Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-19
2001-05-01
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
C340S635000, C219S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225893
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicle alarm systems, and more particularly it relates to an alarm system to warn a motor vehicle operator of a vehicle starting condition, and more commonly, of an energized engine block heater condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Distrait motor vehicle operators can forget to unplug an extension cord to the block heater of their vehicles before driving away. When this happens and the cord leading to the block heater is tied to the grille of the vehicle, damage to the grille can occur. In other instances, the extension cord can be lost at some distance from the operator's home, when it finally let go from the block heater cord. It is therefore desirable to warn a motor vehicle operator of such inadvertence before, or as soon as the vehicle's engine is started.
Engine block heater of the conventional type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,213 issued on May 9, 1950 to Roy H. McConnell, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,393 issued on May 11, 1993 to Richard K. Shier. Each of these devices typically comprises an electrical heating element mounted to the engine block and extending into one of the cooling fluid passage of the engine block. An electrical cord is connected to the terminals of the electrical heating element, and extends from under the hood of the engine compartment for connection to a common electrical extension cord. These devices, however, are lacking a means for connection to an annunciator system of a vehicle, or to an alarm device to remind an operator to unplug the extension cord before starting the engine.
In other electrical circuits of vehicles, pilot lights are used to indicate to an operator when an engine warming device is in operation. Examples of these circuits are illustrated in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,129,571 issued on Sep. 6, 1938 to Joseph Driscoll, and in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,046 issued on Jul. 3, 1973 to Nick J. Tamasi. In the first case, the pilot light indicates an “ON” mode of a carburetor heater, and in the latter case, a series of indicator lights shows various operating conditions of an auxiliary heater for a diesel engine. In both cases, however, it is believed that the installations are complex and better done by an experienced auto-mechanic. Also, these circuits do not have any means to warn an operator of an energized block heater condition when an engine is started.
The unavailability of an alarm system for use in association with an engine block heater has contributed to the development of a market demand for a simple alarm system that is compatible to most vehicle configurations and that is susceptible of easy installation by a person having few tools and limited electrical and mechanical skills.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, there is provided an alarm system which is manufacturable at low cost and which is easily installed in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The alarm system of the present invention is manufacturable as a single alarm system kit that fits most makes and types of motor vehicles. For these reasons, the alarm system of the present invention is appropriate for sale to the public through general hardware stores and large commodity store chains for examples.
Broadly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm system which comprises a housing, a wiring circuit for connection to a warning device and to a power source. There is also provided a proximity detector mounted inside the housing and connected to the circuit for detecting a condition in a block heater cord of a motor vehicle. A transistor, a SCR, a relay or other switching means is incorporated in or with the proximity detector for selectively operating the warning device upon detecting a condition in the block heater cord. The alarm system also has a hook, a clip or similar arrangement affixed to the housing for holding a block heater cord near the proximity detector. The proximity detector is either a vibration switch for detecting light shivering movements in the block heater cord upon starting of an engine, or a power detector to detect voltage or current in the block heater cord.
A principal advantage of the alarm system of the present invention is that the warning device is operable to warn a vehicle operator when an electrical power source is connected to an engine block heater when the engine is starting. The warning device is thereby usable to remind an operator of a vehicle to unplug the electrical power source before moving the vehicle.
Another advantage of the alarm system is that condition in the block heater cord is detected without connection to the AC power inside the cord. Because of this arrangement, the alarm system does not require the safety tests and certifications which are normally associated with electrical appliances.
In another aspect of the present invention, the alarm system further comprises a power-on module connected to the circuit and to the warning device. The power-on module causes the warning device to emit a first signal upon energizing the circuit, to confirm that the engine block heater is properly energized.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the alarm system also comprises a power-off module connected to the circuit and to the warning device. The power-off module causes the warning device to emit a second signal upon de-energizing the circuit, to confirm that the block heater has been properly energized.
Still another feature of the invention is that it is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to materials, equipment and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low price of sale to the consumer, thereby making such alarm system economically available to the public.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2037748 (1936-04-01), Zahodiakin
patent: 2129571 (1938-09-01), Driscoll
patent: 2507213 (1950-05-01), McConnell
patent: 3596265 (1971-07-01), Garland
patent: 3744046 (1973-07-01), Tamasi
patent: 3870855 (1975-03-01), Edlund et al.
patent: 4636775 (1987-01-01), Burgess
patent: 5012070 (1991-04-01), Reed
patent: 5115116 (1992-05-01), Reed
patent: 5204991 (1993-04-01), Law
patent: 5210393 (1993-05-01), Shier
patent: 5675321 (1997-10-01), McBride
patent: 5764469 (1998-06-01), Slepian
patent: 5801618 (1998-09-01), Jenkins
patent: 5831244 (1998-11-01), Springer
patent: 5994669 (1999-11-01), McCall
Hofsass Jeffery
La Anh
Theriault Mario
LandOfFree
Alarm system for engine block heater does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Alarm system for engine block heater, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Alarm system for engine block heater will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2565022