Signaling retention device

• US 6,727,805 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott Wilker
• Original Assignee: Fire Factory, LLC
• Inventors: Altberg, Kenneth R., Hollister, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US10/143,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20030214390A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 340/326, 340/541, 340/545.1, 340/545.8, 340/584, 340/870.17, 340/586, 340/815.83, 340/501, 340/517, 340/546, 340/321, 292/342, 292/343, 292/355
• US Class Current: 340/326
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/54 Portable devices, e.g. wedges; wedges for holding wings open or closed E05C17/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/71 Wedges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/73 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/876 Wedge

Abstract

A signaling retention device that is configured to retain an element in a particular position and to emit an audible and/or visual signal. The signaling retention device may include a power source, memory, a central processing unit (CPU), sensor(s), audible indicator(s), light source(s), switch(es), camera(s), a transceiver, a microphone, impact tool(s), and aromatic element(s) and may be configured in the form of a character, such as a cartoon character or the like. The power source may be any suitable power source, such one or more batteries (rechargeable or non-rechargeable) or the like, and may be removable or non-removable. Similarly, the memory, CPU, audible indicator(s), light source(s), switch(es), camera(s), transceiver, microphone, impact tool(s), and aromatic element (s) may be any types well known in the art.

Claims

1. A signaling retention device comprising:

a faceplate and a backplate that are substantially parallel to and spaced from each other and are interconnected with substantially perpendicular first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sides, said first side interconnecting said second and fifth sides and being substantially perpendicular to said second side, said second side interconnecting said first and third sides and being substantially parallel to said fourth side, said third side interconnecting said second and fourth sides and tapering toward said fourth side, said fourth side interconnecting said third and fifth sides, said fifth side tapering toward and forming a tip with said first side, and a first angle defined by lines extending from the tip along the first and fifth sides being smaller than a second angle defined by lines extending from the tip along the first and third sides;

at least one signaling device configured to emit at least one of an audible signal and a visual signal; and

a power source,

wherein said signaling retention device is configured to retain an element in a particular position by engaging a base of said element with the fifth side by effecting the first angle, or by engaging a base of said element with the first side by effecting the second angle.

2. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one signaling device includes a light source.

3. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising memory and a central processing unit.

4. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor.

5. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one switch.

6. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one camera.

7. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver.

8. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone.

9. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one impact tool.

10. The signaling retention device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one aromatic element.

11. A signaling retention device comprising:

a first member having a faceplate, a backplate, first and second sides, a first end, and a pivoting area in said third end, said faceplate and backplate of said first member being substantially parallel to and spaced from each other and being interconnected with said first and second sides, said first end interconnecting said first and second sides, said second side tapering toward and forming a tip with said first side, and said faceplate having a cutting blade proximate an edge of said second side;

a second member having a faceplate, a backplate, third and fourth sides, and a circular pivoting end, said faceplate and backplate of said second member being substantially parallel to and spaced from each other and being interconnected with said third and fourth sides, said circular pivoting end interconnecting said third and fourth sides, said third side tapering toward and forming a tip with said fourth side, and said circular pivoting end of said second member being pivotally interconnected with said pivoting area of said first member;

at least one signaling device configured to emit at least one of an audible signal and a visual signal; and

a power source,

wherein said signaling retention device is configured to retain an element in a particular position by engaging a base of said element, and wherein said first and second members are configured for cutting.

12. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one signaling device includes a light source.

13. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising memory and a central processing unit.

14. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one sensor.

15. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one switch.

16. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one camera.

17. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising a transceiver.

18. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising a microphone.

19. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one impact tool.

20. The signaling retention device according to claim 11, further comprising at least one aromatic element.