Ultrasonic transmitter for burglar alarm system

• US 4,117,462 A
• Filed: 06/01/1976
• Issued: 09/26/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atlas Electronics International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Engineering System Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Miller, Albert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US05/691,790
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 340/58, 340/63, 340/64, 340/65, 340/213 R, 340/216, 340/224, 340/274 R, 340/276, 340/310 R, 340/310 A, 340/388, 340/396, 340/409, 340/416, 340/258, 325/185
• US Class Current: 340/539.17
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind

Abstract

An ultrasonic transmitter for apprising a central burglar alarm system of an unauthorized event includes a transmitting diaphragm which is repeatedly struck by a metal ball driven by a lever. The lever is actuated by a toothed wheel which is rotated by a motor spring, the rotation being governed to maintain constant speed and constant ultrasonic pulse rate. The rotation of the wheel is stopped by a striker interfering therewith, the striker being spring biased to the non-interference position. Thus the striker must be retained in the interference position by a door, window, trip wire, or the like, and any disruption of these structures will trip the striker and cause the transmitter to generate an ultrasonic pulse train and sound an alarm.

Claims

1. A burglar alarm system, comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic transmitter units, each of said units including means for detecting unauthorized intrusion or movement and means for transmitting a plurality of pulses that have a fixed code pattern of pulse durations and intervals between pulses, and a fixed ultrasonic frequency for each pulse in response to actuation of said detecting means;

at least one transceiver means for receiving said ultrasonic pulses and generating a radio frequency signal in response only to both said fixed ultrasonic frequency and said fixed pulse pattern; and

a central monitoring means for receiving said radio frequency signal and emitting an alarm signal in response thereto.

2. The burglar alarm system of claim 1, wherein said transmitting means in said transmitter units each include spring motor means for driving said transmitting means.

3. The burglar alarm system of claim 2, wherein said spring motor means includes governor means for regulating the drive speed of said spring motor means.

4. The burglar alarm system of claim 2, wherein said spring motor means includes a sprocket wheel rotated thereby for driving said transmitting means uniformly and periodically.

5. The burglar alarm system of claim 1, wherein said transmitting means includes a diaphragm and means for striking said diaphragm periodically and uniformly.

6. The burglar alarm system of claim 5, wherein said striking means includes a ball disposed in a housing adjacent to said diaphragm.

7. The burglar alarm system of claim 6, wherein said striking means includes a lever for driving said ball into said diaphragm.

8. The burglar alarm system of claim 7, further including a sprocket wheel operatively associated with said lever for driving said lever reciprocally to strike said ball repeatedly.

9. The burglar alarm system of claim 8, further including motor means for driving said sprocket wheel in uniform rotational motion.

10. The burglar alarm system of claim 9, wherein said motor means includes a spring motor and a governor for regulating said spring motor to a constant speed.

11. The burglar alarm system of claim 1, further including a striker for sensing intrusion or unauthorized movement, said striker including a detent for halting said transmitting means.

12. The burglar alarm system of claim 11, including resilient means for biasing said striker to extend out of said transmitter unit and releasing said detent from said transmitter means.

13. The burglar alarm system of claim 12, further including arm/disarm means for selectively and releasably holding said striker within said transmitter unit with said detent in engagement with said transmitter means.

14. In a purely mechanical burglar alarm system, a device for signalling unauthorized intrusion or movement, comprising mechanical ultrasonic transmitter means for emitting a burst of ultrasonic pulses that have a fixed code pattern of pulse durations and intervals between pulses, and a fixed ultrasonic frequency for each pulse when driven,

mechanical motor means for driving said transmitter means when actuated, mechanical means for arming and disarming said device, and mechanical striker means for sensing unauthorized movement or intrusion to actuate said motor means.

15. The device of claim 14, further including governor means for regulating said motor to a predetermined speed.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said motor means comprises a spring motor.

17. The device of claim 14, further including a sprocket wheel driven by said motor means for driving said transmitter.

18. The device of claim 17, including a lever driven by said sprocket wheel in reciprocating motion, said lever driving said transmitter.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said transmitter includes a diaphragm having an ultrasonic resonant frequency, and a ball for striking said diaphragm, said ball being struck by said reciprocally driven lever.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein said striker includes a detent for halting said motor means.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said striker is spring biased to extend from said device and to release said detent from said motor means.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said arm/disarm means includes a bail secured to a portion of said striker, said bail adapted to secure said striker within said device with said detent in engagement with said motor means.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein said bail extends eccentrically from a gear secured to an arm/disarm shaft.