GB2319647A

GB2319647A - Symbolic religious cross or crucifix alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2319647A
Application number: GB9723494A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Mccarthy; Michael Mccarthy; Desmond John Mccarthy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-19
Filing date: 1997-11-07
Publication date: 1998-05-27
Also published as: GB9723494D0; GB9624008D0

Abstract

A symbolic religious cross or crucifix (1) is attached to a connector (6) and alarm means (2) is provided which is activated in the event that the cross or crucifix is separated from the connector, as when stolen or lost. The alarm means, which may be electrically operated with battery power, is operated by relative movement between the cross or crucifix (1) and the connector (6). A tracking device may be included for assisting tracing of the separated cross or crucifix.

Description

SYMBOLIC RELIGIOUS CROSS OR CRUCIFIX ALARM This invention relates to a symbolic religious cross or crucifix provided with alarm means.

Priests or other religious persons are often required to carry a cross or crucifix when attending their duties. These are vulnerable to theft especially if worn in a visible manner. Indeed, the priests themselves are also vulnerable to attack. A cross or crucifix provided with an alarm means which is activated either by a thief on trying to steal the cross, or by the priest if attacked, would be desirable. The cross or crucifix could be carried in a pocket, from which it could be easily activated by the priest, if attacked.

According to the present invention there is provided a symbolic religious cross or crucifix attached to a connector, wherein the cross or crucifix or connector is provided with alarm means which is adapted to be activated by relative movement between the cross or crucifix and the connector.

The relative movement between the cross or crucifix and the connector may be caused by a thief on attempting to steal the cross or crucifix, or by the person carrying the cross or crucifix on being attacked.

It is to be understood that references hereinafter to a cross are to include references to a crucifix.

The alarm means may be provided in the proximity of the cross e.g. alongside it. Alternatively, the alarm means may be provided as an integral part of the cross or connector, and may be contained partially or substantially within the cross or connector. In a preferred embodiment the alarm means is contained substantially within the cross.

The connector may be provided with a hook suitable for attachment to fabric, or a snap connector, or ring suitable for attachment to, for example, a chain, or be otherwise suitably adapted for attachment to a wearer. The connector may be attached to the cross by attachment means.

A snap-fit attachment is just one possibility.

The alarm means is activated by relative movement between the cross and the connector. This includes removal of the cross from the connector. Relative movement between the cross and the connector may cause the alarm means to be activated using switching means which may be, for example, mechanical, electrical, optical or magnetic. Relative movement between the cross and the connector may cause an electrical current to flow or to stop flowing, for example through the alarm means or a portion thereof, which causes the alarm means to be activated. The electrical current may flow through the switching means.

The alarm means may comprise an electrical circuit which may comprise an alarm, a power source e.g. a battery, switching means and a circuit board which may control the operation of the alarm means. Means for placing the alarm means in an operative mode may also be provided.

The alarm may comprise an audio or visual alarm or both.

The alarm may comprise a piezoelectric crystal, for example in the form of a disc, which may produce an audio alarm.

When the alarm means is contained partially or substantially within the cross or the connector, vents may be provided within the cross or connector through which the sound andlor light from the alarm may escape.

The cross or crucifix may include a tracking device adapted to give out a signal for tracing the cross or crucifix when separated from the connector, as when stolen or lost.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a symbolic religious cross according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a symbolic religious cross 1 in which an alarm means is provided. The alarm means comprises an alarm 2, a battery 3, switching means 4 and a control board 5. The cross 1 is supported on a chain (not shown) by a connector 6. Electrical connections are made between the alarm, battery, switching means and control board as shown.

Electrical current can thereby flow from the battery to the control board and from there to the alarm and switching means. The switching means 4 comprises contacts 8 provided on the cross 1 and contacts and a conducting strip 9 provided on the connector.

In use, an engaging portion 7 of the connector is inserted in an upper portion of the cross 1, and is retained therein by a snap fit. When the connector and cross are thus attached, the contacts 8 of the cross come into contact with the contacts 9 of the connector, and the switching means is closed such that electrical current flows therethrough.

When the cross is moved relative to the connector, or removed from the connector, the contacts 8 are moved out of contact with the contacts 9, and the switching means is opened and the electrical current flowing therethrough ceases. The control board detects the change in status from closed to open of the switching means, and activates the alarm, by applying an electrical current thereto. The alarm comprises a piezoelectric crystal which creates a sound when the electrical current is applied thereto. Thus, on relative movement between the cross and connector, the alarm is activated.

It will be appreciated that the switching means may alternatively be normally open, and relative movement between the cross and connector causes the switching means to be closed. This conserves the operational lifetime of the battery.

In an alternative embodiment the switching means may comprise a mechanical switch having a plunger which is depressed when the connector is snap-fitted into the cross.

A tracking device may be included in the cross which will give out a signal to assist in trying to trace the cross if it is separated from the connector, as when stolen, or lost.

Claims

1. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix attached to a connector, wherein the cross or crucifix or connector is provided with alarm means which is adapted to be activated by relative movement between the cross or crucifix and the connector.

2. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 1, wherein the alarm means is provided as an integral part of the cross or crucifix or connector.

3. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 2, wherein the alarm means is contained partially or substantially within the cross or crucifix or connector.

4. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is adapted for attachment to a wearer of the cross or crucifix.

5. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 4, wherein the connector is provided with a hook suitable for attachment to fabric.

6. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 4, wherein the connector is provided with a ring suitable for attachment to a chain.

7. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is attached to the cross or crucifix by attachment means.

8. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 7, wherein the attachment means comprises a snap-fit attachment.

9. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to any preceding claim, wherein relative movement between the cross or crucifix and the connector includes removal of the cross or crucifix from the connector.

10. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to any preceding claim, wherein relative movement between the cross or crucifix and the connector causes an electrical current to flow or to stop flowing through the alarm means, which causes the alarm means to be activated.

11. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to any preceding claim, wherein relative movement between the cross or crucifix and the connector causes the alarm means to be activated by way of switching means.

12. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 11, wherein the switching means is mechanical, electrical, optical or magnetic switching means.

13. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 11, wherein the alarm means comprises an electrical circuit which comprises an alarm, a power source, switching means and a circuit board which controls the operation of the alarm means.

14. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 13, wherein the alarm means comprises means for placing the alarm in an operative mode.

15. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the alarm comprises a piezoelectric crystal.

16. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 15 as dependant from claim 3, wherein the alarm means is contained partially or substantially within the cross or crucifix or connector, and vents are provided within the cross or crucifix or connector through which sound and/or light from the alarm escapes.

17. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix according to any preceding claim wherein the cross or crucifix includes a tracking device adapted to give out a signal for tracing the cross or crucifix when separated from the connector.

18. A symbolic religious cross or crucifix attached to a connector as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.