Patent US4006451A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4006451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular alarm circuit
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-10-03
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Granted: 1977-02-01
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Expires: 1994-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An alarm circuit module for automobile, home or industry comprises a time delay device, such as a thermostatic relay, having a set of thermally responsive contacts and an electrical heating element. When energized, the heating element causes the contacts to close for connecting an alarm to a source of power, such as a battery. The heating element is energized by the battery through sensor switches in doors, windows, etc., responsive to unauthorized entry. When the alarm is readied with a lockable switch, and a door responsive sensor switch is closed by an unauthorized entry, energization of the heating element causes the thermally responsive contacts to close. And when the switch is subsequently opened, residual heat contained in the set of thermally responsive contacts causes the alarm to remain energized for a preset period of time. When the contacts cool, the alarm is automatically deenergized to save the battery. The alarm circuit module contains a minimum number of components and is easily installed to operate with the battery and horn standardly supplied in an automobile by connecting four wires from the module to readily accessible wires under the dashboard. The alarm circuit is tested from the dashboard with a test switch and lamp incorporated with the module. The test switch also functions as a panic button manually operable during an emergency to energize the automobile horn for the preset time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Humberto Nobile
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/104; G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; B60R2225/00; B60R25/1003; B60R25/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An alarm circuit responsive to unauthorized entry into an automobile, said automobile including a battery and horn means powered by said battery, and normally open switch means responsive to entry of said vehicle, said switch means being mounted to be responsive to an opening of an access member of the automobile, comprising: a thermostatic relay including an electrical heating element and a set of normally open thermally responsive contacts, said contacts closing in a first period of time in response to heat generated by said heating element when said element is electrically energized, said contacts having sufficient thermal retention to remain closed for a second period of time greater than said first period of time after said element is de-energized; a first electrical circuit including, in series, said battery, said switch means and said heating element, closing of said switch means causing a current flow from said battery through said heating element for heating said element; a second circuit including, in series, said battery, said thermally responsive contacts and said horn means; a key operated switch mounted to the exterior of said automobile and connected in series to said switch means in said second electrical circuit; and dashboard mounted, auxiliary, manually activated push-button switch means bypassing said entry responsive switch means and said key operated switch for electrically energizing said heating element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An alarm circuit responsive to unauthorized entry into an automobile, said automobile including a battery and horn means powered by said battery, and normally open switch means responsive to entry of said vehicle, said switch means being mounted to be responsive to an opening of an access member of the automobile, comprising: a thermostatic relay including an electrical heating element and a set of normally open thermally responsive contacts, said contacts closing in a first period of time in response to heat generated by said heating element when said element is electrically energized, said contacts having sufficient thermal retention to remain closed for a second period of time greater than said first period of time after said element is de-energized; a first electrical circuit including, in series, said battery, said switch means and said heating element, closing of said switch means causing a current flow from said battery through said heating element for heating said element; a second circuit including, in series, said battery, said thermally responsive contacts and said horn means; a key operated switch mounted to the exterior of said automobile and connected in series to said switch means in said second electrical circuit; and dashboard mounted, auxiliary, manually activated push-button switch means bypassing said entry responsive switch means and said key operated switch for electrically energizing said heating element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The alarm circuit of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary switch means includes a set of normally open contacts connected between said battery and said heating element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alarm circuit of claim 1 including a lamp connected to said battery in response to operation of said auxiliary switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The alarm circuit of claim 2 wherein said auxiliary switch means further includes a set of normally closed contacts connected between said thermally responsive contacts and said alarm means for disabling said alarm means when said auxiliary switch means is operated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
280 words
An alarm circuit responsive to unauthorized entry into an automobile, said automobile including a battery and horn means powered by said battery, and normally open switch means responsive to entry of said vehicle, said switch means being mounted to be responsive to opening of an access member of the automobile, comprising: a thermostatic relay including an electrical heating element and a set of normally open thermally responsive contacts, said contacts closing in a first period of time in response to heat generated by said heating element when said element is electrically energized, said contacts having sufficient thermal retention to remain closed for a second period of time greater than said first period of time after the element is de-energized; a first electrical circuit including, in series, said battery, said switch means and said heating element, closing of said switch means causing a current flow from said battery through said heating element for heating said element; a second electrical circuit including, in series, said battery, said thermally responsive contacts and said horn means; key operated switch means mounted to the exterior of said automobile and serially connected to said second electrical circuit for selectively abling and disabling said alarm circuit; a dashboard mounted, manually activated, normally open switch means bypassing both said entry responsive switch means and said key operated switch means for energizing said heating element regardless of the condition of said entry responsive and key operated switch means; means associated with said bypassing switch means for disconnecting said horn means from said alarm circuit when said normally open bypassing means is closed; and visual alarm means connected to said battery in response to closing of said bypassing switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
280 words
An alarm circuit responsive to unauthorized entry into an automobile, said automobile including a battery and horn means powered by said battery, and normally open switch means responsive to entry of said vehicle, said switch means being mounted to be responsive to opening of an access member of the automobile, comprising: a thermostatic relay including an electrical heating element and a set of normally open thermally responsive contacts, said contacts closing in a first period of time in response to heat generated by said heating element when said element is electrically energized, said contacts having sufficient thermal retention to remain closed for a second period of time greater than said first period of time after the element is de-energized; a first electrical circuit including, in series, said battery, said switch means and said heating element, closing of said switch means causing a current flow from said battery through said heating element for heating said element; a second electrical circuit including, in series, said battery, said thermally responsive contacts and said horn means; key operated switch means mounted to the exterior of said automobile and serially connected to said second electrical circuit for selectively abling and disabling said alarm circuit; a dashboard mounted, manually activated, normally open switch means bypassing both said entry responsive switch means and said key operated switch means for energizing said heating element regardless of the condition of said entry responsive and key operated switch means; means associated with said bypassing switch means for disconnecting said horn means from said alarm circuit when said normally open bypassing means is closed; and visual alarm means connected to said battery in response to closing of said bypassing switch means.
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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) | 1980-02-01 | 1980-08-02 | 1981-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-01 | 1984-08-02 | 1985-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-01 | 1988-08-02 | 1989-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |