Abstract Sensing devices responsive to changes in the physical condition of the area in which they are located are disposed in elongate, flexible carriers to form a detecting unit which can be arranged in a tortuous, undulating array to cover an undefined area of any shape desired with a detecting density of any chosen value. The detecting unit can assume various forms including that of a pair of conducting elements disposed within an insulating tube in opposed relation positioned to complete the continuity of a switching circuit when the tube is flexed to cause engagement of the conductors. Another embodiment comprises a plurality of braided strands of insulating material extending lengthwise within an insulating carrier cable sheath. A pair of conductors is included in the braiding in a spiral disposition with each conductor being disposed along the entire length in opposed relation to the other conductor. Another embodiment includes a closed tubular element filled with an inelastic fluid having a servomechanism at one end to actuate a switching device for an electric alarm circuit in response to a change in liquid level. A modification of this embodiment would include a light responsive element in lieu of a servomechanism of a sensitivity so as to respond to a change in light transmission due to the interference of the liquid when the liquid level moves to a position which interferes with the light transmission source or the ambient light.
A switching device comprising an elongate flexible cable-like tubular carrier of insulating material of undefined length, sensing means occupying the full volume of said carrier and extending longitudinally substantially the entire length thereof, said sensing means comprising a fibrous, flexible, resilient mass of insulating material having a pair of uninsulated conducting wires spirally intertwined longitudinally therethrough in opposed spaced apart relationship, each point of one of said pair of conducting wire being disposed opposite a point on the other of said pair of conducting wires, the insulating material separating and insulating said conducting wires one from the other, said mass of insulating material being permeable to permit said conducting wires to penetrate said mass to thereby engage each other in response to an applied force transversely of the carrier in any direction and at any point, said mass being resilient for effecting restoration of said spaced relationship when the applied force is removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A switching device comprising an elongate flexible cable-like tubular carrier of insulating material of undefined length, sensing means occupying the full volume of said carrier and extending longitudinally substantially the entire length thereof, said sensing means comprising a fibrous, flexible, resilient mass of insulating material having a pair of uninsulated conducting wires spirally intertwined longitudinally therethrough in opposed spaced apart relationship, each point of one of said pair of conducting wire being disposed opposite a point on the other of said pair of conducting wires, the insulating material separating and insulating said conducting wires one from the other, said mass of insulating material being permeable to permit said conducting wires to penetrate said mass to thereby engage each other in response to an applied force transversely of the carrier in any direction and at any point, said mass being resilient for effecting restoration of said spaced relationship when the applied force is removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said mass of material comprises a plurality of strands of flexible, resilient insulating material extending lengthwise through said carrier substantially filling the intersticial spaces around and between said conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said mass of insulating material comprises a plurality of strands of insulating material braided together to form a unitary braided element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said pair of conducting wires are incorporated among the braided strands of said braided element.