Security device

• US 4,012,732 A
• Filed: 03/19/1976
• Issued: 03/15/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kennan C. Herrick
• Original Assignee: Kennan C. Herrick
• Inventors: Herrick, Kennan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US05/668,604
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 340/279, 340/280, 340/421, 340/309.1
• US Class Current: 340/522
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0415 detecting absence of activity per se
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence

Abstract

A security device includes an alarm that is actuated after a predetermined period of no human physical activity, which device includes a clock set to actuate the alarm after a predetermined period of inactivity, an activity sensor that resets the clock when human activity is sensed, and a means to sense an inanimate object, such as a set of keys, and which, when the inanimate object is absent, will not actuate the alarm when the predetermined time period has passed. There is also disclosed means to actuate the alarm when any activity is sensed if the inanimate object is absent.

Claims

1. A security device comprising:

a. an alarm,

b. a clock adapted to actuate said alarm when a predetermined time period has elapsed,

c. a human physical activity sensor adapted to reset said clock to the beginning of said predetermined time period when human activity is sensed, and

d. means for sensing an inanimate object in contact therewith, said means adapted in the absence of said inanimate object to prevent actuation of said alarm when said predetermined time period has elapsed.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to sense an inanimate object is adapted, in the absence of said inanimate object, to cause said human physical activity sensor to activate said alarm when human physical activity is sensed.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said clock comprises a source of power line frequency and a counter.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising an oscillator of a frequency higher than said power line frequency wherein the absence of said inanimate object causes said high frequency oscillator to drive said counter when human physical activity is sensed.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a manual switch activate said high frequency oscillator.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said inanimate object is a key.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said inanimate object is metal, and said means for sensing an inanimate object is an induction-actuated circuit.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said inanimate object is metal, and said means for sensing an inanimate object is a capacitance actuated circuit.