Air conditioner anti-theft

• US 8,130,100 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barger, Mike
• Original Assignee: Barger, Mike
• Inventors: Barger, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/731,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20080237435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.2, 340/506, 340/539.16, 340/571, 340/540, 340/568.1
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/58 Separate protective covers for outdoor units, e.g. solar guards, snow shields or camouflage
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/44 Protection from terrorism or theft

Abstract

The present invention discloses an easy to use and cost effective air conditioner anti-theft device which easily attaches to the external portion of an air conditioner and detects a condition of attempted theft and/or vandalism of the unit and then alerts someone to the condition either through audible or other means.

Claims

1. An air conditioner anti-theft device comprising:

a) a self-contained enclosed case having an open interior space, but which is weather and tamper resistant, to prevent disabling of the device prior to an attempted theft or vandalism;

b) a means to securely mount the case to an air conditioner unit, but not directly to the condenser coils, heat exchange fin(s), or any other element of the condenser coil unit;

c) a sensor contained in the case which detects an attempted theft or vandalism of the air conditioner unit;

d) a means to externally communicate sensor detection of a theft and/or vandalism condition to the air conditioner unit.

2. The device of claim 1 whereby the sensor is a reed switch with one part of the switch in the case and the other portion of the switch mounted to a location not on, or within, the air conditioner unit.

3. The device of claim 1 whereby the sensor is digital movement sensing device.

4. The device of claim 1 whereby the sensor incorporates a detection means involving a bubble level.

5. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to secure the case is on the exterior of the air conditioner unit.

6. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to secure the case is on the interior of the air conditioner unit.

7. The device of claim 1 whereby the communication means and/or the sensor is powered by a battery contained in the case.

8. The device of claim 1 whereby the communication means and/or the sensor is powered by AC power connected to the case.

9. The device of claim 1 whereby the communication means and/or the sensor is powered by solar power which is stored in and/or connected to the case.

10. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to communicate sensor detection is a siren or horn contained in the case.

11. The device of claim 10 whereby the means to communicate sensor detection is a 120 db siren contained in the case.

12. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to communicate sensor detection is a siren or horn that is not contained in the case.

13. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to communicate sensor detection is a silent alarm to a remote monitoring station.

14. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to communicate sensor detection is a call to a preprogrammed telephone number.

15. The device of claim 1 whereby the means to communicate sensor detection is one or more combinations of a siren or horn, whether contained in the case or not, a silent alarm, or a call to a preprogrammed telephone number.