Pool guard alarm

• US 6,727,819 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techko Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Joseph Y. Ko
• Inventors: Ko, Joseph Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US10/179,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/573.6, 340/547, 340/540, 340/545.1
• US Class Current: 340/573.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/086 by monitoring a perimeter outside the body of the water

Abstract

A pool guard alarm provides constant security at one or more entrances to a pool area. The alarm utilizes a delay timer to provide an authorized entrant the ability to enter the pool area and reset the alarm before an audible alarm is sounded. The alarm further guards against pool entrances being left inadvertently open by sounding an audible alarm if a pool access point is not closed within a specified time period after being opened.

Claims

1. An alarm for securing a pool area, comprising:

a plurality of sensors each configured to detect when a separate point of pool access has been opened;

a delay timer operatively coupled to said sensor;

an audio emitter coupled to said timer;

an AC power source operatively coupled to said sensor, timer, and audio emitter for providing electrical power thereto;

a reset switch for resetting said delay timer;

a housing configured to contain said delay timer, audio emitter, and reset switch; and

wherein said alarm is configured to detect the opening of each pool access point and activate an audible signal unless both said reset switch has been activated and said pool entry point has been closed.

2. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein said sensors comprise a magnet and a magnet sensor, said magnet sensor configured to detect the presence or absence of said magnet from within close proximity to said magnet sensor.

3. The alarm according to claim 1, further comprising circuitry having instructions for receiving a signal from said sensor, activating said delay timer, and activating said audio emitter.

4. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein said sensors are operatively coupled to said delay timer through wireless transmissions.

5. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein said delay timer is configured to detect the passing of a predetermined amount of time.

6. The alarm according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined amount of time is between about 5 and 20 seconds.

7. The alarm according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined amount of time is about 10 seconds.

8. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of ultraviolet and water resistant plastic.

9. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein said power source is household current.

10. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors each send corresponding signals to said circuitry.

11. The alarm according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors are connected in a series circuit with said circuitry.

12. The alarm according to claim 1, further comprising an external siren coupled to said circuitry and configured to provide an audible signal.

13. An alarm for securing a pool area, comprising:

a plurality of sensors each configured to detect when a separate point of pool access has been opened;

a delay timer operatively coupled to said plurality of sensors;

an audio emitter coupled to said delay timer;

a power source operatively coupled to said plurality of sensors, timer, and audio emitter for providing electrical power thereto;

a reset switch for resetting said delay timer;

a housing configured to contain said delay timer and reset switch; and

wherein said alarm is configured to detect the opening of a pool access point and activate an audible signal unless both said reset switch has been activated and said pool entry point has been closed.

14. A method of guarding a pool area from unauthorized entry comprising the steps of:

providing an alarm system having an audio emitter, a delay timer, and a reset switch;

providing a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to said alarm system, each of said plurality of sensors located at a separate pool entry point;

providing AC power to the alarm system and said plurality of sensors;

sensing the opening a pool entry point;

counting a predetermined amount of time; and

activating said audio emitter unless said reset switch has been activated and said pool entry point has closed.