Apparatus and system for alerting deaf persons

• US 5,045,833 A
• Filed: 05/30/1989
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward R. Smith
• Original Assignee: Edward R. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Edward R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US07/359,037
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 340/332, 340/331, 340/407, 340/521, 340/626, 340/691, 340/693, 340/320, 200/81 H, 200/837
• US Class Current: 340/332
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/00 Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

An improved actuator device is disclosed which comprises a combination of activators, switches, indicator lights and power outlets for providing an alarm to those persons of impaired hearing. The device comprises a housing which has electrical power supplied thereto and switches for transmitting the received electrical power therefrom. An indicator circuit is provided to signal the activation capability of the device. Associated with the device is a pneumatic pressure switch which is activated when increased pneumatic pressure is applied to the switch, pressure being applied through a squeeze bulb and tubular conduit connecting the squeeze bulb to the switch. Other indicators and sensor switches can be associated with the device to alert one of impaired hearing to multiple dangerous situations or events.

Claims

1. An apparatus to alert a deaf person of an emergent situation, comprising:

a housing equipped with a reception means for supplying electrical power thereto and an outlet means including a power supply outlet for transmitting electrical power therefrom, said housing equipped with a switch and indicator means for detecting and indicating presence of electrical power supplied to said housing, said housing carrying a conduit for transmitting a pneumatic pressure differential exterior from said housing to a pneumatic pressure switch means capable of detecting said pressure differential within said housing, such that when said pneumatic pressure differential is detected, said pressure switch means effects connection of electrical power to the power supply outlet and thus to an alerting device exterior from said housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additional indicator means associated with said pneumatic pressure switch means such that when said pneumatic pressure switch means is engaged said additional indicator means is engaged.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said housing carries an electromagnetic sensor connected to operate a power switch means, associated between a power supply inlet and the power supply outlet such that when said electromagnet sensor operates to engage said power switch means, power is transmitted from said power supply inlet to said power supply outlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic sensor and said power switch means are operative to activate said additional indicator means, which is engaged when said electromagnetic sensor and said power switch means is engaged.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said housing carries an audio detector connected to operate a power switch means such that when a preselected audio signal is detected, the power switch means is engaged and power is transmitted from a power supply inlet to the power supply outlet.

6. A method for alerting persons to any of a plurality of emergent situation and to visitors, comprising the steps of:

connecting to a source of electric power a power switching device, the power switching device operated by a pneumatic pressure switching device responsive to a pressure differential, the power switching device being responsive to said situations and operable when triggered to switch power to a standardized domestic power receptacle;

connecting to the power switching device a plurality of sensors operable to detect each of the emergent situation, said plurality of sensors including the pneumatic pressure switching device;

connecting to the domestic power receptacle an available stimulus producing device normally connected directly to the source of electric power;

connecting to the pneumatic pressure switching device a conduit and a bulb, forming a closed volume compressible by squeezing the bulb;

placing the bulb outside a door to be found by the visitor;

connecting to the power switching device the pneumatic pressure switching device; and

,

indicating presence of a visitor by said pneumatic pressure switching device in response to a pressure differential.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising labeling the bulb to indicate that the bulb is to be squeezed to generate an alert signal.