Anti-removal monitoring device

• US 5,612,675 A
• Filed: 01/23/1996
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellitecs International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Intellitecs International Incorporated
• Inventors: Oakleaf, Sidney C., Jennings, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/589,894
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/568, 340/572, 340/574, 340/539, 455/100, 200/43.16, 200/43.19, 200/43.11, 200/43.13, 200/512, 361/752
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An anti-removal monitoring device which may be strapped to a person'"'"'s appendage or to a piece of equipment. Once activated, the device transmits a signature encoded RF signal distinguishable from others to be monitored by a receiving station. If either the person or the device moves or is removed to a range out of signal reception, or if tampered with as by cutting the strap, such alteration of the normal signal is detected at the receiving station. The device comprises, in one embodiment, a transmitter housing for electrical connection to a base in a manner sealing the connection against the elements, and with a biased piston movably mounted within the base for operative connection with both ends of the strap and for activation of the transmitter only upon completed securement of the strap ends about the appendage or equipment and into the base. In a second embodiment, the device comprises a transmitter housing for electrical connection to an intermediated base piece in a manner sealing the connection against the elements, and with a strap of which one end is mounted on the intermediate base and electrically connected to the transmitter through a switch, and with a locking base piece with a projection through a diaphragm for operative activation of an electrical switch for activation of the transmitter only upon completed securement of the strap ends about the appendage or equipment and between the intermediate base piece and the locking base piece, and for operative activation of another electrical switch for completing the tamper circuit from the strap to the transmitter.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for attachment to an object being monitored, and having electronic circuitry including a transmitter for transmitting a signal to a location remote from the device, the device comprising:

a housing;

switch means disposed within said housing;

an electrically conductive strap having opposite ends and of a length that allows it to be wrapped around the limb of an object being monitored, one end of said strap having means for receiving electrical energy;

a base for attachment to said housing and including first means for receiving and holding said one end of said strap below said housing;

said base including further second means for receiving an opposite end of said strap whereby a loop is formed by said strap, and including further third means mounted within said base having a first position and a second position, said third means extended through both said ends of said strap in said second position and engaging said switch means, said switch means not engaged by said third means in said first position.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, and further wherein locking means is provided for insertion into said base to lock said third means into said first position.

3. The monitoring device of claim 2, and further wherein fourth means is provided for insertion into said base to move said third means away from said switch means from said second position to said first position.

4. The monitoring device of claim 3, and further wherein said housing has formed therein separate openings for receiving, respectively, said locking means and said fourth means, said locking means including an element extended into engagement with said third means to retain said third means in said first position.

5. The monitoring device of claim 2, and further wherein said third means includes a piston for engaging said switch means, and means within said base for biasing said piston toward said second position.

6. The monitoring device of claim 5, and further wherein said switch means includes a flexible membrane engaged by said piston in its said second position.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, and further wherein a sealing means is applied to said strap one end electrical energy receiving means held by said first means whereby to seal said receiving means against the environment.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, and further wherein said base includes an upper floor with a circular opening formed therein to receive said third means, and with said base first means including a pair of posts for engaging and holding said strap one end upon said upper floor.

9. The monitoring device of claim 8, and further wherein said strap includes a plurality of apertures formed therein in longitudinally spaced relation, each aperture adapted to be aligned with said base upper floor opening, said strap one end and said strap opposite end disposed within said body such that said strap one end has an aperture in alignment with a corresponding aperture in said strap opposite end and with said base upper floor opening, whereby said third means moves simultaneously through said opening and said aligned apertures from said first position to said second position.

10. The monitoring device of claim 9, and further wherein said base includes a cylinder formed therein for reciprocally receiving and guiding movement of said third means.

11. The monitoring device of claim 10, and further wherein said third means includes a spring biased piston movably mounted within said cylinder.

12. The monitoring device of claim 11, and further wherein said piston has gear teeth formed along one wall thereof, and with a fourth means including a gear shaft in engagement with said gear teeth, said fourth means extended into said housing for engagement of said gear shaft with said gear teeth.

13. A monitoring device for attachment to an object being monitored, having electronic circuitry including a transmitter for transmitting a signal to a location remote from the device, the device comprising:

a housing;

switch means disposed within said housing;

an electrically conductive strap having opposite ends and of a length that allows it to be wrapped around the limb of an object being monitored, one end of said strap having means for receiving electrical energy;

a base for attachment to said housing and including an upright piston, including further first means for receiving and holding said one end of said strap below said housing, and including still further second means for receiving an opposite end of said strap below said housing whereby a loop is formed by said strap, said piston extended through both ends of said strap received within said first means and said second means, respectively, said piston retaining said strap opposite end, and engaged with said switch means upon attachment of said housing with said base.

14. A monitoring device for attachment to an object being monitored, comprising:

a base having at least one upstanding post mounted on an upper face thereof;

an electrically conductive strap having opposite ends and of a length that allows it to be wrapped around the limb of an object being monitored, one end adapted to be placed over said base unit upper face, with said post extended through said one end, said opposite end provided with a tab having connecting pins;

an intermediate member of a size similar to said base and having an opening and a slot formed therein, said member having an upper face;

an electronic circuitry assembly for transmitting one or more signals to a location remote from the device, said assembly including at least one battery, and a pair of switches;

means for securing said assembly to said member upper face above said opening and said slot;

means forming a flexible diaphragm within said opening;

a cover of a size similar to said base and to said intermediate member and adapted to cover said circuitry assembly;

said strap opposite end insertable between said base and said member, with said tab extended through said slot and with said pins electrically connected into said assembly; and

means for securing said cover, intermediate member and base together, whereby said post engages and extends said diaphragm unit into engagement with both said switches to activate said electronic circuitry assembly.

15. The monitoring device of claim 14 and including further means sealing said flexible diaphragm within said opening.

16. A monitoring device for attachment to an object being monitored and having electronic circuitry including a transmitter for transmitting one or more signals to a location remote from the device, the device comprising:

a base having at least one upstanding post mounted on an upper face thereof;

an electrically conductive strap having opposite ends and of a length that allows it to be wrapped around the limb of an object being monitored, one end adapted to be placed over said base unit upper face, with said post extended through said one end, said opposite end provided with a tab;

an intermediate member of a size similar to said base and having an opening and a slot formed therein, said member having an upper face;

means for securing said assembly to said member upper face above said opening and said slot;

means forming a flexible diaphragm within said opening;

a cover of a size similar to said base and to said intermediate member and adapted to cover said intermediate member;

said strap opposite end insertable between said base and said member, with said tab extended through said slot and exposed above said member upper face; and

means for securing said cover, intermediate member and base together, whereby said post engages and extends said diaphragm unit above and disposed beyond said member upper face.

17. The monitoring device of claim 16 and including further means sealing said flexible diaphragm within said opening.