Remote alarm module and alarm system

• US 5,059,945 A
• Filed: 05/01/1990
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allen Protection Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Allen Protection Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Ginther, Max R., Scheele, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldstein, Herbert
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/517,432
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/428, 340/548, 340/568, 340/659, 340/660, 200/26, 200/61.93, 200/538, 200/543, 200/331
• US Class Current: 340/426.18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018

Abstract

A remote alarm module and an alarm system. The remote alarm module has a base which defines a passage. A transient generator is joined to the base. The transient generator is generally non-conducting of electricity after transmission of a single electric transient following the connection of the transient generator to an electrical circuit. A switch has a body and a lever. The body is joined in rigid relationship to the base. The switch has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is connected electrically in series with the transient generator. The lever has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is pivotably connected to the body. The outer end has a line receiver. The line receiver adjoins the passage. The lever pivots between a second position, in which the terminals are electrically isolated from each other and a first position, in which the terminals are in electrically conductive relationship.

Claims

1. A remote alarm module comprising a base, said base defining a line passage, a transient generator, said transient generator generating a single electric transient following the connection of said transient generator to an electric circuit, a normally open switch, said switch being joined to said base in registry with said passage, said switch being connected electrically in series with said transient generator, said transient generator and said switch having terminals for connecting the same to said electric circuit, said switch being connected to a line receiver, said line receiver joining said passage, said line receiver moving said switch between a second position wherein said terminals are electrically isolated from each other and a first position wherein said terminals are in an electrically conductive relationship, said base completely encasing said transient generator and said switch except for said passage defined by said base, said passage extending through said base, said passage being linearly related to said line receiver.

2. The remote alarm module of claim 1 wherein said switch is biased toward said second position.

3. The remote alarm module of claim 1 wherein said switch has an actuating lever, said lever having an inner and an outer end, said inner end being pivotably connected to said switch, said outer end having said line receiver thereon, said lever pivoting between said first and second positions.

4. The remote alarm module of claim 3 wherein said passage is at least generally tangent to the arc of rotation defined by said pivoting of said lever.

5. The remote alarm module of claim 3 further comprising a stop rigidly related to said base, said stop being disposed to deter pivoting of said lever, in a direction from said second position toward said first position, in excess of a preselected arc of rotation.

6. The remote alarm module of claim 3 wherein the arc of rotation of said lever from said second position to said first position is less than about 45°

.

7. The remote alarm module of claim 3 further comprising filler occupying otherwise unoccupied space within said base, said filler being discrete from said passage and a lever cavity, said lever cavity being dimensioned to permit said pivoting of said lever.

8. The remote alarm module of claim 3 wherein said switch has a smallest dimension in a direction parallel to the axis of an arc of rotation defined by said pivoting of said lever.

9. The remote alarm module of claim 1 wherein said transient generator is a capacitive circuit element.

10. The remote alarm module of claim 9 wherein said transient generator further comprises a capacitor and a resistor shunting said capacitor.

11. The remote alarm module of claim 1 further comprising a monofilament line joined to said line receiver, along said passage.

12. A remote alarm module for protecting at least one movable item mounted to a vehicle in association with an alarm unit which detects transients in a monitored electrical system comprising:

a base, a transient generator a switch, said switch being spaced apart from said item, said switch having a line receiver, said line receiver being movable from a second position to a first position, said switch being actuated by said movement of said lien receiver from said second position to said first position, a plurality of conductors electrically connecting said transient generator and said switch in series and to ground and to said monitored electrical system, a line extending out from said line receiver to said movable item, said line having a length from said line receiver to said movable item greater than the distance separating said lien receiver in said second position and the at-rest position of said movable item.

13. The remote alarm module of claim 12 wherein said line has a length between said line receiver and said movable item less than the distance separating said line receiver in said second position and said movable item in any dismounted position.

14. The remote alarm module of claim 12 wherein said transient generator is a capacitive circuit element.

15. The remote alarm module of claim 12 wherein said transient generator further comprises a capacitor and a resistor shunting said capacitor.

16. The remote alarm module of claim 12 wherein said movement of said line receiver, is between about two and about six times the difference between the length of said line and the distance separating said line receiver in said second position and said movable item in said rest position.

17. An alarm system for use with a vehicle having one or more movable items to be protected and an electrical system, said alarm system comprising an alarm unit, said alarm unit detecting electrical transients in said electrical system, one or more remote alarm modules, said remote alarm modules each being electrically isolated from said alarm unit except through said electrical system, said remote alarm modules each having a transient generator and a switch, said switch being electrically connected in series with said transient generator, said switch having a lever pivotable between a second position and a first position to alter said switch between an open position and a closed position, said lever having a line receiver, and lines joining each of said line receivers and said respective movable items.

18. The alarm system of claim 17 wherein said transient generator is a capacitive circuit element.

19. The alarm system of claim 17 wherein said remote alarm modules are each mounted in the vicinity of and physically separated from a respective said movable item.

20. The alarm system of claim 17 wherein said lines each have a length from a respective said line receiver to a respective said movable item in excess of the distance separating said line receiver when said lever is in said second position and said movable item when said movable item is immobile by the amount of a selected slack distance.

21. An alarm system for use with a vehicle having one or more movable items to be protected and an electrical system, said alarm system comprising an alarm unit, said alarm unit detecting electrical transients in said electrical system, one or more remote alarm modules, said remote alarm modules each being electrically isolated from said alarm unit except through said electrical system, said remote alarm modules each having a switch, said switch being electrically connected in series with said alarm unit, said switch having a lever pivotable between a second position and a first position to alter said switch between an open position and a closed position, said lever having a line receiver, and lines joining each of said line receivers and said respective movable items.

22. A remote alarm module for protecting at least one movable item mounted to a vehicle in association with an alarm unit which detects transients in a monitored electrical system comprising:

a base, a switch, said switch being spaced apart from said item, said switch having a line receiver, said line receiver being movable from a second position from a first position, said switch being actuated by said movement of said line receiver from said second position to said first position, a plurality of conductors electrically connecting said switch in series to ground and to said monitored electrical system, a line from said line receiver to said movable item, said line having a length from said line receiver to said movable item greater than the distance separating said line receiver in said second position and the at-rest position of said movable item.