Downed item detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for automatically indicating when a power or electric line is downed or an object has fallen, said device comprising:
- a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface and secured to a power line;
means for detecting a change in position of an electric or power line or suspended object, said means for detecting secured to an electric line or suspended object;
means for indicating locally when the change in position exceeds a predetermined threshold, the means for detecting and said means for indicating disposed within said housing; and
a member secured to said housing, said member having a shave which pivots the housing to a position where the means for detecting allows the means for indicating to be energized.
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Abstract
A device for automatically detecting a change in position beyond a reference position is provided. Preferably the change in position results from a change in height of an object. In the preferred embodiment inclinometers detect a change in position resulting from an electric line or other suspended object that has descended from its reference position.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for automatically indicating when a power or electric line is downed or an object has fallen, said device comprising:
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a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface and secured to a power line; means for detecting a change in position of an electric or power line or suspended object, said means for detecting secured to an electric line or suspended object; means for indicating locally when the change in position exceeds a predetermined threshold, the means for detecting and said means for indicating disposed within said housing; and a member secured to said housing, said member having a shave which pivots the housing to a position where the means for detecting allows the means for indicating to be energized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17)
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8. A device for automatically indicating when an power line has fallen to the ground, said device comprising:
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a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface and secured to a power line; means for detecting when a power line has fallen to the ground regardless of whether or not the power line is energized, said means for detecting disposed within said housing; means for automatically indicating locally when the power line has fallen to the ground so to provide notice to individuals at or close to the fallen power line to avoid touching the power line, said means for indicating disposed within the said housing; and a pyramid shaved cushioning member secured to an external surface of said housing, said cushioning member protecting said means for indicating and means for detecting when the power line breaks and falls to the ground and pivoting the housing to a position where the means for detecting allows the means for automatically indicating to be energized. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18)
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15. A device for automatically indicating when a power line has fallen to the ground, said device comprising:
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a waterproof housing constructed from a clear, transparent or translucent material and secured to a power line such that the entire housing is above or below the power line prior to the power line fallen to the ground; wherein when said housing is secured to the power line a coplanar upper surface of said housing having one or more sharp vertical prongs extending upward from said upper surface for discouraging birds and other animals from resting or sitting on said housing; a tilt switch which closes when a power line has fallen to the ground, said tilt switch disposed within said housing; means for automatically indicating locally when the power line has fallen to the ground so to provide notice to individuals at or close to the fallen power line to avoid touching the power line, said means for indicating disposed within the said housing; and a rechargeable power source in communication with said means for indicating; further comprising a pyramid shaped cushioning member secured to an external lower surface of said housing, said cushioning member protecting said means for indicating and means for detecting when the power line breaks and falls to the ground and pivoting the housing to a position where the tilt switch closes to allow said means for automatically indicating to be energized by the rechargeable power source.
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Specification