US4236148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Theft deterring and signalling device for portable fire extinguishers
Assignee: Crown Auto Top Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1979-03-19
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Granted: 1980-11-25
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Expires: 1999-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An anti-theft alarm device for fire extinguishers is provided for use in conjunction with a standard-type, portable fire extinguisher. The structure of the alarm device includes a protective, anti-tamper housing with a sound producing device utilizing a bell crank, an actuating spring, and a hold down arm. Disengagement of the bell crank from the hold down arm occurs when the fire extinguisher is removed from its supporting bracket actuates the alarm. The device provides an alarm when an unauthorized taking of a fire extinguisher occurs and helps to locate the stolen extinguisher. Additionally, it serves as a fire alarm in case of a real fire and the fire extinguisher is being properly utilized.
Inventors
- 👤 Isadore Gurvis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:27
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1472; A; A62; A62C; A62C13/00; A62C13/76; A62C13/78; G08B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An anti-theft alarm device for a portable fire extinguisher removably mounted on a supporting structure in predetermined relationship thereto comprising a structural housing having attaching means adapted for securing of the housing to a fire extinguisher in fixed relationship, said housing defining an interior compartment and including removable cover means providing access to the compartment, said cover means securable in closing relationship by a locking device, a sound producing device carried by said structural housing in the interior compartment thereof, actuating means carried by said structural housing in the interior compartment thereof and operatively interconnected with said sound producing device to effect operation thereof, and control means adapted to be mechanically in retained relationship on the supporting structure for the fire extinguisher and selectively interengageable with said actuating means and preventing operation thereof when the fire extinguisher is mounted on the supporting structure in the predetermined relationship and enabling operation of said actuating means when the fire extinguisher is displaced a predetermined distance from its described supported position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An anti-theft alarm device for a portable fire extinguisher removably mounted on a supporting structure in predetermined relationship thereto comprising a structural housing having attaching means adapted for securing of the housing to a fire extinguisher in fixed relationship, said housing defining an interior compartment and including removable cover means providing access to the compartment, said cover means securable in closing relationship by a locking device, a sound producing device carried by said structural housing in the interior compartment thereof, actuating means carried by said structural housing in the interior compartment thereof and operatively interconnected with said sound producing device to effect operation thereof, and control means adapted to be mechanically in retained relationship on the supporting structure for the fire extinguisher and selectively interengageable with said actuating means and preventing operation thereof when the fire extinguisher is mounted on the supporting structure in the predetermined relationship and enabling operation of said actuating means when the fire extinguisher is displaced a predetermined distance from its described supported position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 1 wherein said structural housing has an aperture formed in a wall thereof providing access to the interior compartment, said control means includes an elongated restraining arm having mounting means formed at one end thereof for mounting on the fire extinguisher supporting structure and projectable into the interior compartment of said structure housing through said aperture, the portion of said arm projectable into the interior compartment selectively interengageable with said actuating means in mechanically coupled relationship to prevent operation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes a lever mechanism pivotably mounted on the housing for swinging movement between a first position where said sound producing device is not operated and a second position where said sound producing device is operated, and resilient biasing means mechanically coupled with said lever mechanism and urging said lever mechanism to said second position, said restraining arm mechanically interengageable with said lever mechanism for maintaining said lever mechanism in said first position against the force of said biasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 3 wherein said lever mechanism includes a first lever arm and said biasing means is mechanically coupled therewith, said restraining arm engageable with said first lever arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 3 wherein said lever mechanism includes a lever arm mechanically interengageable with said sound producing device and operable to effect operation thereof when said lever mechanism is pivoted from said first position to said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
An anti-theft device according to claim 5 wherein said sound producing device includes a compressed gas container, a horn operable to generate sound in response to passage of gas therethrough and valve means interconnecting the compressed gas container with the horn and selectively operable to permit discharge of gas through the horn, and said lever arm is operatively coupled with the valve means to effect operation thereof to permit discharge of gas when said lever arm is pivoted to said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 5 wherein said sound producing device includes an electrically powered sound generating unit, an electrical battery power source and an electrical switch interconnected in circuit with the sound generating unit and the battery power source for controlling energization of the sound generating unit, said lever arm operatively coupled with said electrical switch to effect operation thereof in completing an electrical circuit between the battery and sound generating unit when said lever arm is pivoted to said second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 3 wherein said lever mechanism includes a first lever arm of predetermined length and having a contact plate formed therewith in relatively remote relationship to the pivot mounting, said resilient biasing means and restraining arm mechanically interengageable with said contact plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 8 wherein said resilient biasing means is a helical compression spring disposed with an axial end thereof bearing against said contact plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An anti-theft alarm device according to claim 8 wherein said structural housing includes a retainer pin mounted thereon in fixed relationship in the interior compartment, and said restraining arm is mechanically interengageable therewith when disposed in mechanically interengaged relationship with said contact plate.
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) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |