Patent US3778803A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3778803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swimming pool guard alarm unit
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-09-27
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A device for monitoring wave action on the surface of water in a swimming pool in a manner to sound an alarm when someone either accidentally falls into a swimming pool or uses the pool without authorization. A buoy floats on the surface of the swimming pool for detecting excessive wave action. At least one positionsensitive switch is attached to a pivotably mounted float within the buoy for detecting such wave action. A signal from the switch in the buoy is transmitted to a remote alarm unit either by a direct wire connection or by a low power radio transmitter located within the buoy.
Inventors
- 👤 D Jahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:31
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/08; G08B21/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
Apparatus for monitoring surface waves on a body of liquid, comprising a piece of flotation material for supporting the apparatus on the liquid surface, a container supported by said flotation material in a manner to be partially submersed below the liquid surface, said coNtainer having an opening in the vacinity of its bottom for liquid to pass therethrough into said container and an air opening in the vacinity of its top, thereby allowing liquid to rise within the container to a level proportional to the height of the liquid surface surrounding said flotation material, a float pivotably mounted within said container, the angular position of said float being controlled by the level of liquid within the container, a first position sensitive electrical switch carried by said pivotably mounted float in a manner to have one electrical state when liquid is below a predetermined level within the container and a second electrical state when liquid is above said predetermined level, means electrically connected with said switch for communicating its state to a remote location, whereby waves on the surface of the liquid cause said pivotably mounted float to change its angular position relative to said container and signals said positional change to said remote location, and a second two-state position sensitive switch carried by said pivotably mounted float and oriented generally to be in one of its states when liquid is near said predetermined level within said container and in another of its states when the float is not supported against gravity within the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
Apparatus for monitoring surface waves on a body of liquid, comprising a piece of flotation material for supporting the apparatus on the liquid surface, a container supported by said flotation material in a manner to be partially submersed below the liquid surface, said coNtainer having an opening in the vacinity of its bottom for liquid to pass therethrough into said container and an air opening in the vacinity of its top, thereby allowing liquid to rise within the container to a level proportional to the height of the liquid surface surrounding said flotation material, a float pivotably mounted within said container, the angular position of said float being controlled by the level of liquid within the container, a first position sensitive electrical switch carried by said pivotably mounted float in a manner to have one electrical state when liquid is below a predetermined level within the container and a second electrical state when liquid is above said predetermined level, means electrically connected with said switch for communicating its state to a remote location, whereby waves on the surface of the liquid cause said pivotably mounted float to change its angular position relative to said container and signals said positional change to said remote location, and a second two-state position sensitive switch carried by said pivotably mounted float and oriented generally to be in one of its states when liquid is near said predetermined level within said container and in another of its states when the float is not supported against gravity within the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
A swimming pool alarm unit, comprising: a volume of material for floating on the surface of the swimming pool, said volume of material formed in the shape of a ring having a circular opening in its center, a tubular container positioned within the opening of said ring and threadedly engaged therewith in a manner that the container may be moved up and down relative to the ring by twisting said container with respect to the ring, said container including a water inlet opening in the vacinity of its bottom and an air opening in the vacinity of its top, thereby allowing water to rise within the container to a level porportional to the water surface level surrounding said ring of flotation material, at least one position sensitive electrical switch within said container positioned to detect the water level within said container, and means electrically connected with said switch for communicating its state to a remote location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A swimming pool alarm unit, comprising: a volume of material for floating on the surface of the swimming pool, said volume of material formed in the shape of a ring having a circular opening in its center, a tubular container positioned within the opening of said ring and threadedly engaged therewith in a manner that the container may be moved up and down relative to the ring by twisting said container with respect to the ring, said container including a water inlet opening in the vacinity of its bottom and an air opening in the vacinity of its top, thereby allowing water to rise within the container to a level porportional to the water surface level surrounding said ring of flotation material, at least one position sensitive electrical switch within said container positioned to detect the water level within said container, and means electrically connected with said switch for communicating its state to a remote location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for monitoring surface waves on a body of liquid, comprising: a piece of flotation material for supporting the apparatus on the liquid surface, a float pivotably mounted with respect to said flotation material in a manner to be supported against gravity by the liquid surface, said float including a block of plastic material with a pivot rod extending through one end thereof for supporting the float with respect to said flotation material in a manner to be rotatable with respect thereto, at least one position sensitive electrical switch embedded in said pivotably mounted float in a manner to have one electrical state when the liquid surface is calm and a second electrical state when a liquid surface wave of sufficient magnitude strikes the flotation material, and means electrically connected with said at least one switch for communicating its state to a remote location, whereby waves on the surface of the liquid cause said pivotably mounted float to change its angular position relative to said container and signals said positional change to said remote location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
175 words
Apparatus for monitoring surface waves on a body of liquid, comprising: a piece of flotation material for supporting the apparatus on the liquid surface, a float pivotably mounted with respect to said flotation material in a manner to be supported against gravity by the liquid surface, said float including a block of plastic material with a pivot rod extending through one end thereof for supporting the float with respect to said flotation material in a manner to be rotatable with respect thereto, at least one position sensitive electrical switch embedded in said pivotably mounted float in a manner to have one electrical state when the liquid surface is calm and a second electrical state when a liquid surface wave of sufficient magnitude strikes the flotation material, and means electrically connected with said at least one switch for communicating its state to a remote location, whereby waves on the surface of the liquid cause said pivotably mounted float to change its angular position relative to said container and signals said positional change to said remote location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An alarm system according to claim 3 wherein the single frequency of the transmitter audio oscillator is outside of the normal voice frequency range range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
An alarm system according to claim 3 wherein said means for sounding an audio alarm includes a switch means operable in response to a momentary signal output from said filter to connect an audio sounding device and a delay tube to a power source for a predetermined period, said delay tube being connected in a manner to disconnect said power source from the audio sounding device and the delay tube after a period of time determined by the characteristics of the dElay tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said radio frequency transmitter includes a single-frequency audio oscillator connected to modulate said transmitter signal, and further wherein said receiver includes a filter circuit tuned to the single frequency of the audio oscillator to enable said indication means when the received signal includes the modulating single frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for communicating the state of said at least one switch to remote location includes: a radio frequency transmitter carried by said flotation material and connected with said at least one position sensitive switch in order to transmit a signal when said at least one switch is in its said second state, and a radio frequency receiver located in a position remote from said flotation device and tuned to receive said radio frequency signal, said receiver includes means for giving an indication upon receipt of said signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said indication means contains an alarm means for sounding an audio alarm for a predetermined time after first receiving the radio frequency signal, whereby a mere pulse of radio frequency energy will sound an alarm of said receiver for said predetermined time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for communicating the state of said at least one switch to a remote location includes: a length of wire electrically connected with said switch and extending from said flotation material to said remote location, and a signaling device located at said remote location and connected with said switch by said length of wire, said signaling device being operated when said at least one switch is in its second state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said signaling device includes an audio alarm that sounds for a predetermined time independent of the length of time that said at least one switch is in its second state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said float is shaped and supported in a manner to have its center of gravity displaced a distance away from a vertical projection of said pivot rod when the apparatus is removed from the liquid, thereby to prevent the float from being locked in a non-operating position when the apparatus is replaced in the liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |