U.S. patent number 3,725,896 [Application Number 05/188,031] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-03 for position sensitive alarm with magnetic latching pendulum switch.
Invention is credited to Robert J. Wagner.
United States Patent |
3,725,896 |
Wagner |
April 3, 1973 |
POSITION SENSITIVE ALARM WITH MAGNETIC LATCHING PENDULUM SWITCH
Abstract
An alarm device sounds an audio alarm when it is moved to a
predetermined position. The alarm includes a magnetic latching
pendulum switch which is normally open but which is closed to
energize the alarm when the device falls onto its back portion. A
dial lock means is also provided for preventing the pendulum switch
from being manually opened until the proper number has been dialed
thereon. The device may be used in conjunction with inwardly or
outwardly swinging doors, and vertically or horizontally sliding
windows. Means is also disclosed for positioning the device with
respect to inwardly swinging doors and horizontally sliding windows
or doors.
Inventors: |
Wagner; Robert J. (Omaha,
NB) |
Family
ID: |
22691498 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/188,031 |
Filed: |
October 12, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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142894 |
May 13, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/689; 340/546;
200/61.45M |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
13/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
13/08 (20060101); G08B 13/02 (20060101); G08b
013/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/283,282,65
;200/61.52,61.45M,61.45R ;335/207 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Caldwell; John W.
Assistant Examiner: Swann, III; Glen R.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 142,894
filed May 13, 1971.
Claims
I claim:
1. An alarm device comprising,
a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and front and back
portions,
a signal means in said housing,
a battery means in said housing,
a normally open switch means in said housing,
said signal means, battery means and said switch means being
electrically connected,
said switch means adapted to close and energize said signal means
when said housing means is disposed in a predetermined
attitude,
said switch means comprising,
a stationary first switch element and a pendulum switch element
pivotally mounted in said housing adapted to close upon said first
switch element when said housing is disposed in said predetermined
attitude,
and a dial member rotatably mounted on said front portion which has
a hub means extending therefrom inwardly into said housing, said
dial member having means on its hub means for operative engagement
with said pendulum switch element so that said pendulum can be
selectively maintained in its open position with respect to said
first switch element.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pendulum switch element has
first and second end portions connected by an intermediate portion,
said one end portion having a conductor means thereon for
engagement with said first switch element, said pendulum switch
element being pivotally connected to said housing between said
first and second end portions, said means on said hub means of said
dial member being selectively operatively engageable with said
second end portion of said pendulum switch element to move said
pendulum switch to said open position.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said dial member is rotatably
mounted and vertically movably mounted on said front portion of
said housing and wherein a disc member is mounted on said hub means
of said dial member in said housing, said disc member having a hub
means extending therefrom which may be positioned so as to be in
the pivotal path of said second end portion, said disc member
having a first slot formed therein extending radially inwardly into
the periphery thereof, and a second arcuate slot formed in said
disc member inwardly of the periphery thereof having one end
thereof communicating with said first slot, a pin means extending
from said housing adapted to be received by said first slot when
said dial member has been rotated to a predetermined position
thereby permitting said dial member to be vertically moved to move
said hub means of said disc member in the pivotal path of said
pendulum switch element second end portion.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the position of said pin means and
said first slot is such that said dial member cannot be vertically
moved unless said dial member is rotated to said predetermined
position to cause said disc member hub means to engage said second
end portion of said pendulum switch element to move said pendulum
switch element to its open position.
5. An alarm device comprising,
a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and front and back
portions,
a signal means in said housing,
a battery means in said housing,
a normally open switch means in said housing,
said signal means, battery means and said switch means being
electrically connected,
said switch means adapted to close and energize said signal means
when said housing means is disposed in a predetermined
attitude,
said switch means comprising,
a stationary first switch element and a pendulum switch element
pivotally mounted in said housing adapted to close upon said first
switch element when said housing is disposed in said predetermined
attitude,
said first switch element and said pendulum switch element having a
magnet means thereon which causes said pendulum switch to close
upon said first switch element when said housing is moved towards
its said predetermined attitude and which yieldably maintains said
pendulum switch element in said closed position,
said first switch element comprising,
first and second spaced apart terminal strips, said pendulum switch
element having a conductor means thereon adapted to engage both of
said terminal strips to close the switch means when said housing is
moved to said predetermined attitude.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The great increase in the number of burglaries has caused home
owners and apartment dwellers much concern. Many types of burglar
alarms or alarm devices have been previously designed but they are
quite expensive and not very versatile. In other words, the devices
can only be used in a single type of environment such as a door
that swings inwardly or the like. The conventional alarm systems
are not adapted for use with doors that swing outwardly nor are
they well suited for vertically sliding windows or horizontally
sliding doors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The alarm device of the pending application represents a
substantial improvement over the prior alarm devices. The instant
invention provides an improved switch means for the alarm device
and a dial lock means which must be rotated to the proper position
in order for the magnetic latch and pendulum switch to be opened
which is necessary to stop the alarm from sounding.
It is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved
alarm device.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
which is actuated only when the device is moved to a predetermined
position.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
which is extremely versatile.
A further object of this invention is to provide a portable
security alarm which is economical of manufacture.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
which signals a warning when a door or window is opened.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
which also may be used in purses or brief cases.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
which is durable in use.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
having a magnetic latching pendulum switch provided thereon.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device
having a magnetic latching pendulum switch thereon and means for
locking the same.
A still further object of this invention is to provide an alarm
device which is attractive in appearance.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and
combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects
contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth,
specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device of this
invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the device positioned adjacent
an inwardly swinging door:
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the device being used in
conjunction with a door that swings outwardly:
FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the device being used with a
vertically movable window:
FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the manner in which the device
may be positioned adjacent an inwardly swinging door:
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the device:
FIG. 7 is a sectional view seen along line 7--7 of FIG. 6:
FIG. 8 is a top view of the device with a portion thereof cut away
to illustrate the manner in which the device may be rotated
90.degree. and used in conjunction with a horizontally sliding door
or the like:
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuitry of
the device:
FIG. 10 is a front view of a modified form of the invention:
FIG. 11 is a sectional view seen along lines 11--11 of FIG. 10:
FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines 12--12 of
FIG. 11:
FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11 except that the
device is shown to be falling onto its back portion:
FIG. 14 is a rear view of the cover as seen along lines 14--14 of
FIG. 11:
FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11 except that the dial
lock has been moved to its off position:
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary front view of the device as seen along
lines 16--16 in FIG. 15:
FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14 except that the dial lock has
been rotated to its predetermined combination:
FIG. 18 is a front plan view of the disc portion of the dial lock;
and
FIG. 19 is a rear plan view of the dial member portion of the dial
lock.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The alarm device of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 is
referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 comprising
generally housing members 12 and 14 which are detachably secured
together by any convenient means such as by screws or the like. For
purposes of description, the device 10 will be described as having
a front portion 16, back portion 18, top portion 20, bottom portion
22, and side portions 24 and 26.
A battery 28 is mounted in the device as best illustrated in FIGS.
6 and 7 and has its terminals electrically connected to leads 30
and 32 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Lead 30 is electrically connected
to one side of a manually operated switch 34 while lead 32 is
connected to electrode 36 of a mercury switch 38. Electrode 40 of
switch 38 is electrically connected to a buzzer or other suitable
audio signal means 42 by lead 44. Lead 46 connects the buzzer 42
with the other side of the switch 34. As seen in FIG. 7, the
electrodes 36 and 40 comprise elongated wires which are disposed
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the switch 38.
The mercury 48 in the switch 38 does not complete the circuit
between electrodes 36 and 40 unless the device is moved to a
predetermined position as will be explained in greater detail
hereinafter. The longitudinal axis of the switch 38 is disposed
obliquely with respect to the front and back portions of the
device. The components in the device 10 are maintained therein by
any suitable means such as a cardboard support plate or the
like.
Front portion 16 has a plurality of vertically disposed slots 50
formed therein as best illustrated in FIG. 1. Thumb button 52 of
switch 34 extends through one of the slots 50 as also illustrated
in FIG. 1 to permit the switch 34 to be opened and closed as
desired.
Bottom portion 22 comprises bottom members 54 and 56 which are
angularly disposed with respect to each other as illustrated in the
drawings. Bottom member 54 is also angularly disposed with respect
to the plane of the back and front portions. An anti-slip element
58 is secured to bottom member 56 adjacent the back portion 18 and
protrudes slightly therefrom. Side portion 26 is comprised of side
members 62 and 64 which are angularly disposed with respect to each
other in a manner identical to the relationship of the bottom
members 54 and 56.
The normal method of operation is as follows. The switch 34 is
initially closed by means of the thumb button 52. The buzzer 42
will not be activated until the device is substantially resting on
its back portion 18 due to the relationship of the mercury 48 and
the electrodes 36 and 40. If the device is going to be used with an
inwardly swinging door 66, it is placed closely adjacent the inside
surface of the closed door 66 as illustrated in FIG. 2 so that
bottom member 56 rests on the supporting surface 68. Inward opening
movement of the door 66 causes the door to engage the device and
the center of gravity of the device causes it to fall onto its back
portion 18 thereby causing the mercury 48 in the switch 38 to flow
to the end of the switch so as to complete the circuit between the
electrodes 36 and 40. Completion of the circuit between the
electrodes 36 and 40 by the mercury 48 causes the buzzer 42 to be
energized. If the alarm is going to be used with an outwardly
swinging door 70 such as illustrated in FIG. 3, it is positioned so
that it leans against the inside surface of the closed door 70 with
the anti-slip element 58 preventing the device from slipping away
from the door. If the door 70 is opened, the device falls onto its
back portion 18 thereby causing the mercury 48 in the switch 38 to
flow to the end of the switch so as to complete the circuit between
the electrodes 36 and 40. Completion of the circuit between the
electrodes 36 and 40 by the mercury 48 causes the buzzer 42 to be
energized.
FIG. 4 illustrates the device 10 being used with a vertically
movable window 72. The device is positioned so that the anti-slip
element 58 engages the upper surface of the sill 74 to maintain the
device in position. If the window 72 is raised, the device falls
onto its back portion 18 thereby causing the mercury 48 in the
switch 38 to flow to the outer end of the bulb and complete the
circuit between the electrodes 36 and 40 to energize the buzzer
42.
FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the device 10 can be
positioned adjacent the inside surface of an inwardly swinging door
76. It can be appreciated that it is impossible to lean the device
against the inside surface of the door if that door is being used
to exit from the house. The positioning of the device 10 is
achieved by the utilization of a hook member 78 which is secured to
the inside surface of the door 76 by any convenient means such as
glue or the like. Hook element 78 includes an upwardly extending
tip 80. When it is desired to leave the premises through door 26,
and to position the device 10 adjacent thereto, the device is
oriented as seen in FIG. 5 so that the tip 80 is received by one of
the slots 50. Engagement of the tip 80 with the device at the end
of one of the slots 50 permits the door to be closed as the person
leaves the house with the device being pulled along behind the door
as the door is closed. FIG. 5 illustrates the door in its closed
position and it can be seen that the tip 80 maintains the device 10
in position. If the door 76 is opened inwardly, engagement of the
door with the device causes the device to pivot from the position
illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5 in the direction of the
arcuate arrow therein. The pivotal "cam" movement of the device 10
causes the tip 80 to disengage from the slot 50 and the device
falls onto its back portion so as to energize the buzzer 42.
The device may also be used with a horizontally sliding door or
window which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 82
in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a top view of the device 10 with portions
thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention. The device
is rotated 90.degree. from the position as seen in FIGS. 1-5 so
that it is resting on its forward edge 86 of side portion 26. The
door 82 has a hook element 88 (which is identical to hook element
78) which is secured thereto and which is received by one of the
slots 50 which are now horizontally disposed as illustrated in FIG.
8. Movement of the door 82 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8
causes disengagement of the hook element 88 with the device and the
device falls away from the door 82 onto its back portion 18 to
energize the buzzer 42. The angular relationship of the side
members 62 and 64 permits the device to fall onto its back portion
as the door is opened. The oblique relationship of the switch 38
with respect to the front portion 16 and back portion 12 is such
that the buzzer 42 will not be energized when positioned in the
attitude of FIG. 8 but will be energized when it falls onto its
back portion 18 as the door is opened. If the switch 38 were not
obliquely oriented, it would not be possible to rotate the device
90.degree. into the position of FIG. 8 without causing the buzzer
42 to be actuated.
The alarm device described herebefore and illustrated in FIGS. 1-9
of the drawings refer to the alarm device of the said co-pending
application. The alarm device seen in FIGS. 10-17 is referred to
generally by the reference numeral 110 generally comprising housing
members 112 and 114 which are detachably secured together by any
convenient means such as by screws, adhesive or the like. For
purposes of description, the device 110 will be described as having
a front portion 116, back portion 118, top portion 120, bottom
portion 122, and side portions 124 nd 126.
A battery 128 is mounted in the device as best illustrated in FIGS.
11, 13 and 15 and has its terminals electrically connected to
leads. One lead is electrically connected to a terminal strip 133
provided on a pendulum switch means 134. A terminal strip 135 is
also provided on the pendulum switch means 134 in a spaced apart
relationship to the terminal strip 133 and has lead 136
electrically connected thereto which extends to the buzzer 142. The
other lead is also connected to the buzzer so that the battery 128,
pendulum switch means 134 (when in a closed position), and buzzer
142 are electrically connected in series.
As seen in FIG. 11, a plastic support plate 138 is positioned in
the housing member 112 to provide support for certain of the
components therein.
Front portion 116 has a plurality of vertically disposed slots 150
formed therein as best illustrated in FIG. 10. The slots 150 serve
the same function as the slots 50 in the alarm device of FIGS.
1-9.
Bottom portion 122 comprises bottom members 154 and 156 which are
found on the bottom of housing member 112 and bottom member 157
which is found on the bottom of housing member 114 (FIG. 15). As
seen in FIG. 15, bottom members 154 and 156 are angularly disposed
to each other. Bottom member 154 is also angularly disposed with
respect to the plane of the back and front portions. If desired, an
anti-slip element may be secured to bottom member 156 adjacent the
back portion 118 similar to the anti-slip element 58 found on the
alarm device 10. Side portions 124 and 126 are formed in a manner
similar to the side portions 24 and 26 of the alarm device 10 and
will not be described in detail herein.
As seen in FIG. 11, a plastic support wall 160 extends rearwardly
from the support plate 138 and has a flat-rectangular rubberized
magnet 162 mounted thereon. The terminal strips 133 and 135 are
preferably comprised of a brass material and are secured to the
magnet 162. A pair of spaced apart bearing elements 164 and 166 are
provided on the rearward surface of support plate 138 below the
wall 160 and have a shaft 168 secured thereto and extending
therebetween. Pendulum 170 is rotatably or pivotally mounted on the
shaft 168 as best seen in FIG. 11. Pendulum 170 includes an end
portion 172 having a rubberized magnet 174 secured thereto by
adhesive or the like. A thin conductor strip 176 (FIG. 15)
comprised of brass material or the like is mounted on the face of
the magnet 174 and is adapted to complete the circuit between
terminal strips 133 and 135 when the pendulum switch means is
closed as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Pendulum
170 also includes an intermediate portion 178 which extends from
the end portion 172 downwardly to the location at which the
pendulum is pivoted. Pendulum 170 also includes an end portion 180
which is positioned on the opposite side of the shaft 168 and which
extends through a slot 182 formed in the support plate 138. As seen
in FIG. 11, the end portion 180 of pendulum 170 engages the support
plate 138 at the upper end of the slot 182 when the alarm is in the
vertical position and when the pendulum 170 is spaced from the
terminal strips 133 and 135.
Front portion 116 is provided with a vertically disposed slot 184
formed therein below a pin 186 which extends rearwardly from the
back side of the front portion 116. The numeral 188 designates a
dial member having numbered indicia 190 on its exposed base
portion. Dial member 188 has a hub 192 extending rearwardly
therefrom which is received in the slot 184 as best illustrated in
FIG. 11. The rearward end of hub 192 is provided with a plurality
of spaced apart notches 194 formed therein for a purpose to be
described in more detail hereinafter. The numeral 196 refers
generally to a locking disc having a circular recessed area 198
formed in its forward end which receives the rearward end of hub
192. A pair of spaced apart lugs 200 and 202 are provided in the
recessed area 198 for engagement with the notches 194 on the
rearward end of hub 192. The numeral 204 refers to an arcuate slot
formed in the disc 196 which communicates with a slot 206 which
extends outwardly through the periphery of the disc. The slots 206
and 204 are adapted to receive the pin 186 as illustrated in FIG.
17. The disc 196 is press fit onto the hub 192 to maintain the dial
member 188 in position. The disc 196 may be secured to the dial
member 188 in predetermined fashion so that any of the numbered
indicia 190 will be positioned immediately in front of the slot
206. The arrangement of the notches 194 and the lugs 200 and 202
permit the selective attachment of the dial member 188 and the disc
196 so that various of the numbered indicia 190 do align with the
slot 206. Thus, if the number 7 (FIG. 16) on the numbered indicia
190 is the pre-selected combination, the dial member 188 must be
rotated until the number 7 is aligned with the indicator 208 to
permit the dial member to be moved further upwardly so that the pin
186 can enter the slot 206.
When the alarm device 110 is not going to be used, the dial member
188 is rotated until the number 7 is aligned with the indicator
208. The dial member 188 is then moved upwardly with respect to the
slot 184 to permit the slot 206 in disc 196 to receive the pin 186.
When the pin 186 has been received by the slot 206, the dial member
188 is then rotated to cause the pin 186 to move inwardly into the
slot 204. Thus, when the dial member has been rotated so that the
pin 186 is received in the slot 204, the rearwardly extending hub
210 of disc 196 engages the end portion 180 of pendulum 170 to
pivot the pendulum 170 so that the conductor 174 is moved out of
engagement with the terminal strips 133 and 135. If the pendulum
170 was previously in the position illustrated in FIG. 15 or if the
hub 210 pivoted the pendulum 172 the position illustrated in FIG.
15, the hub 210 positively prevents the pendulum 170 from closing
upon the terminal strips 133 and 135 since the hub 210 is in the
pivotal path of end portion 180.
When it is desired to use the alarm 110, the dial member 188 is
rotated to cause the disengagement of the pin 186 from the slot 204
and then sliding the dial member 188 downwardly so that the pin 186
disengages from the slot 206. The dial member 188 is then rotated
out of its pre-selected combination number so that the pin 186 does
not register with the slot 206. It should be noted that the alarm
110 is maintained in the position illustrated in FIG. 11 during the
time that the dial member 188 is being moved as previously
described. The alarm device is positioned adjacent doors or windows
such as that described in the use of the alarm device 10. When the
alarm device 110 is positioned such as the alarm device 10
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the weight of the pendulum 170
maintains the pendulum 170 in the position illustrated in FIG. 11
so that the conductor 174 is maintained out of engagement with the
terminal strips 133 and 135. If the alarm device 110 should fall
upon its back portion such as illustrated in FIG. 13, upon the
door, window, etc. being opened, the pendulum 170 pivots so that
the conductor 174 engages the terminal strips 133 and 135 to
complete the circuit therebetween thereby completing the circuit
through the buzzer so that the buzzer is energized to alarm the
occupants that the door, window, etc. has been opened. The magnets
162 and 174 attract each other and maintain positive contact
between the conductor 176 and the terminal strips 133 and 135.
Thus, if an intruder should open the door so that the alarm device
110 becomes energized, the intruder cannot quickly grasp the alarm
device 110 and shake it so as to cause the disengagement of the
conductor 176 from the terminal strips 133 and 135 due to the
magnetic attraction of the two magnets. Likewise, the intruder
cannot de-energize the buzzer 142 by moving the dial member 188 to
pivotally move the pendulum 170 out of engagement with the terminal
strips 133 and 135 since the intruder does not know the proper
combination. If a manually operated switch (such as switch 52 of
alarm device 10) were utilized, the intruder could quickly reach
the alarm device and de-energize the buzzer by manually operating
the exposed switch. The alarm device 110 has significant advantages
over the alarm device 10 since the intruder cannot de-energize the
buzzer 142 as quickly as the buzzer 42 can be de-energized in the
alarm device 10. Once the buzzer 142 has been energized, the only
way that the same can be de-energized is to rotate the dial member
188 to the proper number of the indicia 190 so that the pin 186
registers with the slot 206 to permit the dial member 188 to be
moved upwardly so that the hub 210 engages the end portion 180 to
pivotally move the pendulum 170 so that the conductor 176 is moved
out of electrical contact with the terminal strips 133 and 135.
Obviously, such a procedure takes a certain amount of time even if
the intruder is completely familiar with the alarm device and the
time necessary to align the slot 206 with the pin 186 will provide
ample time for the occupants to take the necessary precautions
against the intruder.
Thus it can be seen that the alarm device of this invention
accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
* * * * *