Security audio visual emergency system

• US 4,365,237 A
• Filed: 07/22/1980
• Issued: 12/21/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Webster B. Knight
• Original Assignee: Webster B. Knight
• Inventors: Knight, Webster B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/171,145
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 340/521, 340/517, 340/545, 340/546, 340/578, 340/579, 340/586, 340/596, 340/601, 340/615, 340/628, 340/629, 340/635, 340/693, 116/306, 116/307, 116/4-6, 116/75, 116/77, 116/67 R, 116/DIG. 38, 116/44, 307/86, 200/61.03, 343/894, 343/883, 343/760, 324/329, 455/226, 455/351, 455/348, 455/349, 250/388
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A conventional lamp having a tubular yoke around the bulb that supports a lamp shade is converted into a security system by a simple physical electrical and mechanical coupling of two modules, eliminating wiring and installation tools. The first module, referred to as the bulb module, is screwed into the bulb socket and contains line voltage components and supports the light bulb; the second module, the probe module, contains low voltage circuitry, an audio alarm, a pigtail power connector, a light switch, and an extendable sensor probe. Upon sensing an abnormal condition, such as smoke, the bulb flashes on and off and a warning sound is provided by the audio alarm, giving both visual and audio alarm in one self-contained unit.

Claims

1. A lamp for use in a building comprising a base having one end for placement on a building floor or on a supporting surface vertically spaced from the floor;

a first lamp socket being supported by said base;

coupling means for coupling said socket to a building power supply;

a module assembly having a second lamp socket for receiving a lamp bulb and a threaded male end;

said male end being threaded into said first lamp socket;

an extensible elongated probe having a first end and a second end being mounted at said first end on said module assembly for vertical extension of said second end;

a sensor for providing a sensing signal upon sensing of at least one of smoke, heat, intrusion or radio wave emergency signal, being attached to said probe second end;

first means for electrically coupling said sensor to said module assembly to provide an electrical path for said sensing signal;

second means provided in said module assembly and responsive to said sensing signal for intermittently flashing a bulb mounted in said second socket upon reception of said sensor sensing signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a lamp shade support being mounted on and spaced vertically upwardly from said base;

said module assembly comprising first and second modules;

said first module being mounted on said lamp shade support and said probe being mounted at said first end to said first module, whereby the height of said lamp shade support is utilized in combination with said probe length to vertically position said probe second end;

said second module having a second lamp socket for receiving a lamp bulb and a threaded male end;

said male end being threaded into said first lamp socket;

third means for electrically coupling said first and second modules to one another.

3. The lamp of claim 2 including fourth means being located in said first module and being responsive to said sensing signal to provide an audible alarm upon reception of said sensing signal.

4. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said second means is for providing continuous illumination of a lamp bulb mounted in said second socket during non-reception of a sensing signal.

5. The lamp of claim 4 wherein said second means is for providing a lower intensity level of lamp bulb illumination during non-reception of a sensing signal than during reception of a sensing signal.

6. The lamp of claim 1 including fifth means mounted in said sensor for providing a visual indication that said sensor is operative.

7. The lamp of claim 4 including sixth means affixed to said first module for providing on-off switching of the lamp signal for continuous illumination of a lamp bulb during periods of non-reception of a sensing signal;

said second means providing said intermittent illumination of said lamp bulb during reception of said sensing signal in both on and off switch conditions of the lamp signal of said sixth means.

8. The lamp of claim 7 including seventh means for providing remote control of said sixth means.

9. The lamp of claim 1 wherein said sensor is rotatably mounted relative said module assembly whereby said sensor may be rotated relative said module assembly to improve sensitivity to a sensed condition.

10. The lamp of claim 2 wherein said first module has substantially lower operating voltage and power than said second module.

11. Security detection apparatus comprising

sensor means for generating a first signal upon detection of an alarm condition;

sensing circuitry electrically coupled to said sensor means and responsive to said first signal for generating an alarm signal;

alarm means electrically coupled to said sensing circuitry and responsive to said alarm signal for generating an alarm;

lighting means for providing illumination;

support means attached to said lighting means for selectively and adjustably extending and supporting said sensor means to a position remote from said lighting means and for retracting and supporting said sensor means to a position adjacent said lighting means, whereby said sensor means is extendable to maximize sensitivity of the detection apparatus and is retractable to a stored inconspicuous position adjacent the lighting means;

said lighting means comprises a module assembly containing said sensing circuitry and said alarm means;

said support means comprises an extendable probe attached at one end of said lighting means and carrying at its other end said sensor means;

attaching means for attaching said module assembly to a building appliance or fixture device including a lamp appliance or light fixture;

said lighting means comprises a lamp for providing illumination in the building interior, said lamp having a lower end supported relative to a building floor and having a threaded socket for receiving a light bulb and a shade supporting yoke adjacent its upper end, said yoke being at a predetermined height from the building floor;

said module assembly comprising first and second modules;

said first module adapted for attachment to said lamp yoke;

said second module having a threaded end for screwing into the socket of said lamp, and a threaded socket for receiving a light bulb, said extendable probe being attached to said first module, whereby the height of said yoke is utilized in combination with said probe length to vertically position said sensor means;

said modules being electrically coupled to each other by an electrical conductor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said sensor means, said sensing circuit, and said alarm circuit comprise a sequential power distribution circuit means supplied with building line voltage power for operating a light bulb mounted in said second module socket during non-alarm conditions to provide continuous illumination, and for operating said bulb intermittently to provide a flashing illumination during alarm conditions to provide a visual alarm.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said continuous bulb operation will be at reduced power and said flashing bulb illumination will be at increased power.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said alarm means is for providing an audio alarm during alarm conditions.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said alarm means is for providing an audio alarm during alarm conditions;

said sequential power distribution circuit means including power and bulb failure means for operating said audio alarm upon either line voltage power failure or bulb failure.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first module has substantially lower operating voltage and power than said second module.