Alarm system to assist in gauging the size of a door opening

• US 6,002,333 A
• Filed: 03/06/1996
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hickey, Mark J.
• Original Assignee: Hickey, Mark J.
• Inventors: Hickey, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/610,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 340/550, 340/545.1, 340/546, 340/566, 340/665, 340/436, 340/437, 340/932.2, 340/541, 340/686.6, 340/691.5, 340/693.1, 340/693.5, 340/693.11, 200/61.41, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.45 M, 200/61.47-61.51
• US Class Current: 340/550
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/003 for fork-lift trucks

Abstract

A barrier alarm for positioning adjacent a door opening includes an elongated tubular body having a vibration-sensing relay fitted thereto. The relay is able to distinguish between a smooth, continuous movement such as associated with the swinging arc motion effected by a breeze and the instantaneous vibration effected by being impacted by a rigid object. The power source may be integrated with the body or may be remote. The power source may be a direct current source or may be an alternating current source. The alarm may be audible or visible or both. The alarm may be integrated with the body or may be remotely positioned. The barrier alarm may be provided in an array that is horizontally-positioned with respect to the top portion of the door jamb or may be vertically positioned with respect to the door. A combination of this arrangement may be used.

Claims

1. A barrier alarm positionable on a surface by a door opening, the barrier alarm comprising:

an elongated body attached to the surface by the door opening, said body having a first end and a second end;

a first arm connecting said first end of said body to the surface by the door opening, said first arm maintaining said first end of said body in a spaced apart relation with respect to the surface by the door opening;

a second arm connecting said second end of said body to the surface by the door opening, said second arm maintaining said second end of said body in a spaced apart relation with respect to the surface by the door opening;

a movement-responsive alarm relay operatively associated with said body;

an alarm;

a power source; and

circuitry for connecting said relay, said alarm, and said power source,

whereby substantially sudden impact of a moving article against said body effects an alarm response through the connection of said circuitry.

2. The barrier alarm of claim 1, wherein said body comprises an elongated member.

3. The barrier alarm of claim 2, wherein said elongated member is substantially hollow.

4. The barrier alarm of claim 1, wherein said movement-responsive alarm relay is a mercury switch.

5. The barrier alarm of claim 1, wherein said alarm is an audible alarm.

6. The barrier alarm of claim 1, wherein said alarm is a visible alarm.

7. The barrier alarm of claim 6, wherein said visible alarm comprises a light integrally mounted on said body.

8. The barrier alarm of claim 7, wherein said light is a strobe light.

9. The barrier alarm of claim 1, further including a semiflexible member for attaching said body to a surface in proximity to the door opening.

10. The barrier alarm of claim 1, wherein the sensitivity of said alarm to said movement may be adjusted, the alarm further including means for adjusting said sensitivity.

11. An alarm system for announcing when an article is too large to be passed through an opening, the opening having adjacent surfaces, the system comprising:

means for sensing and responding to the approach of the article to the opening, said means for sensing and responding including a first end and a second end;

means for announcing the approach of the article associated with the means for sensing and responding;

a first support for attaching said first end of said means for sensing and responding to one of the adjacent surfaces by the opening such that said first end is maintained in a spaced apart relation with respect to the adjacent surfaces;

a second support for attaching said second end of said means for sensing and responding to one of the adjacent surfaces by the opening such that said second end is maintained in a spaced apart relation with respect to the adjacent surfaces; and

a power supply for powering said means for sensing and responding.

12. The alarm system of claim 11, wherein said means for sensing and responding comprises an elongated body.

13. The alarm system of claim 12, wherein said means for sensing and responding includes a movement-sensitive relay.

14. The alarm system of claim 13, wherein said movement-sensitive relay includes a mercury switch.

15. The alarm system of claim 13 wherein said power source is a battery integrated with said elongated body.

16. The alarm system of claim 13, wherein said means for sensing and responding includes an alarm light integrally mated with said elongated body.

17. The alarm system of claim 13, wherein said means for announcing includes an audio alarm.

18. A barrier alarm for attachment adjacent the door jamb of a door, the alarm comprising:

an elongated, tubular body, said body having a first end and a second end;

a first visual alarm attached to said first end;

a second visual alarm attached to said second end;

a first arm fitted adjacent said first visual alarm for attaching said body to the door jamb;

a second arm fitted adjacent said second visual alarm for attaching said body to the door jamb;

a movement sensitive relay integrally mated with said body;

means for announcing movement of said body integrally associated with said body;

a power source; and

circuitry connecting said relay, said means for announcing, and said power source.