EP0218341A1 - Alarmeinrichtung an einer Jalousie - Google Patents
Alarmeinrichtung an einer Jalousie Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0218341A1 EP0218341A1 EP86306382A EP86306382A EP0218341A1 EP 0218341 A1 EP0218341 A1 EP 0218341A1 EP 86306382 A EP86306382 A EP 86306382A EP 86306382 A EP86306382 A EP 86306382A EP 0218341 A1 EP0218341 A1 EP 0218341A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- alarm
- alarm device
- sensor
- amplifier circuit
- piezoelectric
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
- G08B13/08—Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
Definitions
- the present invention is an alarm device, suitable for use with venetian blinds and other retractable blinds, including roller blinds and vertical-louvre blinds.
- Venetian blinds have been used for many years to reduce the amount of light, including sunlight, passing through a window and they are recognised also to be a deterrent to burglars.
- Other types of blinds for example roller blinds, have been developed with the specific purpose of preventing unauthorised intrusion into a property.
- Alarm devices have been used to give added security to blinds of these types but the installation of such known devices, which usually have been developed for other purposes, requires a level of skill not generally possessed by the average lay householder. However installation of such devices by a qualified specialist may prove sufficiently expensive to deter the householder from fitting such an alarm device.
- the alarm device comprises, secured together as a single unit, a piezoelectric motion sensor, an amplifier circuit electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensor to amplify signals generated in the sensor, an audible alarm electrically connected to the amplifier circuit for activation by such amplified signals, and a source of electrical power for said circuit and for said audible alarm.
- the alarm device according to the present invention may be installed without difficulty by a householder of average competence. Indeed even "installation” as such may be unnecessary, since in one application of the invention, the device may simply be located in the bottom fold or hem of a curtain.
- the device has primarily been devised with installation in a blind in mind. It may advantageously be made in a very compact form, optionally somewhat elongated in plan, so that it may be inserted into one end of the hollow bottom rail of a conventional venetian blind.
- Piezoelectric motion sensors suitable for incorporation in an alarm device according to the present invention are readily available.
- they comprise a plate of piezoceramic material or of piezoelectric crystalline material, which materials give rise to small voltage signals when the material is subjected to distortion such as occurs on a microscopic scale when the material is bent or squeezed by adjacent vibrations.
- the sensor may comprise a flat disc of piezoelectric material, sandwiched between a conductive metal plate on its one side and a coating of electrically conductive material on the other, supporting a weight at a point adjacent to its centre and held around its circumference in a housing.
- it may comprise an elongated length of the material, supported at one end only so as to be free to flex in response to adjacent vibrations.
- the sensitivity of the sensor may be enhanced by providing, secured to the sensor, a roughened surface, especially a roughened spherical surface, over which a metal sphere is free to roll when disturbed by adjacent vibrations.
- the alarm device is assembled upon a flat support, which in particular may be in the form of a printed circuit board upon which the electrical circuitry is formed by etching and to which the other components of the device, in particular the audible alarm and the power source, are secured.
- the audible alarm may be a simple buzzer or other electrically-operated generator of a warning sound.
- the alarm may also incorporate a transmitter of radio signals, which signals may then remotely operate another alarm, which may provide a visual warning (for example a flashing light) or an audible warning that an intruder, or potential intruder, has disturbed the device according to the invention.
- the audible alarm is a "latched" alarm, which, once triggered, will continue to operate.
- the alarm device of the present invention incorporates its own source of electrical power.
- Other alarm devices usually rely upon an external power supply, which makes installation in general more difficult and scarcely practical in the case of flexible blinds or curtains.
- the present device relies upon a piezoelectric sensor, the power requirements are very small and the provision of an internal power supply becomes feasible.
- the device may conveniently be powered by a simple dry-cell battery of the type used to power pocket calculators or clocks. A battery of this type may provide enough power to operate an alarm device according to the present invention for a year or more.
- the alarm should not respond to every minor signal generated in the piezoelectric sensor; otherwise, the alarm may be triggered unnecessarily by non-intrusive vibrations and the credibility of the warning may be diminished. It is therefore desirable that the alarm device also incorporate a switch means responsive only to signals exceeding a predetermined threshold value.
- the amplified signals are fed to a solid-state switch, such as a thyristor, which in turn triggers the audible alarm when the signal exceeds the predetermined value. Less satisfactorily, the signals may operate a relay (which consumes more power than a solid-state switch).
- the alarm device will also usually incorporate an on-off switch, so that the device will normally be switched on only when the security it affords is specifically required, and also to enable the audible alarm to be switched off when the warning has been given.
- a simple lever switch may be sufficient, since it is intended that the intruder should be immediately deterred by the audible alarm. However greater security is achieved if the switch is operable only by a key.
- the circuit of the alarm device preferably also includes a delay means, so that the householder is allowed a short space of time, say 20 seconds, to adjust the blinds as desired after the unit has been switched on and before it becomes fully operative.
- the numeral 4 designates the bottom rail of a venetian blind, which conventionally is of generally flat cross-section such as illustrated and is hollow and of thin steel or aluminium.
- the illustrated alarm device 5 is built upon a printed circuit board (PCB) 6 as its base and the PCB 6 is slightly narrower than the interior width of the rail 4.
- PCB printed circuit board
- the circuit 7 printed upon the PCB is confined to a relatively small area thereof, so that there is ample space for the PCB also to support a buzzer 8, a piezoelectric sensor 9 and a small dry-cell battery 10, which latter is connected into the circuit by a push-on connector 11 to permit its easy replacement.
- the sensor 9 incorporates a spherical or, as illustrated, hemispherical housing having a roughened interior surface over which a small metal ball is free to move. Any vibration of the rail 4 causes the ball to move and that movement of the roughened surface gives an enhanced vibration, thereby giving a greater effect on the piezoelectric material within the sensor.
- the illustrated unit incorporates a key-operated on-off switch 12, built into an end-cap 13 of plastics material which is a push-on fit over the end of the rail 4.
- Fig. 3 illustrates schematically the electrical interconnection of the components of the alarm device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
- the same reference numerals have been used in Fig. 3 to designate components illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
- the householder When the householder wishes to install the device in an existing blind, he simply has to insert the unit endwise into the rail 4 until the cap 13 is fitted over the end of the rail. To activate the device, for example at night or when the house is unoccupied, he inserts the key into the switch 12 and turns it to the "on" position, then withdrawing the key as an extra safety precaution if desired. Power is thus supplied by the battery 10 to the PCB circuit 7 but a time delay device in the circuit ensures that the alarm is not operative for a short period, say 20 seconds, during which the householder may adjust the blind to its desired position.
- any piezoelectric signal generated in the sensor 9 by movement of the blind by an intruder or by any other adjacent vibration is passed to the circuit 7, wherein it is amplified and passed to a solid-state switch in the circuit.
- the audible alarm (the buzzer 8) is activated and continues to sound until power is removed by the switching of the switch 12 to the "off" position.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB858521105A GB8521105D0 (en) | 1985-08-22 | 1985-08-22 | Venetian blind alarm |
GB8521105 | 1985-08-22 | ||
GB8522266 | 1985-09-09 | ||
GB858522267A GB8522267D0 (en) | 1985-09-09 | 1985-09-09 | Roller blind alarm |
GB858522266A GB8522266D0 (en) | 1985-09-09 | 1985-09-09 | Vertical blind alarm |
GB8522267 | 1985-09-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0218341A1 true EP0218341A1 (de) | 1987-04-15 |
Family
ID=27262769
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP86306382A Withdrawn EP0218341A1 (de) | 1985-08-22 | 1986-08-19 | Alarmeinrichtung an einer Jalousie |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0218341A1 (de) |
GB (1) | GB2180976A (de) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2964758A1 (fr) * | 2010-09-15 | 2012-03-16 | Somfy Sas | Capteur communicant autonome et extra-plat. |
EP2907114A4 (de) * | 2012-10-09 | 2016-07-06 | B M S Invest Group H A S Ltd | Alarmsystem für rollläden |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2955956B1 (fr) | 2010-02-04 | 2013-06-28 | Somfy Sas | Capteur de mouvement pour dispositif domotique. |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB978873A (en) * | 1962-11-16 | 1964-12-23 | Sunvene Ltd | Improvements in or relating to window blinds |
DE2805001A1 (de) * | 1977-02-18 | 1978-08-24 | Jacobus Willem De Graaf | Einbruchsicherung |
US4160972A (en) * | 1978-05-18 | 1979-07-10 | Adco Venetian Blind Company | Alarm apparatus for movable barrier members |
US4232309A (en) * | 1977-11-16 | 1980-11-04 | Perfecta Rolladen Karl & Co. | Roller shutter |
GB2145860A (en) * | 1983-07-15 | 1985-04-03 | Reed International Ltd | Security systems |
DE8521684U1 (de) * | 1985-07-27 | 1985-09-26 | A. Steudler GmbH & Co KG, 7530 Pforzheim | Alarmgeber |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3582692A (en) * | 1968-05-01 | 1971-06-01 | U S Research Corp | Resiliently supported sensing transducer |
US3618062A (en) * | 1969-04-02 | 1971-11-02 | American District Telegraph Co | Vault protection system |
US4048526A (en) * | 1975-08-08 | 1977-09-13 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Kinetic sensor employing polymeric piezoelectric material |
IL60240A (en) * | 1980-06-05 | 1982-07-30 | Beta Eng & Dev Ltd | Intrusion detection system and detectors useful therein |
JPS5783892A (en) * | 1980-11-12 | 1982-05-25 | Kogyo Gijutsuin | Infinitesimal vibration detecting alarm unit |
-
1986
- 1986-08-19 EP EP86306382A patent/EP0218341A1/de not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-08-20 GB GB08620256A patent/GB2180976A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB978873A (en) * | 1962-11-16 | 1964-12-23 | Sunvene Ltd | Improvements in or relating to window blinds |
DE2805001A1 (de) * | 1977-02-18 | 1978-08-24 | Jacobus Willem De Graaf | Einbruchsicherung |
US4232309A (en) * | 1977-11-16 | 1980-11-04 | Perfecta Rolladen Karl & Co. | Roller shutter |
US4160972A (en) * | 1978-05-18 | 1979-07-10 | Adco Venetian Blind Company | Alarm apparatus for movable barrier members |
GB2145860A (en) * | 1983-07-15 | 1985-04-03 | Reed International Ltd | Security systems |
DE8521684U1 (de) * | 1985-07-27 | 1985-09-26 | A. Steudler GmbH & Co KG, 7530 Pforzheim | Alarmgeber |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2964758A1 (fr) * | 2010-09-15 | 2012-03-16 | Somfy Sas | Capteur communicant autonome et extra-plat. |
WO2012035506A1 (fr) * | 2010-09-15 | 2012-03-22 | Somfy Sas | Capteur communicant autonome et extra-plat |
CN103109245A (zh) * | 2010-09-15 | 2013-05-15 | Somfy两合公司 | 特别平的独立通信传感器 |
CN103109245B (zh) * | 2010-09-15 | 2016-07-27 | Somfy两合公司 | 特别平的独立通信传感器 |
EP2907114A4 (de) * | 2012-10-09 | 2016-07-06 | B M S Invest Group H A S Ltd | Alarmsystem für rollläden |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2180976A (en) | 1987-04-08 |
GB8620256D0 (en) | 1986-10-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19870930 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19890912 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19900123 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: YOUNG, PHILIP |