Downed item detector

• US 9,412,254 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey N. Weiss
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey N. Weiss
• Inventors: Weiss, Jeffrey N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US13/842,317
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 340/538.16, 340/635, 340/657, 340/623, 340/689, 340/686.1, 333/24.R, 375/258, 375/257, 324/105, 737/62, 736/91, 734/93, 734/95, 731/701.7, 702/141, 702/158, 702/57
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/367 Design verification, e.g. using simulation, simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis [SPICE], direct methods or relaxation methods
• 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 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

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.

Claims

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.

2. The device for automatically indicating of claim 1 wherein said means for indicating locally is a light or an alarm.

3. The device for automatically indicating of claim 2 wherein said alarm is an audible alarm.

4. The device for automatically indicating of claim 1 wherein said means for detecting is a tilt switch that automatically closes when a change in position of the electric or power line or suspended object is detected based on a pivoted position of the housing from the shape of the member.

5. The device for automatically indicating of claim 1 wherein said means for indicating having a rechargeable power source comprising rechargeable batteries that are recharged by solar power or electromagnetic energy from the power line.

6. The device for automatically indicating of claim 1 wherein said means for indicating locally operating whether or not the power line is still energized while in its downed or fallen position.

7. The device for automatically indicating of claim 1 further comprising a transmitter or transponder for sending an alarm or alert to a remote location from the power line or suspended object when the predetermined threshold has been exceeded.

16. The device for automatically detecting of claim 1 wherein said member is pyramid shaped and secured to an external surface of the housing.

17. The device for automatically detecting of claim 1 wherein the housing is 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.

8. A device for automatically indicating when an power line has fallen to the ground, said device comprising:

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.

9. The device for automatically indicating of claim 8 wherein when said housing is secured to the power line the upper surface of said housing having means for discouraging birds and other animals from resting or sitting on said housing extending upward from the upper surface.

10. The device for automatically indicating of claim 9 wherein said means for discouraging are one or more sharp prongs disposed on said upper surface.

11. The device for automatically indicating of claim 8 wherein said housing is constructed from a clear, transparent or translucent material.

12. The device for automatically indicating of claim 8 wherein said housing having a plastic lens and said means for indicating locally comprising a light member which is visible through at least said plastic lens when the change in position of has exceeded the predetermined threshold.

13. The device for automatically indicating of claim 8, wherein said means for detecting is tilt switch that automatically closes when a change in position of the power line is detected based on a pivoted position of the housing from the pyramid shaved cushioning member.

14. The device for automatically indicating of claim 8 wherein said means for automatically indicating having a rechargeable power source.

18. The device for automatically detecting of claim 8 wherein the housing is 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.

15. A device for automatically indicating when a power line has fallen to the ground, said device comprising:

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.