Alarm system for engine block heater

• US 6,225,893 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurent Caissie
• Original Assignee: Laurent Caissie
• Inventors: Caissie, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/597,828
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 340/640, 340/438, 340/635, 340/459, 340/683, 219/202, 219/205, 237/12.3 C, 307/10.7, 307/117
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An alarm system, for warning an operator of a motor vehicle of an energized block heater condition when an engine is starting, has a housing, a wiring circuit for connection to a warning device and to a power source, and a proximity detector mounted inside the housing and being connected to the circuit for detecting a condition in a block heater cord of a motor vehicle. There is also provided a switch incorporated in or with the proximity detector for operating the warning device upon detecting a condition in the block heater cord. The alarm system also has a hook, a clip or similar arrangement affixed to the housing for holding a block heater cord near the proximity detector. The proximity detector is either a vibration sensor switch for detecting light shivering movements in the block heater cord upon starting of an engine, or a power detector to detect voltage or current in the block heater cord.

Claims

1. An alarm system for detecting and warning an operator of a motor vehicle of a vehicle starting condition, comprising:

a circuit having means for connection to a warning device and to a power source;

a proximity detector connected to said circuit and having means to detect a condition in a block heater cord of a motor vehicle without electrically connecting to said block heater cord, and means, connected to said circuit, to selectively operate said warning device upon detecting said condition; and

means for holding a block heater cord near said proximity detector;

such that a condition in a block heater cord of a motor vehicle is detectable thereby without drawing power from said block heater cord, and a warning device is operable to timely warn an operator of said motor vehicle relative to said condition.

2. The alarm system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing and wherein said proximity detector is mounted in said housing.

3. The alarm system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing comprises means for retention thereof in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

4. The alarm system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for holding a block heater cord near said proximity detector is a hook affixed to said housing.

5. The alarm system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said condition in a block heater cord is a movement in said cord and said proximity detector is a vibration sensor switch.

6. The alarm system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said vibration sensor switch comprises a sensitivity adjustment means.

7. The alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said condition in a block heater cord is electrical power and said proximity detector is a non-contact voltage detector.

8. The alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power source is 12 volt DC and said block heater cord carries 120 volt AC, and said block heater cord is electrically independent from said circuit and said power source.

9. The alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for connection to a warning device and to a power source comprises means for connection to a visual indicator in a dashboard of a motor vehicle.

10. The alarm system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said warning device is mounted in said housing and is connected to said circuit.

11. The alarm system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a power-on module connected to said circuit and having means for operating said warning device upon energizing said circuit.

12. The alarm system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a power-off module connected to said circuit and having means for operating said warning device upon de-energizing said circuit.

13. The alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for connection to a warning device and to a power source comprises means for connection to an AC power extension cord.

14. The alarm system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for retention thereof in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle comprise Velcro™

fasteners.

15. An alarm system for detecting and warning an operator of a motor vehicle of a vehicle starting condition, said alarm system comprising:

an alarm module having a housing and a circuit mounted in said housing;

a power source connected to said circuit for operating said circuit;

a warning device connected to said circuit and being operable by said circuit;

a proximity detector mounted inside said housing and connected to said circuit, and having means for detecting a condition in a block heater cord through said housing and without electrically connecting to said block heater cord;

switch means connected to said circuit and having means for operating said warning device upon receiving a signal from said proximity detector;

means affixed to said housing for holding a block heater cord near said housing and near said proximity detector; and

means for retaining said housing in an engine compartment of a vehicle;

such that a condition in a block heater cord of a motor vehicle is detectable by said proximity detector without drawing power from said block heater cord, and said warning device is operable to timely warn an operator of said motor vehicle relative said block heater condition.

16. The alarm system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said condition in a block heater cord is a movement in said block heater cord and said proximity detector is a vibration sensor switch.

17. The alarm system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said vibration sensor switch comprises a sensitivity adjustment means.

18. The alarm system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said condition in a block heater cord is a voltage and said proximity detector is a non-contact voltage detector.

19. In combination, an engine block heater cord carrying AC electric power and an alarm system for detecting and warning an operator of a motor vehicle of said AC electric power in said engine block heater cord;

said alarm system comprising;

a circuit connected to a DC electric power source and to a warning device;

a power detector connected to said circuit and having means to detect said AC electric power in said engine block heater cord without electrically connecting to said engine block heater cord;

means for holding said block heater cord near said power detector, and

means, connected to said circuit, to selectively operate said warning device upon detecting said AC electric power in said engine block heater cord;

such that said alarm system is electrically independent from said engine block heater cord.

20. The combination as claimed in claim 19, wherein said alarm system further comprises a power-on module connected to said circuit and having means for operating said warning device when said circuit is being energized and a power-off module connected to said circuit and having means for operating said warning device when said circuit is being de-energized.