Alarm toe switch

• US 4,350,853 A
• Filed: 11/18/1980
• Issued: 09/21/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Energy
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Energy
• Inventors: Ganyard, Floyd P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, Arthur T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, Morris
• Application Number:
  US06/208,099
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 335/205, 200/52 R, 200/DIG. 2, 200/84 C, 200/85 R, 200/85 A, 200/86 R, 200/86 A, 200/86.5, 340/574, 340/573, 340/365 L
• US Class Current: 200/52.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/14 adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot

Abstract

An alarm toe switch inserted within a shoe for energizing an alarm circuitn a covert manner includes an insole mounting pad into which a miniature reed switch is fixedly molded. An elongated slot perpendicular to the reed switch is formed in the bottom surface of the mounting pad. A permanent cylindrical magnet positioned in the forward portion of the slot with a diameter greater than the pad thickness causes a bump above the pad. A foam rubber block is also positioned in the slot rearwardly of the magnet and holds the magnet in normal inoperative relation. A non-magnetic support plate covers the slot and holds the magnet and foam rubber in the slot. The plate minimizes bending and frictional forces to improve movement of the magnet for reliable switch activation. The bump occupies the knuckle space beneath the big toe. When the big toe is scrunched rearwardly the magnet is moved within the slot relative to the reed switch, thus magnetically activating the switch. When toe pressure is released the foam rubber block forces the magnet back into normal inoperative position to deactivate the reed switch. The reed switch is hermetically sealed with the magnet acting through the wall so the switch assembly S is capable of reliable operation even in wet and corrosive environments.

Claims

1. A covert duress alarm toe device of unitary construction for insertion within a shoe and activation by toe pressure for covert energization of an alarm circuit comprising:

a substantially flat insole mounting pad having top and bottom surfaces and adapted for placement within a shoe;

a miniature reed switch affixed within said mounting pad, said bottom surface of said pad including a slot substantially perpendicular to and adjacent said switch;

permanent magnet means for operating said reed switch positioned for movement within the slot, said magnet means being of greater thickness than the mounting pad thickness to create a bump above the surface of said mounting pad for facilitating movement of the magnet means by toe pressure from a first position in inoperative relation to said reed switch to a second position in operative relation to said reed switch, whereby the alarm circuit is energized; and

spring means positioned in the slot adjacent said magnet for returning said magnet to said first position when toe pressure is removed.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said magnet means comprises a permanent cylindrical magnet.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said spring means includes a foam rubber block.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said mounting pad is a rubber pad and said reed switch is molded in the pad.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the movement required for activating said switch is approximately 1/32 of an inch.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the reed switch is hermetically sealed with a non-metallic wall so that water or perspiration has no effect and the magnet operates through the wall.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising non-magnetic support plate means secured to the bottom surface of said pad covering the slot and said switch to provide mechanical support and improve the sliding action of the magnet in the slot.