U.S. patent number 3,878,539 [Application Number 05/462,416] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-15 for portable alarm device usable on inwardly or outwardly opening doors.
Invention is credited to Chadyeane Gooding.
United States Patent |
3,878,539 |
Gooding |
April 15, 1975 |
Portable alarm device usable on inwardly or outwardly opening
doors
Abstract
An alarm device to detect the opening of a door comprises a
housing member which preferably includes a cover member and a base
member to permit ready access to the interior of the housing. The
housing contains an alarm means which comprises in a series circuit
a source of electrical energy, such as batteries, a master power
switch having an actuating member on the outside of the housing, a
signaling member for emitting a warning signal, and an alarm
actuating member of the type which comprises a coiled spring body
portion extending from the housing and capable of electrically
contacting a conductive member within the housing to actuate the
circuit to cause the warning signal to be sounded when the power
switch is in an activated position. A cap member is secured to the
coiled spring arm and includes an actuating tip which extends
laterally beyond a mounting surface of the housing so that when the
housing is mounted relative to the door surface, and the door is in
its closed position, the actuating tip is caused to be displaced
slightly so that the coil arm is free from electrical contact
within the housing thus opening the series circuit. When the door
is opened, the alarm switch is returned to its normal position thus
closing the series circuit and actuating an alarm. A generally
L-shaped mounting bracket member defines a body portion and a
transversely extending lip portion. When mounted on inwardly
opening doors, the downwardly extending lip portion and bracket
member envelop the door to secure the housing thereon. For
installation on outwardly opening doors, the bracket member is
preferably reversed so that the lip portion extends upwardly and is
secured to the frame of the door in such a manner that the rear
surface of the housing is flush with the surface of the door in its
normally closed position.
Inventors: |
Gooding; Chadyeane (Rockville,
MD) |
Family
ID: |
23836356 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/462,416 |
Filed: |
April 19, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/546; 340/521;
340/584 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
13/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
13/02 (20060101); G08B 13/08 (20060101); G08b
013/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/283,274,276
;200/61.93,61.81 ;248/298 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Swann, III; Glen R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lane, Aitken, Dunner &
Ziems
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a portable, easily securable alarm device adapted to be
mounted relative to a door-like surface to provide an indication
that said surface has been laterally moved a predetermined
distance, said device being of the type which comprises a housing,
alarm means secured with said housing, said alarm means comprising
a source of electrical energy, a master power switch having an
actuating member accessible from outside said housing, a signaling
member for emitting a warning signal when actuated, and an alarm
actuating member comprising a coiled spring body portion secured at
about one end thereof, and acting as an spring-like switch contact
in an electrical circuit in said housing which includes said
source, said power switch, and said signaling member to actuate
said signaling member when said spring body portion is in a first
electrical position and said master switch is in a first position
for actuating said circuit, said actuating member further including
a cap member fixedly secured to the end of said coil arm opposite
said end, said cap member having an actuating surface which extends
beyond the plane of a mounting surface of said housing to an extent
sufficient to disengage said coil arm from a fixed switch contact
cooperating with said spring-like contact when said door-like
surface is in a closed position, said mounting surface abutting
said door-like surface, the improvement comprising means for
mounting said housing relative to said door-like surface, said
mounting means including a positionable, elongated bracket member
having a body portion which includes an elongated slot and a lip
portion which extends transversely of said body portion, said
mounting means further including means cooperating with said
slotted body portion for adjustably securing said bracket member to
said housing at any position along said elongated slot so that said
lip portion is positioned the desired distance from said mounting
surface of said housing.
2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket is
generally L-shaped so that said lip portion is adapted to contact
one side of a door.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lip portion
further includes openings therein for receiving fastening
members.
4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in further combination
with an inwardly-opening door wherein said device is mounted to
said door so that said lip portion contacts a first surface of said
door and said mounting surface of said device contacts a second
surface of said door in such a manner that said actuating surface
contacts a fixed portion above the door to free said actuating
member from contact with said fixed contact.
5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in further combination
with an outwardly-opening door wherein the body portion of said
bracket member engages the top of said door and the lip portion of
said bracket member engages the surface of said door opposite said
device.
6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bracket
member is secured to said housing in such a manner that said lip
portion extends upwardly and said bracket member extends relatively
parallel to the mounting surface of said device so that said
mounting member may be fixedly secured to a door frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a permanent or portable alarm device
having mounting means adaptable for securing the device relative to
inwardly opeing or outwardly opening doors. More particularly, this
invention relates to an alarm device which may be mounted on either
inwardly opening or outwardly opening doors and includes an
electrical circuit capable of being actuated by a coil spring arm
extending from the housing. Still more particularly, this invention
relates to improved mounting means for securing the device
described to either inwardly opening or outwardly opening
doors.
The broad field of this invention relates to means for mounting an
alarm device of the type which comprises a housing member
containing an alarm circuit capable of emitting a signal when an
elongated coiled spring actuating member is displaced in response
to an unauthorized opening of a door on which the device is
mounted. The mounting means are adapted for easily mounting the
device on either inwardly opening or outwardly opening doors of any
material on a permanent or portable basis.
A number of devices are known to the prior art for providing a
warning signal upon the intrusion of an occupied space. Quite
often, such devices are part of a permanent relatively expensive,
security and monitoring system designed to protect the building and
premises. Aside from the cost of permanent installations, it is a
general desire in the art to provide for the consumer market a
relatively inexpensive, portable, and easy-to-install alarm
device.
The prior art has produced a number of portable devices which are
relatively easy to install, but which are not readily movable from
one location to another. Accordingly, it is an overall aim of this
invention to provide such an alarm device to protect dwellings and
occupants of dwellings and, in particular, to protect preselected
areas in those dwellings. Such devices also have the significant
advantage of being portable so that an individual can install the
device in situ on location for protection when traveling and the
like.
One of the deficiencies of some prior art relatively portable
devices exists because such devices are principally intended for
wooden or composition doors. An example of such a device is shown
in the British Design Registration No. 943,777, which pictures an
intrusion alarm of the type which comprises a housing, a master
switch extending from the housing for actuating the alarm from the
interior occupied dwelling, and an actuating member of the type
which comprises a coiled spring arm having an activating tip. The
mounting bracket for such a device comprises an elongated L-shaped
member having gripping and piercing points extending downwardly
from one leg of the member to grip the upper surface of the door on
which it is mounted. While this device has significant advantages
in the art, it is not readily adaptable for use with metal doors
because the gripping points do not readily pierce the metal of the
door, nor is the device capable of simple installation on inwardly
opening doors since the device is principally intended for
outwardly opening doors. Accordingly, it is another principal aim
of this invention to provide a device of the general type shown in
the British registration which is capable of being readily mounted
on both inwardly opening and outwardly opening doors as well as on
doors of various materials, including those made of metal.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a device of
the general type shown which further includes a heat sensor
arranged in series circuit with the alarm circuit to actuate the
alarm when the temperature of a space reaches a predetermined
limit. Thus, in the event of a fire, or excessive heat, such as
around a furnace or the like, the device provides an ample and
early warning of such an adverse condition.
Still another example of the general type of alarm to which this
invention is related is shown in the U.S. Pat. to Kardel, No.
3,261,010, which discloses a portable door alarm capable of being
secured to the top of the door by a slideable clamp. Such a device
is principally intended for inwardly opening doors and is not
capable of being used with outwardly opening doors without
significant modification of the mounting structure. Moreover, the
mounting bracket of the aforementioned patent has spaced teeth
which cooperate with a fixed bracket to permit adjustment of the
mounting bracket so that such device does not possess the versatile
mounting characteristic of the device of this invention. It is
another significant advantage of the device of this invention that
it is capable of being secured to inwardly opening doors of any
conventional width.
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the accompanying written description, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Directed to achieving the aims of the invention and overcoming the
deficiencies of the prior art in order to provide a permanent or
portable alarm device capable of being mounted on either inwardly
opening or outwardly opening doors on either a permanent or
portable basis, the invention comprises the combination of a
housing and improved mounting means for mounting the housing.
The alarm device comprises the housing which is preferably of a
two-piece construction having a base member and a removable cover
member to provide ready access to the interior of the device for
replacement of batteries and access to the alarm circuit.
Preferably, the device is made of plastic having a decorative front
surface, but other materials may be used. The housing is preferably
rectangular, but other geometric shapes may be used which define a
convenient flush mounting surface adjacent to the door.
The housing contains an alarm means which comprises a series
circuit which includes a source of electrical energy, such as
replaceable penlight batteries; a master power switch having an
actuating member on the outside of the housing; a signaling member,
such as a buzzer, for emitting an audible warning signal; and an
alarm actuating member secured to the interior of the housing and
extending from a surface thereof. The alarm actuating member is of
the type which comprises a coil spring body extending from the
housing and having an electrically conductive portion in contact
with a conductive member within the housing to form the part of the
alarm circuit within the housing. A cap member is secured to the
coil spring arm and includes an actuating tip which extends beyond
the plane of the mounting surface of the housing so that when the
housing is mounted relative to the door surface, and the door is in
its closed position, the actuating tip is caused to be displaced
slightly to an extent sufficient to free the coil arm contacting
portion from electrical contact with the conductor within the
housing the opening the series circuit and deactuating the
signaling member. When the door is opened, the alarm switch is
returned to its normally closed position, thus closing the series
circuit within the housing and actuating the signaling member.
The device is constructed so that only a slight movement of the
door ajar, on the order of 150 or 1/4 inch, will actuate the alarm.
Such a construction has distinct advantages over those devices
requiring relatively complete opening of a door before the alarm
sounds.
Improved mounting means are provide for mounting the housing
relative to either inwardly opening or ouwardly opening doors and
on either a permanent or portable basis. The mounting means are
comprised generally of an elongated L-shaped bracket member
defining a body portion and a relatively transversely extending lip
portion. When mounted on inwardly opening doors, the downwardly
extending lip portion of the bracket member and the bracket member
body portion envelop the door relatively transversely to the
housing mounting surface to secure the housing thereon. The body
portion of the bracket member defines an elongated slot therein
which cooperates with a releasable tightening member secured to the
body of the housing of the device to accommodate doors of varying
thicknesses. The downwardly extending lip portion of the bracket
member includes openings therein for receiving securing members,
such as wood or metal screws, if it is desired to secure the device
permanently to an inwardly opening door.
For installation on outwardly opening doors, the bracket member is
preferably reversed so that the lip portion extends upwardly. The
lip portion is secured to the frame of the door in such a manner
that the rear surface of the housing is flush with the surface of
the door in its normally closed position. The bracket member
extends from the housing relatively parallel to the mounting
surface of the housing. In this manner, when the door is slightly
ajar, the actuating tip is released to permit the coil spring arm
to close the series circuit within the alarm and actuate the
device. The construction of the device permits its ready removal,
particularly from inwardly opening doors, where no fastening
members need be used, so it may be carried and installed readily
when traveling to protect the traveler when using hotel and motel
installations. The ready portability of the device is an advantage
of protecting particular areas within an overall structure, such as
a particular office in a building. It is another significant
advantage of the invention that it may be used with doors which are
either metal or wood. Moreover, once positioned, the device is not
apparent or detected from the outside of the protected space.
The device also may include a heat sensor provided in series
circuit with the source of power in the alarm device to provide an
early warning of an excessive heat build up depending upon the
temperature setting of the heat sensor, the example, about
135.degree.F. The operation of the heat sensor is independent of
the master power switch.
BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the intrusion and heat alarm
according to the invention mounted on an inwardly opening door
wherein the door is slightly ajar to actuate the alarm device;
FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of FIG. 1 showing in phantom
the extended and retracted positions of the arm;
FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the components of the device shown
with the front cover removed;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the device showing the heat sensor;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the device mounted upon a
portion of a door frame to operate in connection with outwardly
opening doors showing the reversal and mounting of the bracket
member; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit utilized in
the device according to the invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
In FIG. 1, the intrusion and heat alarm device is designated
generally by the reference numeral 10. The device 10 comprises a
housing designated generally by the reference numeral 11, which is
preferably made of plastic. The housing comprises a front cover 12
removably secured to a rear housing member 13 so that the front
cover member may be easily removed to replace the batteries within
the housing. Preferably, the housing is rectangular, but any
geometrical shape may be used which provides a convenient
relatively flush mounting surface for reasons which will become
apparent.
The device 10 is secured to an inwardly opening door 14 by mounting
means designated generally by the reference numeral 15. The means
15 includes a bracket 16 having a downwardly and transversely
extending lip portion 17 and an elongated body portion 17a which
defines an elongated slot 18. The lip portion 17 includes a pair of
openings 19 to receive fastening means, such as wood or metal
screws, if desired.
The bracket 15 is secured to the housing 11 by a tightening member
designated generally by the reference numeral 20. The tightening
member 20 includes a knurled tip 21, a threaded member 22 (best
seen in FIG. 3) and a nut 23 non-rotatably secured within a pair of
downwardly extending L-shaped lip members 24 integrally formed with
the upper surface of the rear cover 13. Because the nut member 23
is non-rotatably secured within the lip members 24 in the interior
of the housing 11, the rotation of the knurled tip 21 can cause the
tightening or loosing of the bracket 15 relative to the housing 11.
Thus, the bracket 15 may be adjusted to extend to any desired
lateral extent within the limit of the length of the elongated slot
18 to accommodate mounting the device on variable width doors.
As seen in FIG. 1, in order to mount the device on inwardly opening
doors, the device 10 is mounted on the interior surface of the door
so that the master power switch 25 having an actuating member 26 is
accessible to the occupant of the space and the device 10 is unseen
by potential intruders. Preferably, the device is mounted by
extending the bracket 15 to an extent sufficient to accommodate the
thickness of the door 14 and the rear mounting surface of the
housing member 13 is mounted flush with the door, for example, at
or near the edge of the door remote from its hinges. However, any
convenient mounting position along the top of the door may be used.
Thereafter, the knurled tip 21 is tightened to rigidly secure the
device 10 flush with the door 14.
The main actuating member of the device is designated generally by
the reference numeral 30. The actuating member 30 comprises a tip
member 31 fixedly secured to a coil arm 32 which is in turn secured
at its distal end thereof to an electrically conductive securing
member 33 having an upturned leg 34 which lies along the inner
surface of the housing 13. Preferably, the coil arm is made from a
continuous length of wound metal which is biased into the position
shown in FIG. 1 so that the coil arm 32 is in contact with the
conductor 35 on the inner surface of the rear of the housing 13 to
actuate an electrical circuit when the switch 26 is in the "on"
position. Thus, at least that portion of the coil arm 32 which
extends between the conductive member 33 and the conductive member
35 is conductive to complete a series circuit to actuate the alarm,
as will be discussed hereinafter.
The tip member 31 has a relatively flat upper surface 31a
terminating in an actuating tip 37 having a forward end 38 which
normally lies at a position slightly forward of the plane of the
rear surface of the cover 13 (see FIG. 2). Thus, with the device 10
mounted as shown in FIg. 1, when the door 14 is in its completely
closed position, the forward end 38 of the actuating tip member 31
contacts the lintel portion of the door frame 36 to cause a flexing
of the coil arm 32 so that the actuating member 30 assumes the
flexed, non-contacting position shown in phantom outline in FIG. 2.
In this position, the contacting portion 39 of the coil arm 32 is
free from contact with the conductive member 35 so that even if the
switch 25 is in the on position, the alarm is silent. Upon a slight
opening of the door, for example, 1/8 inch or so, the coil arm 32
assumes the position shown in solid outline in FIG. 2 and as shown
in FIG. 1, so that the contacting portion 39 of the coil arm 32
contacts the conductor 35 to actuate the alarm.
Thus, it is a significant advantage of the device that only a
slight movement of the door is necessary to actuate the alarm.
Thus, the device provides a high measure of safety to protect
person and property when unobtrusively mounted on an inwardly
opening door as shown in FIG. 1.
Because of the relatively small size of the device, and the ease
with which it may be mounted on doors, it is another significant
advantage of the invention that the device is portable so that it
may be readily carried by a person in his travels and secured as
shown in FIG. 1 to the doors of hotels, motels, and the like. Still
another significant advantage of the invention, which is due to its
portable nature, is that it may be utilized in selected areas in
large offices during selected times of the day. For example, a
business office may be protected by the use of the device with an
additional degree of protection when occupied against unwarranted
intrusion by simply installing and activating the device 10.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the basic interior components of the device. A
source of power for the device is provided by a pair of penlight
batteries, for example, size AA 11/2 volt penlight batteries
secured in series fashion in a battery holder designated generally
by the reference numeral 40. The positive terminal of the battery
39a is in contact with an upwardly extending conductive portion 41
of a conductive member 42 which has a second upwardly extending
portion 43 which is in contact with a negative terminal of the
battery 39b. l. The negative terminal of the battery 39a is is
contact with an upwardly extending conductive leg 44 on its
irregularly shaped member 45, one leg of which comprises a
conductive member 34 which includes the conductive member 35 which
contacts the contacting portion 39 of the coil arm 32.
An electrical lead 46 is in electrical contact with the upwardly
extending member 44 and is connected to one terminal 47 of the heat
sensor 48 which is rigidly secured in an opening in the bottom wall
of the rear cover member 13. The second terminal 49 of the heat
sensor 48 has connected to it a lead 50 which is secured to a
conducting member 51 having an upwardly extending conductive
portion 52 secured to the inner wall of the side of the rear cover
13 adjacent to the power switch. The conductive strip 51 is also
electrically connected to a terminal of the warning means 54 (not
shown).
The actuating portion 26 of the switch 25 is slideable to a limited
extent along the side of the rear cover 13 and has a knurled upper
surface 55 for easy actuation by the thumb of the user. A member 56
is secured to the switch 26 and is also rigidly secured to a
conductive switch member 57 which has outwardly extending U-shaped
portions 58 and 59 at the distal ends thereof. In its "off"
position, the conductive member 57 is positioned so that the upper
U-shaped portion 59 is free from contact with an upwardly extending
electrically conductive leg 34 of the conductive member 33 to which
one end of the coil arm 32 is conductively secured. Thus, the
switch 26 serves as a master switch for activation of the device.
When the switch 26 is remotely positioned in its upward position,
the upward U-shaped member 59 contacts the upwardly extending leg
34 of the conductive member 33 at the same time that the lowermost
U-shaped member 58 remains in contact with the leg 52 of the
conductive member 51.
As seen from the wiring diagram of FIG. 6 which is related by the
use of appropriate reference numerals to the component diagram of
FIGS. 2 and 3, the circuit forms two separate series circuit with
the batteries. The first comprises the batteries 40, the heat
sensor switch 48, and the alarm 54. The heat sensor 48 works in a
conventional manner as a normally open switch which closes when the
temperature reaches a predetermined level, for example
135.degree.F. When such a case occurs, the heat sensor closes and
the alarm is actuated. The second series circuit comprises the
batteries 40, the master switch 25, the coil arm switch 30, and the
alarm 54. In such a case, the master switch 25 must be closed
before the coil arm switch is effective. In operation, it is
preferable to mount the alarm and then close the door to cause the
coil arm switch to be deactivated so that the alarm does not cause
a signal when the switch 25 is turned on. Thereafter, the alarm
device 10 is armed so that when the door is slightly opened, the
coil arm switch will close, as previously described, and the alarm
will be actuated.
FIG. 5 demonstrates the application of the device to an outwardly
opening door 14a. In this instance, the bracket 15 is reversed by
removing the threaded member 22 from the nut 23 by rotating the
knurled tip 21, reversing the bracket 15 so that the leg 17 extends
upwardly and replacing the threaded member 22 in the nut 23.
Thereafter, with the door 14a in a closed position, the rear
surface of the alarm device 10 is mounted flush with the door, but
preferably in the upper righthand portion of the door on the hinge
side. The bracket is secured to the door frame 69 by the use of
fastening screws 70 and the operation of the device proceeds as
before.
From the description of the installations in FIGS. 1 and 5, it will
be seen that the device has another significant advantage in that
it may be used with either metal or wood doors. The installation of
FIG. 1 requires no fastening members, except at the option of the
user, whereas the installation of FIG. 5 utilizes wood screws or
metal screws depending upon the material of the door frame.
The facility with which the coil arm actuates the device is also an
advantage in testing or demonstrating that the batteries are
sufficiently charged to actuate the alarm. In this case, the tip of
the coil arm may be flipped away from the contact to simulate the
case in which the door is closed, the switch set in the on
position, and the arm release causing it to spring against the
contact to simulate the opening of the door. In this manner, a
demonstration of the battery charge may be effected.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present
embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description,
and all changes which come within the meaning and range of the
equivalents of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced
therein.
* * * * *