Wireless electronic alarm for installation in sliding door or window casings

• US 4,888,578 A
• Filed: 08/04/1988
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy D. Conemac
• Original Assignee: Timothy D. Conemac
• Inventors: Conemac, Timothy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US07/228,140
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 340/545, 340/546, 200/61.71, 200/61.73-61.75, 200/61.93, 200/43.04, 200/43.07
• US Class Current: 340/546
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0888 Locking bars

Abstract

A device for use as an alarm for detecting the unauthorized opening of a sliding door or window is disclosed which is a wireless electronic alarm device which may be easily installed either horizontally or vertically in the casing of a sliding door or window to resist forced opening of the sliding door or window while simultaneously sounding a highly audible alarm signal indicative of an attempt to break in. The alarm device is of lightweight, portable construction in a tubular design which acts to substantially forestall the opening of the sliding door or window without the application of force sufficient to break the door or window. Once triggered, the alarm will continue until the unobtrusive owner-activated reset switch is activated to disarm the device.

Claims

1. An alarm device for use with a sliding door or window mounted in a casing, comprising:

a hollow outer tube having a first end and a second end;

an inner tube having a first end and a second end, said first end of said inner tube being located in said outer tube, said second end of said inner tube extending from said second end of said outer tube;

means for adjusting the length of the portion of said inner tube which protrudes from said second end of said outer tube;

means for receiving one or more batteries in said first end of said inner tube;

electrical switch means for triggering said alarm device, said electrical switch means comprising;

a first electrical contact mounted at said second end of said inner tube;

a second electrical contact also mounted at said second end of said inner tube, said second electrical contact being spaced away from said first electrical contact so as not to be in electrical contact with said first electrical contact;

a plastic activating end cap for installation onto said second end of said inner tube, said activating end cap being adapted to fit over said second end of said inner tube in a loose fashion allowing said activating end cap to slide on and off of said second end of said inner tube, said activating end cap having a first position in which it is partially installed on said second end of said inner tube and a second position in which it is fully installed on said second end of said inner tube; and

a conductive element located inside said activating end cap, said conductive element being spaced away from said first and second electrical contacts on said second end of said inner tube and said electrical switch means having an open position when said end cap is in said first position, said conductive material being in contact with said first and second electrical contacts on said second end of said inner tube and said electrical switch means having a closed position when said end cap is moved from said first position to said second position by an axial compressive force between said end cap and said first end of said inner tube;

an audio transducer located in said inner tube; and

an alarm circuit located in said inner tube, said alarm circuit being electrically connected to said means for receiving batteries, said first and second electrical contacts, and said audio transducer, said alarm circuit causing said audio transducer to emit an alarm signal whenever said electrical switch means has been driven to said closed position.

2. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner and outer tubes are made of rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing.

3. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner tube has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of said outer tube.

4. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises:

a plurality of evenly spaced apart apertures located in said outer tube along the length thereof;

a spring-loaded detent adjustment button installed in said inner tube with said adjustment button extending outwardly through an aperture in said inner tube, said adjustment button being pressed radially inwardly toward the interior of said inner tube to allow said inner tube to be adjusted axially in said outer tube, said adjustment button being urged radially outwardly and extending through one of said plurality of evenly spaced apart apertures in said outer tube to prevent axial movement of said inner tube with respect to said outer tube.

5. An alarm device as defined in claim 4, wherein said spring-loaded adjustment button is made of spring steel.

6. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a plastic end cap mounted at said first end of said outer tube; and

a plastic collar located at said second end of said outer tube.

7. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a battery retaining wall installed sufficiently far into said first end of said inner tube to allow one or more batteries to fit therein;

a battery contact mounted in said battery retaining wall;

a first power wire extending between said battery contact and said alarm circuit;

a conductive spring;

a plastic plug, said conductive spring being mounted in said plastic plug, said plastic plug fitting into said first end of said inner tube in a resistance or friction fit to retain one or more batteries in said inner tube in contact with said battery contact at one end of the one or more batteries, and in contact with said conductive spring at the other end of the one or more batteries; and

a second power wire extending between said conductive spring and said alarm circuit.

8. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

an end wall installed at said second end of said inner tube, said first and second electrical contacts being mounted in said end wall.

9. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

means for causing said alarm circuit to keep said alarm signal sounding once initiated even if said electrical switch returns to said open position.

10. An alarm device as defined in claim 9, additionally comprising:

a reset switch electrically connected to said alarm circuit for causing said alarm circuit to make said alarm signal cease and to reset said alarm device, provided said electrical switch is returned to said open position prior to activating said reset switch.

11. An alarm device as defined in claim 10, wherein said reset switch comprises:

a third electrical contact located inside said inner tube;

a reset spring contact which is normally biased away from said third electrical contact, said reset spring contact also being located inside said inner tube; and

an aperture in said inner tube allowing a sharp object inserted into said aperture to contact said reset spring contact and to drive said reset spring contact into electrical contact with said third electrical contact.

12. An alarm device as defined in claim 11, wherein said reset spring contact is made of beryllium copper.

13. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a visual alarm means driven by said alarm circuit for providing a visual indication whenever said alarm circuit causes said audio transducer to emit said alarm signal.

14. An alarm device as defined in claim 13, wherein said visual alarm means comprises:

a light emitting diode (LED).

15. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a plurality of apertures in said inner tube adjacent said audio transducer, said plurality of apertures in said inner tube allowing sound generated by said audio transducer to escape from said inner tube after resonating in said inner tube.

16. An alarm device as defined in claim 15, wherein said apertures in said inner tube are arranged in a pattern to enhance the resonant quality of said inner tube.

17. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein said alarm circuit utilizes at least two NAND gates to implement its function.

18. An alarm device as defined in claim 1, wherein said alarm circuit uses CMOS components to reduce power required to operate said alarm circuit, thereby extending the operating life of batteries used to power said alarm circuit.

19. A method for providing an alarm when a sliding door or window mounted in a casing is opened, comprising:

installing an inner tube having a first end and a second end in a hollow outer tube having a first end and a second end, said second end of said inner tube extending from said second end of said outer tube;

adjusting the length of the portion of said inner tube which protrudes from said second end of said outer tube;

receiving one or more batteries in said first end of said inner tube;

mounting a first electrical contact at said second end of said inner tube;

mounting a second electrical contact at said second end of said inner tube, said second electrical contact being spaced away from said first electrical contact so as not to be in electrical contact with said first electrical contact;

adapting a plastic activating end cap to fit over said second end of said inner tube in a loose fashion allowing said activating end cap to slide on and off of said second end of said inner tube, said activating end cap having a first position in which it is partially installed on said second end of said inner tube and a second position in which it is fully installed on said second end of said inner tube;

installing a conductive element inside said activating end cap, said first and second electrical contacts and said conductive element together defining a switch, said conductive element being spaced away from said first and second electrical contacts on said second end of said inner tube and said electrical switch means having an open position when said end cap is in said first position, said conductive material being in contact with said first and second electrical contacts on said second end of said inner tube and said electrical switch means having a closed position when said end cap is moved from said first position to said second position by an axial compressive force between said end cap and said first end of said inner tube;

installing an audio transducer in said inner tube;

electrically connecting an alarm circuit located in said inner tube to the batteries, to said first and second electrical contacts, and to said audio transducer, said alarm circuit causing said audio transducer to emit an alarm signal whenever said electrical switch means has been driven to said closed position; and

installing said alarm device in the casing of the window or door between the edge of the window or door and the casing so that when the window or door is opened said alarm device will be subjected to a compressive axial force tending to drive said electrical switch means at said second end of said inner tube toward said first end of said inner tube.

20. An alarm device for use with a sliding door or window mounted in a casing, comprising:

a hollow outer tube having a first end and a second end;

an inner tube having a first end and a second end, said first end of said inner tube being located in said outer tube, said second end of said inner tube extending from said second end of said outer tube;

means for adjusting the length of the portion of said inner tube which protrudes from said second end of said outer tube;

means for receiving one or more batteries in said first and of said inner tube;

electrical switch means for triggering said alarm device, said electrical switch means being mounted at said second end of said inner tube, said electrical switch means having an open position and a closed position, said electrical switch means being driven from said open position to said closed position when said electrical switch means at said second end of said inner tube is subjected to an axial force directed toward said first end of said inner tube;

an audio transducer located in said inner tube;

an alarm circuit located in said inner tube, said alarm circuit being electrically connected to said electrical switch means and said audio transducer;

a battery retaining wall installed sufficiently far into said first end of said inner tube to allow one or more batteries to fit therein;

a battery contact mounted in said battery retaining wall;

a first power wire extending between said battery contact and said alarm circuit;

a conductive spring;

a plastic plug, said conductive spring being mounted in said plastic plug, said plastic plug fitting into said first end of said inner tube in a resistance or friction fit to retain one or more batteries in said inner tube in contact with said battery contact at one end of the one or more batteries, and in contact with said conductive spring at the other end of the one or more batteries; and

a second power wire extending between said conductive spring and said alarm circuit, said alarm circuit causing said audio transducer to emit an alarm signal whenever said electrical switch means has been driven to said closed position.

21. An alarm device as defined in claim 20, wherein said electrical switch means comprises:

a first electrical contact mounted at said second end of said inner tube;

a second electrical contact also mounted at said second end of said inner tube, said second electrical contact being spaced away from said first electrical contact so as not to be in electrical contact with said first electrical contact;

an activating end cap for installation onto said second end of said inner tube, said activating end cap having a first position in which it is partially installed on said second end of said inner tube and a second position in which it is fully installed on said second end of said inner tube; and

a conductive element located inside said activating end cap, said conductive element being spaced away from said first and second electrical contacts on said second end of said inner tube when said end cap is in said first position, said conductive material being in contact with said first and second electrical contacts on said second end of said inner tube when said end cap is moved from said first position to said second position.

22. An alarm device as defined in claim 21, wherein said activating end cap is made of plastic and is adapted to fit over said second end of said inner tube in a loose fashion allowing said activating end cap to slide on and off of said second end of said inner tube.

23. An alarm device as defined in claim 21, wherein said conductive element comprises:

a segment of conductive, resilient foam.

24. An alarm device for use with a sliding door or window mounted in a casing, comprising:

a hollow outer tube having a first end and a second end;

an inner tube having a first end and a second end, said first end of said inner tube being located in said outer tube, said second end of said inner tube extending from said second end of said outer tube;

means for adjusting the length of the portion of said inner tube which protrudes from said second end of said outer tube;

means for receiving one or more batteries in said first end of said inner tube;

electrical switch means for triggering said alarm device, said electrical switch means being mounted at said second end of said inner tube, said electrical switch means having an open position and a closed position, said electrical switch means being driven from said open position to said closed position when said electrical switch means at said second end of said inner tube is subjected to an axial force directed toward said first end of said inner tube;

an audio transducer located in said inner tube;

an alarm circuit located in said inner tube, said alarm circuit being electrically connected to said means for receiving batteries, said electrical switch means, and said audio transducer, said alarm circuit causing said audio transducer to emit an alarm signal whenever said electrical switch means has been driven to said closed position; and

a plurality of apertures in said inner tube adjacent said audio transducer, said plurality of apertures in said inner tube allowing sound generated by said audio transducer to escape from said inner tube after resonating in said inner tube, wherein there are between 16 and 19 of said apertures in said inner tube.