US3969720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency alarm and evacuation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-07-18
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Granted: 1976-07-13
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Expires: 1995-07-18
Abstract
Abstract An emergency alarm and evacuation system for directing persons to an emergency exit. The system includes an alarm, a plurality of indicator units arranged in a line toward the emergency exit, and an operating unit coupled to the alarm and being operable in response to an output signal from the alarm to successively energize the indicator units in the direction of the exit. The indicator units each have a light and a buzzer so as to generate both an audible and visual indication at a common point whereby persons may be guided by the sounds, the visual indications, or both, depending upon the smoke or noise conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Shiro Nishino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:14
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B7/00; G08B7/06; G08B7/062; G08B7/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An emergency alarm and evacuation system for indicating the direction and location of an emergency exit comprising an alarm which when activated produces an electrical output signal, a plurality of indicator units arranged in a line toward said emergency exit, said indicator units each including electrically operated means for generating an audible and visual indication upon being energized, and an operating unit coupled to said alarm and being operable in response to an output signal from said alarm to successively energize said indicator units to produce a simultaneous visual and audible indication at each unit which if followed lead to said exit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An emergency alarm and evacuation system for indicating the direction and location of an emergency exit comprising an alarm which when activated produces an electrical output signal, a plurality of indicator units arranged in a line toward said emergency exit, said indicator units each including electrically operated means for generating an audible and visual indication upon being energized, and an operating unit coupled to said alarm and being operable in response to an output signal from said alarm to successively energize said indicator units to produce a simultaneous visual and audible indication at each unit which if followed lead to said exit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 1 in which said operating unit includes a power circuit and an operating circuit, and means electrically coupling said power circuit to said operating circuit in response to a signal from said alarm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 2 in which said coupling means includes a self-holding relay with a normally open contact in a line connecting said power circuit to said operating circuit, said self-holding relay being energized in response to an output signal from said alarm to close said contact and thereby electrically connect said power circuit to said operating circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 3 in which each of said indicator units each have a lamp and buzzer in a separate closed circuit, and said operating circuit includes changeover means for successively energizing the circuit of each indicator unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 4 in which said changeover means is a changeover contact piece of a count relay, and means for causing said changeover contact piece to be moved to electrically couple successive indicator unit circuits to said power circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 5 in which said means for moving said count relay changeover contact pieces includes a timer relay having an output contact that successively moves between on and off positions to interrupt current flow to said count relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 6 in which said operating circuit includes a rotary switch having a plurality of contacts, said indicator units each having a closed circuit connected to one of said rotary switch contacts, and said count relay changeover contact piece being movable to successively close said rotary switch contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 4 in which said operating circuit includes an induction motor coupled to said power circuit and being energized upon energization of said self-holding relay for moving said changeover means to successively energize said indicator units.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The emergency alarm and evacuation system of claim 4 in which said operating circuit includes a delay timer associated with each said operating unit circuit, said delay timers each being operable to delay the energization of its respective indicator unit circuit upon energization of said self-holding relay.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3916404A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-13 | 1980-01-12 | 1980-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-13 | 1984-01-12 | 1984-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-13 | 1988-01-12 | 1988-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |