Anti-theft method and device

• US 7,880,612 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Net Irrigate LLC (Lindsay Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gary Caswell
• Inventors: Caswell, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/286,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20100085189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/561, 340/564, 340/541, 340/550, 340/635, 340/644, 340/660, 256/2, 256/7, 256/10, 256/48, 700/284
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector

Abstract

The invention comprises of a method and alarm device used to prevent metal theft from irrigation systems. The alarm device attaches to a plurality of electric conductor such as copper wiring that is in need of protecting and the preexisting irrigation system circuit. The alarm device detects voltage in the irrigation system circuit and if there is no voltage signals from the irrigation system circuit, then the alarm device automatically breaks the original circuit and inserts itself into the irrigation system circuit. The alarm device then sends a low voltage, low current down the plurality of electric conductors and the plurality of conductors then become part of a circuit that energizes a magnetic switch located in the alarm device. A breach of integrity of the plurality of conductors such as by physical detachment triggers an alarm condition which lead to audio and visual alarms plus activating an automated dialer.

Claims

1. A method for preventing theft of electric conductors comprising:

a. attaching an alarm device to a preexisting irrigation system circuit;

b. attaching said alarm device to plurality of electric conductors found in a irrigation system;

c. detecting when said irrigation system circuit is active or inactive;

d. supplying a continuous voltage to said plurality of electric conductors when said irrigation system circuit is inactive;

e. monitoring said continuous voltage to detect for integrity breach in said electric conductor; and

f. triggering an alarm action when there is a integrity breach in said electric conductors.

2. The method of preventing theft of electric conductors in claim 1, further comprising of attaching a remote receiver some distance away from said alarm device and wherein the said remote receiver is adapted to communicate with the said alarm device.

3. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 2 wherein the said alarm action comprises of sending a radio signals to said remote receiver.

4. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 2 wherein the said remote receiver contains an automated dialer system.

5. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors in claim 1, further comprising a testing option that activates said alarm system for testing purposes.

6. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 1 wherein the said alarm system comprises of an audio alarm.

7. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 1 wherein the said alarm system comprises of a visual alarm.

8. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 1 wherein the said alarm system comprises of a silent alarm.

9. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 1 wherein the said alarm system comprises of an automated dialer system.

10. The method for preventing theft of electric conductors of claim 1 wherein the said plurality of electric conductors are in the form of coppering wiring.

11. An anti-theft device for electric conductors comprising:

a. an alarm device adapted for connection to a preexisting irrigation system circuit and a plurality of electric conductors

b. means for said alarm device of detecting voltage in said preexisting irrigation system circuit;

c. means for said alarm device of supplying a continuous voltage to said plurality of electric conductors when no voltage is found in said preexisting irrigation circuit

d. means for said alarm device of detecting said continuous voltage to said plurality of electric conductors and providing an alarm action when the said continuous voltage to said plurality of electric conductors is disrupted.

12. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 11 further comprising of a remote receiver adapted to communicate with said alarm device.

13. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 12 wherein the said remote receiver comprises of an automated dialer system.

14. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 12 wherein the said alarm action includes means for broadcasting an alarm signal to the said remote receiver.

15. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 12 wherein the said alarm action includes means for wirelessly broadcasting of alarm signals to the said remote receiver.

16. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 11 wherein the said alarm action includes an audio alarm.

17. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 11 wherein the said alarm action includes a visual alarm.

18. The anti-theft device for electric conductors in accordance to claim 11 wherein the said plurality of electric conductors are in the form of copper wiring.