Patent US4879542A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4879542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Alarm systems
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-08-24
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-08-24
Abstract
Abstract An alarm system to keep an aircraft pilot or a vehicle operator alert utilizes a first timer to activate visual alarm. The first timer is reset by actuation of the aircraft communications press-to-talk button. If the pilot fails to reset the first timer within a predetermined time, a second timer triggers an audio alarm. Once the audio alarm is triggered, it remains triggered and not resettable for a predetermined period of time. During normal operation of an aircraft during landings and takeoffs, the communications press-to-talk button is actuated as part of normal cockpit operations at intervals shorter than the time for the first timer to complete its timing cycle. Accordingly, an alarm is not generated during such landings and takeoffs, but is effective during cruise flight when the danger of drowsiness is greatest.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrian C. Elsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:45
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An alarm system for an aircraft having a conventional radio/telecommunication (CR/T) system controlled by an radio telephony (R/T switch, said alarm system comprising first timer means operable, in use, to produce an electrical output signal on timing out, visual alarm means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means, second timer means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce an electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means, and rest means associated with said first timer means, whereby first a visual alarm is provided followed by an audio alarm unless said first timer means is rest prior to said second timer means timing out, said reset means comprising switch means actuated by actuation of said R/T switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An alarm system for an aircraft having a conventional radio/telecommunication (CR/T) system controlled by an radio telephony (R/T switch, said alarm system comprising first timer means operable, in use, to produce an electrical output signal on timing out, visual alarm means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means, second timer means responsive to said output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce an electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means, and rest means associated with said first timer means, whereby first a visual alarm is provided followed by an audio alarm unless said first timer means is rest prior to said second timer means timing out, said reset means comprising switch means actuated by actuation of said R/T switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An alarm system according to claim 1, and further comprising third timer means which are rendered operative only when said audio alarm means is enabled, said third timer means serving further to enable said audio alarm means at preselected intervals until said third timer times out.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An alarm system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first timer means is variable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An alarm system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second timer means is fixed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An alarm system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the visual alarm means comprises a series of light-emitting diodes which are all energized at the start of the time period of the first timer and are de-energized in turn as that period elapses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An alarm system according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting diode is of the dual-type which, in use, is permanently energised to indicate overall operation of the alarm system, and arranged to flash when responding to the output signal from the first timer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An alarm system according to claim 1, and further comprising a unit containing said first and second timer means, visual alarm means and said audio means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An alarm system according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means comprises a tone generator, the output of which is coupled to a pilot's headset.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the output of the alarm means is connected to the headset of each member of the flight deck crew of the aircraft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
An alarm system for an operator-operable transportation device comprising: first timer means operable to produce a first electrical output signal on timing out; visual alarm means responsive to said first electrical output signal from said first timer means; second timer means responsive to said first electrical output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce a second electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means; reset means associated with said first timer means; means to help said operator to stay awake for a pre-determined amount of time once the had been awaken by said audio alarm means, said means including a third timer means rendered operative only when said audio alarm means are initially activated, said third timer means activating said audio alarm means at preselected intervals until said third timer means times out; and means for preventing resetting of any timer means until said third means times out.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
An alarm system for an operator-operable transportation device comprising: first timer means operable to produce a first electrical output signal on timing out; visual alarm means responsive to said first electrical output signal from said first timer means; second timer means responsive to said first electrical output signal from said first timer means to initiate its operation and operable to produce a second electrical output signal on timing out for energising audio alarm means; reset means associated with said first timer means; means to help said operator to stay awake for a pre-determined amount of time once the had been awaken by said audio alarm means, said means including a third timer means rendered operative only when said audio alarm means are initially activated, said third timer means activating said audio alarm means at preselected intervals until said third timer means times out; and means for preventing resetting of any timer means until said third means times out.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alarm system according to claim 10, wherein said first timer means is variable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alarm system according to claim 10, wherein said second timer means is fixed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The alarm system according to claim 10, wherein: the visual alarm means comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices; and means for sequentially changing an energization condition of said light-emitting devices during a timing cycle of said third timing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
The alarm system according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said plurality of light-emitting devices is a light-emitting diode, said light-emitting diode is of a dual-type which, in use, is permanently energized to indicate overally operation of the alarm system, and includes means permitting said light-emitting diode to flash when respondiing to the first output signal from the first timer means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The alarm system according to claim 14, wherein said flash is a different color from a color indicating overally operation of said alarm system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The alarm system according to claim 10 further comprising a unit containing said first and second timer means, visual alarm means and said audio means.
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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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |