Flood light lamp removal alarm

• US 5,619,185 A
• Filed: 09/29/1995
• Issued: 04/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph C. Ferraro
• Original Assignee: Joseph C. Ferraro
• Inventors: Ferraro, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/537,262
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/541, 340/571, 340/552, 340/565, 340/567, 340/506, 340/527
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives

Abstract

The present invention includes a flood light lamp removal alarm for security lights mounted on or near a home, wherein the lights are designed to turn on automatically if a motion detector is triggered and the ambient light level is low. The alarm detects if the lamps are unscrewed or loosened either prior to a burglary or during the attempt. In addition, the alarm also detects if the lights are loosened by natural forces, such as vibrations from passing heavy trucks, etc., abrupt jarring motions, such as foundation loosening, machinary movement, sound, repetitive motions etc. If one or more lamps are loosened, the alarm of the present invention causes the discernable alarm to go on, thereby startling a burglar and alerting the neighbors if a flood light lamp is unscrewed from a security light socket while the switch inside the house is turned on, regardless of whether the lamp is on or off.

Claims

1. A flood light lamp removal alarm assembly for home security flood light fixtures having at least one socket accommodating at least one flood light lamp, said socket connected to a power supply for the lamp, the fixture having a low ambient light detector and a motion detector, wherein the assembly detects unwarranted unscrewing of the flood light lamp therefrom, comprising:

a housing containing a perceptible alarm;

a means for detecting removal of the lamp, said means comprising the lamp socket having a physical condition sensor therein, which physical condition sensor is inactivated when said lamp is properly screwed in said socket, said physical condition sensor being activated when said lamp is loosened or removed from said socket;

said sensor comprising a switch mounted in the bottom of said socket positioned in such a manner that when said lamp is properly screwed into said socket said switch is depressed in the closed position;

electrical circuit means connected to said switch for triggering said alarm when said switch is released as a result of loosening or removal of said lamp, said alarm remaining inactivated as long as said switch remains depressed by said lamp, and said electrical circuit means including latch means for maintaining said alarm in the triggered state when said lamp is screwed back into said socket alter said alarm is triggered and said switch is depressed;

means for slowing down the triggering of said alarm to immunize said electrical circuit from minor power disturbances and lightning; and

reset means for permitting said electrical circuit to be reset after an alarm is triggered;

wherein said slowing down means comprises a resistor, a capacitor and an inverter;

said resistor biasing the input to said inverter to a "HIGH" condition except when said switch is closed, thereby shorting the input to ground, wherein said capacitor makes said electrical circuit immune to said minor disturbances, and if said lamp is loosed, said switch opens, thereby causing said resistor to pull up the input of said inverter, and said inverter responsive to said pull up for setting said latch means;

said latch means responsive to said setting for activating said alarm in said housing until reset by said reset means.

2. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 1 wherein the perceptible alarm comprises an electronic sound generator.

3. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 1 wherein the physical condition sensor comprises a snap action switch containing a movable detection rod responsive to movement from a first predetermined off position to a second predetermined on position by a restoring spring in said switch, when said lamp is loosened or removed.

4. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 3 wherein said detection rod actuates a hall-effect sensor.

5. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 1 wherein said perceptible alarm is wired directly to a conventional 120 volt AC power supply that feeds power to the fixture, wherein further the power supply is reduced to a low voltage by a low voltage DC power supply to power the alarm.

6. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 5 wherein said low voltage DC power supply includes a transformer connected to a diode, a capacitor, and at least one single pole single throw (SPST) switch connected to the lamp socket.

7. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 1 wherein said perceptible alarm is remotely placed from the security lamp fixture by a connection from said alarm to the security lamp fixture.

8. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 7 wherein said connection is a cable connection.

9. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 7 wherein said connection is a wireless communication link.

10. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 1 wherein said switch comprises a spring contact and a rigid contact sealed in a bulb within said socket, wherein further said spring contact and said rigid contact close when a lamp is properly screwed into the at least one socket, and said contacts open and break an electrical circuit if the at least one flood light lamp is loosened or removed.

11. The flood light lamp removal alarm as in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of sockets and compressive switch elements, each said compressive switch located within a lamp socket, said compressive switch elements wired in series.

12. A flood light lamp removal alarm assembly for home security flood light fixtures having a plurality of sockets each of which accommodates one flood light lamp, said sockets connected to a power supply for said lamps, the fixtures having low ambient light detectors and motion detectors, wherein the assembly detects unwarranted unscrewing of a flood light lamp therefrom, comprising:

a housing containing a perceptible alarm;

a means for detecting removal of a lamp, said means comprising a physical condition sensor in each socket, the condition sensors being connected in series and being inactivated when all the lamps are properly screwed in their sockets, a physical condition sensor being activated when a lamp in its socket is loosened or removed;

each said physical condition sensor comprising a compressive switch lamp screw-down detection element having a spring contact and a rigid contact, sealed in a bulb, said spring contact and said rigid contact closing when a lamp is properly screwed into its socket, and said contacts open and break an electrical circuit when a lamp in its socket is loosened or removed;

said series connected compressive switch elements being connected to a circuit including a resistor, a capacitor and an inverter forming together a signal conditioning circuit for said plurality of switches, said resistor biasing the input to said inverter to a "HIGH" condition except when said switches are closed, thereby shorting the input to ground, wherein said capacitor makes said circuit immune to minor disturbances, and if a lamp is loosened, a corresponding one of said switches opens, thereby causing said resistor to pull up the input of said inverter, and said inverter responsive to said pull up for setting a latch, said latch responsive to said setting for activating said alarm in said housing for a period determined by a delay interval timer and responsive to the end of said period for resetting said latch.