Pool alarm

• US 5,121,104 A
• Filed: 02/08/1991
• Issued: 06/09/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Los Gatos Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Los Gatos Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, Alan H., Hutton, Falle
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oda, Christine K.
• Application Number:
  US07/652,924
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 340/566, 340/573, 328/140, 307/272.2, 307/279, 307/481, 367/136, 367/141
• US Class Current: 340/566
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/082 by monitoring electrical characteristics of the water

Abstract

A swimming pool alarm responsive to wave motion that will produce a signal when two waves exceeding a threshold level of amplitude are sensed within a preset duration of time. A transducer senses air or water pressure changes and produces electrical signals corresponding to the changes. A comparator system, connected to the transducer, receives the transducer signals and, if the signals exceed a preset threshold level, transmits a signal to the discriminator system. The discriminator times the signals received from the comparator and when two signals are received within a specified period of time, a third signal is generated. A warning device such as an alarm is connected to the discriminator and will be activated by the third signal.

Claims

1. A wave motion detector for a swimming pool comprising:

transducer means responsive to pressure changes in swimming pool water caused by the entry of a body into the pool and operative to generate corresponding electrical signals;

comparator means responsive to said electrical signals and operative to provide a detection signal each time said electrical signal exceeds a predetermined threshold level; and

discriminator means responsive to said detection signals and operative to generate an alarm signal each time a first detection signal is followed by a second detection signal occurring after a predetermined first portion and during a predetermined second portion of a predetermined time period following said first detection signal, said predetermined time period being approximately one second in duration and said second portion being equal to or less than one half of said time period.

2. A detector as recited in claim 1 further comprising low pass filter means for preventing electrical signals having a frequency greater than a predetermined frequency from passing from said transducer means to said comparator means.

3. A detector as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first amplifier for providing a gain in voltage to said electrical signals emanating from said transducer means.

4. A detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said discriminator means is comprised of:

a first latch for indicating that said threshold has been exceeded a first time;

timer means for determining duration of said predetermined time period;

a second latch for activating an alarm signal when a second indication is received from said comparator means within the duration of said second predetermined portion of said predetermined time period.

5. A detector as recited in claim 1 further comprising annunciator means connected to said discriminator means for generating an audible sound upon receipt of said alarm signal.

6. A detector as recited in claim 5 wherein said annunciator means includes a transmitter which transmits alarm signals via electro-magnetic radiation or infra-red radiation, to a receiver that communicates said alarm signals.

7. A detector as recited in claim 6 wherein said receiver communicates said alarm signals by sounding an audio alarm.

8. A detector as recited in claim 6 wherein said receiver communicates said alarm signals and through a telephone hook up, dials an emergency number and transmits a prerecorded message.

9. A detector as recited in claim 1 further comprising means forming a cavity, one side of said cavity being open to said pool water and another side including said transducer means, whereby changes in pressure in said water cause changes in pressure in said cavity and result in changes in the output of said transducer means.

10. A detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said cavity means is a generally cylindrically shaped conduit extending from said transducer means into said pool water.

11. A detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said cavity means is a generally conically shaped void in the underside of a waterproof housing that encapsulates said transducer means, said comparator means and said discriminator means.