Severe storm warning device

• US 6,278,375 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wade A. Hucker
• Original Assignee: Wade A. Hucker
• Inventors: Hucker, Wade A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/592,877
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 340/601, 340/236, 340/825.69, 340/825.03, 340/825.04, 325/364
• US Class Current: 340/601
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/10 responsive to calamitous events, e.g. tornados or earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/00 in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather

Abstract

A device and method are provided for warning of the approach of severe weather in a geographical area. The device includes a receiver for receiving a broadcast signal having a first component corresponding to one of a plurality of geographical areas and the second component corresponding to one of a plurality of types of severe weather. Selection devices are provided for allowing the user to select the geographical area and the type of weather for which the warning device monitors. A warning signal is provided to the user if the geographical area of the broadcast signal is the selected geographical area and if the type of severe weather approaching is of a type of weather for which the warning device is monitoring.

Claims

1. A warning device for warning of the approach of severe weather to a geographical area, the warning device comprising:

a receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal having a first component corresponding to one of a plurality of geographical areas and a second component corresponding to one of a plurality of types of severe weather;

a geographical selection device having a plurality of settings, each setting corresponding to a selected geographical area;

a weather selection device corresponding to a first type of severe weather, the weather selection device movable between a first on-position wherein a warning signal is generated in response to the selected geographical area being the same as the first component of the broadcast signal and to the second component of the broadcast signal being the same as the first type of severe weather and a second off-position; and

a second weather selection device corresponding to a second type of severe weather, the second weather selection device movable between a first on-position wherein a warning signal is generated in response to the selected geographical area being the same as the first component of the broadcast signal and to the second component of the broadcast signal being the same as the second type of severe weather and a second off-position.

2. The warning device of claim 1 further comprising a signal for indicating that the weather selection device is in the on-position.

3. The warning device of claim 1 wherein the warning signal has an audible component and a visual component.

4. The warning device of claim 3 wherein the audible component of the warning signal is generated for a predetermined time period.

5. The warning device of claim 4 wherein the visual component of the warning signal is generated upon completion of the predetermined time period.

6. The warning device of claim 4 further comprising an acknowledge button, the acknowledge button movable between a first off-position and a second on-position for terminating the first audible component of the warning signal prior to completion of the predetermined time period.

7. A warning device for warning of the approach of severe weather to a geographical area, the warning device comprising:

a receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal having a first component corresponding to one of a plurality of geographical area and a second component corresponding to one of a plurality of types of severe weather;

a geographical selection device having a plurality of settings, each setting corresponding to a selected geographical area;

a plurality of weather selection devices, each weather selection device corresponding to one of the plurality of severe weather and being movable between a first on-position and a second off-position;

a comparator circuit for comparing the first component of the broadcast signal to the setting of the geographical selection device such that a warning signal is generated in response to the setting of the geographical selection device being the same as the first component of the broadcast signal and in response to the weather selection device corresponding to the type of severe weather of the second component of the broadcast signal being in the on-position; and

a plurality of visual displays, each visual display positioned adjacent a corresponding weather selection device for indicating that the weather selection device is in the on-position.

8. The warning device of claim 7 wherein the warning signal includes an audible component.

9. The warning device of claim 8 wherein the audible component of the warning signal is generated for a predetermined time period.

10. The warning device of claim 9 further comprising an acknowledgment button, the acknowledgment button movable between a first non-depressed position and a second depressed position for terminating the first audible component of the warning signal prior to completion of the predetermined time period.

11. The warning device of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of visual warning displays, each visual warning display being positioned adjacent a corresponding weather selection device.

12. The warning device of claim 11 wherein the visual warning display positioned adjacent the weather selection device corresponding to the type of severe weather of the second component of the broadcast signal is illuminated upon completion of the predetermined time period.

13. A method of warning an individual of the approach of severe weather to a geographical area, comprising the steps of:

monitoring for a broadcast signal having a first component corresponding to one of a plurality of geographical areas and a second component corresponding to one of a plurality of types of severe weather;

setting a geographical selection device to one of a plurality of settings, each setting corresponding to a selected first component of the broadcast signal to be monitored by the receiver;

providing a plurality of weather selection devices, each weather selection device corresponding to a unique type of severe weather and being movable between a first selected position and a second non-selected position;

moving at least one of the plurality of the weather selection devices to the selected position; and

comparing the first component of the broadcast signal to the setting of the geographical selection device such that a warning signal is generated in response to the setting of the geographical selection device being the same as the first component of the broadcast signal and the weather selection device corresponding to the type of severe weather of the second component of the broadcast signal being in the selected position.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of generating a visual signal to indicate that a corresponding weather selection device is in the selected position.

15. The warning device of claim 13 wherein the warning device signal has an audible component and a visual component.

16. The warning device of claim 15 wherein the audible component of the warning signal is generated for a predetermined time period.

17. The warning device of claim 16 wherein the visual component of the warning signal is generated upon completion of the predetermined time period.

18. The warning device of claim 16 further comprising an acknowledge button, the acknowledge button movable between a first off-position and a second on-position for terminating the first audible component of the warning signal prior to completion of the predetermined time period.