US5512874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security device
Assignee: COUDERT ALEXIS TRACY - ONE-THIRD
•
Filing: 1994-05-04
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Granted: 1996-04-30
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Expires: 2014-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A security device, intended for use as a temporary or permanent vehicle security device, having an intrusion detection device in the form of a pair of electrical contacts supported on a shock amplifying, rigid base and responsive to percussive-type forces for generating a detection signal. At least one of the electrical contacts is supported on a relatively stiff cantilevered arm which will not respond to small movements and vibrations, to thereby avoid generating frequent false alarms. Any contact closure signal from the electrical contacts is processed by a detection circuit which counts multiple contact closures and/or measures total closure time, thus ignoring signals generated from small forces or vibrations, thereby preventing against the source of most false alarms when generating a detection signal. The processing circuit preferably comprises a transmitter responsive to and incorporating the detection circuit and operable to transmit an intrusion signal to a remote receiver which is coupled to an alarm.
Inventors
- 👤 Travis Poston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/1004; B60R25/1006; B60R25/1007; B60R2025/1013; B60R2025/1016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A security device comprising: a shock impulse sensor comprising a pair of electrical contacts, at least one of said contacts being responsive to a percussive force of a predetermined minimum acceleration to cause said contacts to close; a detection circuit responsive to a predetermined minimum number of contact closures per percussive shock impulse event within a predetermined time period for generating a detection signal; a transmitter, responsive to said detection signal for transmitting an intrusion signal; and a remote receiver for receiving said intrusion signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A security device comprising: a shock impulse sensor comprising a pair of electrical contacts, at least one of said contacts being responsive to a percussive force of a predetermined minimum acceleration to cause said contacts to close; a detection circuit responsive to a predetermined minimum number of contact closures per percussive shock impulse event within a predetermined time period for generating a detection signal; a transmitter, responsive to said detection signal for transmitting an intrusion signal; and a remote receiver for receiving said intrusion signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one contact comprises a resilient cantilevered member having an electrical contact member thereon, wherein the cantilevered member is of sufficient stiffness and has sufficient associated mass and is held at a sufficient distance (d) from the other of said contacts so as to only close in response to a percussive force greater than a predetermined minimum force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security device according to claim 2, wherein the percussive force is at least sufficient to accelerate said contact member by 1.6 G over a 16 millisecond period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security device according to claim 2, wherein the percussive force is at least sufficient to accelerate said contact member by 50 G over a 1 millisecond period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The security device according to claim 2, wherein the magnitude of the predetermined minimum force varies inversely with its time duration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one contact further comprises a mass carried on said resilient cantilevered member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The security device according to claim 2, wherein said electrical contacts are encased in a housing and supported on a rigid base, said housing being affixed to said rigid base whereby any percussive force reaching said rigid base is transmitted to said cantilevered member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The security device according to claim 7, wherein said rigid base is formed in an arcuate surface for amplifying said percussive force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security device according to claim 1, further comprising a tamper sensing means for detecting tampering with said electrical contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security device according to claim 9, wherein said tamper sensing means comprises an electrical resistance, connected in parallel across said electrical contacts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit is hard wired to said transmitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter, detection circuit and electrical contacts are contained within a common housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The security device according to claim 11, wherein said security device is a vehicle security device, and wherein said transmitter further includes positioning means for positioning the transmitter at a location for optimizing transmission of said intrusion signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security device according to claim 13, wherein said positioning means comprises a strap for positioning said transmitter adjacent to a window of a vehicle to be secured.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The security device according to claim 2, wherein said shock sensor generates a damped, repetitive contact closure signal upon closure of said contacts, said contact closure signal having a characteristic period of oscillation including a characteristic first portion indicative of a contact closure interval and a second characteristic portion indicative of a contact open interval.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The security device according to claim 15, wherein said contact closure signal comprises a generally damped oscillatory signal having a period T defined by ##EQU5## where: m is said associated mass; and k is said spring constant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The security device according to claim 16, wherein said percussive force occurs over a time interval Δt defined by: ##EQU6## where: a is the acceleration imparted by the percussive force.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit is responsive to at least two contact closures in a predetermined time interval for generating said detection signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit is only responsive to total contact closure times of at least a minimum predetermined value for generating said detection signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said detection circuit further comprises a comparator, for comparing a voltage proportional to the total contact closure time of said electrical contacts with a reference value, and for outputting said detection signal when said voltage exceeds said reference value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The security device according to claim 20, wherein said detection circuit further comprises an RC network for generating said voltage proportional to total contact closure time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The security device according to claim 21 wherein said detection circuit includes a first time constant τ f for detecting contact closure, defined by: ##EQU7## where: N=minimum number of contact closures for generating a detection signal; τ on =duration of a contact closure; A=a number (less than 1) indicative of the proportion of the charging voltage V s used to define a closure event.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The security device according to claim 21, wherein said RC network has a variable time constant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The security device according to claim 20, further comprising means for determining the number of detection signals generated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The security device according to claim 24, wherein said determining means comprises a counter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security device according to claim 25, further comprising a timer for resetting said counter after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The security device according to claim 24, wherein said determining means comprises an integrator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter is powered by an internal battery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The security device according to claim 1, wherein said security device is a vehicle security device and said transmitter is powered by a battery of said vehicle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security device according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for receiving said intrusion signal and retransmitting it to said remote receiver.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security device according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm device responsive to an intrusion signal from said receiver.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The security device according to claim 31, wherein said alarm device comprises a visual alarm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The security device according to claim 31, wherein said alarm device comprises an audio alarm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security device according to claim 31, wherein said alarm device comprises means for retransmitting said intrusion signal to remotely located security personnel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
126 words
A security device comprising: a shock impulse sensor comprising a pair of electrical contacts supported on a rigid base, said electrical contacts including at least one cantilevered arm supporting an electrical contact piece, said arm being sufficiently rigid whereby it will only respond to percussive forces above a predetermined acceleration applied within a minimum time for generating a contact closure signal; a detection circuit responsive to said contact closure signal having either a minimum predetermined number of contact closures per percussive shock impulse event within a first predetermined time duration, or a predetermined minimum total contact closure time per percussive shock impulse event within a second predetermined time period for generating a detection signal; an alarm means responsive to said detection signal for generating an alarm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
126 words
A security device comprising: a shock impulse sensor comprising a pair of electrical contacts supported on a rigid base, said electrical contacts including at least one cantilevered arm supporting an electrical contact piece, said arm being sufficiently rigid whereby it will only respond to percussive forces above a predetermined acceleration applied within a minimum time for generating a contact closure signal; a detection circuit responsive to said contact closure signal having either a minimum predetermined number of contact closures per percussive shock impulse event within a first predetermined time duration, or a predetermined minimum total contact closure time per percussive shock impulse event within a second predetermined time period for generating a detection signal; an alarm means responsive to said detection signal for generating an alarm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The security device according to claim 35, further comprising a transmitter operable to generate an intrusion signal in response to said detection signal and a remote receiver for receiving said intrusion signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein said alarm means comprises a local alarm positioned in the vicinity of said shock sensor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
63 words
The security device according to claim 37, further comprising a transmitter operatively connected to said detection circuit, and operable to generate an intrusion signal in response to said detection signal, and a remote receiver for receiving said intrusion signal, and wherein said alarm means further comprises an alarm responsive to said remote receiver for generating an alarm in response to said intrusion signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The security device according to claim 36, wherein said alarm means comprises an alarm responsive to said remote receiver for generating an alarm in response to said intrusion signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein the percussive force is at least sufficient to accelerate said contact member by 1.6 G over a 16 millisecond period.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein the percussive force is at least sufficient to accelerate said contact member by 50 G over a 1 millisecond period.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein the magnitude of the predetermined minimum force varies inversely with its time duration.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein said electrical contacts are encased in a housing, said housing being affixed to said rigid base whereby any percussive force reaching said rigid base is transmitted to said cantilevered member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The security device according to claim 43, wherein said rigid base is formed in an arcuate surface for amplifying said percussive force.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security device according to claim 35, further comprising a tamper sensing means for detecting tampering with said electrical contacts.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
55 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein said shock sensor generates a damped, repetitive contact closure signal upon closure of said contacts, said contact closure signal having a characteristic period of oscillation including a characteristic first portion indicative of a contact closure interval and a second characteristic portion indicative of a contact open interval.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
The security device according to claim 46, wherein said contact closure signal comprises a generally damped oscillatory signal having a period T defined by ##EQU8## where: m is said associated mass; and k is said spring constant.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
The security device according to claim 47, wherein said percussive force occurs over a time interval Δt defined by: ##EQU9## where: d is the nominal spacing between said contacts a is the acceleration imparted by the percussive force.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein said detection circuit is responsive to at least two contact closures in a predetermined time interval for generating said detection signal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein said detection circuit is responsive to a total contact closure times of at least a minimum predetermined value for generating said detection signal.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
47 words
The security device according to claim 35, wherein said detection circuit further comprises a comparator, for comparing a voltage proportional to the total contact closure time of said electrical contacts with a reference value, and for outputting said detection signal when said voltage exceeds said reference value.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The security device according to claim 51, wherein said detection circuit further comprises an RC network for generating said voltage proportional to total contact closure time.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
64 words
The security device according to claim 52 wherein said detection circuit includes a first time constant τ f for detecting contact closure, defined by: ##EQU10## where: N=minimum number of contact closures for generating a detection signal; t on =duration of a contact closure; A=a number (less than 1) indicative of the proportion of the charging voltage V s used to define a closure event.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The security device according to claim 53, wherein said RC network has a variable time constant.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The security device according to claim 51, further comprising means for determining the number of detection signals generated.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The security device according to claim 55, wherein said determining means comprises a counter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security device according to claim 56, further comprising a timer for resetting said counter after a predetermined time interval.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
The security device according to claim 55, wherein said determining means comprises an integrator.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security device according to claim 36, wherein said transmitter is a fractional watt transmitter powered by an internal battery.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
The security device according to claim 36, wherein said security device is a vehicle security device and said transmitter is powered by a battery of said vehicle.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
83 words
A security device for generating a detection signal for detecting attempted intrusions while minimizing false alarms, comprising: a shock sensor comprising a pair of electrical contacts, at least one of said contacts being responsive to an impulsive percussive force of a predetermined minimum acceleration to cause said contacts to close; a detection circuit responsive to a predetermined minimum number of contact closures per impulsive percussive force event within a predetermined time period whereby said detection signal, indicative of an intrusion attempt, is generated.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
83 words
A security device for generating a detection signal for detecting attempted intrusions while minimizing false alarms, comprising: a shock sensor comprising a pair of electrical contacts, at least one of said contacts being responsive to an impulsive percussive force of a predetermined minimum acceleration to cause said contacts to close; a detection circuit responsive to a predetermined minimum number of contact closures per impulsive percussive force event within a predetermined time period whereby said detection signal, indicative of an intrusion attempt, is generated.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of generating a detection signal for detecting attempted intrusions while minimizing false alarm signals comprising the steps of: sensing, using momentum transference to a constant mass, the presence of a shock impulse caused by a percussive force of a predetermined minimum value; detecting by integrating over a predetermined time period, the magnitude of the percussive force from a single shock impulse causing event; and generating said detection signal, indicative of an intrusion attempt, whenever the magnitude of the percussive force exceeds a predetermined minimum value over a predetermined time period.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of generating a detection signal for detecting attempted intrusions while minimizing false alarm signals comprising the steps of: sensing, using momentum transference to a constant mass, the presence of a shock impulse caused by a percussive force of a predetermined minimum value; detecting by integrating over a predetermined time period, the magnitude of the percussive force from a single shock impulse causing event; and generating said detection signal, indicative of an intrusion attempt, whenever the magnitude of the percussive force exceeds a predetermined minimum value over a predetermined time period.
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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) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-10-30 | 2000-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-30 | 2003-10-30 | 2004-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-30 | 2007-10-30 | 2008-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |