Patent US3287016A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3801779A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3801779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Snowfall level detector
Assignee: COFFMAN ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY A MI CORP
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Filing: 1972-05-03
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-05-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting the occurrence of an amount of snowfall, or of drifting snow, above a predetermined level and providing a signal at a remote location. A light source, a light sensor, and a plurality of apertured baffle members are mounted on a base plate. The light source is arranged to project a beam of light through the apertures in the baffle members at a predetermined distance above the base plate for detection by the sensor. Upon interruption of the light beam by accumulated snow a signal is produced to activate an alarm or the like to thereby indicate that a predetermined level of snowfall or drifted snow has occurred.
Inventors
- 👤 Sluis D Ver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/14; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A snowfall level detector comprising: a transmitter adapted to project a beam of electromagnetic radiation along a path at a predetermined level above a reference plane; a receiver positioned along said predetermined path and adapted to detect said beam of electromagnetic radiation, said receiver having means associated therewith to provide a signal upon interruption of said beam; and upstanding wall means for catching and trapping falling and drifting snow in the space generally between said transmitter and said receiver and in the path of said beam, said means including at least one member having an opening therein at said predetermined level to allow passage of said beam therethrough whereby the accumulation of snow above said predetermined level interrupts said light beam thereby causing said sensor to provide said signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A snowfall level detector comprising: a transmitter adapted to project a beam of electromagnetic radiation along a path at a predetermined level above a reference plane; a receiver positioned along said predetermined path and adapted to detect said beam of electromagnetic radiation, said receiver having means associated therewith to provide a signal upon interruption of said beam; and upstanding wall means for catching and trapping falling and drifting snow in the space generally between said transmitter and said receiver and in the path of said beam, said means including at least one member having an opening therein at said predetermined level to allow passage of said beam therethrough whereby the accumulation of snow above said predetermined level interrupts said light beam thereby causing said sensor to provide said signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are a light beam projector and a light-responsive electrical device, respectively. 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiver and said transmitter are positioned on a generally flat planar mounting plate, said mounting plate providing a reference plane for said beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said mounting plate has a heat-insulating carpet means on at least portions thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further including: housing means for generally enclosing said transmitter and said receiver; window means in said housing for allowing the passage of said light beam from said transmitter to said receiver; and heating means for at least partially preventing the formation of condensation over said window means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said heating means is positioned in said housing adjacent said window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said wall means comprise a plurality of upwardly extending barrier members arranged on said mounting plate in a generally cruciform pattern with respect to said path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said barrier means define an opening about the point of intersection of said members, at the intersecting portion of said cruciform pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2, and further including means for varying the intensity of said light beam to thereby vary the sensitivity of said detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said light beam projector is adapted for connection to a source of power and said means for varying the intensity of said beam is selectively connectable in series circuit between said projector and said source.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for detecting snowfall above a predetermined level comprising: a base plate; means for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined level above a generally parallel to said base plate; means for detecting said beam of electromagnetic radiation; alarm means connected to said detecting means, said alarm means responsive to interruption of said beam; accumulating means positioned between said transmitting means and said detecting means, said accumulating means including barrier members having open spaces therein to permit the passage of said beam therethrough from said transmitting means to said sensing means; said barrier means cooperatively forming wind deflection means to entrap wind-driven snow to thereby simulate snow drifting environmental conditions wherein said drifting snow obscures said apertures thereby interrupting said beam and actuating said alarm.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for detecting snowfall above a predetermined level comprising: a base plate; means for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined level above a generally parallel to said base plate; means for detecting said beam of electromagnetic radiation; alarm means connected to said detecting means, said alarm means responsive to interruption of said beam; accumulating means positioned between said transmitting means and said detecting means, said accumulating means including barrier members having open spaces therein to permit the passage of said beam therethrough from said transmitting means to said sensing means; said barrier means cooperatively forming wind deflection means to entrap wind-driven snow to thereby simulate snow drifting environmental conditions wherein said drifting snow obscures said apertures thereby interrupting said beam and actuating said alarm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of detecting the level of snowfall above a predetermined level comprising: transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined level above a reference place; detecting said beam of electromagnetic energy; using upstanding wall means to trap falling and wind-driven snow and to accumulate the same in an area through which said beam of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted; and sensing the interruption of said beam to thereby indicate that said falling snow has exceeded a predetermined level.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of detecting the level of snowfall above a predetermined level comprising: transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined level above a reference place; detecting said beam of electromagnetic energy; using upstanding wall means to trap falling and wind-driven snow and to accumulate the same in an area through which said beam of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted; and sensing the interruption of said beam to thereby indicate that said falling snow has exceeded a predetermined level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A snowfall level detector comprising: means defining a snowfall accumulator; a light beam transmitter means positioned to transmit a beam of light across said accumulator; a receiver positioned to detect said beam of light and to provide a signal upon interruption of said beam; and signal responsive means connected to said receiver to provide an indication upon the interruption of said light beam said means defining said accumulator comprising a plurality of vertical upstanding baffle members having apertures therein positioned between said transmitter and said receiver, said light beam passing through said apertures from said transmitter to said receiver; said baffle members defining a plurality of mutually independent areas in which snow may accumulate, each of said areas including a portion therein through which said beam is projected, whereby accumulation of snow is any one of said plurality of areas interrupts said lIght beam thereby activating said alarm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A snowfall level detector comprising: means defining a snowfall accumulator; a light beam transmitter means positioned to transmit a beam of light across said accumulator; a receiver positioned to detect said beam of light and to provide a signal upon interruption of said beam; and signal responsive means connected to said receiver to provide an indication upon the interruption of said light beam said means defining said accumulator comprising a plurality of vertical upstanding baffle members having apertures therein positioned between said transmitter and said receiver, said light beam passing through said apertures from said transmitter to said receiver; said baffle members defining a plurality of mutually independent areas in which snow may accumulate, each of said areas including a portion therein through which said beam is projected, whereby accumulation of snow is any one of said plurality of areas interrupts said lIght beam thereby activating said alarm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13, including a carpet of heat-insulating material disposed as a floor in said mutually independent areas.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |