Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-01-23
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S568100, C340S568800, C340S668000, C200S08500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177876
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to alarm components. More specifically, the present invention pertains to alarm components which are object specific. The present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, useful as a means by which valuables may be stacked on an alarm component, and if any, or all, of these valuables are removed, an alarm will sound.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For centuries, theft and burglary have plagued homeowners and business people. Sophisticated electronic equipment, such as motion detectors, door and window alarms, and video cameras, may be purchased and installed in a person's home or business to protect against the theft of valuable goods. This equipment is typically very expensive, but it is not fool proof. For example, video cameras cannot monitor every nook and cranny of a warehouse or storage room and video tapes may be stolen. Additionally, motion detectors, window alarms and door alarms must be turned off during a business' hours of operation.
As a result, many object specific alarm components have been invented.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,827, which issued in 1993 to Allen et al. for an invention entitled “Alarm Apparatus For Handgun Security” (the “'827 patent”), discloses an alarm component for detecting the removal of a handgun from a plate where the handgun is kept for quick accessibility.
The device of the '827 patent includes one or more force sensors which are embedded between an upper plate and a lower plate. After placing a handgun on the upper plate, the owner must adjust two variable resistors to define a zone which encompasses the force exerted by the mass of the handgun. When the handgun is removed, the alarm is sounded. This alarm component is effective, but includes excessive electronics and is difficult to adjust to account for handguns of different weights. Moreover, the '827 patent is unable to account for incremental shifts in weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,316, which issued in 1992 to Lazzara for an invention entitled “Capacitance Change Article Removal Alarm” (the “'316 patent”), discloses an alarm component For detecting the removal of an object from a location where the object is to be protected. The device of the '316 patent includes a compressible detection pad composed of an upper conducting plate, a lower conducting plate, and a dielectric layer separating these plates.
When an object is placed on the compressible detection pad of the '316 patent, a portion of the dielectric layer is compressed and the alarm is set. When the object is removed from the device of the '316 patent, the dielectric layer expands and the capacitance between the two conducting plates changes. The alarm circuitry detects this change in capacitance and an alarm is sounded. Unfortunately, the device of the '316 patent may be easily defeated. Additionally, the '316 patent includes excessive electronics, but may not account for incremental shifts in weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,088, which issued in 1981 to Pierson et al. for an invention entitled “Portable Alarm System” (the “'088 patent”), discloses an alarm component for detecting the removal of an object, such as a sculpture, from a pedestal where it is kept for display purposes. The device of the '088 patent includes an alarm system having a base member with a top spring-loaded plunger extending from the upper surface of the base member and a bottom spring-loaded plunger extending from the lower surface of the base member. The bottom plunger is depressed by placing the base member on a table or pedestal and the top plunger is depressed by placing an object on top of the base member over the top plunger.
If the protected object is removed from the base member of the '088 patent or the base member is removed from the table or pedestal, an alarm is triggered. This alarm component is effective, but not fool-proof. The plunger switches may be defeated by slipping a thin object between the top-plunger and the protected object or the bottom plunger and the table or pedestal. Additionally, the '088 patent does not include a means for adjusting the spring-loaded plungers to account for objects with different weight. The '088 patent also does not include a means which would account for incremental shifts in weight.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be used to protect specific valuables from being stolen. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be easily adjusted to account for objects of different weights. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be adjusted to account for incremental shifts in weight. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may not be easily defeated. It is another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which may be easily incorporated into existing alarm systems. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an alarm component which is relatively easy to manufacture, relatively easy to install, and is comparatively cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a Pressure Sensitive Alarm Component is provided and includes a pressure plate and a base plate. Within the base plate are the pressure plate truss assemblies, the weight transfer assembly, and the sliding switch assembly. The truss assemblies support the pressure plate and if an object to be protected is placed on the pressure plate, the weight of that object is transferred to the sliding switch assembly via the pressure plate truss assemblies and the weight transfer assembly.
The weight transfer assembly includes a load transfer arm which moves back and forth as weight is placed on or removed from the pressure plate and a dial to adjust the position of the load transfer arm. The sliding switch assembly includes a sliding contact support arm which is rigidly linked to the load transfer arm. As the load transfer arm moves, so does the sliding contact support arm.
The sliding switch assembly further includes a plurality of stationary contacts incorporated into a base plate, and two sliding contacts mounted on the sliding contact support arm. The sliding contacts may move along the stationary contacts and open and close the control circuit as they come in out of contact with different pairs of stationary contacts.
Once an object is placed on the pressure plate, the sliding contacts may or may not be in contact with a pair of stationary contacts. If the sliding contacts are not in contact with a pair of stationary contacts once the object is placed on the pressure plate, the sliding contacts may be repositioned to bring them into contact with a pair of stationary contacts by turning the dial to move the load transfer arm and the sliding contact support arm. Once contact is made, an LED will light up and the alarm may be activated.
If the object is removed from the pressure plate after the alarm is activated, the sliding contacts will move and the control circuit will be opened sounding the alarm. If a stack of valuables are placed on the pressure plate in boxes and then removed on at a time, the pressure sensitive alarm component of the present invention can be easily adjusted to reflect this incremental reduction in weight by rotating the dial to reposition the sliding contacts along the stationary contacts incorporated into the base plate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2973414 (1961-02-01), Bossemeyer
patent: 3056865 (1962-10-01), Readron et al.
patent: 3685037 (1972-08-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 3778808 (1973-12-01), Stevens
patent: 4274088 (1981-06-01), Pierson et al.
patent: 4716401 (1987-12-01), Wohlford et al.
patent: 4994793 (1991-02-01), Curtis
patent: 5041815 (1991-08-01), Newton
patent: 5159316 (1992-10-01), Lazzara
patent: 5196827 (1993-03-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5325325 (1994-06-01), McCaughan, Jr.
patent: 5764153 (1998-06-01), Vedaa
patent: 5796059 (1
Eastman Gary L.
Goins Davetta
Lefkowitz Edward
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