The Silent Knight anti-snoring ring

I was in Boots the other day when I saw a "Silent Knight" finger ring for sale at £29.99, which claimed it could stop snoring.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I always check packaging for any information. There was quite a lot of intellectual property claimed:

Worldwide patents pending

UK Patent Numbers 03285392 and 03201597

US Application Number 10/730.250

Registered Design Numbers: 3015508 and 3015509

Surprisingly, what is almost certainly the most valuable asset to the owners was not claimed. Silent Knight is not a registered trade mark, nor do they claim unregistered trade mark rights by using a ™. [Note -- I checked again in February 2009 and found that they have applied for Silent Knight Ring as a British mark and Silent Knight as a European trade mark -- very sensible].

At first I was puzzled by the British patent numbers until I realised that they were filing numbers. When an application is made, there is a series running from 1 within each year. Both applications were made in 2003 -- hence the 03 at the beginning -- and were followed by a five-digit number (adding zeroes at the beginning if necessary), followed by the "check digit" for verifying the number at the end.

The UK has a Patents Status Enquiry database where entering GB0328539 (leaving out the check digit) in the application number box finds a record for the granted patent. The Acupressure finger ring had been filed for in 2003 and then refiled (hence the second number), was published in March 2005 and then granted in November 2007. Giving the actual GB 2405345 published number on the packaging would make it a lot easier for others to trace it. Granted British patents since the beginning of 2007, like this one, can be seen on a Patents Publication Enquiry database. This can be very important. The technical content in the published applications and grants may be the same, but the scope of the monopoly claims (and hence the protection) may be different. Granted UK patents retain the same number but use a B instead of an A.

The American number was also a filing number (where there are series of numbers from 1 to under 1 million, this being the 10th such series) and this was published as US 200504963, an application. The UK and the USA seem to be, in fact, the only countries where patent applications were published.

The final two numbers are indeed British registered designs, which can be found on the official database. These are for the appearance. Here is 3015509.

So how does it work ? It is a ring with a gap in it (to make it easier to put on, I suppose) with a bit on the inside sticking inwards, hence the pressure. It is meant to go on the little finger. The packaging says it is made of hallmarked silver, hence the price, and the web site states the same in bold type as if it is a valuable incentive. The British patent application  says "there is little restriction on the material used", provided it is inert, with a metal preferred, so the use of silver does seem rather pointless (and expensive).

The two inventors are from Surrey, Michael Carter-Smith and Roger Whitaker. The web site also states that NHS clinical trials are being carried out on the device. There are a number of testimonials given on the site, including a lady who said "It is wonderful how it has stopped his snoring but do you have anything for his continuous talking ?!"

Comments

[Gordon Frisbey]

Does the ring stop snoring?

[John Woodley]

I would like to inform your reads but the AntiSnor Ring was first invented by myself John Woodley in 1999".The AntiSnor ring has been Patent granted in Australia and Canada and is on file in the USA and Japan...A Mr Whitikar from England stole the idea and claimed it as his own from our company at a trade show some years back. Due to our lodging the Patents in 2000-01 the Silent knight ring will never be able to receive Patent granted by law and will always be second best as its design is not functional..

[stop snoring]

for me best tips for stoping to snore are

1 lose weight if you are over weight
2 stop drinking alchol
3 dont sleep on your back

[Stop snoring online]

So many products that claim to help stop snoring. If they actually do work, why are there over 10 million snorers in the UK?

The way to stop snoring is find the cause of snoring in your case and then treat the cause

The two most successful remedies are still weight loss, if overweight, and quiting cigarettes, if a smoker

Webmaster
http://www.stop-snoring-online.com

[W Davies]

Another good idea to stop snoring is by using snoring pajamas. Most people who snore generally do so when lying on their back. Basically, you sew a pocket on to the back of your pajamas and place a tennis ball inside. When you roll on to your back in your sleep the ball will make you change position as it is so uncomfortable!

[geoff colville]

i have tried anti snore rings and they do not work for me. i still snore just as loud, aim not over weight, do drink some times and can sleep standingg up bit still snore...

[James May]

The snoring ring was sold to me at Ideal Home expo about 3 years ago. I remember when I first bought the ring they said that acupressure has varing effects on different people and I has never tried it myself but after having an opporation on my nose in the US that failed to sure my snoring I was compelled to try this product. I found it had varying affects but when I took this to the helpline in the packet there seems to be a 'meridian line' that needs to have the applied pressure, otherwise its just like wearing a normal ring on my finger. Having done some research on this line myself I have had improved results, or so my partner tells me.

[John Woodley]

For customers purchasing the SilentKnight ring from England and hoping there order to be shipped to the USA, Japan, Canada and Australia please be advised that your product may be confiscated at customs import for each of these countries.

Patent laws have been put in place that any copy of any design and purpose of the original ANTISNOR ring is illegal to be imported or sold in these countries.

Australia Patent 767789 USA Pat Pend 11/334611 Canada Pat Pend 239 3465(now Patent granted a/o August 08) Japan Pat Pend 542867/2001 International Trade Mark and Copyright

As for the comment on the S/K web site stating that there product is now has Full UK Patent this may be associated with design only as it is not possible to obtain a full Patent now that the intellect of the ring has become common knowledge after the original ANTISNOR RING began Patents in1999

[tomba]

Didn't work for me....but then neither did the 'snore spray' nor the 'Breatheasy Strips' nor the Badger balm....aaarghh!

[tungsten rings]

"Silent Knight is not a registered trade mark, nor do they claim unregistered trade mark rights by using a ™.' Ithought before that it was registered mark,thanks for the information.

by: P.jew

[rapidshare search]

i have tried anti snore rings and they do not work for me.

__
http://loadingvault.com

[anti]

antisnor ring is crapped.. who stole what, isn't it supposed to be a chinese remedy.. so did antisnor still the idea from the chinese?

[Stop Snoring]

I would have to agree with a prior comment, the best way to help stop snoring is:

1. Lose weight if you are over weight (this is huge!)
2. Stop drinking alcohol
3. Sleep on your side

[Peter]

I was doing a Google search as to why these things work and found this.

My wife bought an Anti Snor ring for me 3 days ago (I am in Australia) and apparently I have not snored AT ALL the last 3 nights.

It is not exactly the same as the figure you have above, but actually has 2 little pointed projections (like vampire teeth) instead of the solid bar.

My finger is a bit sore when I wake, just two little red marks that dissappear after 5 mins or so, but otherwise great results.

Last night I tried to snore before I went to sleep and my airways just felt so much more open.

My 2 cents.

[stop snoring]

Yeah, I don't know about this thing either. Doesn't seem like it has worked for a lot of people. Only thing that has worked for me so far is using a snoring chin strap but I don't like wearing it. Wish I could find some other more practical solution.

[tungsten wedding bands]

I don't think upon wearing this ring it will stop snoring, Probably the ring will wake you up because of the bulge inside, but it will not cure one's snoring.