EP0077327A1

EP0077327A1 - Alarm device

Info

Publication number: EP0077327A1
Application number: EP81901635A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lincoln M Zonn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-04-28
Filing date: 1981-04-28
Publication date: 1983-04-27
Also published as: EP0077327A4; WO1982003936A1

Abstract

Un dispositif d'alarme comprend un boitier (12), des batteries (28, 29, 30) dans le boitier (12), des conducteurs (41, 42), et une source de lumiere (34) et un signal sonore (32) branches en parallele et connectes aux batteries (28, 29, 30) et un commutateur (50) entre la source de lumiere (34) et le signal sonore (32), en serie avec ceux-ci, le commutateur etant normalement ouvert, mais etant concu de maniere a pouvoir etre ferme par le deplacement du commutateur (50) pour provoquer, facultativement, l'allumage d'une lumiere (34) ou le declenchement d'un signal sonore (32) et, alternativement, un accessoire (70) pour le boitier constitue par un circuit alternatif de commutation (86, 93) qui est actionne par la chaleur, ou par la fermeture dans une position normale lors d'une liberation dans des conditions predeterminees pour annuler l'effet du signal et provoquer le declenchement d'un signal sonore (32) signalant a une personne qu'un intrus a penetre dans une piece ou que la chaleur a l'interieur d'une piece donnee depasse une valeur predeterminee.An alarm device includes a housing (12), batteries (28, 29, 30) in the housing (12), conductors (41, 42), and a light source (34) and an audio signal (32 ) branches in parallel and connected to the batteries (28, 29, 30) and a switch (50) between the light source (34) and the sound signal (32), in series with these, the switch being normally open, but being designed so as to be able to be closed by moving the switch (50) to cause, optionally, the lighting of a light (34) or the triggering of an audible signal (32) and, alternatively, an accessory ( 70) for the housing constituted by an alternating switching circuit (86, 93) which is actuated by heat, or by closing in a normal position when released under predetermined conditions to cancel the effect of the signal and cause the triggering of an audible signal (32) signaling to a person that an intruder has entered a room or that the heat has the interior of a given room exceeds a predetermined value.

Description

ALARM DEVICE

Technical Field

This invention relates to alarm devices and, more particularly, to a personal alarm device which may, optionally, be provided with an attachment for use in a briefcase.

Background Art

In the past there have been numerous types of alarms which are useful by.persons to give a sense of security and to scare away a threat in the form of a burglar or mugger. It is also useful to have an alarm device which is not only adapted to be carried by a user but, at his option, to be installed, such as in a motel or hotel door, so that, if the door is opened by an unauthor¬ ized intruder, it will give an audible signal to scare the intruder away.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide an improved alarm device which includes a battery and a sound signal device with a normally opened switch means arranged to be closed at the option of the user to cause an audible signal or, alternatively, to include a normally closed switch which is spring-biased into an opened position and captivated between the door and the door jamb so that, when the door is opened, the spring-biased switch will close and sound an audio signal to warn a person in the room of an unauthorized intrusion.

It is also a general object of this invention to provide an improved alarm device of the type describ¬ ed more fully hereinafter and in accordance with the objects set forth above and the claims as specified hereinafter for the purposes specified and with the equivalent means for achieving the same. Generally speaking this device is comprised of an alarm device which includes a flashlight for emergency use which is activated by a switch and a horn activated by the same switch upon movement in an opposite direction through a neutral position and which may optionally be utilized for emergency use when a person is walking alone or feels himself in danger and which, further, includes a spring clip which is normally opened and which is adapted to be inserted between the door and a jamb or a window, under packages, etc., so that, when there is an unexpected or unauthorized movement, such as when the door is opened by an intruder, the switch will close and this switch is provided in an attachment so that, when the switch is closed by such an unauthorized action, the alarm will sound, and, optionally, the device may include a heat sensitive metal strip in ^"the line cord which will change contour when exposed to heat and will cause the contact to be made to sound the alarm when fire or extreme heat is present. Finally, a mercury switch which is of the type com¬ mercially available on the market can be plugged into the device and be of a normally open type so that if a movement takes place which is not authorized', the mercury will be disturbed, causing it to shift and closing the switch which will cause an alarm, which may be intermittent, to be sounded whenever contact is made.

In accordance with these and the foregoing objects, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the alarm device of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a back view thereof with a main coverplate removed and with an alarm operating device attached thereto for use in hotels, motels and the like;

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram of the electrical system;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a modi- fied form of the invention for use in a briefcase or the like;

Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a view in cross section of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sock to be used with the embodiment of Figure 5 or of equivalent part of Figure 2; and

Figure 8 'is an illustration of the sock of Figure 7 in use.

Description of Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a housing 12 having a compartment therein generally designated by the numeral 14 and, preferably, having a string or loop 16 connected at the ends 18 and 20 to the housing, so that the' hous¬ ing may be hung on a door knob. Within the housing, there is a septum 22 defining the two compartments 24 and 26. Within the compartment there are three batteries 28, 29 and 30 electrically connected in series with one another in the conventional manner illustrated so as to energize a sound making device 32 or, alternatively, a bulb 34 in a socket 36 con¬ nected by conductors 38 and 40 to the batteries and the sound signal 32 is connected to the batteries by the conductors 41 and 42. In the preferred embodiment the sound making device is provided with a screw- threaded adjustment means 45 accessible through an opening in the housing for adjustment purposes. Exteriorly carried on the housing there is a switch

Q_v.PI 50 which, as will be explained with reference to the circuit drawing hereinafter, is of the double-throw type which is normally in neutral position. Referring now to the circuit diagram, the swtich generally designated by the numeral 50 is provided with a terminal 52 in series with the light bulb socket 36 for the light bulb 34 and with the main conductor from the batteries 38 and 40. Thus, when the switch 50 is in the position such that the arm is moved into engagement with the terminal 52, the light bulb will be energiezed. Optionally, the switch may be moved from the neutral position 51 to the terminal 57 and, in this event, energy from the batteries flows through the sound producing signal 32 causing a sound. It is thus seen that the device is adapted to be carried and utilized as a flashlight or, optionally, as an alarm device so that if a person feel threatened, he may turn on^*the sound signal to cause a loud noise to scare off the person who he believes is about to attack him. The device may be utilized in a hotel room. To this end, there is an attachment generally designated by the numeral 70 which is composed of a pair of parallel conductors in the cable 72 which has ~. terminal end with the leads 74 and 76 in jack form as shown on the end 78 and, additionally, on the other end 80 a pair of bifurcated spring-biased members 82 and 84 shown in their normal bifurcated position with a safety switch 86 pivotal on the pivot means 88 into closing relation of lead terminals 89 and 90. In use, when the attachment 70 is utilized by plugging the jack end 78 into the plug opening 81, the afore¬ said switch 50 for causing the light or alarm to go on by manual operation, is by-passed, electrically speaking, and, when the terminal ends 89 and 90 are in electrical engagement with one another, the sound making alarm will sound. For this purpose, in use, the two bifurcated ends 82 and 84 are pressed together as indicated by arrow 92, causing a space between the electrical terminals 89 and 90 with the member 86 rotated into and out of the way position and, the ends 82 and 84 are captivated between a closed door and a jamb. When the door is opened, the device will fall to the floor and the contacts 89 and 90 will close upon one another permitting current to flow to the audio signal. As an optional device in the attachment 70, a metal unit of switch form 93 may be inserted by means of the conductors 94 and 95 compris- ing leads connecting across the conductors within the cable 72 so that, when the switch 93 is closed, current will flow through the attachment closing the circuit and setting off the sound making device. There are numerous types of metallic switches such as the bimetal plate designated by the numeral 93 which are commercially available which are set to go off at a predetermined temperature, in this case, 135°F. regarded by numerous authorities as the danger point for fire. When this device is installed in a suitable location and the heat goes up to a predetermined level, the switch will close and the alarm will sound.

In the final alternative embodiment, in lieu of the attachment designated by the numeral 70, an attachment may be provided which wil be connected the same as the attachment 70 and hence, is shown in schematic diagram form to be composed of a mercury switch with a lead 101 and 103 and a bulb of mercury 105. When in a flow to complete a circuit between the leads 101, 103 setting off the alarm within the briefcase.

Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative attachment 70' composed of a pair of parallel conductors in the cable 72' and on the terminal end 80' a pair of bifurcated spring steel legs 82* and 84' of a single piece of spring steel pivotal in open and closed relation, on pin 91 in the housing 93, contrast Figure 6 and Figure 8. When the legs are together as in the dotted line position of Figure 6 they do not engage the conductor terminals 85 and 87. A thin flexible film sock 110 such as one of plastic is provided which has an open mouth 112 and is sized to hold the legs together when inserted with it. When leaving a room, the sock and legs can be inserted between a door edge 15 and jamb 117 as the door is closed; and, then, the free end 119 is pulled from it. This protects a room when the occupant is not in it. When in it, the occupant merely inserts the legs between the door and jamb.

Claims

1. A portable alarm device including: a housing, a horn to creat a sound signal; battery means; said b'attery means and said horn being carried in said battery, first circuit means electrically interconnecting said horn and said battery, - said first circuit means including a normally closed first switch means adpted for activating and energizing the horn, said housing being portable and sized to nest within a user's hand, an electric light bulb in said housing, said housing having a light port and including means to hold the bulb out the light port for option use of the device as a flashlight, and second circuit means in the housing including said bulb and said second circuit means being in parallel with a) said horn and b) said normally closed first switch means, second switch means in the housing including a movable switch arm and a first and a second terminal and an intermediate neutral station, said first terminal being electrically between said first switch means and said horn and said second terminal being between electrically in series with said electric light bulb and said arm being movable through said neutral station for selectively energiz¬ ing either a) the light bulb, b) the audio device or c) to remain in the neutral station; said first switch means comprising a flexible bendable conductor means having a jack means at one end, a receptacle in the housing sized to re¬ ceive said jack for connecting said first switch means electrically in said series with said audio signal and said first switch means including a body, a first portion, a second portion, and resilient means normally urging said first switch means into a switch closed position and said resilient means being yieldably adapted to be inserted between a door and a door jamb to open said first switch means, so that when said switch portions are in close adjacent relation and between a door and a door jamb the first switch means is open but, when the door is opened, the switch, which will close automatically under the influence of said resilient means causing a sound signal from said horn, and hanging means on said housing for attachment of the device to a door knob.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment includes a third switch means in parallel with said second switch means, said third switch means comprising a normally open switch' com¬ posed of a heat-deformable element yieldable in response to heat to close the circuit and cause energy to flow from the battery to the audio signal.