GB2113439A

GB2113439A - A security alarm system for a person possibly in a cataleptic state

Info

Publication number: GB2113439A
Application number: GB08231396A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Claude Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-11-26
Filing date: 1982-11-03
Publication date: 1983-08-03
Also published as: IT8224412A0; IT1191098B; IT8224412A1; FR2516790A1

Abstract

A security alarm system including ball contact-makers (1) which are placed on a body (38) which may be a person in a cataleptic state and which generates a signal to an electronic detecting and control means (29, 31) which, when the pick-ups (1, 40) give a positive signal over a period which exceeds a predetermined time, transmits (via 32, 36) a signal (from 46) to alert a supervision centre which can rapidly take action to free the person once the nature of the alarm has been verified from a direct link with person. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A security alarm system for a person possibly in a cataleptic state The present invention relates to a security alarm system for a body which may be a person in a cataleptic state.

Various experiences have shown us that persons have suddenly lost a large number of their physiological functions without actually being dead but have the appearance of being dead.

To overcome diagnostical errors regarding the question of the actual death of a person, the present system has been invented to provide an additional safeguard when the deceased person has been buried.

The system is characterised in that it includes movement and/or sound sensors which are placed on and/or adjacent an immobile person and are capable of generating signal to at least one movement and/or sound signal detector, such sensors producing, during operation, at least one specific impulse on a control circuit which controls a transmitter leading to an external casing provided with an aerial and visual function indicator and preferably a lockable switch.

According to the present invention there is provided a security alarm system for a body which may be a person in a cataleptic state, including electric circuit contact makers which are placed on an immobile person and may generate a signal to at least one movement and/or sound signal detector, such contact makers are operable so as to produce, during operation, at least one definite impulse to a control unit controlling a transmitter connected to an aerial and visual function indicator.

One particular embodiment of the system according to the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of a non-limiting example, such system being illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of an alarm system; Figure 2 is a partial axial section of a ball contact maker; Figure 3 is a radial partial section taken along the line A-A of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a section illustrating an alarm system mounted on a buried coffin.

It is fitting to say at the outset that all the components constituting the detector circuit, the control circuit and the transmitter and illustrated in the block diagram are commercially available and may be supplied by specialist companies and, in consequence, they are not described in detail in the present descriptive text.

With regard to Figures 2 and 3, the system includes a trembler switch which in this example is in the form of a ball contact-maker 1 which has a cylindrical body 2 for containing an upper disc 3 and a lower disc 4 with said discs being connected by a central insulator 5, an upper circumferential insulator 6 and a lower circumferential insulator 7 - all except the ball secured against movement by means ofacentralscrewlOanda nut 11.

As explicitly illustrated in Figure 2, the circumferential insulators 6 and 7 are so arranged as to receive a collar 12 which is notched in the portions 13,14,15and 16 to permit adjustment of the insulator 7 (Figure 3).

During assembly, a ball 20 is placed within the space 21 to permit electrical contact to be made between the collar 12 and the lower disc 4 and thus also wires 22 of a control circuit. In the wall of the cylindrical body 2 of the ball contact-maker 1, a passage 25 is provided which serves to enable a contact-maker 1 to be secured on the hands or feet of a person who might be in a cataleptic state. Rolling movement of the ball 20 may make or break the circuit.

Figures 1 to 4 provide an illustration of an alarm system which includes the ball contact-maker 1 connected to a movement signal detector 29 which energises a control circuit 30 controlling a lamp 31 and a transmitter 32 (Figure 1), which transmitter is connected by means of a cable 33, to an external box 34 provided with a lamp 35 and an aerial 36 - all being placed near the tombstone 37 and wherein a person 38 is represented as buried in the coffin 39.

A Amicrophone 40 is also connected to a sound signal detector 41 which is directly connected to the control circuit 30. Electrical energy sources 45 supply the electrical circuits of the system. A signal generator 46 permits the transmitter 32, via the aerial 36, to send a signal to a receiver (not shown) which is located in a control station or in a monitoring station, for example, in a police station.

An interrupted switch 50 is provided on the external box 34 for de-energising the circuit portion located underground, and a main switch 51 permits the triggering of the alarm or transmission of information.

The mode of operation is as follows: When the legal period has elapsed and certain physiological functions of the person to be buried are still positive, the ball contact-makers 1 are placed on the arms, legs and head of said person, and then the ball contact-makers 1 are connected to the movement signal detectors and the electronic control unit which is provided with a transmitter and an independent source of current.

The coffin is so disposed as to receive a lamp and a microphone which is connected to a sound signal detector directly connected to the electronic control unit.

The system is so adapted that if any movements or sounds persist for more than 7 seconds, the alarm is actuated and notifies the receiving or supervising slave station of an actual anomaly occurring at the level of the buried person, and from that moment on it is possible, by means of the external box 34, to check the alarm and, where necessary, to take quick action to exhume the person in the coffin.

It is to be remembered that the coffin may also contain a cassette recorder and a mechanism for actuating an oxygen bottle, in addition to a lamp, which elements permit the positive action to be taken in such circumstances.

A person in a cataleptic state may be in a critical phase and be apparently dead in a hospital or in a medical unit of an army corps, and in such circumstances would be fitted with a security alarm system identical to the one described herein.

Claims

1. A security alarm system for a body which may be a person in a cataleptic state, including electric circuit contact makers which are placed on an immobile person and may generate a signal to at least one movement and/or sound signal detector, such contact makers are operable so as to produce, during operation, at least one definite impulse to a control unit controlling a transmitter connected to an aerial and visual function indicator.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which the body which may be a person in a cataleptic state is buried in a coffin provided with a power source which supplies a group of electronic devices controlled by ball contact makers which have been placed on said body and permit an alarm signal to be transmitted to a receiving station.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, in which the coffin is provided with a lamp and/or a mechanism for actuating an oxygen bottle and/or a cassette recorder having a message which gives instructions to be carried out prior to the arrival of supervisory personnel.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said aerial and visual function indicator is a separate casing provided with a switch mechanism, a locking member and a verifying circuit which permits a logical analysis to be made of the exact nature of the alarm.

5. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which a casing contains the aerial and visual function indicator which are isolatable by an interrupter from the remainder of the circuit.

6. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the aerial and/or visual function indicator when the system is to be installed in a coffin are located externally of the coffin.

7. A security system constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.