Rain detector

• US 4,692,751 A
• Filed: 09/02/1986
• Issued: 09/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gain Upton, George Spector
• Original Assignee: Gain Upton, George Spector
• Inventors: Spector, George, Upton, Gain
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US06/902,771
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 200/52 R, 200/61.04-61.07, 200/81.9 R, 200/85 R, 340/601, 340/602, 340/603, 340/604
• US Class Current: 340/602
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/00 Switches operated by change of a physical condition operated by change of magnetic or electric field H01H36/00; thermally-actuated switches H01H37/00

Abstract

A rain detector adapted to be mounted on a window sill that is activated in a pulsating manner caused by the rain hitting the detector thus giving the detector a distinctive alarm to notify a person to close the window, wherein the detector comprises a movable spring supported plate with an electrical contact spaced from a fixed plate with an opposing electrical contact whereby rain drops activate the movable plate to cause engagement of said contacts thus activating a pulsating alarm.

Claims

1. A rain detector to be placed on a sill of an open window, said detector comprising:

(a) an insulated housing having a plurality of upright walls forming a walled enclosure, a bottom wall and an open top;

(b) a first contact member mounted to said bottom wall within said housing;

(c) a pair of springs mounted vertically to said bottom wall within said housing at opposite sides of said first contact member;

(d) an insulated plate mounted on said springs so as to vibrate within the cavity defined by said upright walls of said housing;

(e) a second contact member mounted to underside of said plate and being spaced apart from said first contact member; and

(f) an alarm circuit electrically connected to said first and second contact members so that rain drops falling on said plate will cause said plate adjacent to said open top to vibrate up and down within the cavity defined by said upright walls of said housing allowing said first and second contact members to momentarily touch each other producing a pulsating action through said alarm circuit.

2. A rain detector as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a plurality of feet, each of which is mounted to underside of said bottom wall of said housing so that said housing will be suspended above said sill of said window; and

(b) said upright walls and said bottom wall of said housing having a plurality of perforations to allow rain water to drain therefrom.

3. A rain detector as recited in claim 2, wherein said alarm circuit includes:

(a) a power source electrically connected to said first contact member;

(b) a remote signal device electrically connected to said second contact member; and

(c) a switch electrically connected between said power source and said remote signal device so that said remote signal device is manually turned on and off whenever desired.

4. A rain detector as recited in claim 3, wherein said remote signal device includes a transformer and an audio alarm such as a bell or buzzer.