Patent US6176882B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3978469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for communicating in building structures and parts thereof particularly multi-story building
Assignee: INDUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY Inc X/O ALVIN EDELMAN
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Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method and apparatus for communicating in multi- and single story building structures and parts thereof wherein a signal voltage source is connected to a metallic building structural member which is an integral part of the building. Multi-story buildings at least as high as fifty stories have been excited by utilizing a structural member such as a vertically extending stand pipe and like structural members. In such multi-story structures and in smaller structures such as one story frame, masonry and metal building structures, one of the terminals from the voltage source may be connected to earth ground by stakes or rods driven in the ground. Resistance means are inserted in the lines to limit the short circuit current and to provide a degree of impedance match.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard A. Schaad
- 👤 Richard L. Randolph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B13/00; H04B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A fire alarm communication system for a multi-story building comprising in combination, a metallic building structural member running generally in a vertical direction in said multi-story building from an upper story thereof to a lower story thereof and vice versa, an alarm signal voltage source hving a pair of output terminals, means connecting one of said output terminals to an end of said structural member at said upper story of said multi-story building, means connecting the other of said output terminals to another end of said structural member at a lower story of said multi-story building, one of said structural member and means connecting having an impedance matching means therein, and means at each of the levels of said multi-story building to sense said signals and produce an alarm signal for the occupants of said building at each of said floors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A fire alarm communication system for a multi-story building comprising in combination, a metallic building structural member running generally in a vertical direction in said multi-story building from an upper story thereof to a lower story thereof and vice versa, an alarm signal voltage source hving a pair of output terminals, means connecting one of said output terminals to an end of said structural member at said upper story of said multi-story building, means connecting the other of said output terminals to another end of said structural member at a lower story of said multi-story building, one of said structural member and means connecting having an impedance matching means therein, and means at each of the levels of said multi-story building to sense said signals and produce an alarm signal for the occupants of said building at each of said floors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said means at said selected levels of said building to sense such signals include a remote magnetic sensing member, an amplifying means connected to said member, and a utilization device connected to receive the output of said amplification means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention defined in claim 2 including a rechargeable power supply for said amplifying means, and means connecting said rechargeable power supply means to the electrical distribution system of said multi-story building.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for communicating in a multi-story building comprising the combination of 1. an audio signal voltage source having a pair of output signal terminals, 2. a metallic structural member forming an integral part of said building, said metallic structural member running generally in a vertical direction from an upper story of said building to a lower story thereof and having electrical continuity therebetween, 3. means connecting one of said output signal terminals to the upper end portion of said metallic structural member of said building and, 4. means connecting the other of said signal terminals to said metallic structural member at one end thereof in one of said lower stories, one of said structural member and connecting means having an impedance matching means therein, 5. means for detecting a signal at a floor intermediate said upper and lower stories, and 6. means amplifying the detected signal and applying same to a utilization device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for communicating in a multi-story building comprising the combination of 1. an audio signal voltage source having a pair of output signal terminals, 2. a metallic structural member forming an integral part of said building, said metallic structural member running generally in a vertical direction from an upper story of said building to a lower story thereof and having electrical continuity therebetween, 3. means connecting one of said output signal terminals to the upper end portion of said metallic structural member of said building and, 4. means connecting the other of said signal terminals to said metallic structural member at one end thereof in one of said lower stories, one of said structural member and connecting means having an impedance matching means therein, 5. means for detecting a signal at a floor intermediate said upper and lower stories, and 6. means amplifying the detected signal and applying same to a utilization device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Invention defined in claim 4 wherein said metallic structural member is constituted by a stand pipe in said building.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the said means for detecting includes a coil for detecting a magnetic field flux variation in said building.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said means for detecting includes a pair of conductive contact members in spaced conductive contacting relation on said structural member and means amplifying any signal voltage appearing between said spaced conductive contact members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention claimed in claim 7 wherein said conductive contact members are spaced between about 6 inches apart and about 6 feet apart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said means connecting one of said output terminals to the upper end of sid structural member includes a low ohmic value variable resistance element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said means connecting said other of said signal terminals to said metallic structural member includes a low ohmic value variable resistance element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said resistance element has a variable from about 2 to about 5 ohms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for exciting a metallic building structure member for use as an inductive communication element, including, a signal voltage source and at least a pair of output terminals therefor, first connector means for connecting one of said terminals to one end portion of said metallic building structure member, second connector means for connecting said second terminal in signal transmitting relation to said metallic building structure member and resistance means in series circuit with one of said connector means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for exciting a metallic building structure member for use as an inductive communication element, including, a signal voltage source and at least a pair of output terminals therefor, first connector means for connecting one of said terminals to one end portion of said metallic building structure member, second connector means for connecting said second terminal in signal transmitting relation to said metallic building structure member and resistance means in series circuit with one of said connector means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention defined in claim 12 wherein said resistor has a value of about 0.5 ohm (Direct Current measurement).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined in claim 12 wherein each said connector means connects to said metallic structural member, and wherein there is a resistor in each of said connector means, and wherein each resistor has a value in the range from about 2 ohm to about 5 ohm.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of communicating in a multi-story building having a metallic structural member running generally vertically in a direction from an upper story of said building to a low story and having electrical continuity therebetween and a pair of electrical connections proximate the ends thereof, respectively, comprising the steps of
Claim 19
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of communicating in a multi-story building having a metallic structural member running generally vertically in a direction from an upper story of said building to a low story and having electrical continuity therebetween and a pair of electrical connections proximate the ends thereof, respectively, comprising the steps of
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
providing an audio signal voltage at a pair of signal terminals on a signal source, 2. applying the audio signal from said source to said metallic structural member through a matching impedance and to said connectors, one of said structural member and electrical connectors substantially matching the impedance of said signal source, to cause said structural member to induce a radiating magnetic signal field in said building, 3. inductively detecting a signal at a floor intermediate said upper and lower stories by detecting said magnetic signal field in said building, and 4. amplifying the detected signal and applying same to a utilization device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
103 words
providing an audio signal voltage at a pair of signal terminals on a signal source, 2. applying the audio signal from said source to said metallic structural member through a matching impedance and to said connectors, one of said structural member and electrical connectors substantially matching the impedance of said signal source, to cause said structural member to induce a radiating magnetic signal field in said building, 3. inductively detecting a signal at a floor intermediate said upper and lower stories by detecting said magnetic signal field in said building, and 4. amplifying the detected signal and applying same to a utilization device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |