U.S. patent number 3,930,249 [Application Number 05/481,531] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-30 for self actuating wallet alarm.
Invention is credited to Ronald J. DiVito, Howard A. Steck.
United States Patent |
3,930,249 |
Steck , et al. |
December 30, 1975 |
Self actuating wallet alarm
Abstract
A wallet or the like having incorporated therewith an electronic
circuit capable of emitting an audible alarm when the same is
removed from an owner's purse or pocket.
Inventors: |
Steck; Howard A. (Palatine,
IL), DiVito; Ronald J. (Arlington Heights, IL) |
Family
ID: |
23912295 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/481,531 |
Filed: |
June 21, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/571; 340/600;
250/215 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
13/1481 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
13/14 (20060101); G08B 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/280,283 ;150/.5,34
;250/215 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Yusko; Donald J.
Assistant Examiner: Wannisky; William M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kowalik; John J. Heise; Robert
H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wallet alarm device comprising:
an alarm system including alarm means operative to produce an alarm
signal;
a case having a portion thereof for retaining said alarm means;
and
said alarm system including receiving means responsive to sense
pre-selected variations of electromagnetic radiation and effective
to actuate said alarm means to product said alarm signal upon
sensing said pre-selected variation of electromagnetic radiation;
and
said alarm system comprising an electronic circuit having a pair of
quasi-complementary coupled transistors coupled between said
receiving means and said alarm means to provide a high out put to
said alarm means notwithstanding substantial impedance mismatching
between said circuit and said alarm means.
2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving means
comprising a photo-electric cell coupled to said circuit and having
electrical properties which vary in response to sensing
pre-selected ranges of electromagnetic radiation.
3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said electronic
circuit comprises an oscillator actuated by said photo-electric
cell; said alarm means comprises a speaker coupled to said
oscillator, said oscillator driving said speaker to produce an
audible signal upon said photo-electric cell sensing.
4. A wallet alarm device capable of being carried by a person in an
enclosure, comprising:
an alarm circuit operative to produce an alarm signal;
a wallet having a pouch for releasably retaining said alarm
circuit;
said alarm circuit comprising a photo-electric cell responsive to
pre-selected variations in electromagnetic radiation and operative
to actuate said circuit to produce said signal upon sensing said
variations in electromagnetic radiation upon removal from said
enclosure; and
said alarm circuit including alarm means and a pair of
quasi-complimentary coupled transistors coupled between said
photo-electric cell and said alarm means to provide a high out put
to said alarm means notwithstanding substantial impedance
mismatching between said circuit and said alarm means.
5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said alarm circuit
comprises an oscillator circuit and a speaker coupled to said
oscillator; said photo-electric cell coupled to said oscillator
circuit and effective to actuate said oscillator circuit upon
sensing said pre-selected variations in electromagnetic radiation,
and said oscillator circuit operative to drive said speaker to
produce an audible alarm signal.
6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said photo-electric
cell has electric properties which vary in response to sensing
changes in magnitudes of electromagnetic radiation within the
visible light range, wherein said oscillator circuit is actuated in
response to variation in said electrical properties of said
photo-electric cell.
7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said oscillator
circuit comprises a charging circuit and a transistor operatively
coupled to produce an oscillating electrical output within the
audible frequency range.
8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said charging
circuit comprises at least one resistor and capacitor, said
resistor and capacitor operatively coupled to said transistor and
having parameters to effect said output within the audible
frequency range.
9. The invention as recited in claim 7 where said pouch includes an
aperature disposed to register with said photo-electric cell and
said speaker to expose the same to the exterior thereof.
10. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said alarm circuit
comprise a replacable battery operative to energize said circuit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a wallet, purse, or any other type of
case in which persons usually carry valuables as they engage in
their daily tasks in or about the public.
It is well recognized that pick-pockets are adept at taking one's
wallet from a pocket or purse without causing the slightest
disturbance of their victim.
The instant invention is directed to this problem by incorporating
an alarm system in a wallet, billfold or the like such that when
the same is removed from a pocket or purse a noticable signal will
be produced to immediately bring to the owner's attention the fact
that his valuable belongings are being removed from his person.
A general object of the invention is to provide a case having a
self-actuating alarm system.
A further object of the invention is to provide a wallet or the
like having an alarm system responsive to removal from an
enclosure.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a wallet or
the like having an audible alarm system which will actuate in
response to variations of electromagnetic radiation.
A more specific object of the invention is that said alarm system
be self-activated in response to exposure electromagnetic radiation
within a particular range of wave-length.
A still further object of the invention is provide that the alarm
system self-activate when exposed to increases in the levels of
electromagnetic radiation.
A specific object of the invention is to provide that the alarm
system self-activate when exposed to electromagnetic radiation
within the light range.
A further specific object of the invention is that the alarm system
comprise a solid state electronic oscillation circuit operable to
produce an audible alarm.
The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention
will be apparent from the following more particular description of
the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of the invention being removed from an
enclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with parts cut
away;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view in section taken substantially at
line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical diagram of the alarm circuit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning attention to FIG. 1, the invention generally designated 10
is being shown removed from an enclosure 11.
Describing the invention in detail and having particular reference
to FIGS. 2 and 3, the invention 10 comprises a case 12 and an alarm
system 13. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the case 12 is shown as a
wallet, billfold or the like comprising a main portion generally
designated 15 and a pouch 16.
The pouch 16 comprises an outer wall 17 and a flap 18. The wall 17
is folded about to define a space 20 and is secured to the main
portion 15 by way of stitching (not shown) or any other method
commonly known in the construction of such cases. It can be seen in
FIG. 2 that the outer wall 17 forms an enclosure having an opening
21 at one end thereof through which the alarm system 13 can be
inserted into the pouch. The flap 18 folds over the opening 21 to
securely retain the alarm system 13 within the space 20. The flap
18 is releasably connected to the wall 17 by a snap 23. The wall 17
also has an aperture 24 which will register with certain portions
of the alarm system 13 as hereinafter described.
As can be seen in FIG. 3 the alarm system comprises a circuit board
26 on to which a photo-electric cell 27 and a speaker 28 are
mounted. Covering the speaker 28 is a screen or mesh 29.
Surrounding and secured to the photo-electric cell 27 is an opaque
member 30. It can be seen that the opaque member 30 and the screen
29 are of such dimensions that they entirely fill the aperture 24
in the wall 17 of the pouch 16. It can also be appreciated that the
dimensions of the circuit board 26 and the position of the
photo-electric cell 27 and speaker 28 together with their
associated opaque member 30 and screen 29 are so arranged such that
when the alarm system 32 is inserted into the pouch 16 that the
opaque member 30 and screen 29 will fully register with the
aperture 24.
FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic circuit 35 of the alarm system 13.
The circuit 35 has a conductor 36 which connects the positive
terminal of a battery 37 to the collector terminal of an n-p-n
transistor designated 38. The photo-electric cell 27 is serially
connected between the conductor 36 and the base terminal of the
transistor 38. A conductor 40 connects the emitter terminal of
transistor 38 to the emitter terminal of a p-n-p transistor 41. The
base terminal of the transistor 41 is connected to the collector
terminal of a transistor 42. It can be seen that transistors 41 and
42 form a quasi-complimentary circuit providing a high output at
relatively low cost without the need of well matching the output
device to the circuit, the output device being the speaker 28. The
collector circuit of transistor 41 is connected by means of
conductor 43 to one terminal of the speaker 28. The other terminal
of the speaker 28 is connected to the negative terminal of battery
37 by means of conductor 48. The emitter terminal of transistor 42
is also connected to the conductor 48. A resistor 49 is connected
between conductor 40 and the base terminal of transistor 42; also
connected to the base terminal of transistor 42 is one terminal of
a capacitor 50. The other terminal of the capacitor is connected to
resistor 51 which in turn is connected to conductor 43. It also can
be appreciated that a switch (not shown) could be inserted in
either conductor 36 or 48 in such a manner to selectively interrupt
leakage current through the circuit 35 when it is contemplated that
the alarm system would not be used for extended periods of
time.
The operation of the invention is such that when it is placed in an
enclosure such as a purse or a pocket the photo-electric cell 27 is
shielded from light striking it. However, when it is removed from
such enclosure any light striking the cell will cause the
resistivity of that cell to decrease. When this occurs the
transistor 38 is biased such that the decrease in resistivity of
the photo cell 27 causes the transistor 38 to conduct. When this
occurs the capacitor 50 is charged through resistor 49 and 51. When
the charge on the capacitor 50 reaches a predetermined level the
transistor 42 turns on which in turn switches on transistor 41,
whereby a relatively low resistance circuit becomes coupled between
the positive terminal of the battery 37 and the speaker 28 which as
hereinbefore described is also connected to the negative terminal
of battery 37. At this time a surge of current will flow through
the speaker 28. However, when the transistor 41 conducts it can be
seen that effectively a short circuit is placed across that portion
of the circuit containing resistor 49 capacitor 50 and resistor 51.
Whereby the capacitor 50 is rapidly discharged causing the voltage
level at the base terminal of transistor 42 to decrease to the
point where it ceases to conduct thereby shutting off transistor
41. Capacitor 50 then recharges again and the entire process is
repeated. The circuit parameters are selected such that the current
will oscillate in the circuit at a frequency between 2,000 to 4,000
Hertz. The current surge at this frequency through the speaker 28
will produce a loud audible sound thereby instantly warning a
person that his wallet, billfold or alike has been removed from the
enclosure which he placed it.
It is also contemplated that the photo-electric cell 27 may have
characteristics which make it operative within selected and limited
wave-length ranges; which may not only be between those
wave-lengths associated with visible light but also those
wave-lengths in the range of body heat emitted from a person, such
that the alarm system would actuate upon being removed from the
person.
It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention has
been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein
is that preferred based upon requirements for achieving the objects
of the invention and developing the utility thereof in a most
desirable manner. It will be understood, that the particular
structure and functional aspect emphasized herein are not intended
exclude but rather to suggest other such modifications and
adaptations as fall within spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinbefore described.
* * * * *