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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to security devices, and particularly to an alarm
system which may be physically attached to an object which it is desired
to protect. If the physical integrity of the alarm system or its attaching
means is compromised, an audible alarm will sound.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Alarm systems and anti-theft devices are known in the art. In general, such
devices contain sensors to detect motion or a breach of integrity in the
device itself or in the object being protected. The increase in sales and
installation of home security systems and motor vehicle security systems
is symptomatic of a society where the need for such security devices is
increasing, and this need has resulted in an large number of such devices,
many of which are unnecessarily expensive and complex.
There is a continuing need for simple and inexpensive security devices
which can be used as an alarm when an object is disturbed or moved. Such a
device is useful in many application ranging from securing a bicycle to a
post or tree, to securing a cabinet door from access by a child, or
sounding an alarm if a suitcase is taken from one's grasp.
There are a number of devices in the prior art that are useful for one or
more of the applications listed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,943 to
Soleimani shows an alarm system for a briefcase which incorporates a radio
receiver actuable by a transmitted signal to either sound an alarm or to
separate the handle from the briefcase. This is one of many such security
devices for briefcase which in general cause actuation of an alarm when
the briefcase is removed from the grip of the authorized courier.
A device more similar to the present invention is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,833,456 to Heller. A motion sensor has attached thereto a conductive
cable or tether which is secured around a portable object to be protected,
typically a pair of skis. If continuous motion is sensed, or if the cable
is disconnected, an alarm contained within the motion sensor will be
activated. The device of the present invention does not rely on motion
sensing, primarily because a motion sensor will often provide a false
alarm if the property being protected or the security device are
accidently moved.
Another security system, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,692 to Wolk et al,
protects against the kidnapping of infants, but also has other
applications. An rf transmitter is attached to the infant, and a receiver
containing an alarm will be activated if the infant is removed from the
vicinity of the receiver. In another embodiment the alarm is sounded if it
is attempted to remove the transmitter from the infant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is less complex and less expensive to manufacture
than the prior art devices. Briefly, it comprises a pair of interlocking
structural components, one of which contains a magnet and the other of
which contains a simple electrical circuit including a magnetically
actuable switch, whereby physical separation of the components causes
sounding of an alarm attached to and operable in response to removal of
the switch from the vicinity of the magnet.
In a further embodiment of the invention, cables may be attached to either
or both of the two interlocking structural components. Attachment of the
cables may be used to arm the alarm circuit, or the cables may be part of
the alarm circuit such that the alarm will sound if the cable is detached
or cut.
In further embodiments of the invention a keyed lock, or an electrical key
pad, may be used to arm and/or disarm the alarm circuit, a light may be
used to indicate arming of the device, recorded messages may be included
as part of the alarm, or the two structural components may simply slide
relative to each other rather than completely separate.
It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and unique alarm
system for securing property against theft comprising a pair of separable
components secureable to the object wherein an alarm is sounded if the
components are separated.
Another object of this invention is an alarm system using a switch actuable
in response to its proximity or remoteness from a magnet to determine if
the security of an object has been compromised.
A further object of this invention is an alarm system having two separable
components each of which has a cable attached thereto, and in which an
alarm will sound if the components are separated or if the continuity of
either cable is compromised.
These an other objects and a complete explanation of this invention is
described in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the present invention used to
lock a bicycle to a pole;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view with parts broken away showing the two parts
of the present invention when they are separated from each other;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram, partially in block diagram form, showing the
circuit of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross .sectional view with parts broken away taken
on line 5--5 of FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating how the instant invention would
perform during a theft;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of
the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view with parts broken away taken
on line 5--5 of FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the present invention;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown a representative object
which it desired to protect from theft, a bicycle 10, and a pole 12 to
which it is secured. The alarm device which is the subject of this
invention is shown generally as device 14, which will be described more
fully with respect to the other drawings. A first cable 16 extends from
one end of the device 14 and fits about the pole 12, and a second cable 18
extends from the opposite end of device 14 and is secured about the
structural parts of the bicycle 10 such that it is impossible to remove
the bicycle without cutting or otherwise removing one of the cables 16, 18
or separating the components of the device 14 as will be described, or
otherwise damaging the bicycle 10 or device 14.
FIG. 2 shows device 14 in detail. It consists of two individual components
20 and 22 which fit together as shown at junction 24.
FIG. 3 shows components 20 and 22 when they are separated. Each component
is preferably composes of a strong molded plastic, and can be of any
convenient shape except that the walls forming junction 24, shown as wall
26 of component 20 and wall 28 of component 22, must be flat and coplanar
or otherwise shaped so that the walls 26 and 28 are contiguous at junction
24. Because of the use of magnetic fields to accomplish the unique results
of this invention, as will be described, the components 20 and 22 should
not be made of magnetically or electrically conductive materials.
Mounted inside the component 20 and preferably flush with wall 26, as shown
best in FIG. 5, is a magnet 30 such as a permanent magnet. Mounted inside
component 22 and preferably flush with wall 28 is a pair of metallic bars
32 composed of a magnetically attractable material such as iron or steel.
When walls 26 and 28 of components 20 and 22 are moved together
physically, magnet 30 will attract bars 32 so that components 20 and 22
will be held together securely, and substantial effort is needed to
separate the two components. The walls 26 and 28 are shown broken away in
FIG. 3 so that the magnet 30 and bars 32 can be seen.
Shown best in FIGS. 3 and 5 are a pair of rodlike extensions 34 attached to
wall 36, and a pair of corresponding openings 36 in wall 28. Openings 36
are precisely aligned with extensions 34 so that the extensions 34 fit
into the openings 36 and prevent rotation or translation of components 20
and 22 relative to each other. As a result, components 20 and 22 can only
be separated by forced movement of one or both components along the axis
shown in FIG. 5 by dotted lines 38. The components must therefore be
pulled apart and cannot accidentally be separated.
Also shown in FIG. 2 are cables 16 and 18 which extend from the components
20 and 22 respectively, and terminate in receptacles shown as numeral 40
in component 22. A similar receptacle is located on the far side of
component 20. Cables 16 and 18 may be composed of any strong, flexible
material, but may also be composed of an electrically conductive metal, or
contain a conducting wire therein so that the cables 16 and 18 will form a
part of the alarm circuit to be described.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is a key pad for arming or disarming the alarm system,
and keys 44,46 which are adapted to turn locks 48,50 respectively and act
as arming and/or disarming devices. A light 52 may be actuated to indicate
when the alarm system is armed and in condition to be actuated.
FIG. 4 shows in schematic form the operation of the alarm system. A reed
switch 54 encapsulated in an inert gas, or other similarly operable switch
which is responsive to a magnetic field and switches between on and off
states, is located inside component 22 (see FIG. 5) such that when
components 20 and 22 are mated together, the switch 54 responds to the
magnetic field generated by magnet 30. Such switches are normally closed
or `on` in the presences of a magnetic field. The two switch contacts
56,58 of switch 54 are connected via conductors 60,62 to an alarm circuit
64 which is powered by a power source 66. The alarm circuit 64 senses the
opening (or closing) of switch 54 when elements 20 and 22 are separated,
and sends a triggering signal to warning device 68 via conductor 70. The
warning device 68 may be any known type of device which provides a warning
such as a siren, a voice recording, a high pitched or wavering whistle, or
the like, sufficient in time and intensity to attract attention to the
fact that elements 20 and 22 have been separated, and attempted theft may
be occurring.
Such operation of the warning device is shown particularly in FIG. 6 where
a thief 72 has taken from a women victim 73 an object 74 (a pocketbook) to
which there is attached the portion 22 of a device 14 as described herein.
The warning device 68 contained in portion 22 is broadcasting the words
"THIS ARTICLE IS STOLEN" attracting the attention of bystanders 76 and 78
and of police officer 80. The victim 73 is still holding the other
component 20 of device 14.
Various modifications of the invention are shown in FIG. 4. The key pad 42
may be connected via line 82 to alarm circuit 64 whereby the alarm circuit
64 will not be "armed" to generate a signal actuating warning device 68
until a preprogrammed combination of numbers or symbols is entered into
the key pad 42. Light 52, connected with the alarm circuit 64 via
connector 84, may be turned on when the alarm circuit 64 is armed. The key
pad 42 may also be used to disarm the alarm circuit 64 so that the warning
device 68 cannot be actuated. The key and lock combination 44,46,48,50 may
be used in addition to or in place of the key pad.
The cables 16 and 18 may be incorporated into the arming circuitry. In one
embodiment the ends of the cables 16,18 shown by reference numerals 86,88
(FIG. 2), are metallic, and the alarm circuit 64 cannot be armed unless
the cable ends 86,88 are secured within receptacles 40 which are
preferably of conductive metal. Keys 44,46 when inserted in locks 48,50
will not permit the system to be armed unless the cables are appropriately
secured into the receptacles 40.
In another embodiment of the invention the cables 16,18 contain electrical
conductors and, as shown by block 90 in FIG. 4, become part of the alarm
circuit 64 in that the alarm circuit 64 will actuate warning device 68 not
only when switch 54 is actuated, but, once armed, the circuit 64 will
actuate warning device 68 if one of the cables 16,18 is pulled out of its
receptacle 40, if a cable is cut, i.e., if any discontinuity is sensed in
the electrical circuit of the cables 16,18 via block 90 and conductor 92.
This modification is easily accomplished, and would require an electrical
connection from cable 16 through walls 26 and 28 to alarm circuit 64 and
warning device 68. Such electrical connection can be accomplished via
rodlike extensions 34 and openings 36, and such adaptations would be
apparent to one skilled in the art.
FIG. 7 shows components 20 and 22 connected by a link chain 94 attached via
dog-collar type snaps 96,98 to eyelets 100,102 located on the top of
components 20 and 22. With this arrangement it is impossible for a thief
to simply snatch the article being protected and escape with both the
article and the component 22. This Figure also shows openings 36' in wall
28 as elliptical so that components 20 and 22 may fit together more
easily. Likewise edge 104 of FIG. 7 is indented and edge 106 is raised, as
shown also in FIG. 8, so that the components 20 and 22 will fit together
closely. Both of these improvements permit the components to be joined
more easily.
While not shown in the drawings, it is within the scope of this invention
to incorporate apertures or other sound enhancing or directional
components within or associated with the alarm device 14 in order to
assure that the alarm initiated by warning device 68 is heard. Apertures
can be placed about the periphery of component 22 or otherwise located so
that the alarm cannot conveniently be muffled.
In its simplest embodiment best illustrated in FIG. 9, the cables 16,18 are
not a part of the alarm device 14. A device of this sort is best used as a
hidden alarm, for example to sound an alarm when a child opens a door to a
cabinet which may contain something potentially harmful to a child. In
this embodiment, electrical continuity is maintained only through the path
completed by jumper conductor 108, rodlike extensions 34 and the pair of
corresponding openings 36 having female contact surface therein which are
connected to nodes 60 and 62 instead of the reed switch 54 shown in FIG.
4. As a result separation of the components 20,22 will sound the alarm,
and reconnection, may or may not will terminate the alarm depending upon
the initial arming code previously entered in the key pad by the
authorized user, and no other arming/disarming apparatus is necessary.
When cables 16 and/or 18 are added to the device, the alarm device 14 may
be attached directly to the item which it is desired to protect. The
component 22 will thus remain with the item if it is stolen, better
enabling the item to be recovered. The cables are preferably made of
strong, flexible material, and their length may vary depending on the
application. The attachment of the cable(s) may act as the arming signal
to arm the alarm system, or alternatively the key units may be used as
arming and/or disarming devices. Likewise simply joining the two
components 20,22 can arm the system, and the keys can be used to disarm
the system. Other combinations will be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
The power source 66 is preferably a battery, either replaceable or
rechargeable. Since the alarm system of this invention may be constructed
inexpensively, it is possible that the entire assembly including the power
source 66 are discardable.
Another variation of this invention is the use of with a guide, connecting
components 20,22 such that the components do not actually separate but
slide apart on the guide and are stopped by a catch preventing further
separation. This variation would be advantageous when it is desired to
maintain the item being protected in place, such as in a store selling
audio or video components.
While the invention has been described with respect to its preferred
embodiments, it is apparent that changes may be made to the construction
and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention
as hereinafter claimed.
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