, (2) a geared device in which the gear sectors are formed of a resilient material and are adjustably compressed together to vary the friction therebetween, and (3) a friction disc which is adjustably compressed between the arms. A unitary glove embodiment is also disclosed, with the resistive elements at each joint being formed of unitary lengths of material each having a low yield point, but high fatigue resistance to allow the joints to be flexed and extended innumerable times against the bending resistance of the elements, without damaging them.