US4697173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load sensing alarm condition monitor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-04-10
•
Granted: 1987-09-29
•
Expires: 2005-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A monitoring means for apparatus having a number of functional stations, said means comprising a plurality of sensors or groups of sensors located to monitor the operation of at least some of said functional stations, each sensor having a critical condition indicator adjacent the respective station, a central monitor having a power supply connected via a common connection to each of the sensors and a common signal line connected to the output of each of said sensors wherein each sensor provides an output on activation of the critical condition indicator, said central monitor having an alarm means activated through said signal line wherein each sensor and/or group of sensors provides an output signal to said signal line characteristic of said sensor or group of sensors to cause the alarm means to be activated in a manner characteristic of said sensor or group of sensors.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale R. Stokes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:32
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; A; A01; A01C; A01C15/00; A01C7/00; A01C7/08; A01C7/10; A01C7/102; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/08; G07C5/0816; G07C5/0825; G08B25/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S111/00; Y10S111/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A monitoring means for apparatus having a number of functional stations, said means comprising a plurality of sensors located to monitor the operation of at least some of said functional stations, each sensor having a critical condition indicator adjacent the respective station for indicating at least an alarm state and a non-alarm state, a central monitor having a power supply connected via a common connection to each of the sensors and a common signal line connected to the output of each of said sensors wherein each sensor provides an output on activation of the critical condition means activated through said signal line wherin each sensor provides an output signal to said signal line for effecting the alarm means to be activated and wherein said central monitor means includes manually actuable hold switching means coupled via a common control line to each of the sensors for latching the state of each of said condition indicators.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A monitoring means for apparatus having a number of functional stations, said means comprising a plurality of sensors located to monitor the operation of at least some of said functional stations, each sensor having a critical condition indicator adjacent the respective station for indicating at least an alarm state and a non-alarm state, a central monitor having a power supply connected via a common connection to each of the sensors and a common signal line connected to the output of each of said sensors wherein each sensor provides an output on activation of the critical condition means activated through said signal line wherin each sensor provides an output signal to said signal line for effecting the alarm means to be activated and wherein said central monitor means includes manually actuable hold switching means coupled via a common control line to each of the sensors for latching the state of each of said condition indicators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A monitoring apparatus as claimed at claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes an operational sensor for providing a signal proportional to the rate of operation of at least one functional station wherein the output of said operational sensor is connected to said signal line and said central monitor is provided with a discrimination circuit capable of discriminating the output signal of said operational sensor to provide a measure of the operating characteristics of said station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A monitoring apparatus as claimed at claim 1 wherein the said central monitor has means to selectively lock at least some of said sensors into an output condition which exists at any desired time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A monitoring means as set forth in claim 1 in combination with an agricultural seeding apparatus having a number of seed delivery conduits, said plurality of sensors being located to monitor the flow of material through said conduits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 4 further including at least one sensor capable of sensing the operation of the seed delivery means of the seeding apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 5 wherein said sensors include at least one sensor capable of sensing the amount of seed and/or fertilizer stored in the hopper of said seeder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 6 wherein said sensors include at least one sensor capable of sensing the delivery rate of seed by the seeder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The monitor circuit of claim 7 wherein said alarm means further comprises a timer means for altering said alarm signal after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The monitor circuit of claim 7 further comprising a control line interconnecting said central monitor and said sensor means wherein said central monitor includes a manually actuable hold switching means coupled to said control line for providing a hold signal and wherein each of said sensors includes latching circuit means responsive to said hold signal for preserving said load current flow in said indicators upon actuation of said hold switching means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 5 wherein said sensors include at least one sensor capable of sensing the delivery rate of seed by the seeder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 4, further including at least one sensor capable of sensing the amount of seed and/or fertilizer stored in the hopper of said seeder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 11 wherein said sensors include at least one sensor capable of sensing the delivery rate of seed by the seeder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A monitoring means as claimed at claim 4, further including at least one sensor capable of sensing the delivery rate of seed by the seeder.
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) | 1990-09-28 | 1991-03-30 | 1991-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-28 | 1995-03-30 | 1995-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-28 | 1999-03-30 | 1999-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |