US4866423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overhead sprinkler head proximity alarm
Assignee: Tandy Corp
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Filing: 1988-05-03
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Granted: 1989-09-12
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Expires: 2008-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A proximity alarm (2) is used to protect overhead sprinkler heads (4) from damage by signaling when an object, typically carried by a forklift, comes too close to the sprinkler head. The alarm includes a signal circuit (24) mounted within a housing (22), a mounting clamp (10) and an arm (20) connecting the mounting clamp and the housing. The clamp secures the alarm to the sprinkler head adjacent the downwardly extending water pipe (8). The signal circuit includes a signal element (30), such as a horn, and a switch (26) for actuating the signal element. The switch is operated by a trigger (32) which extends downwardly from the housing. The trigger includes a portion (38, 44) positioned to contact an object coming close to the sprinkler head. Thus, when a forklift driver is lifting an object and the object contacts the trigger, the trigger actuates the switch causing the signal element to provide a signal, typically an audible alarm, warning the operator to halt movement of the load.
Inventors
- 👤 II Howard B. Anderson
- 👤 Stephen D. Marks
- 👤 Randall W. Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:03
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a mounting element for removably mounting the frame to a support near the sprinkler head; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and trigger means, coupled to the switch, for operating the switch when an object is within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head so as to actuate the signal element to alert a user that the object is within the chosen region; said trigger means and switch operable without physical contact with the object, providing the object is within the chosen region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a mounting element for removably mounting the frame to a support near the sprinkler head; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and trigger means, coupled to the switch, for operating the switch when an object is within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head so as to actuate the signal element to alert a user that the object is within the chosen region; said trigger means and switch operable without physical contact with the object, providing the object is within the chosen region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The alarm of claim 1 wherein the support includes an element associated with the sprinkler head and the mounting element includes a clamp configured for clamping onto said associated element so the associated element supports the alarm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
190 words
A proximity alarm for signaling a worker that an object the worker is moving is too close to an overhead sprinkler head so the user can do something to keep the object from hitting the sprinkler head so to prevent damage to the sprinkler head, the sprinkler head being mounted to a water pipe, the alarm comprising: a housing; a clamp connected to the housing and configured for engaging at least the water pipe or the sprinkler head, the clamp engaging a chosen one of the water pipe and the sprinkler head so to support the housing and support arm therefrom; an alarm circuit mounted to the housing, the alarm circuit including a signal element and a switch which when operated completes the alarm circuit to actuate the signal element and alert the worker; and a trigger mounted to and extending from the switch, the trigger including a portion positioned near but vertically below the sprinkler head so that when the object contacts the trigger in a manner to operate the switch, the signal element is actuated thereby alerting the worker that the object is close to the sprinkler head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
190 words
A proximity alarm for signaling a worker that an object the worker is moving is too close to an overhead sprinkler head so the user can do something to keep the object from hitting the sprinkler head so to prevent damage to the sprinkler head, the sprinkler head being mounted to a water pipe, the alarm comprising: a housing; a clamp connected to the housing and configured for engaging at least the water pipe or the sprinkler head, the clamp engaging a chosen one of the water pipe and the sprinkler head so to support the housing and support arm therefrom; an alarm circuit mounted to the housing, the alarm circuit including a signal element and a switch which when operated completes the alarm circuit to actuate the signal element and alert the worker; and a trigger mounted to and extending from the switch, the trigger including a portion positioned near but vertically below the sprinkler head so that when the object contacts the trigger in a manner to operate the switch, the signal element is actuated thereby alerting the worker that the object is close to the sprinkler head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a clamp configured for removably mounting the frame to an element associated with and near the sprinkler head, said clamp configured for clamping onto said associated element so the associated element supports the alarm; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and trigger means, coupled to the switch, for operating the switch when an object is within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head so as to actuate the signal element to alert a user that the object is within the chosen region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a clamp configured for removably mounting the frame to an element associated with and near the sprinkler head, said clamp configured for clamping onto said associated element so the associated element supports the alarm; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and trigger means, coupled to the switch, for operating the switch when an object is within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head so as to actuate the signal element to alert a user that the object is within the chosen region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The alarm of claim 4 wherein the trigger means include a mechanical trigger extending from the switch, a portion of the trigger extending vertically below the sprinkler head so that a vertically moving load will contact the trigger portion to operate the switch and actuate the signal element thereby alerting a user that the load is close to the sprinkler head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alarm of claim 5 wherein the trigger includes a vertically downwardly extending rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The alarm of claim 6 wherein the rod is straight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The alarm of claim 5 wherein the switch is a multi-directional switch and is operated by moving the trigger in a plurality of directions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The alarm of claim 4 wherein the frame includes a signal circuit housing and the mounting element includes a horizontally extending arm connecting the clamp and the signal circuit housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The alarm of claim 4 wherein the associated element is a part of the sprinkler head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alarm of claim 4 wherein the signal element includes an audible signal element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a mounting element for removably mounting the frame to a support near the sprinkler head; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and a mechanical trigger extending from the switch and coupled thereto, a portion of the trigger extending vertically below and positioned to one side of the sprinkler head so that a vertically moving load moving within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head will contact the trigger portion to operate the switch and actuate the signal element, thereby alerting a user that the load is close to the sprinkler head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a mounting element for removably mounting the frame to a support near the sprinkler head; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and a mechanical trigger extending from the switch and coupled thereto, a portion of the trigger extending vertically below and positioned to one side of the sprinkler head so that a vertically moving load moving within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head will contact the trigger portion to operate the switch and actuate the signal element, thereby alerting a user that the load is close to the sprinkler head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
132 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a mounting element for removably mounting the frame to a support near the sprinkler head; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and a mechanical trigger extending from the switch and coupled thereto, a portion of the trigger extending vertically below the sprinkler head and circumscribing a vertical centerline passing through the sprinkler head such that a vertically moving load moving within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head will contact the trigger portion to operate the switch and actuate the signal element, thereby alerting a user that the load is close to the sprinkler head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
132 words
An overhead sprinkler head alarm, for protecting an overhead sprinkler head from mechanical damage, comprising: a frame including a mounting element for removably mounting the frame to a support near the sprinkler head; a signal circuit mounted to the frame including a signal element and a switch which, when operated, causes the signal element to be actuated; and a mechanical trigger extending from the switch and coupled thereto, a portion of the trigger extending vertically below the sprinkler head and circumscribing a vertical centerline passing through the sprinkler head such that a vertically moving load moving within a chosen region associated with the sprinkler head will contact the trigger portion to operate the switch and actuate the signal element, thereby alerting a user that the load is close to the sprinkler head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |