Clip alarm
First Claim
1. A clip alarm, comprising:
- first and second elongated clip members pivotally attached to each other;
means for biasing the clip members in a closed position, the first clip member having a contact end bearing against a medial portion of an opposing face of the second clip member in the closed position;
a first electrical contact disposed in the contact and of the first clip member, a second electrical contact disposed in the medial portion of the opposing face of the second clip member, and an electrically conductive path extending through the first and second clip members, the electrically conductive path forming an electrically closed circuit when the first and second clip members are in the closed position;
a power source and an alarm transducer housed in the second clip member and disposed in the electrically conductive path; and
means for attaching an item to the second clip member for storage and transport;
wherein the alarm transducer is turned off when the first and second clip members are clipped to an insulated support; and
wherein the alarm transducer is turned on when the clip is removed from the insulated support and biased to the closed position in order to alert a user that the item has been removed from the support.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The clip alarm (100) is a retaining clip attachable to personal items in order to function as a loss prevention device capable of emitting an audible and/or visual alarm in response to the clip and attached item being dislodged from a user'"'"'s person. Upon dislodgment from a person or other support, a top clip member (105) of the device is pivoted towards an opposing, bottom clip member (110) through spring tensioning to make electrical contact with a battery (118) powering the alarm. The bottom surface of the bottom clip member (110) may have a permanently attached hook and loop fastener (200) to enable attachment of the clip to an item having a complementary hook and loop fastener. A recessed switch (120) is provided to turn the unit off when the user desires to intentionally remove it from his/her person or other object.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A clip alarm, comprising:
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first and second elongated clip members pivotally attached to each other; means for biasing the clip members in a closed position, the first clip member having a contact end bearing against a medial portion of an opposing face of the second clip member in the closed position; a first electrical contact disposed in the contact and of the first clip member, a second electrical contact disposed in the medial portion of the opposing face of the second clip member, and an electrically conductive path extending through the first and second clip members, the electrically conductive path forming an electrically closed circuit when the first and second clip members are in the closed position; a power source and an alarm transducer housed in the second clip member and disposed in the electrically conductive path; and means for attaching an item to the second clip member for storage and transport; wherein the alarm transducer is turned off when the first and second clip members are clipped to an insulated support; and wherein the alarm transducer is turned on when the clip is removed from the insulated support and biased to the closed position in order to alert a user that the item has been removed from the support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A clip alarm, comprising:
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first and second elongated clip members pivotally attached to each other; means for biasing the clip members in a closed position, the first clip member having a raised pin bearing against a medial portion of an opposing face of the second clip member in the closed position; a normally open momentary electrical switch recessed in the medial portion of the opposing face of the second clip member; an electrically conductive path extending through the first and second clip members between the raised pin and the switch, the electrically conductive path forming an electrically closed circuit when the first and second clip members are in the closed position, the raised pin mechanically engaging the normally open, momentary electrical switch, forming an electrically closed circuit; a power source and an alarm transducer housed in the second clip member and disposed in the electrically closed circuit; means for attaching an item to the second clip member for storage and transport; wherein the alarm transducer is turned off when the first and second clip members are clipped to an insulated support; and wherein the alarm transducer is turned on when the clip is removed from the insulated support and biased to the closed position in order to alert a user that the item has been removed from the support. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification