Switch means for radio alarm device

• US 4,121,160 A
• Filed: 03/22/1977
• Issued: 10/17/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas R. Cataldo
• Original Assignee: Thomas R. Cataldo
• Inventors: Cataldo, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Application Number:
  US05/780,011
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 325/118, 325/16, 325/361, 325/111, 325/117, 325/119, 325/161, 325/169, 325/356, 200/61.12, 200/83 N, 200/86 N, 200/16 A, 200/19 A, 200/30 A, 340/224, 340/276, 340/277, 340/283
• US Class Current: 340/321
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• 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 21/00 Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/04 responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons G08B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0343 to be carried on the body
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 Waterproofing of transmission device

Abstract

In a miniature concealable radio alarm transmitter to be worn on the person, a switch means to activate the transmitter. The transmitter is preferably flat in shape, and includes a small battery which extends across the end of the circuit board. Two spring contact members extend adjacent each end of the battery, which has button-type terminals on its ends. A soft sponge elastomer spacer is fitted between each contact member and its end of the battery. The spacer has a central hole. Finger pressure against either spring member forces it toward the adjacent battery terminal to make contact therewith. To connect the battery to the circuit and energize the alarm transmitter, both spring members must be squeezed toward each other from opposite sides of the transmitter, making contact with each battery terminal. It is thus difficult to accidentally activate the transmitter. The switch means comprises two switches in series. The whole device is preferably cased in a bag-like enclosure of soft flexible material with a cord adapted to be hung around the wearer'"'"'s neck.

Claims

1. In a miniature alarm transmitter device adapted to be worn on the body of a person under the clothing:

a battery, and

a miniature radio transmitter built on a circuit board, said battery having a terminal at each of its opposite ends and extending generally parallel to one side portion of said board;

a pair of resilient metal spring contact and support members each secured to said side portion adjacent one of said terminals and having a contact portion extending generally outward opposite to one of said terminals;

a pair of ring-like resilient insulating spacers each positioned between each said contact portion and its adjacent said terminal,

said spacers electrically separating both said contact portions and terminals and also supporting said battery by its said terminals from said members, and

an outer housing in the form of a soft flexible bag enclosing both said battery and transmitter, whereby squeezing pressure through said outer housing simultaneously against both said support members toward each other is adapted to press both said contacts against their respective battery terminals to activate said transmitter.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein each said spacer is of cellular elastomeric material impervious to water.

3. A device as in claim 2, further comprising:

a waterproof encapsulant encasing said transmitter inside said outer housing, and

waterproof cement between each said spacer and its adjacent said member and said terminal.

4. A device as in claim 2, further comprising:

a neck strap secured to said outer housing,

said device being wearable around the neck under the clothing and energizable by squeezing against opposite sides of said device.