Patent ID: 7868770

Claim:
A warning device for alerting an individual of a tendency to fall asleep, said warning device comprising: a pressurized collar adapted to fit around the neck of the individual with a portion of the pressurized collar in the form of a diaphragm under the chin of and in close proximity to the chin of the individual for detecting a change in the forward/aft tilt of the individual's head; a pressure sensor for sensing a change in the internal pressure of said pressurized collar due to the tilt of the individual's head; and an alarm for alerting the individual of the tendency to fall asleep in response to said change in the forward/aft tilt of the individual's head; and in which said warning device includes an electrical circuit having a power source, a mild shocker, a clip for connecting said shocker to an ear of the individual and a mercury switch for connecting said shocker to said power source when the individual's head tilts forward/aft to thereby warn the individual that they are falling asleep; and wherein said mercury switch includes a mercury ball surrounded by a filler having a mass of relatively high density non-conductive liquid comparing to air to produce a slight delay action to avoid an alarm if the individual promptly lifts his/her head after looking down to check the instruments.