ALARM DEVICE
United States Patent 3780692
An alarm device having an open-ended compressed gas container means with a connection member adjacent the open end thereof; a whistle which extends across the container means adjacent to its open end, the whistle being actuated by a gas passing therethrough; and a destructable cap member which has a connection member sized to engage the connection member of the open-ended container means to interlock therewith to form a capsule for compressed gas, the cap being of suitable material such that when it is destroyed or removed the gas escapes through the whistle thus sounding the alarm.
US Patent References:
Alarm-whistle means for closure devices
Stinzing - September 1922 - 1428189
Transparent cap
Pulverman - June 1924 - 1496998
Signal for pressure reducing regulators
Rainsbury - December 1954 - 2698000
Fire alarm device
Ward - May 1955 - 2708895
Personal alarm device
Zegarowitz - February 1957 - 2782748
Alarm-whistle means for closure devices
Stinzing - September 1922 - 1428189
Transparent cap
Pulverman - June 1924 - 1496998
Signal for pressure reducing regulators
Rainsbury - December 1954 - 2698000
Fire alarm device
Ward - May 1955 - 2708895
Personal alarm device
Zegarowitz - February 1957 - 2782748
Application Number:
05/264415
Publication Date:
12/25/1973
Filing Date:
06/20/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
116/86, 116/112, 222/5
International Classes:
G08B13/00; G08B17/00; G08B7/00
Field of Search:
116/5,6,12,16,85,86,89,99,100,103,106,112,124B 222/3,5
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Capozi, Louis J.
Claims:
Having thus described the invention what is claimed is
1. An alarm device comprising: an open ended compressed gas container member having connection means of undulate cross section adjacent said open end; a whistle member, actuated by a gas passing therethrough, said whistle member being located within said open ended container member; a destructable cap member have complimentary connection means sized to releasably interlock with said connection means of undulate cross section of said open ended container member to sealingly connect said container member and said cap member thereby creating a reservoir for compressed gas, said reservoir being filled with such gas so that when said cap is destroyed or ejected said gas escapes through said whistle, sounding said alarm.
2. The alarm device of claim 1 wherein a sealant member is located between said connection means of said container member and said connection means of said cap member to enhance the containment of said gas in said reservoir and enhance the fire alarm function of said alarm device by acting as a lubricant at temperatures above ambient room temperature.
3. The alarm device of claim 1 wherein said connection means of said open ended container member is a peripheral channel member and said connection means of said cap is a complimentary peripheral channel member sized to fit within said first channel member.
4. The alarm device of claim 1 wherein said destructable cap member is heat destructable and fabricated from a material which is destructable at a predetermined temperature, thus making the alarm sensitive to fires and overheat situations.
5. An alarm device comprising in combination:
6. The alarm device of claim 5 wherein spring means are located within said sleeve abutting said alarm to bias said alarm so that it is easily removable from said sleeve.
7. The alarm device of claim 6 additionally comprising lock means which function to retain said alarm in said sleeve and prevent deactivation of said alarm by unauthorized persons.
1. An alarm device comprising: an open ended compressed gas container member having connection means of undulate cross section adjacent said open end; a whistle member, actuated by a gas passing therethrough, said whistle member being located within said open ended container member; a destructable cap member have complimentary connection means sized to releasably interlock with said connection means of undulate cross section of said open ended container member to sealingly connect said container member and said cap member thereby creating a reservoir for compressed gas, said reservoir being filled with such gas so that when said cap is destroyed or ejected said gas escapes through said whistle, sounding said alarm.
2. The alarm device of claim 1 wherein a sealant member is located between said connection means of said container member and said connection means of said cap member to enhance the containment of said gas in said reservoir and enhance the fire alarm function of said alarm device by acting as a lubricant at temperatures above ambient room temperature.
3. The alarm device of claim 1 wherein said connection means of said open ended container member is a peripheral channel member and said connection means of said cap is a complimentary peripheral channel member sized to fit within said first channel member.
4. The alarm device of claim 1 wherein said destructable cap member is heat destructable and fabricated from a material which is destructable at a predetermined temperature, thus making the alarm sensitive to fires and overheat situations.
5. An alarm device comprising in combination:
6. The alarm device of claim 5 wherein spring means are located within said sleeve abutting said alarm to bias said alarm so that it is easily removable from said sleeve.
7. The alarm device of claim 6 additionally comprising lock means which function to retain said alarm in said sleeve and prevent deactivation of said alarm by unauthorized persons.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many alarm devices have been provided in the prior art for signalling eminent peril. Some alarms have been designed to signal fires, while others signal the entrance of unauthorized persons into the premises through doors or windows. Some alarms have been devised to signal both. However, all of the alarms of the prior art suffer from the defect that they are cumbersome to maintain and operate and uneconomical to construct. The present invention provides an alarm which is easily constructed and maintained and which is reliable and economical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an alarm which is responsive to both fire and unauthorized entrance of persons into an enclosure. More particularly, the alarm of this invention responds to excessive heat as well as the movement of windows or doors. Specifically, the invention provides an alarm device comprising:
Open-ended compressed gas container means having a connection member adjacent the open end; a whistle member actuated by a gas passing therethrough, the whistle member being located within the open-ended container member, and a destructable cap member having a connection member sized to engage the connection member of the open-ended container means to interlock therewith, the container member and the cap member thereby creating a capsule for compressed gas, the reservoir being filled with such gas, so that when the cap is destroyed or removed the gas escapes through the whistle sounding the alarm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the alarm device of this invention installed in operating position in a window frame.
FIG. 2 is the alarm device of FIG. 1 installed in operating position on a door.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the alarm positioned as in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view of one embodiment of the alarm device of this invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the alarm device of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The alarm device of this invention is shown in its simplest form in FIG. 4 wherein open-ended compressed gas container means 10 is connected to destructable cap 11 by means of connection 12. Destructable cap 11 can be fabricated from any material which can be shaped as required to form destructable cap 11 and which can be easily bent, broken, cracked or splintered by exerting a force thereon. Such materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum, glass and various crystalline polymeric resinous materials such as polymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene and combinations thereof. Connection 12 is comprised of connection member 13, integral with and adjacent the open end of container means 10, and connection member 14, integral with and adjacent the open end of destructable cap 11 sized to engage connection member 13 and to interlock therewith so that container means 10 and cap 11 form a gas containing capsule 15. Advantageously, container means 10 receives destructable cap 11. Preferably destructable cap 11 is sized to fit, in closing relationship, into the open end of container means 10 for reasons to be explained hereinafter. Open-ended compressed gas container means 10 also has whistle means 16 located adjacent to but spaced from its open-end. Whistle means 16 is advantageously as simple in design and construction as possible, and is advantageously fabricated from a material which is non corrodable in the presence of various compressed gases. One such type of whistle means is shown in the drawing and is comprised of two flat plates each having a hole in its center and each located adjacent to the other near the open end of container means 10. Container means 10 has gas 20 contained therein. Of course, it is readily apparent that depending on the temperature and pressure of the gas and the position of container means 10 such gas may be uniformly distributed throughout capsule 15. In such a situation it is apparent that sufficient gas may be compressed into capsule 15 so that, that portion which passes through whistle means 16 when cap 11 is destroyed or removed is enough to sound the alarm for an appreciable amount of time. The preferred gases for use in the invention will be discussed hereinafter.
The alarm device is placed in operating position to be actuated by the movement of either a door or a window with actuation by excessive heat being possible irrespectively of its operating position. Advantageously capsule 15 is placed in a sleeve 21 which serves to hold it securely in a preselected operating position. FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a window having a hole bored therein and sleeve 21 inserted to receive capsule 15. Advantageously, sleeve 21 is sized to allow the capsule to be inserted to the extent that destructable cap 11 protudes across the interface of the two windows and will be destroyed by any movement of one window with respect to the other with concomitant sounding of the alarm. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the sleeve mounted on a door holding the capsule in such a position that destructable cap 11 will be destroyed by any movement of the door with respect to the frame. It will be noted that in such an application it is necessary to provide a second sleeve or U-shaped member 25 to restrict said cap and secure it adjacent to the door frame so that it will be destroyed when the door is opened.
It should be noted that in either application of the device, destructable cap 11 can be destroyed by fire or ejected by excessive pressure caused by excessive heat thus causing the alarm to sound.
The alarm is assembled and functions as follows: destructable cap 11 is placed in sealing position over the end of container means 10 which has whistle means 16 placed across but spaced from its open end. In actual assembly whistle means 16 is press fitted into container means 10 and thereafter gas 20 in liquid form is dispensed therein. Cap 11 is then placed in sealing relationship across the open end of container means 10 to form capsule 15. Alternatively compressed gas 20, either in liquid or in gaseous form, may be introduced into capsule 15 through filler means (not shown). The alarm device is now ready to be positioned in sleeve 21, or other suitable holder, so that destructable cap 11 may be ejected, as in the case of fire, or destroyed, as in the case of movement of a door or window.
In the assembly and operation of the alarm device of this invention, it is advantageous to have seal means 17 positioned between open-ended container means 10 and destructable cap 11. Such a seal has a double function in that it seals the gas within the container, and, upon being exposed to excessive heat, functions as a lubricant which allows the compressed gas 20 to easily eject the destructable cap thus sounding the alarm. Seal means 17 can be of any suitable ploymeric resinous material. One such suitable material is polymeric tetaethyl fluoride, commonly known as Teflon.
It also may be advantageous to place baffle 18 across the end of container means 10 to control the rate of gas flow therefrom, thereby extending the whistle sounding time. It is also possible to place the baffle, in the form of a barrier, within the open-ended container means between the compressed gas supply and the whistle in such a manner that it essentially shields the whistle from the compressed gas until the destructable cap is broken, then the baffle ruptures allowing the gas to expel through the whistle thereby sounding the alarm.
Also, advantageously, the alarm means of this invention may be provided with lock means 19 attached to the bottom portion of capsule 15 by welding, gluing or other suitable means opposite the destructable cap 11. Lock means 19 secures capsule 15 in sleeve 21 in an essentially tamperproof manner and removing capsule 15 from its operating position so that it is impossible to disarm the alarm by, for example, breaking a window and reaching inside. Lock means 19 may be any one of a number of commercial type locks which are suitable for this purpose such as Chicago Lock No. 5D05 manufactured by the Chicago Lock Company of Chicago, Illinois. Preferably the lock means is constructed so that it has two positions; a first position in which the destructable cap is held in proper alignment to be broken by the motion of a door or window, and second position in which the destructable cap is held out of such alignment so that the doors and windows may be operated freely without fear of setting off the alarm. It should be noted that in both positions the alarm will function as a fire alarm. Lock means 19 may further advantageously be removed completely from the sleeve thus allowing replacement of capsule 15 as well as removal and storage thereof. In some cases it may become additionally desirable to provide container means 10 with a support ring 22. Support ring 22 is advantageously press fitted into the open end of container means 10, and may itself be integral with baffle 18, if such is used. Support ring 22 serves to give structural support to container means 10 to insure that destructable cap 11 is destroyed when a window or door is actuated.
The gas used in the alarm device may be any gas which is compressible, and relatively non corrosive. Preferably, Freon 12 is used, however, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, any of the inert gases and even oxygen or butane are suitable. It is preferable that the gas have a condensation point which is sufficiently low so that the gas will exert a pressure within capsul 15 at ordinary room temperature so that the alarm will function. Similarly, as for example, in the case of carbon dioxide the freezing point should be sufficiently low so that it is a gas at lower temperatures. The preferred gas for use in the alarm system is dichloro diflouroethane (Freon 12) which exerts about, 70 - 80 psi at 70°F and which has a boiling point of -29°c or -21.6°F and under such conditions 10 ounces will signal 100 decibels for 5-6 minutes or approximately 300 -- 2 second blasts through a double disc whistle having orifices of one sixty-fourth of an inch.
Many alarm devices have been provided in the prior art for signalling eminent peril. Some alarms have been designed to signal fires, while others signal the entrance of unauthorized persons into the premises through doors or windows. Some alarms have been devised to signal both. However, all of the alarms of the prior art suffer from the defect that they are cumbersome to maintain and operate and uneconomical to construct. The present invention provides an alarm which is easily constructed and maintained and which is reliable and economical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an alarm which is responsive to both fire and unauthorized entrance of persons into an enclosure. More particularly, the alarm of this invention responds to excessive heat as well as the movement of windows or doors. Specifically, the invention provides an alarm device comprising:
Open-ended compressed gas container means having a connection member adjacent the open end; a whistle member actuated by a gas passing therethrough, the whistle member being located within the open-ended container member, and a destructable cap member having a connection member sized to engage the connection member of the open-ended container means to interlock therewith, the container member and the cap member thereby creating a capsule for compressed gas, the reservoir being filled with such gas, so that when the cap is destroyed or removed the gas escapes through the whistle sounding the alarm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the alarm device of this invention installed in operating position in a window frame.
FIG. 2 is the alarm device of FIG. 1 installed in operating position on a door.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the alarm positioned as in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view of one embodiment of the alarm device of this invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the alarm device of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The alarm device of this invention is shown in its simplest form in FIG. 4 wherein open-ended compressed gas container means 10 is connected to destructable cap 11 by means of connection 12. Destructable cap 11 can be fabricated from any material which can be shaped as required to form destructable cap 11 and which can be easily bent, broken, cracked or splintered by exerting a force thereon. Such materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum, glass and various crystalline polymeric resinous materials such as polymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene and combinations thereof. Connection 12 is comprised of connection member 13, integral with and adjacent the open end of container means 10, and connection member 14, integral with and adjacent the open end of destructable cap 11 sized to engage connection member 13 and to interlock therewith so that container means 10 and cap 11 form a gas containing capsule 15. Advantageously, container means 10 receives destructable cap 11. Preferably destructable cap 11 is sized to fit, in closing relationship, into the open end of container means 10 for reasons to be explained hereinafter. Open-ended compressed gas container means 10 also has whistle means 16 located adjacent to but spaced from its open-end. Whistle means 16 is advantageously as simple in design and construction as possible, and is advantageously fabricated from a material which is non corrodable in the presence of various compressed gases. One such type of whistle means is shown in the drawing and is comprised of two flat plates each having a hole in its center and each located adjacent to the other near the open end of container means 10. Container means 10 has gas 20 contained therein. Of course, it is readily apparent that depending on the temperature and pressure of the gas and the position of container means 10 such gas may be uniformly distributed throughout capsule 15. In such a situation it is apparent that sufficient gas may be compressed into capsule 15 so that, that portion which passes through whistle means 16 when cap 11 is destroyed or removed is enough to sound the alarm for an appreciable amount of time. The preferred gases for use in the invention will be discussed hereinafter.
The alarm device is placed in operating position to be actuated by the movement of either a door or a window with actuation by excessive heat being possible irrespectively of its operating position. Advantageously capsule 15 is placed in a sleeve 21 which serves to hold it securely in a preselected operating position. FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a window having a hole bored therein and sleeve 21 inserted to receive capsule 15. Advantageously, sleeve 21 is sized to allow the capsule to be inserted to the extent that destructable cap 11 protudes across the interface of the two windows and will be destroyed by any movement of one window with respect to the other with concomitant sounding of the alarm. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the sleeve mounted on a door holding the capsule in such a position that destructable cap 11 will be destroyed by any movement of the door with respect to the frame. It will be noted that in such an application it is necessary to provide a second sleeve or U-shaped member 25 to restrict said cap and secure it adjacent to the door frame so that it will be destroyed when the door is opened.
It should be noted that in either application of the device, destructable cap 11 can be destroyed by fire or ejected by excessive pressure caused by excessive heat thus causing the alarm to sound.
The alarm is assembled and functions as follows: destructable cap 11 is placed in sealing position over the end of container means 10 which has whistle means 16 placed across but spaced from its open end. In actual assembly whistle means 16 is press fitted into container means 10 and thereafter gas 20 in liquid form is dispensed therein. Cap 11 is then placed in sealing relationship across the open end of container means 10 to form capsule 15. Alternatively compressed gas 20, either in liquid or in gaseous form, may be introduced into capsule 15 through filler means (not shown). The alarm device is now ready to be positioned in sleeve 21, or other suitable holder, so that destructable cap 11 may be ejected, as in the case of fire, or destroyed, as in the case of movement of a door or window.
In the assembly and operation of the alarm device of this invention, it is advantageous to have seal means 17 positioned between open-ended container means 10 and destructable cap 11. Such a seal has a double function in that it seals the gas within the container, and, upon being exposed to excessive heat, functions as a lubricant which allows the compressed gas 20 to easily eject the destructable cap thus sounding the alarm. Seal means 17 can be of any suitable ploymeric resinous material. One such suitable material is polymeric tetaethyl fluoride, commonly known as Teflon.
It also may be advantageous to place baffle 18 across the end of container means 10 to control the rate of gas flow therefrom, thereby extending the whistle sounding time. It is also possible to place the baffle, in the form of a barrier, within the open-ended container means between the compressed gas supply and the whistle in such a manner that it essentially shields the whistle from the compressed gas until the destructable cap is broken, then the baffle ruptures allowing the gas to expel through the whistle thereby sounding the alarm.
Also, advantageously, the alarm means of this invention may be provided with lock means 19 attached to the bottom portion of capsule 15 by welding, gluing or other suitable means opposite the destructable cap 11. Lock means 19 secures capsule 15 in sleeve 21 in an essentially tamperproof manner and removing capsule 15 from its operating position so that it is impossible to disarm the alarm by, for example, breaking a window and reaching inside. Lock means 19 may be any one of a number of commercial type locks which are suitable for this purpose such as Chicago Lock No. 5D05 manufactured by the Chicago Lock Company of Chicago, Illinois. Preferably the lock means is constructed so that it has two positions; a first position in which the destructable cap is held in proper alignment to be broken by the motion of a door or window, and second position in which the destructable cap is held out of such alignment so that the doors and windows may be operated freely without fear of setting off the alarm. It should be noted that in both positions the alarm will function as a fire alarm. Lock means 19 may further advantageously be removed completely from the sleeve thus allowing replacement of capsule 15 as well as removal and storage thereof. In some cases it may become additionally desirable to provide container means 10 with a support ring 22. Support ring 22 is advantageously press fitted into the open end of container means 10, and may itself be integral with baffle 18, if such is used. Support ring 22 serves to give structural support to container means 10 to insure that destructable cap 11 is destroyed when a window or door is actuated.
The gas used in the alarm device may be any gas which is compressible, and relatively non corrosive. Preferably, Freon 12 is used, however, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, any of the inert gases and even oxygen or butane are suitable. It is preferable that the gas have a condensation point which is sufficiently low so that the gas will exert a pressure within capsul 15 at ordinary room temperature so that the alarm will function. Similarly, as for example, in the case of carbon dioxide the freezing point should be sufficiently low so that it is a gas at lower temperatures. The preferred gas for use in the alarm system is dichloro diflouroethane (Freon 12) which exerts about, 70 - 80 psi at 70°F and which has a boiling point of -29°c or -21.6°F and under such conditions 10 ounces will signal 100 decibels for 5-6 minutes or approximately 300 -- 2 second blasts through a double disc whistle having orifices of one sixty-fourth of an inch.