Motion-trip Security Device

Abstract

A motion-trip security device, for transmitting, receiving, and signalling upon occurrence of a breach of security of the object to which the device is affixed, said device being automatically operative on slight unauthorized movement of the object or of the device, and having selective transmitting and receiving features to indicate which of a series of such objects is being moved.

Description

This invention relates to a motion-trip security device, and more particularly to a motion-trip signalling device for transmitting, receiving, and signalling an alarm signal.

Pursuant to the invention, the device provides convenient and efficient automatic monitoring and signalling on breach of security with respect to an object to which the device is affixed, and which device can be utilized to selectively transmit and receive signals to indicate the one of a series of objects being so moved. The motion-trip security device of this invention may be utilized, for example, as a portable, reusable, detachable unit, to be affixed to a truck, trailer or any other vehicle, and which may transmit a radio or other signal to be received in the office or other control point or location of a truck terminal, for example, thereby alerting the dispatcher or security personnel that the vehicle has been tampered with, for example, where an attempt is made to move or remove a vehicle such as a trailer from the yard, enabling relay of the alarm signal to police for appropriate action thereon.

Any attempt to remove the motion-trip device itself from the object to which it has been affixed would cause the device to automatically transmit a signal alerting the dispatcher to the tampering.

In one modification of the device of this invention, the driver of a truck may carry a special small receiver with him so that, when he leaves the truck, he would receive a warning signal transmitted by the device if anyone was moving or trying to break into the truck. The system would be operable at other times; for example, if the driver was staying overnight in a motel and, while he was asleep, someone tried to tamper with or remove the vehicle or trailer, the device would operate.

The motion-trip unit may be removed without sounding an alarm only by disconnection of the receiver by the operator, to be stored when not in use.

Devices heretofore proposed for this purpose have been objectionable as they are generally of the wire-and-key lock type. In such prior devices if the object is moved the alarm will work but if the entire device is removed, the alarm does not operate. Such objections to prior devices have been solved and overcome in the motion-trip security device of this invention, which is highly efficient, strong, durable and rugged in use.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a motion-trip security device embodying the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention shown attached to an object (shown fragmentarily),

FIG. 3 is a similar, partly fragmentary view of the invention shown mounted level on an inclined object, and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a receiver device which may be used in connection with the invention.

As will be seen from the drawings, forming part hereof, this invention relates to a motion-trip security device for transmitting and receiving an alarm signal upon movement of the object to which the device is affixed, as will be described below, such that an alarm is triggered on slight movement of the object or of the device, automatically signalling that fact to thereby prevent theft of the object to which the device is affixed.

Pursuant to the invention, a motion-trip security device 11 (FIG. 1) for example, is shown, comprising signal-sending means 12, support means 13, connection means 14, switch means 16 and level means 17. The signal-sending means 12 comprises a transmitter 20, a fixed terminal 23, contact terminal 24 and switch means 16, movable between contact terminals 23 and 24 to close the circuit through and thereby automatically actuate transmitter 20 to send a warning signal on movement of the object 60 to which the device 11 is secured. To that end, switch means 16 may be, as exemplified in FIG. 1, a flexible wire 21 having free-moving (loop, for example) connection at one end with terminal 23, and weight 22 at the other end, for example, to provide a switch action, assuring a contact with terminal 24 which will persist due to the fact that the switch means 16, while tending to continue in motion, will have been stopped on contact with terminal 24. Persistence of contact thus achieved will assure closing the circuit between transmitter terminals 23, 24.

The support means 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2), for example, comprises body member 35, face plate 70, apertures 71, 71' and holding means 72. The body member 35 supports therein members, such as switch means 16 and transmitter 20. The face plate 70 interfits in the open face portion of body member 35 and is affixed thereto by fixing means 72, 72' through apertures 70, 70' along two sides thereof for example. The level means 17 comprises swivel member 30, mounted in socket 29 which, in turn, is mounted in bracket 38 secured to plate 36, and float level 31. Bracket 38 may have any desired or convenient means for tightening the swivel member 30 in socket 29, as for example, the rotatable screw member 32 which may have a cam-pressure locking action on swivel member 30. In order to keep the switch means 16 vertical with respect to the ground for operational setting thereof, (FIGS. 2 and 3) screw member 32 is loosened to allow movement on swivel member 30 in socket 29 until float level 31 indicates a level state; tightening of screw member 32 will set the switch means 16 in proper position. The connection means 14 may (FIG. 1) comprise bracket member 40, which may be secured to body 60 (to be monitored by the device) by any suitable means 42 the bracket member preferably having aperture 41, for snap lock interfitting therewith of a boss 34 (FIG. 1) on inside of tongue plate 33 fixed to mounting member 36 so as to snap the mounting member 36 (and security device 11) into engagement with mounting bracket 14. When thus engaged, a substantial force and tilting motion is required to remove the face mounting member 36, and thus device 11, from the bracket 40. The removal procedure in itself would thus, if attempted, sound the alarm.

In operation, (FIGS. 1 and 4) for example, the signal sending means 12 is affixed by the operator to the object 60 by connection means 14. The receiver means 15 becomes operational with respect to the particular object to be checked, when (FIG. 4) the operator turns on the switch member 53 in the receiver panel 50, corresponding to the particular object as identified by the identification position 51. The motion-trip security device 11 is then operational.

On movement of the object or of the device itself in any direction subsequent to effectuating the measures described above, the flexible wire 21 and the weight 22 will move to a contact position (such as shown in full and dotted outline in FIG. 1) wherein the flexible wire 21 will be in contact with a portion of the contact terminal 24, thereby closing a circuit in transmitter 20 through lead wire 25, fixed terminal 23, flexible wire 21, contact terminal 24, and lead wire 25' back to the transmitter 20, completing a circuit for the transmission of an alarm signal of a particular frequency. This alarm signal is picked up (FIG. 4) by the distinguishing signal receiver 55 (which distinguishes the frequency of the transmitted signal) and directs the alarm signal to the particular identification position 51 which corresponds to the object which was moved, causing the signal member 54 for this particular object to light up (or to buzz or otherwise signal an alarm). A central signal means, such as indicator member 52, can function (as a light, buzzer or bell) to be activated at the same time as the particular signal member 54, as a further alarm to the operator.

The sensitivity and duration of signal time of the signal-sending means can be controlled by varying the length of the flexible wire 21 (beyond the contact terminal 24) and the weight of the weight 22; the longer the flexible wire and the heavier the weight, the longer the contact duration and the more sensitive the device is to movement.

The provision (FIG. 1) of protrusion member 34 on attachment member 33, which interconnects with the aperture of portion 41 in the connection means 14, for example, sensitizes the device so that any attempt to remove the signal sending means 11 from the bracket member 40 (affixed to the object 60) would close a circuit in the signal sending means, thereby automatically transmitting an alarm signal to the monitoring operator.

It will be understood from the disclosure herein that the device of this invention may be affixed to any object, 60, the movement of which is to be monitored.

The receiver means 15, for example, may be interconnected to a tape recorder, which automatically closes a switch on activation by an alarm signal from the signal-sending means 12, to telephone a recorded message directly to the Police Department advising them of the tampering with or theft of the object, (and may print a message as a permanent record or transmit to a further monitoring station).

By utilizing a similar receiver means, in much smaller form, and for only one object, one could carry the receiver with him when stopping for lunch or staying at a motel, and a signal would be transmitted, received, and an alarm sounded on breach of security, to advise the person that the object 60 was being tampered with.

Thus, the motion-trip security unit of my invention operates automatically, simply and efficiently to provide accurate control for the prevention of tampering or theft or dismantling of objects without the knowledge of the operator or monitoring personnel.

While the foregoing disclosure of exemplary embodiments is made in accordance with the Patent Statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto or thereby, the inventive scope being defined in the appended claims.

Claims

The invention I claim is:

1. A motion-trip security device for sending and receiving a signal upon movement of the object to which the device is affixed, comprising:

a. a motion-activated switch including a ring-shaped horizontally orientable contact member and a vertically orientable flexible weighted conductor extending linearly through said ring and out of contact with said ring when said contact member and said conductor are respectively oriented in horizontal and vertical positions, said switch being closed by contact of said conductor with said member in consequence of movement of said object effecting flexing of said conductor against said ring;

b. a transmitter electrically connected for sending of a signal upon closing of said switch;

c. container means for said switch and transmitter;

d. support bracket means attached to said object;

e. swivel and socket interconnection means attached between said bracket means and said container means, and adapted to permit universal rotation of said container means whereby to enable orientation of said container means to place said contact member and flexible conductor in said horizontal and vertical positions;

f. a level indicator on said container adapted to indicate when both said contact member and said conductor are oriented in said horizontal and vertical positions; and

g. signal-receiving means for receiving signals from said transmitter, indicating breach of security.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including locking means for locking said container means in said oriented position.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said interconnection means carries a tongue plate having a turnedover end portion adapted to frictionally engage a flattened portion of said bracket, said end portion including a raised boss which snap locks into engagement with an aperture in said flattened portion of said bracket, the resulting engagement being such that a substantial force and tilting motion is required to disengage said bracket and tongue plate, whereby any attempt to do so will disturb said switch and activate said transmitter.

4. In a motion-trip security device as described in claim 1, said signal-receiving means comprising:

a. a receiver panel,

b. identification positions on said receiver panel, identifying the object to which said signal sending means is affixed,

c. indicator means, adjacent each of said indicator positions, for signalling a breach of security as to a particular object, and

d. switch means associated with each of said identification positions for rendering said receiving member operable with respect to the object to be checked for movement.