Title:
HOME PROTECTION SYSTEM EMPLOYING BARKING DOG TAPE
United States Patent 3740737
Abstract:
A protection system arranged to provide the periodic and activity stimulated sound of a barking dog. A timer is provided to initiate periodic operation of a recorded dog bark that tends to discourage prowlers from entering a building where a barking dog may be maintained. In addition, one or more remote stations can also be provided to initiate playing of the recorded bark upon the occurrence of specified activity at the station or stations. Such stations typically include a control button positioned near a persons bed, a doorbell, and/or a pressure actuated plate embedded in a doorstep or yard.
Application Number:
05/202365
Publication Date:
06/19/1973
Filing Date:
11/26/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
340/309.400, 340/692, 340/309.800
International Classes:
G08B15/00; G08B19/00
Field of Search:
340/221R,39.1R,39.4R
Other References:
matthews, "Tape Recorded Bark Guards House," August 1963, Popular Science, Vol. 18, No. 2..
Primary Examiner:
Pitts, Harold I.
Claims:
I claim
1. A home protection system comprising
2. A home protection system as in claim 1, wherein
3. A home protection system as recited in claim 1, further including
4. A home protection system as in claim 1, further including
5. A home protection system as in claim 1, wherein
1. A home protection system comprising
2. A home protection system as in claim 1, wherein
3. A home protection system as recited in claim 1, further including
4. A home protection system as in claim 1, further including
5. A home protection system as in claim 1, wherein
Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to home protection systems utilizing a recorded message played automatically or on command to discourage entrance of unwanted persons.
2. Prior Art
With incidences of crime increasing rapidly, it has become more and more important for a home owner or small businessman to provide protective measures in his home or building that will discourage thieves. Watchdogs provide a possible solution, but involve continuing expense and require care and cleanup. The present invention presents an alternative to owning a watchdog by providing barking sounds, generated periodically and on command, to cause a prowler to believe there is a watchdog present. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,342,555 and 2,561,602 disclose recording devices which are time controlled, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,561,602 includes rewind capabilities that will provide continuous play. However, no device to my knowledge employs a continuous play type tape recorder, with a dog bark record, which is played on either a regular or an irregular periodic time schedule for a desired time period. The tape recorder arrangement can be activated to play from a remote station, such as a button beside an occupants bed, a doorbell, or a pressure actuated remote switch. The remote station activation capability of the present invention provides an added measure of realism to the system by allowing an occupant or the ringing of a doorbell to command operation of the system in response to noises or activities which would cause a watchdog to bark.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a home protection system utilizing a recording of a barking dog which is automatically played periodically or is played on command to discourage intruders from entering the premises.
Another object is to provide a system which can be owner operated manually from a remote station.
Still another object is to provide such a system that is activated upon the occurrence of a predetermined activity.
Principal features of the present invention include a recorder, preferably of the magnetic-tape, cassette type, arranged to provide an endless play of a magnetic tape cassette on which is recorded the sound of a barking and growling dog. The tape recorder is combined with a timer arrangement whereby the recorded barking is programmed to be played periodically, on either a regular or on irregular basis, during the times of the day or night when an occupant believes that the danger from prowlers exists.
An owner operated manual control arrangement is also coupled with the tape recorder to provide a remote activation capability. The manual control includes a manual control button positioned near an occupants bed, for example, which is energized to cause the tape recorder to play if the owner believes that he hears noises indicating the presence of an intruder. The manual control button can be linked to the tape recorder by an extension cord, or can involve a short range radio transmitter arrangement that sends a wireless command signal to a radio receiver that is arranged to operate the tape recorder.
An alternative or additional manual control arrangement involves electrically linking the tape recorder to a doorbell such that actuation of the doorbell also actuates the tape recorder, generating the sounds of a barking dog for a programmed period of time and/or electrically connecting the recorder to be operated upon actuation of a pressure activated switch.
THE DRAWINGS
The sole FIGURE shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement of components of the protection system of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings:
The protection system shown generally at 10, in the FIGURE, consists of a cassette tape recorder 11 which is of a type that records on, plays and automatically rewinds a magnetic tape, within a cassette 12, shown inserted in the recorder. The sound of a barking dog is recorded on the tape such that when recorder 11 is operated, persons outside the building wherein the recorder is located are led to believe, from the barking sounds emanating therefrom, that there is a watchdog on the premises.
A timer 13, which can be set to provide either regular or irregular periodic operations, is arranged to provide such periodic operation of the tape recorder 11 during periods when it is determined that prowlers might be present in the area. Timer 13 is shown electrically linked to tape recorder 11 by electrical lines 14, although it should be apparent that the timer 13 could as well be made an integral part of tape recorder 11. Other lines 15 lead from tape recorder 11 and have the usual plug 16 fixed to its end opposite to tape recorder 11 for connection into the usual electrical receptacle so as to provide the necessary electrical power for operation of the recorder and timer.
Remote activation of the tape recorder 11 is provided by operation of a button switch 17 preferably positioned near a user's bed 18. When depressed, button 17 operates through cable 19 to start tape recorder 11. A limited range radio control arrangement (not shown) could as well be used in place of button 17 and line 19 such that the user could carry on his person a remote activation means even as he moved about the building. The remote activation means operates the tape recorder 11 to produce the sound of a barking dog in response to noises and activities heard by the user that would normally cause a dog to bark, i.e., such as a strange person walking close to the building wherein the home protection system is located.
The tape recorder 11 of the home protection system 10 is also shown in FIG. 1 as being connected through electrical lines 20 and 21, respectively, to a doorbell 22 and a pressure actuated switch 23 set beneath a doorstep 24 of the home. Operation of the doorbell 22 also initiates the operation of tape recorder 11 to produce the recorded dog barking.
It should be understood that conventional timing mechanism (not shown) is included within tape recorder 11 to lock in a set time period of tape recorder operation in response to the periodic or activity responsive button 17 or doorbell 22. Alternatively, the timer within the tape recorder can be arranged to actuate the tape recorder to play the magnetic tape for irregular time periods.
It should be understood that additional remote station activation devices, such as an electric eye arrangement could be employed within the system without departing from the scope of the invention.
Although a preferred form of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subject matter I regard as my invention.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to home protection systems utilizing a recorded message played automatically or on command to discourage entrance of unwanted persons.
2. Prior Art
With incidences of crime increasing rapidly, it has become more and more important for a home owner or small businessman to provide protective measures in his home or building that will discourage thieves. Watchdogs provide a possible solution, but involve continuing expense and require care and cleanup. The present invention presents an alternative to owning a watchdog by providing barking sounds, generated periodically and on command, to cause a prowler to believe there is a watchdog present. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,342,555 and 2,561,602 disclose recording devices which are time controlled, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,561,602 includes rewind capabilities that will provide continuous play. However, no device to my knowledge employs a continuous play type tape recorder, with a dog bark record, which is played on either a regular or an irregular periodic time schedule for a desired time period. The tape recorder arrangement can be activated to play from a remote station, such as a button beside an occupants bed, a doorbell, or a pressure actuated remote switch. The remote station activation capability of the present invention provides an added measure of realism to the system by allowing an occupant or the ringing of a doorbell to command operation of the system in response to noises or activities which would cause a watchdog to bark.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a home protection system utilizing a recording of a barking dog which is automatically played periodically or is played on command to discourage intruders from entering the premises.
Another object is to provide a system which can be owner operated manually from a remote station.
Still another object is to provide such a system that is activated upon the occurrence of a predetermined activity.
Principal features of the present invention include a recorder, preferably of the magnetic-tape, cassette type, arranged to provide an endless play of a magnetic tape cassette on which is recorded the sound of a barking and growling dog. The tape recorder is combined with a timer arrangement whereby the recorded barking is programmed to be played periodically, on either a regular or on irregular basis, during the times of the day or night when an occupant believes that the danger from prowlers exists.
An owner operated manual control arrangement is also coupled with the tape recorder to provide a remote activation capability. The manual control includes a manual control button positioned near an occupants bed, for example, which is energized to cause the tape recorder to play if the owner believes that he hears noises indicating the presence of an intruder. The manual control button can be linked to the tape recorder by an extension cord, or can involve a short range radio transmitter arrangement that sends a wireless command signal to a radio receiver that is arranged to operate the tape recorder.
An alternative or additional manual control arrangement involves electrically linking the tape recorder to a doorbell such that actuation of the doorbell also actuates the tape recorder, generating the sounds of a barking dog for a programmed period of time and/or electrically connecting the recorder to be operated upon actuation of a pressure activated switch.
THE DRAWINGS
The sole FIGURE shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement of components of the protection system of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings:
The protection system shown generally at 10, in the FIGURE, consists of a cassette tape recorder 11 which is of a type that records on, plays and automatically rewinds a magnetic tape, within a cassette 12, shown inserted in the recorder. The sound of a barking dog is recorded on the tape such that when recorder 11 is operated, persons outside the building wherein the recorder is located are led to believe, from the barking sounds emanating therefrom, that there is a watchdog on the premises.
A timer 13, which can be set to provide either regular or irregular periodic operations, is arranged to provide such periodic operation of the tape recorder 11 during periods when it is determined that prowlers might be present in the area. Timer 13 is shown electrically linked to tape recorder 11 by electrical lines 14, although it should be apparent that the timer 13 could as well be made an integral part of tape recorder 11. Other lines 15 lead from tape recorder 11 and have the usual plug 16 fixed to its end opposite to tape recorder 11 for connection into the usual electrical receptacle so as to provide the necessary electrical power for operation of the recorder and timer.
Remote activation of the tape recorder 11 is provided by operation of a button switch 17 preferably positioned near a user's bed 18. When depressed, button 17 operates through cable 19 to start tape recorder 11. A limited range radio control arrangement (not shown) could as well be used in place of button 17 and line 19 such that the user could carry on his person a remote activation means even as he moved about the building. The remote activation means operates the tape recorder 11 to produce the sound of a barking dog in response to noises and activities heard by the user that would normally cause a dog to bark, i.e., such as a strange person walking close to the building wherein the home protection system is located.
The tape recorder 11 of the home protection system 10 is also shown in FIG. 1 as being connected through electrical lines 20 and 21, respectively, to a doorbell 22 and a pressure actuated switch 23 set beneath a doorstep 24 of the home. Operation of the doorbell 22 also initiates the operation of tape recorder 11 to produce the recorded dog barking.
It should be understood that conventional timing mechanism (not shown) is included within tape recorder 11 to lock in a set time period of tape recorder operation in response to the periodic or activity responsive button 17 or doorbell 22. Alternatively, the timer within the tape recorder can be arranged to actuate the tape recorder to play the magnetic tape for irregular time periods.
It should be understood that additional remote station activation devices, such as an electric eye arrangement could be employed within the system without departing from the scope of the invention.
Although a preferred form of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subject matter I regard as my invention.