Vehicle alarm

• US 3,995,268 A
• Filed: 10/24/1974
• Issued: 11/30/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stewart-Warner Electronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ferrari, Francis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wannisky, William M.
• Application Number:
  US05/517,409
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 340/384 E, 340/384 R, 340/309.1, 340/52 D, 340/52 E, 340/52 R, 340/63, 331/47, 331/35, 331/173, 328/63, 58/23 AC, 235/92 T, 307/10 SB
• US Class Current: 340/384.71
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4858 for sensing pressure on seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0833 using audio means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

An alarm device for use in a vehicle which utilizes an audio frequency oscillator to drive a buzzer or tone device audible to the occupants of the vehicle. The alarm includes a control circuit which automatically stops the alarm after a preselected interval and may include modulated or interrupted alarm.

Claims

1. A vehicle warning alarm circuit producing an audible signal from a buzzer in response to an electrical signal indicating the occurrence of a selected condition, comprising:

a. means for generating a selected audio signal when enabled and energized;

b. means for generating a low frequency signal, said low frequency signal enabling said audio signal generating means to produce an interrupted audio signal;

c. means for energizing both of said generating means;

d. means for applying said interrupted audio signal to said buzzer to produce said audible signal; and

e. means for deenergizing both of said generating means after a selected period of operation.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for applying includes:

a. a semiconductor switch connected between a source of voltage and ground receiving said audio frequency signal and switching between a conducting and nonconducting state in response to said audio frequency signal; and

b. a coil in series with said semiconductor switch inductively coupled to said buzzer to produce said audible signal.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for energizing includes means receiving said electrical signal for resetting said deenergizing means thereby to energize both of said generating means for said selected period.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said deenergizing means includes means for counting the cycles of said low frequency signal and deenergizing both of said generating means when the cycle count exceeds a selected value.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said means for counting are a plurality of serially connected flip-flops and said selected value is the number of cycles necessary to operate the last flip-flop in the series.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein operation of said last flip-flop deenergizes both of said generating means, said means for energizing being effective for resetting said flip-flops.

7. A vehicle warning alarm circuit producing an audible signal from a buzzer in response to an electrical signal indicating the occurrence of a selected condition, comprising:

a. means fo generating a selected audio signal when enabled and energized;

b. means for generating a low frequency signal said low frequency signal enabling said audio signal generating means to produce an interrupted audio signal;

c. means for energizing both of said generating means;

d. means for applying said interrupted audio signal to said buzzer to produce said audible signal; and

e. means for disabling said low frequency generating means to thereby disable said audio signal generating means after a selected period of operation.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said means for applying includes:

a. a semiconductor switch connected between a source of voltage and ground receiving said audio frequency signal and switching between a conducting and nonconducting state in response to said audio frequency signal; and

b. a coil in series with said semiconductor switch inductively coupled to said buzzer to produce said audible signal.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said means for disabling said low frequency generating means includes:

a. an RC network which charges up to a positive voltage level upon receipt of said electrical signal; and

b. logic means for disabling operation of said low frequency generating means when said RC network reaches a preselected voltage level.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the logic means is an inverting amplifier whose in put is connected to said RC network and whose output controls the operation of said low frequency generating means.