Electric permutation lock and alerting systems

Claim 1

In an electric permutation lock and alerting system having a plurality of combination-selecting stages operable by an outside switching means and having a source of voltage extended to successive stages to ultimately provide an unbroken chain to an unlocking solenoid as each successive outside switch requirement is met, a self-locking switch means responsive to an alarm trip means whereby energization of said reset switch means by an alarm-tripping event resets said combination-selecting stages to their normal state and further energizes a first alarm circuit and further energizes a thermally operated switch means which begins to open upon energization and finally opens after a period of time to release said reset switch means and start a new alarm cycle if said tripping event is still present, the number of said alarm cycles being indicative of whether said tripping event is momentary or continuous and wherein said alarm trip means comprise selected visually indistinguishable combination tamper detection switch means, the momentary closing of any said tamper detection switch means resulting in one said alarm cycle which constitutes a unique and recognizable code that indicates the nature of danger as tamper; and wherein said alarm trip means further comprise intruder detection switch means whose continuous closing results in repetitive said alarm cycles which further constitute a unique and recognizable code that indicates the nature of danger as intrusion.