<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.2

(12) UNITED STATES PATENT
     McDermott et al.

(10) PATENT NO.:  US 6,326,896 B1
(45) DATE OF PATENT:  *DEC. 4, 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(54) GAUGE MOUNTED PRESSURE MONITOR AND ALARM FOR COMPRESSION MOUNTING WITH
     COMPRESSED GAS STORAGE TANK

(76) Inventors: FRANCIS FRITZ McDERMOTT; BETTIE McDERMOTT, both of 11619 Lennox
                St., Yucaipa, CA (US) 92399

(*)  Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or
     adjusted under 35 U.S.C., 154(b) by 0 days.

     This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/696,478

(22) Filed: Oct. 24, 2000

     RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/398,651, filed on May 24, 1999,
     now Pat. No. 6,137,417.

(51) Int. Cl.(7) ..................................G08B 21/00
(52) U.S. Cl. ................. 340/626; 340/611; 128/202.22;
                               128/205.23; 137/557; 33/40.5 R
(58) Field of Search .......................... 340/626, 611;
                       128/202.22, 205.23; 137/557; 33/40.5 R

(56) REFERENCES CITED

                             U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,176,619 * 12/1979   Pilipski .................................    116/70
4,536,756 *  8/1985   DePasquale et al. ........................   340/626
4,800,373 *  1/1989   Mayz .....................................   340/626
4,990,894 *  2/1991   Loescher et al. ..........................   340/573
5,040,477 *  8/1991   Schiffmacher .............................    116/70
5,057,822 * 10/1991   Hoffman ..................................   340/611
5,357,242 * 10/1994   Morgano et al. ...........................   340/626
5,542,287 *  8/1996   Powers ................................... 73/40.5 R
5,868,162 *  2/1999   Dickerson, Jr. ...........................   137/557
5,893,944 *  4/1999   Dong .....................................    96/114
6,137,417 * 10/2000   McDermott ................................   340/26

* cited by examiner

PRIMARY EXAMINER - Edward Lefkowitz
(74) ATTORNEY, AGENT, OR FIRM - Donn K. Harms

(57)                               ABSTRACT

A warning device configured for removable mounting in combination with a high
pressure gas cylinder and a regulator used to regulate the high pressure gas
supplied by the cylinder. The device compression mounts between the regulator
and tank outlet on conventional portable oxygen and gas supply systems using a
specially configured manifold. The device features one or a combination of
alarms, from a group including audio, visual, electronic, and remotely
transmitted alarms. These alarms are activated by a pressure switch monitoring
the remaining supply in the gas cylinder through a conduit the manifold. The
alarm signal from the device alerts the user, or a third party monitoring the
user, of current tank pressure or will sound an alarm when remaining high
pressure gas inside the gas cylinder drops below a predetermined level.

                           9 CLAIMS, 4 DRAWING SHEETS


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U.S. PATENT    DEC. 4, 2001        SHEET 1 OF 4             US 6,326,896 B1


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 1


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                                    FIGURE 2





<PAGE>

U.S. PATENT    DEC. 4, 2001        SHEET 1 OF 4             US 6,326,896 B1


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 3


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                                    FIGURE 4


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 5




<PAGE>

U.S. PATENT    DEC. 4, 2001        SHEET 1 OF 4             US 6,326,896 B1


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 6


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 7








<PAGE>


U.S. PATENT    DEC. 4, 2001        SHEET 1 OF 4             US 6,326,896 B1


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 8


                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 9




                            [picture here with (#)'s]


                                    FIGURE 10





<PAGE>


                         GAUGE MOUNTED PRESSURE MONITOR
                            AND ALARM FOR COMPRESSION
                          MOUNTING WITH COMPRESSED GAS
                                  STORAGE TANK

     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
09%398,651 filed May 24,1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,417.

                             BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

     1. Field of Invention

     The present invention relates to pressure sensing equipment for use with
cylinders and tanks which hold compressed gas for dispersion under a lower and
regulated pressure. More particularly, it relates to a device configured for
removable mounting in combination with a portable high pressure gas cylinder and
a regulator used to regulate the high pressure gas supplied by the cylinder.
Such portable gas tanks or cylinders are commonly used to provide a portable
oxygen supply to a user requiring such. The device features one or a combination
of alarms, from a group of alarms including audio, visual, electronic, and
remotely transmitted alarms. The alarm signal from the device alerts the user,
or a third party monitoring the user, when remaining high pressure gas inside
the gas cylinder drops below a predetermined level.

     2. Prior Art

     Cylinders and tanks containing pressurized gasses are used throughout the
industrialized world in industry and medicine, the military, aviation, and other
instances where a constant supply of regulated gas is required. Such pressurized
tanks conventionally are made from high tensile strength material such as steel,
aluminum, or resin impregnated fiberglass fibers as they must contain gases
inside under extremely high pressures. The gas contained in such cylinders can
range from 20 cubic feet to 300 cubic feet or more at pressures as high as 2500
pounds per square inch.

     It is desirable to monitor internal tank pressure of the supply cylinder to
continually ascertain the remaining usable gas supply in the canister. This is
especially true in the case of portable oxygen supply tanks used in medical,
aviation, emergency, and other situations as the life of the user may depend
upon a constant supply of oxygen for breathing.

  Currently, in conventionally used devices, internal tank pressure is monitored
by a mechanical gauge, which is attached to a conventional regulator used to
reduce incoming high pressure from the tank to useable pressures for the patient
to breathe or for industrial uses such as welding. The embodiments of the device
disclosed herein are directed at an improved supply tank gas pressure monitoring
system using one or a combination of audible alarms, visual alarms, or
electronically transmitted, warnings about low pressure and diminishing reserves
in the supply tank.

     The improved pressure alert system features flashing lights to visually
warn of lower than desired pressure. Additionally, an audible buzzer alarm may
be employed to alert the user with poor sight or poor attention, to the lowering
of pressure below the predetermined level. Further, an optional radio, infrared,
or a similar transmitter, can update a central station, computer, or other
device configured to receive the digital or analog information regarding
remaining pressure which is transmitted by the on board microprocessor
communicating through the transmitter.

     Conventionally used air tank pressure gauges currently feature a regulator
for lowering and regulating internal tank pressure to useable levels combined
with a mechanical gauge that displays remaining internal tank pressure. Such
regulators need to be quickly connected and disconnected especially when a user
is breathing the tank gas, as in the case of a portable oxygen tank used to aid
breathing. These supply tanks conventionally feature a compression fitting that
seals between the tank outlet aperture and a regulator inlet aperture once
compressed in an operative mounting by a compression clamp that is secured
around the neck of the tank. A sealed conduit from the tank through the
regulator to the user's mask is thereby achieved. The compression clamp used to
removably mount the regulator to the tank operates using a handle or other
manner of compression to compress the regulator toward the outlet aperture from
the tank. A seal is formed between the inlet aperture of the regulator and
the outlet aperture of the tank forming a communicating conduit between the two.
This mode of attachment provides for easy attachment and detachment of the
regulator from the supply tank when a tank change is needed to renew the
available gas supply to the user.


<PAGE>

     This mode of operation, while quick for the user, also has its drawbacks.
This is especially true when it comes to communicating remaining tank pressure
to the user and to others who would have a prime interest in knowing the
remaining tank pressure and thus the remaining volume of compressed gas
available for use.

     Pressure gauges now conventionally attached to a port in the regulator
communicating with the high incoming pressure from the tank, can be hard to read
by users with poor eyesight. Such gauges can also be hard to understand for
those who are not technically oriented, or do not know what a safe operating
pressure actually is for the supply tank or cylinder.

     Users in need of oxygen to breathe properly, frequently wear a mask to
communicate oxygen from the supply tank to their nose and/or mouth for
breathing. Such users may be of ill health from a pulmonary or cardiovascular
disease and severely dependent upon a reliable and continued oxygen supply.
Other users dependent upon a constant and reliable supply of oxygen include
aircraft pilots, fireman and emergency personnel, and military and industrial
users. It is therefor imperative that such users comprehend when the remaining
tank pressure of the supply tank and volume of gas therein available for
breathing, drops below a point deemed prudent. To allow the pressure to
dissipate entirely in a medical or emergency situation would risk the user's
life support provided by the supply of oxygen. Failure to maintain adequate
supplies of oxygen and other gases in industrial and military situations can be
costly in time and money from resulting downtime.

     The most dependent users of such oxygen supplies are generally health
impaired, aged, and/or not technically oriented. The tendencies of such
individuals to misinterpret the conventional gauge, or fall asleep while using
the oxygen mask, are therefor greatly increased. Other users in emergencies or
industrial situations may not be as attentive to the remaining oxygen supply in
the tank due to distractions on the job during use of the supply tank.
Consequently, a simple and easy to understand system, to warn such users of
impending depletion of the gas supply, would be of great benefit. Additional
benefit would be derived in situations where third parties who monitor the
remaining tank supply of the users. This benefit is provided by the audible, and
visual alarms on the device along with the remote monitoring capabilities of the
device decreasing the level of attentiveness required to monitor the continuing
diminishing air supply in the supply tank. With such a visual, audible, or
transmitted alarm, to warn monitoring parties of the dangerous condition that
has occurred once tank pressure has dropped below a prudent level, the person
monitoring the supply available to the user may be confident that a short lapse
of attention in constantly monitoring a mechanical gauge, will no longer cause
drastic consequences.

     Industrial users of compressed gas would also benefit from such a remote
warning device that is easily attachable and detachable to a tank and regulator
using conventional mounting brackets and fittings. Welders in need of constant
supplies of oxygen, acetylene, and in some cases nitrogen gas supplies, would be
better able to concentrate on their work with the knowledge that they will be
alerted audibly and visually to tank pressure drops below what is considered
operational.

     Further, if fitted with a radio, infrared, or other style transmitter, that
transmits information concerning remaining tank pressure to a receiving station,
supply cylinders that have reached a predetermined level to low to be considered
acceptable, would immediately activate a remote alarm or signal. This would
allow a central monitoring station in a town or in a hospital or other venue
with large numbers of tanks in use, to be immediately informed when a supply
tank is reaching critical level. One person could monitor many such supply tanks
remotely, and can dispatch someone to replace or recharge tanks that have
reached a dangerous or low level.

     The device herein disclosed can also be configured whereby the on board
transmitter is activated by a remote signal from a central monitoring station,
to transmit the remaining tank pressure in the supply tank. In airports,
hospitals, and industrial and military uses, a single monitoring station could
thus monitor the remaining gas levels in hundreds of supply tanks, thus allowing
for better inventory maintenance and replacement of depleted supply tanks.

     Prior art has attempted to address some of the aforementioned problems and
solutions but without great success.


<PAGE>

     U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,617 (Pilipski) teaches a low pressure alarm to monitor
pressure in containers. However, Pilipski is a complicated array of conduits,
offers no manner for easy mounting
of the device in a compressed gas circuit for easy removal and remounting, nor
does it provide any visual alarm to the hearing impaired or sleeping users.

     U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,477 (Shiffmacher) provides for an audible alarm to warn
of dwindling air supplies in a portable compressed air tank. However Shiffmacher
is designed for threaded engagement with a tank and contains numerous springs
and valves that can malfunction. It is thus not easily incorporated for mounting
and dismounting with the millions of conventional compression clamp style
devices currently in use. Further, it offers no visual alarm nor remote
signaling options.

     U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,822 (Hoffman) addresses the issue of a warning of low
pressure in a pressurized gas system servicing a plurality of patients in a
hospital or other setting. Hoffman however is designed for permanent mounting in
the system and is not easily mounted and dismounted on the millions of portable
units using a compression clamp style fitting to access the internal air supply
through a regulator.

     As such, there exists a need for an easily and inexpensively manufactured
multi functional warning system which is easily mounted and dismounted from the
millions of conventionally used pressurized tanks which employ a compression
clamp mount of the regulator to the tank. Such a device should offer a plurality
of alarm modes such that those with poor eyesight could be warned of a problem
with a bright blinking light. Such a device should also offer an audible alarm
to awaken sleeping or inattentive users to the impending pressure drop below
functional norms. Such a device should also be capable of optionally
transmitting actual pressure when queried from a remote location or
automatically if tank pressure drops below norms.

                            SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

     Applicants' device is an easily manufactured and utilized to apparatus,
which provides users of compressed air tanks, a warning of any impending or
actual drop of internal tank pressure below a predetermined level. The device is
especially useful for those who are inattentive, visually or technically
impaired as it initiates an alarm once tank pressure communicated to the device
reaches a predetermined level.

     The device features a manifold that is capable of operative engagement with
millions of conventional pressurized tanks which use a compression clamp to
removably mount a regulator in operative engagement with a tank of pressurized
gas. The manifold is configured to allow of inclusion into this operatively
connected tank and regulator mating, without any modification to either the
tank, the clamp, or the regulator. Consequently, it would be immediately
available to millions of users worldwide.

     The manifold features a tank aperture that males with the tank outlet
aperture. The tank aperture communicates through the manifold to the other side
which is configured to operatively engage a conventional regulator. The tank,
the regulator, and the manifold, can thereafter be operatively engaged in a
sealed relationship by the attachment of a conventional compression clamp
thereto in the conventional fashion.

     A conduit communicates through the body of the manifold from the tank
aperture to a chamber at the end distal to the engagement with the tank. The
chamber is configured for an operative sealed engagement with a conventional
electronic pressure gauge that monitors tank pressure communicated thereto
through the conduit in the body communicated with the supply tank.

     The pressure switch is a conventional electronic pressure gauge that
features a pressure switch which mechanically or electronically completes an
electrical circuit once pressure is read at a predetermined level. Such devices
conventionally use an electronic pressure sensitive plate or a translating
member that activates a variable current from a battery through the device to a
receiver in the electronic gauge. A digital display in the pressure switch may
optionally be provided which will continually indicate in numerals on an
electronic display, the remaining supply tank pressure. Once a predetermined
pressure level is communicated to the pressure switch from the tank, a
mechanical or electronic switch activates and completes the circuit from the
battery that operates one or a combination of a group of devices consisting of a
visual alarm, an audible alarm, or a transmitter which communicates the alarm to
a remote monitoring site.


<PAGE>

     The unique design of the disclosed device also provides for the easy
inclusion immediately into millions of conventional tank and regulator
combination devices attached together by a compression clamp. The device can
thus be immediately used to provide real time audio and visual warnings of
diminishing oxygen supply to persons dependent on tank supplied oxygen. It can
also be used to improve industry efficiency with the provision of better
inventory control using the advance warnings of low gas supplies provided by the
device.

     An object of this invention is to provide a warning device for low pressure
in a compressed gas cylinder that is easily mounted to conventional mounting
clamp style systems without modification to existing tank and regulator
components. Another object of this invention is to provide additional safety to
the user, and an alert to third parties who might be monitoring the user,
through the provision of an audible alarm that will alert the inattentive to the
lowered tank pressure.

     A further object of this invention is the provision of a highly visible
alarm to alert users and third parties of a tank pressure drop below norms. An
additional object of the invention is to provide for remote monitoring of supply
tank pressure remaining in real time, either automatically or when queried from
the remote monitoring site.

     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part
of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of
fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

                      BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

     FIG. 1 is a side view of the compression mounted warning device herein
disclosed, in operative engagement with a conventional pressurized gas tank.

     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compression mounted warning device
showing the manifold mounted to the alarm.

     FIG. 3 is side cut away view of the manifold showing the conduits for
communicating high pressure from the tank.

     FIG. 4 is a top view of the manifold showing the regulator engagement and
the groove mount for the alarm case.

     FIG. 5 is a cut away side view of the alarm casing showing the internal
components.

     FIG. 6 depicts a typical electronic pressure sensing device.

     FIG. 7 depicts a typical mechanical pressure sensing device.

     FIG. 8 depicts a front view of the disclosed gauge mounted embodiment of
the warning device herein disclosed.

     FIG. 9 is a side cut away view of FIG. 8.

     FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a compression mounted mainfold.

                           DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
                          PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
                                    INVENTION

     Referring now to the drawing FIGS. 1-7, specifically FIG. 1 depicts a side
view of the compression mounted warning device herein disclosed in operative
engagement with a conventional pressurized gas tank.

     The device features a manifold that is capable of operative engagement with
the regulator and the orifice at tank outlet orifice. A conventionally used
compression clamp is used to operatively engage the device and the regulator
with gas outlet and the tank outlet orifice in an operative engagement while
still providing for a removable mount of the devices, to the tank outlet orifice
by removal of the compression clamp. The device is configured to allow for
inclusion into this operatively connected tank outlet orifice and regulator
mating, without any modification to either the tank outlet orifice, the clamp,
or the regulator. Extra clearance for the clamp may be optionally provided by
slots in the manifold exterior if needed. Consequently, the device is easily
mounted to millions of such devices currently in use without modification
thereto using the conventional clamp tightened thereon in the conventional
fashion using handle to increase or decrease pressure from compression screw on
the regulator and tank. The device being configured for operational and sealed
engagement by a compression fit between the regulator and tank, is easily
attached to conventional portable oxygen supply tanks and devices featuring a
similar compression mounting scheme for the regulator to the tank.


<PAGE>

     The manifold features a tank aperture that mates with the tank outlet
orifice 18 used on conventional compressed gas tanks. Registration pins are
situated on the device and adjacent to the tank outlet orifice to cooperatively
engage pin apertures on the device and the regulator to maintain registration of
the device the regulator and the tank when connected to each other. The tank
aperture communicates through the manifold to the first side to a second side.
The first side of the manifold is configured with a tank mount to operatively
engage the tank outlet orifice in a scaled relationship when compressed thereon.
The second side of the manifold is configured with a regulator mount to
operatively engage a conventional regulator in a scaled relationship when in an
operational compression mounting therewith. The outlet orifice of the tank, the
regulator, and the manifold, can thereby be operatively engaged, in a sealed
relationship, to allow communication of compressed gas from the tank interior,
through the tank aperture communicating through the manifold to the regulator,
by the attachment of a conventional compression clamp thereto in the
conventional fashion and using conventional rubber or silicone seals where
needed. The regulator thus mounts and operates in a normal fashion, without
modifications, when used in combination with the device and the tank.

     A conduit communicates through interior of the manifold. The conduit is
drilled through the top of the manifold traveling axially therethrough, and is
sealed in a conventional fashion using screw. The conduit thereby communicates
gas pressure from the tank aperture and communicating tank to a tank pressure
sensing chamber at an intersection conduit and sensing chamber at the end of the
manifold distal to the engagement with the tank and regulator. The tank pressure
sensing chamber is configured for an operative sealed communication with a
conventional electronic pres- sure switch, which monitors tank pressure
communicated thereto through the conduit in the manifold, when the device is
operatively engaged with the tank. On such tanks there is conventionally mounted
a valve that will interrupt the communication of gas to the tank outlet orifice
when closed. This valve must be open to allow communication of gas from the tank
through the manifold to the regulator. When the tank valve is thus open, the
tank pressure sensing chamber communicates with the conduit formed between the
tank and regulator thereby allowing a gauging of communicated tank pressure by
the pressure switch.

     The pressure switch may be a conventional electronic pressure activated
switch that causes the activation of a switching means such as an electronic
switch and completes an electrical circuit running from an electric power source
such as a battery using contacts in the conventional mounting and wiring fashion
for such devices. When pressure communicated from the supply tank drops below a
certain preset pressure level, an electronic pressure plate communicates to the
processor which senses this drop, and completes the electrical circuit by
activating the electronic switch which provides power to an alarm means.
Generally a microprocessing device mounted in the pressure switch receives the
data from the pressure plate and determines when to activate the communicating
electronic switch. This embodiment is also capable of communicating current tank
pressure on a continual basis.

     The pressure switch may also be a conventional mechanical style switch
which typically uses adjustable biasing means such as springs to bias a
translating member to keep attached electrical contacts out of contact with
stationary contacts. They remain out of contact until a certain predetermined
pressure in the tank drops below a level whereby the translating member
laterally translates to allow contact and complete the circuit.

     Other types of pressures sensitive switch devices are also commercially
available including variations of the afore-mentioned electronic and mechanical
devices herein described. Use of such other switch devices is anticipated
depending on the application for which the device is intended, so long as the
pressure switch, once a predetermined pressure level is communicated hereto from
the tank, communicates that data and causes an alarm means to activate.

     The alarm means, in the best mode of the device herein disclosed, features
one or a combination of devices from group of devices including an audible
buzzer, a visual warning light, or a transmitter configured to transmit tank
pressure information to a remote receiver configured to receive and process such
information. In the case of transmitter a microprocessor and on board memory may
be necessary to configure the pressure information electronically and transfer
it to the remote receiver on demand or when the predetermined low pressure
threshold is reached. Currently that threshold is approximately 500 psi but this
can be adjusted for the application.


<PAGE>

     The pressure switch in the current best mode is threadably engaged with the
sensing chamber to achieve a sealed engagement therewith and to allow for
testing and calibrations prior to the attachment of the cover to the manifold.
Calibration and delayed attachment of the cover would be provided by the cover
in the current best mode being configured to slidably engage a cover mount
formed by two ribs about the exterior of the manifold thereby allowing the cover
to be slidably mounted upon the manifold after the pressure switch is mounted to
the manifold. The pressure switch could also be press fit, or compression
mounted to the manifold as could the cover be mounted in different fashions with
screws or bands and those skilled in the art will recognize such other means of
attachment of the pressure switch in an operative sealed communication with the
sensing chamber in the manifold, and the cover to the manifold, and such are
anticipated.

     Connection of the electrical power supply from the battery, to one or
combination of warning means devices such as the audible buzzer and/or the
warning light and/or the transmitter, would be handled in the conventional
fashion, using wiring, which is loose or on printed circuit boards or
combinations thereof.

     The warning light works best using a light emitting diode (LED) due to the
low current draw of such devices allowing for longer battery life. Also, an LED
would be the best mode to provide a power light could be included in the device
to show that the device 10 is activated. Activation and deactivation of the
device is accomplished using the conventional switching means such as an on/off
switch. When activated, the on/off switch would allow current from the battery
to reach the warning means devices through the pressure switch when the pressure
switch allows such communication therethrough. The power light would of course,
will always be illuminated when the switch is in the on position.

     The transmitter would be of conventional design and would also have
internal circuitry, memory, and microprocessors sufficient to receive and
interpret data communicated from the pressure switch and thereon transmit the
data to a remote receiver. A broadcasting means such as an antenna for radio
waves or an infrared transmitter, which broadcasts data using inferred light,
would be provided and attached to the transmitter in a conventional fashion, to
broadcast transmissions of data from the transmitter to a remote receiver
configured to receive the transmissions. This transmission optionally may be
accomplished using polling, wherein the remote receiver polls the transmitter
which responds with current data regarding the tank pressure and usage. If the
pressure switch  used is capable of variable pressure readings, then current
pressure can also be transmitted instead of just a warning when pressure drops
below a predetermined level.

     Alternatively, the device, using this pressure switch with variable
pressure reading output, can be set to automatically transmit to the remote
receiver, current information concerning current remaining tank pressure and/or
usage of the air supply in the tank. Or, the device could be configured to have
the transmitter relay tank pressure data for one or combinations of purposes to
fit the circumstances in which the device is to operate, including reporting
at predetermined time spans, reporting when polled by a remote receiver to
respond, reporting when a threshold low pressure is reached, or reporting when
current usage of the air supply from the tank, indicates a lack of the
anticipated consumption by the user.

     In this fashion, the supply of gas in a large number of tanks such as a
hospital, or airport, even in a large geographical area such as a city, could be
monitored from a remote location by a single person. The monitoring person or
even a computer set to respond to various data stimuli, would then dispatch new
supply tanks to prior to their anticipated need by users. Further, individuals
using oxygen such as the elderly or firemen, could be immediately checked upon
for well being should data transmitted from the device indicate a lack of use or
lower than anticipated use by those individuals. Such a lack of anticipated
consumption would occur if for some reason a fireman could not get to his air
mask, or an elderly person had trouble hooking the device on their face or if
they fell out of reach of the device 10 and could not get back up. Valuable time
would thereby be saved by the dispatch of help to the person in need.

     FIGS. 8 and 9 depict an alternate configuration of the device wherein the
components are contained inside a conventional analog or digital pressure gauge.
In this embodiment, a threaded fitting is configured to cooperatively engage
threads about the sensing chamber in a sealed relationship. The threaded fitting
has an axial conduit communicating therethrough whereby the pressure in the
sensing chamber is communicated to the pressure switch which is situated inside
the gauge body. The pressure switch is in communication with the other
components much like the configuration of FIG. 5. In this fashion, the pressure
switch senses the gas pressure communicated from the tank to the sensing chamber
through the axial conduit. The pressure switch thereby communicates with the
appropriate aforementioned pressure information to the component of choice.


<PAGE>

     In the current best mode the pressure switch would be engaged with and
communicate with the sensing chamber in the aforementioned sealed relationship.
In some cases where the manifold is not available it may be possible to engage
the treads with a fitting between the regulator and the tank so that the axial
conduit communicates with unregulated tank pressure, however the current best
mode would feature the manifold. Once the pressure switch is in communication
with pressure inside the tank, and calibrated it would be wired to communicate
and activate the audible buzzer, and/or the warning light and/or the
transmitter, and/or a digital gauge (not shown) or the other components in the
aforementioned fashion and as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Should the gauge be
digital it would also be wired in the conventional fashion to the pressure
switch or the processor which would also be contained inside the body of the
gauge. Should the gauge be analog and pressure driven, communication with a
sealed engagement with the axial conduit would be provided to drive gauge drive
directly with tank pressure in the conventional fashion. As shown in FIG. 10 the
manifold would feature threads to cooperatively engage the threaded fitting to
provide a sealed engagement with the axial conduit.

     While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the pressure
monitor and alarm for compression mounting with a compressed gas storage tank
have been shown and described, it should be understood that various
substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. consequently,
all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.

     What is claimed is:

     1. A pressure monitoring device for attachment to conventional compression
sealed tank and regulator systems comprising:

an elongated manifold, said manifold having a first side and a second side, a
     mounting end, and a second end distal to said mounting end; an orifice
     communicating through said manifold at said mounting end from said first
     side to said second side;

a chamber formed inside said second end of said elongated manifold, said
     chamber having a mounting aperture communicating between said chamber and
     the exterior of said elongated manifold;

a conduit, said conduit axially communicating though said manifold, said
     conduit providing communication between said chamber and said orifice;

an alarm means, said alarm means activated when electrical power from said
     power means is communicated thereto;

a pressure sensing means communicating with said chamber in a sealed
     engagement with said mounting aperture, said pressure sensing means
     communicating information concerning pressure level in said chamber to a
     switching means communicating with said pressure sensing means;

said switching means communicating electrical power from said electrical power
     means to said alarm means when a predetermined pressure level is reached in
     said chamber and communicated to said switching means from said pressure
     sensing means;

a pressure gauge, said pressure gauge having a body portion and a gauge face,
     said pressure gauge providing a gauge reading of pressure in said chamber;

said switching means, said pressure sensing means, said electrical power means,
     and said alarm means all being mounted to said body portion of said
     pressure gauge;

said orifice configured at said first side and said second side for an operative
     connection in a compression mounting between an outlet of a tank of
     compressed gas, and an inlet of a regulator, and providing communication
     there between; and whereby a sealed communication through said orifice
     between said outlet of said tank and said chamber and said inlet of said
     regulator may be achieved when said mounting end is operatively compression
     mounted in combination with said regulator and said tank.

     2. The device as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising an activation
switch said activation switch having an off position wherein electrical power
from said electrical power means is disconnected from said switching means and
an on position wherein power from said electrical power means is communicated to
said switching means.

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     3. The device in claim 2 additionally comprising a first light means which
is illuminated when said activation switch is in said on position.

     4. The device in claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises one or a
combination of alarms from a group consisting of and audible alarm, a visual
alarm, or a transmitter for broadcasting an alarm to a remote location.

     5. The device in claim 4 wherein said audible alarm is a buzzer.

     6. The device in claim 4 wherein said visual alarm is a fight emitting
diode.

     7. The device in claim 1 wherein said pressure gauge is digital.

     8. The device in claim 1 wherein said pressure gauge is electrically
activated by communication from said pressure sensing means.

     9. The device in claim 1 wherein said pressure gauge is mechanically
activated by pressure communicated thereto 55 through an axial conduit from said
chamber.