Abstract:
A self-moving alarm clock shakes the user awake in addition to providing an audible alarm. The device includes a housing with a cavity therein to house an alarm clock. A housing moving mechanism, which moves the housing from a first position to a second position, is electrically connected to the alarm clock. When an alarm signal is activated by the alarm clock upon an alarm event, the housing moving mechanism is activated to move the housing repeatedly from position to position. A switch on the housing is used to turn off the audible alarm and the housing moving mechanism. Since the switch is located on the housing which is moving, the user must locate, chase, pick up, then hold onto the housing during which time the user is shaken awake while they are turning off the alarm switch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/696,547, filed Jul. 6, 2005 and Ser. No. 60/772,512, filed Feb. 13, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to clocks and alarm clocks. These devices are typically employed by a user to assist them in determining the current time. Also, alarm clocks are used to alert a person when a given pre-set alarm time is now the current time. This is commonly used to assist a person in waking up for work or an appointment. For example, if the time is currently 10:00 pm and the user wishes to awake at 7:00 am the next day, they use an alarm clock to alert them when 7:00 am the next morning arrives. The alarm clock is set to the desired alarm time, e.g. 7:00 am, the night before so the alarm timely goes off. 
   In the prior art, alarm clocks are very well known. These devices are either mechanical or electronic in nature. In the example of a mechanical alarm clock, a mechanical time keeping mechanism with gears and springs are employed to keep time. Winding the clock or electrical power maintains the time keeping mechanism moving to, in turn, keep the time accurate and current. In a mechanical alarm clock, a hammer and bell are typically actuated at the alarm event to wake the user by a loud bell ringing sound. 
   In the case of electronic clocks, time keeping and alarms are similarly carried out. However, the time keeping and alarm setting are electronic in nature rather than mechanical. For example, a solid state clock, powered by batteries or AC power, enables accurate time keeping and alarm event triggering because the exact times can be set with precision, such as to the minute. Typical electronic alarm clocks sound a buzzer or beeper at the time of the alarm event at time of the user&#39;s choosing. 
   Despite the foregoing attempts in the prior to alert a user of the an alarm event time, audible sound alarm are frequently inadequate for effectively alerting the user to the alarm event, particularly if they are using the alarm clock to wake them out of deep sleep where they may be apt to do whatever is necessary to silence the audible alarm. In summary, these known audible alarm clocks are much too easy to turn off. For example, a user can simply reach over to their alarm clock on their nightstand from the comfort of their bed and depress an alarm shut off button to fully silence the alarm without ever really waking up when they want. This increases the risk that the person might sleep completely through their alarm as this routine does not require them to fully awaken nor open their eyes much. Also, a user can repeatedly hit a “snooze” button on the alarm clock to delay the alarm for a certain amount of time, such as 10 minutes, which lead to bad habits of waking up later than you intended. 
   There has been a number of attempts in the prior art to address these problems with prior art alarm clocks. There are various prior art alarm clocks that also include some type of vibration mechanism that can be actuated with or without the audible alarm sound. For example, an alarm clock, that can fit in a users pocket, can be provided with a vibration mechanism that actuates at the alarm time without an audible alarm so that a user can be silently alerted to an alarm time. These alarm clocks can also be provided with structures that fit under a pillow, or the like, to silently alert the user when it is time to wake up. In general, these vibrating alarm clocks are intended to be in a fixed location to silently alert the user of an alarm time. 
   Even though these prior art alarm clocks vibrate, they are still very easy to turn off by the user because they stay fixed in a single location. As a result, they are very easy to locate and handle by the user which enables the user to easily turn them off in similar fashion to an alarm clock with a simple audible alarm. 
   Still further, there have been attempts in the prior art to provide an alarm clock that moves from one location to another to makes it difficult for the user to easily turn it off to prevent them from sleeping through their alarm. For example, such a clock can include wheels to cause the alarm clock to roll away, off of the user&#39;s nightstand for example, to a location remote therefrom. In this prior art device, the alarm clock remains still and in a fixed location when the audible alarm goes off. However, if the “snooze” button is depressed, the entire alarm clock will roll away off of the nightstand until it hits a barrier, such as a wall. When the end of the “snooze” period is over, the user will have to find the device and then turn off the alarm. When the user finds this prior art device, it is essentially still with the exception that the wheels may still be rotating. If the alarm is immediately shut off, the audible alarm is silenced and the alarm clock will not move any further. Since this device is still when the alarm sounds and picked up by a user, it is very easy to turn off. 
   The foregoing prior art suffers from many problems. For example, prior art alarm clocks are too easy to turn off because they are easy to locate. The addition of vibration is for use as a silent alarm not for making it more difficult to turn off the alarm by the user. Rolling alarm clocks are similarly inferior because the alarm clock device is easy to retrieve, locate and hold by the user making it very easy to turn off the alarm. 
   In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for an alarm clock that is superior to currently available alarm clocks. There is a demand for an alarm clock that is more effective in waking up a user than prior art alarm clocks. There is a demand for an alarm clock fully awakens a person before they can turn them off. There is a demand for an alarm clock that engages a person to interact more to awaken them even more. There is yet another demand to provide an alarm clock that moves vigorously when an alarm event occurs to encourage the user to wake up. There is another demand for an alarm clock that can simultaneously sound an audible alarm and move about a user&#39;s environment to more effectively wake the user up. There is a demand for an alarm clock that shakes the user awake upon an alarm event. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art alarm clocks. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available alarm clocks and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available alarm clocks. 
   A self-moving alarm clock shakes the user awake in addition to providing an audible alarm. The device includes a housing with a cavity therein to house an alarm clock. A housing moving mechanism, which moves the housing from a first position to a second position, is electrically connected to the alarm clock. When an alarm signal is activated by the alarm clock upon an alarm event, the housing moving mechanism is activated to move the housing repeatedly from position to position. A switch on the housing is used to turn off the audible alarm and the housing moving mechanism. Since the switch is located on the housing which is moving, the user must hold the housing during which time the user is shaken awake while they are turning off the alarm switch. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alarm clock that is superior to currently available alarm clocks. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an alarm clock that is more effective in fully waking up a user than prior art alarm clocks. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide an alarm clock that moves vigorously when an alarm event occurs. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an alarm clock that can simultaneously sound an audible alarm and continuously move about a user&#39;s environment to more effectively wake the user up. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an alarm clock that a user must chase around and capture upon an alarm event. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an alarm clock that shakes the user awake upon an alarm event. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention&#39;s preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the alarm clock device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the alarm clock device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view through the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the alarm clock device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a power supply recharging system using in connection with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a dock power supply recharging system using in connection with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 7A-F  show the steps of waking a user in accordance with the method of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the alarm clock device  10  present invention is shown. A new and novel alarm clock device  10  includes a housing  12  with, preferably, a number of outwardly emanating protrusions  14  therefrom. These protrusions  14  help provide cushioning of the device  10  when it is moving about, as will be described in detail below. It should be understood that the device  10  is shown in the configuration of a generally spheroid structure with protrusions  14  thereon, however, the device  10  can be provided in any type of configuration, such as a cube without protrusions (not shown). Any configuration, with or without protrusions  14 , are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , an alarm clock component  16  is disposed within the housing  12 , which is preferably of the electronic type for compactness and ease of manufacture. The alarm clock component  16  includes a display  18  which is visible through a window  20  in the housing  12 . It is possible that the display  18  is a separate unit that is affixed to the outside of the housing  12  and electrically connected to the alarm clock component  16  via electrical wires, or the like. For example, a number of control buttons  22   a - e  are located on the housing  12  for controlling the setting of the current time, selection of an alarm time, setting an alarm and turning off of an alarm. An alarm control button, such as button  22   d , is provided to enable the user to stop the alarm. A “snooze” button, such as button  22   e , can optionally be used to delay the alarm for a predetermined period of time, such as 10 minutes. The foregoing button arrangement is just one example of a button arrangement that can be employed. Any arrangement and configuration of control buttons  22   a - e  can be used and still be within the scope of the present invention. The configuration and arrangement of the buttons in the figures are just one of many different button controls that can be used with the present invention. 
   These alarm control buttons  22   a - e  are electrically connected to the alarm clock component  16  residing within the housing  12 . Further details of alarm clock components  16  and displays  18  and control buttons  22   a - e  therefore are so well known in the art that they need not be discussed in further detail herein. In fact, alarm clock components  16  are readily available as a separate unit for incorporation into any device that requires clock and alarm features. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a rear perspective view of the alarm clock device  10  of the present invention is shown. A speaker  24  is provided through and aperture  26  in the housing  12  which is electrically interconnected to the alarm clock component  16  so that when an alarm event occurs, the desired sound is audibly heard. This speaker  24  can also be provided completely within the housing  12  rather that located through an aperture  26  in the housing  12 . For example, a speaker  24  may be mounted directly to the alarm clock component  16  within the housing  12 . Such a speaker  24  may be of a vibrating cone or piezoelectric type, for example. However, any type of speaker  24  can be used to connect to an audio output of the alarm clock component  16  within the housing  12 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view through the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  shows the details of the interior construction of the alarm clock device  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 4  schematically shows the electrical interconnection of the primary components of the present invention. Referring both to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the housing  12  includes the outwardly emanating protrusions  14 , which can also be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . An alarm clock component  16 , which includes a display  18 , is mounted on the interior surface  28  of the housing  12  so that the display  18  can be viewed from outside the housing  12 , namely, through a window  30  in the housing  12 . A power source  32 , such as a pair of vertically oriented batteries supply power to the alarm clock component  16  via a number of wires  34 . 
   An electrical interface  36  is provided within the housing  12  to electrically communicate with an exterior charging cable  38 . An H-bridge type interconnection  40 , for example, is preferably employed to control the power to the motor  32 . Such an interconnection is well known in the art and need not be discussed in further detail herein. 
   In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , a female port  42  is provided in the housing  12  to receive a male plug  44 . As a result, charging current is supplied to the power source, namely the batteries  32 , so that alarm clock device  10  can operate wirelessly in a non-tethered condition. As stated above, the electrical interface  36  may be a magnetic plug, inductive pad or an electrical pad whereby the alarm clock device  10  can be freely separated from the charging source. This is particularly useful when the alarm clock device  10  is being used in conjunction with a docking station, as will be described in detail below in connection with  FIG. 6 . 
   A number of buttons, generally referenced in this figure as  22 , are electrically interconnected to the alarm clock component  16  so that the operation thereof can be controlled and set. As stated above, the buttons  22   a - e  are used to set the current time, set the alarm time and turn on the alarm and turn it off. Functionality for “snooze” can also be included. The speaker  24  shown in  FIG. 2  can also be seen in  FIG. 3  which is also electrically interconnected to the alarm clock component  16 . Thus, when the alarm time is reached, an audible alarm is sounded off via the speaker  24 . The functionality of the above alarm clock is not limited in any way to the functionality described herein. Any alarm clock feature set can be employed and still be within the scope of the present invention. 
   Most importantly, a mechanism, generally referred to as  46 , for vigorously moving the entire housing  12  is also electrically interconnected to the alarm clock component  16  in addition to the speaker  24 , as can be seen in  FIG. 4 . Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the moving mechanism  46  preferably includes a centrally mounted main axle  48  upon which a motor  50  is eccentrically mounted thereto. The motor  50  is mechanically connected to the axle  48  via a series of gears  52  and resides within a motor housing  54 . Thus, when the axle  56  of the motor  50  rotates, the gears  52  will rotate, causing the entire motor  50 , within the motor housing  54 , to rotate about the main axle  48 . Such rotation of a weighted body, namely the motor housing  54 , within the housing  12  causes the entire housing  12  to wobble about vigorously. As will be discussed below, this vigorous wobbling enables the present invention to be carried out effectively. A weighted motor housing  54  is just one example how to move the housing  12  to make it shake, wobble or otherwise move vigorously. Any such structure for causing this action is considered within the scope of the present invention. 
   Power may be delivered to the motor  50  in a number of different ways. As shown in  FIG. 3 , main axle  48  is split into two electrically isolated sides  48   a  and  48   b  whereby a positive and negative side of the electricity are delivered respectively thereto. Contact pads  58  within the motor housing  54  maintain contact with the respective sides  48   a ,  48   b  of the main axle  48  to maintain electrical contact with a source of power via cord  38 . Thus, the motor housing  54  can rotate freely about the axle while still receiving electricity thereto. 
   Any type of movement, vibration or shaking mechanism for housing  12  can be used. The figures and discussion here are not intended to limit the overall scope of protection of the present invention.  FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of such an alternative embodiment  100  where a different mechanism is used to move the housing  12 . This embodiment  100  uses a center axle  102  for electrical “positive” and whereas the electrical “negative” is brought into the housing by a brush pad  104  that continually keeps contact with the moving motor housing  106  through a circular contact point on the outside surface  108  of the housing  106 . This is another example of how electricity can be delivered to a moving structure, such as a motor housing  106 , to power it within the housing  12  to provide the required moving, shaking or vibration action. 
   It should be understood that the eccentrically mounted motor  50  is just one of many different examples that can be used in accordance with the present invention. Common motor assemblies may be used, such as those that use windings in conjunction with magnets. Other mechanisms for vigorous moving the main housing  12  can be employed. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the alarm clock device  10  of the present invention may be stored in a number of different ways. For example, in  FIG. 5 , the alarm clock device  10  can be simply plugged into house current where a charging current is delivered to the batteries  32  via a electrical interface  44  on the charging cord and an electrical interface  36  in the housing  12 . In this example, a plug  44  is used as an electrical interface, as in  FIG. 3 , to provide charging current from a wall socket  60  via a plug  62  and cord  38 . When it is time to use the alarm clock device  10 , it is unplugged after charging and simply placed in the desired location. When the alarm time arrives, the alarm clock device  10  will vigorously move about, as described above. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a dock  64  is employed for storage of the alarm clock device  10  when not in use. During this time, the power source, which are preferably rechargeable batteries, are recharged by house current via the wall plug  62  plugged into a wall outlet  60  with cord  38  and dock  64 . The dock  64  includes pair of frictionless contact pads  66  that electrically communicate with frictionless contact pads  68  on the housing  12  of the alarm clock device  10 . As a result, when the alarm clock device  10  is residing on the dock  64 , it recharges while it is being neatly stored. As stated above, magnetic or inductive pad can be used to reduce if not eliminate the frictional interconnection of housing  12  to the dock  64 . 
   It is highly desirable for the housing  12  to be electrically interconnected to the wall outlet  60  for charging but to be loosely physically interconnected to the dock  64  so that it may freely launch from the dock  64 , for example, in the direction of the arrow when an alarm event occurs. In fact, the housing  12  may launch in any direction, if desired. In particular, vigorous wobbling of the housing  12  will cause the alarm clock device  10  to launch from the dock  64  so that it will immediately begin to move about in a fashion that will require the user to get up out of bed, locate it, chase after it, capture it, get shaken awake, and then turn it off. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 7A-F , the method of waking a user is shown in detail. In  FIG. 7A , the alarm clock device  10  of the present invention is set with a desired alarm time. The alarm is then set and the device  10  is positioned where desired, such as on a nightstand next to the user&#39;s bed  70 . In  FIG. 7B , the previously set alarm time is reached and the alarm clock device  10  is launched from a nightstand onto the floor  72  nearby while sounding an audible alarm. The user  74  is required to get out of bed  70  and locate the alarm clock device  10  during which time the device  10  is moving vigorously about the room making it difficult for the user  74  to locate and chase around. Even when in a corner or against a wall, the device  10  of the present invention continues to move making it difficult for the user  74  to locate and pick it up. 
   In  FIG. 7C , the user  74  has finally located the alarm clock device  10  and has picked it up and is now holding it in their hands  76 . Due to the level of the movement and shaking, the user  74  typically needs to hold the device in both hands  76 . In  FIG. 7D , the device  10  continues to actively move about gradually shaking the user  74  awake quickly while still sounding the audible alarm. However, the shaking and audible alarm will continue to sound until the alarm switch  22  is turned off. 
   In  FIG. 7E , the user  74  has located the alarm switch  22  and has depressed it. As a result, as seen in  FIG. 7F , the movement of the alarm clock device  10  has stopped and the audible alarm has ceased to sound. The alarm clock device  10  can now be returned to the desired location in preparation for the next alarm event, such as back in its dock or any location if it is charged up. 
   This moving mechanism  46  is intended to supplement the hearing sensation of the user  74  with a feeling sensation when waking up. In other words, the user  74  is shaken awake when the device  10  is picked up at the time to shut off the alarm. The ability to shake awake the user  74  while they are holding the device in their hands  76  because they have just retrieved it after moving about the room is new and novel and not found in the prior art. The alarm clock  10  of the present invention requires that the user chase it not merely try to find in prior art devices. The key different is that the user must not only find the device  10  but it is required to chase it, then catch and perhaps even wrestle with it into order to, in turn, successfully turn it off. Prior art devices not require such action on the part of the user. 
   Also, the moving mechanism  46  shakes the housing  12  to such an extent that it makes a repeated impact to the surface on which it sits, such as a nightstand. This impact is louder than a simple vibration mechanism in prior art alarm clocks, which are similar to those found in mobile phones. The repeated impact makes a knocking type sound which is disturbing not only to the user  74  but his or her neighbors. This encourages the user  74  to quickly locate the alarm clock device  10  of the present invention, get shaken awake and then turn it off. 
   The alarm clock device  10  of the present invention can be made of many different types of materials, such as plastic and metal. A plastic or rubber housing  12  is preferably used to avoid damage to surrounding items, such as furniture. The housing  12  may be brightly colored and may include lights, such as those of the flashing type, to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the device  10  and to visually alert the user  74 . Such lights may be used a supplemental or alternative way to waking the user up as stimulates another sense of the user, namely the visual sense. Spinning or blinking lights are another way to awaken a person though this sense in similar fashion to sun or when someone turns on the lights early in the morning. 
   It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.