US3968474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alarm system having delay characteristic
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-03
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Granted: 1976-07-06
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Expires: 1994-07-03
Abstract
Abstract An alarm system indicates unauthorized use or entry of a facility having an access arrangement and a source of electric potential. The alarm system comprises an alarm device and a first sensing circuit coupled in series with the alarm device and the potential source. The first sensing circuit is sensitive to breaking or entering or other unauthorized use of the access arrangement. A delay circuit is coupled in series with the alarm device and the potential source. The delay circuit normally completes a circuit path therethrough between the alarm device and the potential source but is effective when triggered to interrupt this circuit path for a predetermined interval sufficient to permit authorized entry or use of the access arrangement. A second sensing circuit is provided for triggering the delay circuit and for establishing an alternate circuit path between the alarm device and the potential source in bypassing relation to the first circuit so that the alarm device is activated at the end of the predetermined interval.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Danahey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:06
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/008; B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/1003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An alarm system for indicating unauthorized use or entry of a facility protected thereby, said facility having access means and a source of electric potential, said alarm system comprising an alarm device, first switching means including a circuit path coupled between said source and said alarm device, second switching means having a normally conductive first circuit path coupled between said source and said alarm device for supplying an energizing potential to said alarm device for arming said alarm system, a time delay circuit including delay actuating means, sensing means sensitive to opening of said access means, a normally conductive second circuit path through said second switching means and a normally conductive circuit path through third switching means connected in series between said delay actuating means and said sensing means, said time delay circuit when actuated energizing said second switching means to interrupt said second switching means first path for temporarily disarming said alarm device during an actuated interval of said time delay circuit for a predetermined delay period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An alarm system for indicating unauthorized use or entry of a facility protected thereby, said facility having access means and a source of electric potential, said alarm system comprising an alarm device, first switching means including a circuit path coupled between said source and said alarm device, second switching means having a normally conductive first circuit path coupled between said source and said alarm device for supplying an energizing potential to said alarm device for arming said alarm system, a time delay circuit including delay actuating means, sensing means sensitive to opening of said access means, a normally conductive second circuit path through said second switching means and a normally conductive circuit path through third switching means connected in series between said delay actuating means and said sensing means, said time delay circuit when actuated energizing said second switching means to interrupt said second switching means first path for temporarily disarming said alarm device during an actuated interval of said time delay circuit for a predetermined delay period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said facility is a vehicle and said alarm device includes a horn of said vehicle, said sensing means include a plurality of normally closed switches coupled to doors and windows of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein additional ones of said normally closed switches are coupled respectively to hood and trunk doors of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination according to claim 1 including a normally nonconductive third circuit path forming part of said second switching means and energizable by said delay circuit to a conductive condition during a conductive period of said time delay circuit to energize said third switching means to interrupt said third switching means circuit path for controlling the delay actuating means of said time delay circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first switching means includes a normally open but electrically latchable by-passing second circuit path for energizing said alarm device in the event of reclosing of said access means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said third switching means includes an additional circuit path sensitive to the actuation of said third switching means for electrically latching said third switching means and said first switching means by-passing second path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination according to claim 1 including fourth switching means having a normally conductive circuit path connecting said potential source to said first-mentioned time delay circuit and to said second switching means, and a second time delay circuit coupled to said fourth switching means to energize said fourth switching means to open said fourth switching means circuit path for delaying actuation of said alarm device for a second predetermined delay period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said second time delay circuit includes variable delay actuating means variably actuatable for variably closing a normally open circuit path through said delay circuit, and means for variably energizing said second time delay actuating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein said second time delay circuit is a thermal relay, and said variably energizing means include a normally open manually operable switch coupled between a grounding circuit of said thermal relay and a system ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 7 including a warning indicator coupled to said second delay circuit and to said alarm system for energization thereby but only during the energization of said fourth switching means by said second time delay circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said time delay circuit is a thermal relay including a grounding circuit, and resistance means are coupled between said grounding circuit and a system ground of said alarm system, said resistance means being selected to produce said predetermined delay period in said time delay circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
An alarm system for indicating unauthorized use or entry of a facility protected thereby, said facility having access means and a source of electric potential, said alarm system comprising an alarm device, first switching means having a circuit path the conductivity of which is sensitive to opening of said access means, second switching means having a normally conductive circuit path coupled between said alarm device and said potential source, third switching means having a normally conductive circuit path in series with said second switching means path, and a time delay circuit coupled to said third switching means to energize said third switching means to open said third switching means path for delaying actuation of said alarm device for a predetermined period, said time delay circuit including variable delay actuating means variably actuatable for variably closing a normally open circuit path through said delay circuit, and means for variably and manually energizing said time delay actuating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
156 words
An alarm system for indicating unauthorized use or entry of a facility protected thereby, said facility having access means and a source of electric potential, said alarm system comprising an alarm device, first switching means having a circuit path the conductivity of which is sensitive to opening of said access means, second switching means having a normally conductive circuit path coupled between said alarm device and said potential source, third switching means having a normally conductive circuit path in series with said second switching means path, and a time delay circuit coupled to said third switching means to energize said third switching means to open said third switching means path for delaying actuation of said alarm device for a predetermined period, said time delay circuit including variable delay actuating means variably actuatable for variably closing a normally open circuit path through said delay circuit, and means for variably and manually energizing said time delay actuating means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination acording to claim 12 wherein said time delay circuit is a thermal relay, and said variable energizing means include a normally open manually operable switch coupled between a grounding circuit of said thermal relay and a system ground of said alarm system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 1 including additional sensing means in said first switching means, said additional sensing means being sensitive to opening of at least one of additional access means.
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) | 1979-07-06 | 1980-01-05 | 1980-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-06 | 1984-01-05 | 1984-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-06 | 1988-01-05 | 1988-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |