US4023157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Theft alarm for portable articles
Assignee: ATLAS ELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL Inc A CORP OF CA
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Filing: 1976-10-18
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1996-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A theft alarm for portable articles includes a pocket-sized housing from which extend a pair of opposed, pivotting jaws. One of the jaws is secured to an extendable ratchet shaft disposed within the housing. A cam rotated by a key lock device actuates a pawl which selectively retains the ratchet to lock the jaws about the article. The cam also actuates a leaf switch which activates a motion-sensing electronic circuit. The circuit actuates a pulsating audible alarm whenever the article is moved.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert J. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:16
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63C; A63C11/00; A63C11/004; A63C11/005; G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1436
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A theft preventing alarm device for a valuable article, comprising: motion sensing means for sensing movement of said valuable article and generating an alarm actuating signal in response to said movement, alarm means, connected to said motion sensing means, for generating an alarm signal upon receiving said alarm actuating signal, a pair of pivotable clamping jaws variably spaced apart to secure said device to said valuable article, retaining means for releasably retaining said jaws in a predetermined spaced relationship, and lock means for both arming said alarm means and actuating said retaining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A theft preventing alarm device for a valuable article, comprising: motion sensing means for sensing movement of said valuable article and generating an alarm actuating signal in response to said movement, alarm means, connected to said motion sensing means, for generating an alarm signal upon receiving said alarm actuating signal, a pair of pivotable clamping jaws variably spaced apart to secure said device to said valuable article, retaining means for releasably retaining said jaws in a predetermined spaced relationship, and lock means for both arming said alarm means and actuating said retaining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said motion sensing means includes a motion sensing switch having a hollow cylindrical insulating member and a pair of conductive end caps secured in the opposed ends of said insulating member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said motion sensing switch includes a conductive contactor disposed within said insulating member, said contactor including a pair of opposed pins extending therefrom and adapted to bridge said end caps in normally closed switch fashion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said contactor includes a cylindrical body, said pins extending from opposed ends of said cylindrical body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein one of said pair of clamping jaws is secured to an axially extendable shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said axially extendable shaft includes a plurality of ratchet teeth spaced along a portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said axially extendable shaft includes an axially disposed hole in one end thereof, and further including a pivot shaft, received, in said hole, on which said axially extendable shaft may freely extend and rotate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 7, wherein the other of said pair of clamping jaws is secured to one end of said pivot shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said lock means includes a key operated lock device having a lock shaft rotatable by the proper key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9, further including a cam member secured to said lock shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10, further including an arming switch connected to said alarm means and actuated by said cam member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said retaining means includes a pawl member operatively associated with said cam member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 12, wherein one of said pair of clamping jaws is secured to an extendable ratchet member, and said pawl member includes a detent extending therefrom for selectively engaging said ratchet member and limiting the extension thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 13,, wherein said retaining means includes spring means for biasing said pawl detent to engage said ratchet member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said alarm means includes an astable multivibrator which operates cyclically upon receipt of said alarm actuating signal to actuate a sound transducer for a first predetermined period, and to de-actuate said sound transducer for a second predetermined period during which said second period said alarm actuating signal cannot cause re-actuation of said sound transducer.
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) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |