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US4833461A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Utility shut off apparatus

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-02-01
•
Granted: 1989-05-23
•
Expires: 2008-02-01
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for shutting off utilities, such as gas and electricity, automatically in the case of an emergency, such as an earthquake. The utility can be a gas or electric line and, at shutdown, an alarm may be sounded and a light activated. The apparatus includes a box mounted adjacent the main power panel. The box includes a solenoid wired to the main breaker switch of the main power panel and a start/stop switch coupled to the solenoid valve at the main gas line. If an earthquake hits, the solenoid to the electric panel is activated to shut off the main switch. This in turn activates the solenoid to the gas line which turns off the gas. Simultaneously, a signal alarm coupled to the box sounds and a light also coupled to the box is lit. The alarm may be turned off manually and the light kept on, if desired. After the emergency, the control panel may be reset and the gas turned on after manually opening the gas valve and re-lighting the pilot. Power to the box may be provided by coupling the same to the main power panel. Optionally, the apparatus may also be used to shut off the main water line.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard Yeager

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 14:07
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0753

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 124 words
Apparatus for shutting off utilities in case of an emergency, such as an earthquake, adapted to be coupled to the main power panel of a house comprising: a motion detector; a switch box electroncally coupled to said detector; first solenoid means electronically coupled to said box adapted to be mechanically coupled to the main switch of said power panel for shutting off the same, upon detection of movement by said motion detector; and second solenoid means electronically coupled to said panel and also coupled to a shut off valve associated with the main gas line of the house to terminate gas flow upon cessation of power, and further including, a start and stop switch coupled to the gas valve for resetting the gas flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 124 words
Apparatus for shutting off utilities in case of an emergency, such as an earthquake, adapted to be coupled to the main power panel of a house comprising: a motion detector; a switch box electroncally coupled to said detector; first solenoid means electronically coupled to said box adapted to be mechanically coupled to the main switch of said power panel for shutting off the same, upon detection of movement by said motion detector; and second solenoid means electronically coupled to said panel and also coupled to a shut off valve associated with the main gas line of the house to terminate gas flow upon cessation of power, and further including, a start and stop switch coupled to the gas valve for resetting the gas flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 including a reset switch coupled to said box for resetting the same upon tripping of said first solenoid after detection of movement by said motion detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 including an audible buzzer electronically coupled to said box and normally inactivated when power is supplied to said box from said main power panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
In the apparatus of claim 3 including an on/off switch coupled to said buzzer for selectively turning said buzzer on and off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 or 3 including a battery operated light electronically coupled to said box, said light being normally inactivated when power is supplied to said box from said main power panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
In the apparatus of claim 5 including an on/off switch coupled to a battery coupled to said light for operating the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
In the apparatus of claim 6 wherein said battery is also electronically coupled to a buzzer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 45 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 including third solenoid means electronically coupled to said box adapted to be coupled to a shut off valve for the main water supply to said house for shutting off the water upon detection of movement by said motion detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
In the apparatus of claim 8 including an on/off switch coupled to said third solenoid means for resetting the same after tripping of said third solenoid means upon detection of movement by said motion detector.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4098284A Cited
US4180088A Cited
US4556799A Cited
US4414994A Cited
US4390922A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-05-22 1992-11-21 1993-05-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-05-22 1996-11-21 1997-05-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-05-22 2000-11-21 2001-05-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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