US1536933A - Burglar and fire alarm apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1925. I 15363533 R. ROSE BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARM IAPPARATUS Filed July 25. 1921 2 Sheets-Shet 36. 9 v BASEMENT.

I Inventor.

May 5, 1925. V v

R. H. ROSE BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARM APPARATUS Filed July 25. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FigA [I] eh se 7/ i .Al f s G I' Patented May 5, 1925.

masin nALrH E. ROSE, or DETROIT, MICIIGAN.

BURGLAR AND FIREV ALARM APrARATUs Application filed J'ly 25,`,1921. Serial No. 4:8?,250.

T al? whom 't may concem:

Be it known that I, RALPH-H. Rosa, citizen of the United'States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Burglar and Fire Alarm Apparatus; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. e

This invention relates to burglar and fire alarm systems, and includes novel means for giving audible and Visual signals in case 'any door is opened or window sash is raised or fire occurs. The apparatus willsound an audible signal and display a visible signal t show where the burglar has entered, or where a fire in the building has started.

The invention also provides novel means whereby when desired the entire system may be cut out of action at the will of the owner;

or., in case of fire, while the fire is being extinguished The invention also includes novel circuit closing devices for attachment to windows; -also novel heat controlled circuit closers whereby the apparatns will be automatically operated in case of fire. It

also includes'other new and novel minor tea-c Io tui-es lereinafter explained.` I

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawingsand will then summarize in the claims the essentials ot' the invention and novel features of const-uction and novel combinations of parts for all of which protection is desired.

In said drawingsz* F ig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates 'the complete system as pplied to a dwelling,

Figz 2 is an enlarge'd Viewof the main circuit controlling switch.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the novel circuit (iloscrs applied to the window frane.

Fig. 4: is a detail view showing the co-acting circ uit elosing strips applied'to the win- (low sash. i

5 is a side View of one of the window circuit closers-detached. 4 (i is a longitudinal sectional View of Fig. f'ane Fig Fg. 5. v i

Fig. 7 is an end View of Fg. G. Fig. 8 is a side View of the automatic fire alarm circut Closer.

2 --2 when the switch F ig. 9 isa top plan View of F ig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail View of one of the cir-' cuit cut outs.

I will explain the invention as applied to `an ordinarydwelling to enable others to readily adopt and use the" same, it being understoocl that the invention is of course ad'apted for use in connection with private dwellings, factories, stores apartment housesjand any building er structures where burglar alarms and fire alarms may be desre v At any desired place su'ch as the bedroom of theowner of a dwelling may be placed the signal board and c'ircuit controlling devices indicated at 1 iii Fig. 1.

These devices may 'be mounted on any suitablesupport. I prefer to place them in a box of any suitable kind having a removable cover. These dei iccs 'include multiple pole switch 2, which is shown as a triple pole switch having three blades 2% The' size of said switch would depend upon the number of circuits to be made or broken through it, and the number of signal devices contained in the system for which separate indi cations are desired to be given. If over six circuits are to `be`employed I would use a four or five blade' switch which could be readily used for low voltagen circuit a single blade switeh could be used. The switch as shown has three -p'airs of related contact points 2 and 22 and three blades 2 each adapted 'to establish electrica`l connection between the related points is closed. To each contact point 2 of the switch 2 s connected a wire 3 to which is connected a light 3 on the signal board; each wire 3 For a single also is connected to one member of a circujt; v

closing' device 4 (hereinafter explaincd), attachedto the window or to the door {rame n a room of the building; lVires 3' connect all Contacts 2 to Qne terminal of bell 5 and i wires 3 connect contacts 2 to one terminal of lights 3 respectively (as indicated in Fig. 1). The other member of this cireuit closing device 4 is connected by a wire 3 through switch 3 to one pole of a suitable source of electricity. g

The electricity may be supplied from any suitable. source. As shown wire 3 is connected to one pole of a suitable sorcc of if desired the circuit through this particu lar crcut closer may be broken by opening' the cut out 3 Normally the cut out 3 should remain closed.

One circuit closer or breaker 3 may be put in for each circuit closer 4 (or each sash) and directly in circuit with the related circuit closer; and by opening 3 the related sash can be raised or lowered from the inside without giving any alarm, and

still leave the rest of the system in eflective operationJ i Each contact point 2 is also preferably connected by a wire 3 to a light or visual signal of any suitable Construction. As shown the wire 3 connects to one contact point of a lamp 3 (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1) which may be placed in the box 1 behind a transparent sign 1", hereinafter re'- ferred to, and the other pole' of the light socket is connected by a wire 5 to the wire 5 consequently when the circuit' is closed through the wires 3, '3 5", 5 3 the related lamps 3 and 3 are lighted. These lights will not be lighted as long as the circuit through the wire 3, 3 is broken or cut, out, but these lights will remain lighted.

whenever the circuit is closed by `the circuit closer 4 (as hereina'fter described).

Further each contact point 2 is connected by 'wires 3' to one terminal of an electric bell 5 which'may be Conveniently mounted in or on the board l; and the other terminal of this bell is connected by a wire 5 to the wire 5 so that when the circuit is closed through the lights 3 39, the bell will be simultaneously rung.

i If desired a second bell 5 may be located at any desired point outside the building or at a sub-station and connected by a wire 3 to wire 3 bya wire 5 to wire 5' so that both bells willbe'rung when the alarm is given.

Small electric lights B nay he put on switch 2 one terminal of light may be con- 'nected to the positive side of the source of current by wire connecting to the negative side of the source of current from the switch, so when circuit closer 4 is closed lighting lights 3 and 3 these lights 3 will also be illuminated.

The lights 35' are connected in small Sockets properly insulated and made fast to bars of switch 2 so that the lanps connect to the negative side of the source of current out of circuit at will.

of the battery E; and wires 5, 5 5

and 5 have been designated positive wires since they start from the positive' terminal of the battery E. However reversing the terminals of the battery would not a'ect the working of the system.

When switch 2 is closed if any circuit closer 4 is closed a circuit is made through the lights 3 and bells and 5 It will be understood that there is a complete circuit such as above described from one terminal of lights 3' 'and bell 5 to each room in the building and back to the other terminal of lights 3 and bell and each window opening in each room may be pro- Vided with a circuit closing device as 4; the several circuit closing devices 4, in the same 'room being preferably connected in arallel with the wires 3, 3% as indicated in ig. 1; thus each pair of related contact points 9 2% control the circuit to bell 5 from a given room or set of ro ms, windows or doors; and the similar parts of like circuits are similarly numbered, and it is unnecessary to describe each circ'uit in detaih The doors may also be provided with suitable circuit closer-s if desired'.

A cut out switch 5* may be interp'osed in the wire 5 so that the whole 'system may be cut out' of circuit if desired to repair the same or if the owner wishes to leave the property 'temporarily unprotected by the system. i

An electric lamp 3 may be provided in each room or adjacent each door or window, and connected by a wire 3lito the wire 3, and by a wire 5 with the wire 5% A cut out switch 5 may be placed in the wire 5 so the light 3 canbe' placed .in or The switches 2, 5' and cut outs 3 should be normally closed, but the circ'uit closers 4 arefnormally open. lVhen any circuit is closed by any circuit closer 4 in any of therooms, being closed by a burglar or person making an una'uthoi'ized entry. switch 2 beingnormally closed au audible alarm is given by the bells 5 and and all lights 3?. 3, 3& 3 are ilhuninated in' building, as all lights operate through circuit closers 4 or circuit closers 4 and switch 2 combined. For instance as shown in Fig.

1 with switch 2 closed, and the circuit closer 4 in the right'hand window of the basenent closed-"tracngithe crcut through lamps 3? in the basenent window one terminal of lamps 3 `is each connected by wire through closed switch 5", to wire 5?, and hence to one pole of battery E. The other terminal of lamps 3 are each connected by through wire 3 down through the right hand blade 2 and' through the wire 3 leading from the right hand terminal 2 down to and through the same closed circuit closer 4, and from thence -as above traced to the opposite ,pole of the battery E. Similarly,

the lights 3 in the library have one, terminal each' connected by wires 5 and 5 to one pole of battery E and the other terminals of said lights connected by wires 3 to wires 3 leading to the left hand blade 2 of switch 2 and up through said left hand blade, through wire 3, and down through wire 3 leading from the right hand blade 2 to and through the same closed circuit Closer 4 and to the opposite pole of the battery E. Hence all lights 3 will be illuminated and if switch 5 is then opened all lights 3 will be cut out of the circuit. If switch 5 is closed, and switch 2 opened then only the lights 3 in the room where a (-ircuit closer 4 is closed will remain lighted due to the fact that the blades 2 no longer connect the contacts 2 with the shunted Contacts 2.

'Trading' the circuits through lights 3 with switch 2 closed and any one of the circuit closers 4 closed-each lamp 3 `has one terminal connected by'wire 5 to wire 5 wire 5, switch *5 to one pole of battery E,

and the other terminals of the lamps 3 are connected by wires 3 through the blades 2 of switch2 and shunt wire 3 to the wire3 leading from the right hand blade of switch 2 down to, and through the same closed circuit closer 4 (at the right hand window of the basement) and hence through wire to ,the -op osit'e pole ot the battery.

llence all ligts 3 are lighted, but it' switch 2 'is then openedsince blades 2 no" onger connect contacts 2 with 2, only the lght 3 n the crcut ncludng the closed circut closer 4 will reman lghted. It

v .switch 5* is opened, all lights 3? are out` of circuit. V

Asregardslights 3 when switch 2 is closed, and any' one circuit Closer 4.'.is closed., all lights 3 are liglted in a similar manner to the operation of lights 3 since one terminal oflights "3" are connected by wires 5 to wire 5 and one pole of battery E, and the other terminals'of lights 3 are connected by wires 3 to the contacts 2 `to switch 2 in the identical manner as are lights 3 V Since we have shown that when switch 2 s closed and any one crcut closer 4 s i The operation hence is the same in both cases.

closed the three blades 2 of switch 2 are V connected through wires 3 and 3* to one pole o`f thebattery E, and' since lanps 3 have one terminal connected to the blades stop the ringing of the bell and he can do this by opening switch 2. Thereupon the bell eeases and all lights 3 3 3 3 are cut out except that one in the particular circuit in which the contact 4 is closed, for the lights 3% 3 3 in such circuit will remain lighted. 4

The lights 3 on the switch 2 make it' a self-lighted switch. The switch 5" should be left open on retiring. If alarm is made however after throwing out switch 2, switch 5. should be closed which turns on the light 3 at each opening in 'the circuit which has' been closed. If there is no watchman 'the switch 5 could be left closed so that should a window be raised it would automatically close the circuits through the lights 3 at each of the openingsl v One contact of light 3 is connected with the negative pole of the source of electricity through the wire 3 the other is connected with the positive pole of the source of electricity through wire 5 When th circuit closer 4 is closed a complete circuitis established', beginning at 3 through wire 5% switch 5 wire 5, switch and wire 5 through light`3 wire 3 wire 3, contact 7, and wire 3 back to 3 If it is desired to employmore than three .circuits `on the three pole switch an addi- 'tional set or sets of contact points 2. could beplaced in position to be engaged by the switch bars Q-as indicated in Fig. 2.

Preferably dry cell batteries are used for the source of electricity as they are 'less eX- pensive thanstorage batteries and more reliable than an electric supply system, be-

cause burglars ordinarily cut the usual electric: wires before attempting to enter. but

out of operation if dcsired leaving the fire e alarm circuit intact.

The crcuit closers 4 are llustrated n detail in Figs. 3 to 7. The circuit closers are employed in pairs, each member of each pair being constructed alike. Each member comprises a plate 6 which is pr'eferably stamped out of metal and is provided with perforations 6 for the fas'tening screws; a hook 6 for engagement with an actuating spring; and parallel guide ears 6 Affixed to this .plate is a block 6 to which is pivoted one end of a sheet metal housing 6 bent'into U-shape. In the free end of the housing G is mounted a roller 6 which is guided between the ears 6 of the plate. A spring 6? is engaged with the hook 6 and the hook G on the housing plate (i and normally tends to project the roller as shown in Fig. 5. As stated these contact members are used in pairs, and one of the plates 6 is connected to the conduetor 3 and the other related plate to' the conductor 3 These housings 6 could be both connected to one base'plate if properly insulated but I prefer to keep themseparate to avoid trouble with undesirable contacts and 'each can be readily taken out and examined. I

The plates G are Secured' in the guide grooves of the window frame as indicated in Fig. 3 so that the rollers G project into the path of the sash and are adapted to engage metal contact strips 7 attached to the upper and lower sash as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. 'When one of strips 7 Contacts with the rollers of the related contact nlate's they form electrical contact thcrewith and the circuit is closed thereby between the connected wires 3, 3.

The spring (3 yie'lding projects the roller, into the groove of the sash and 'insures contact with the metal strips 7, as the sash is raised or lowered.

The strips 7 may be of any desired length. I profet-ably form'them in sections slightly spaced apart as shown at 7 so that if the sash is adiusted until one of the spaces lies between the contact rollers the circuit will be open. Symbols or marks (not shown) could be placed on the sash corresponding to the gaps 7 between the strips so as to show where to stop the sash to keep from making contact. Cireuit breakers 3 enable the window sash to be raised or lowered from the inside. if desired` without sounding the alarm, or adjusted to difi'erent positions without necessarily keeping the circuit closed. 'These breaks 7 would enable the windows to be partly opened at night by the owner but cause an alarm if a burglar attempted to move the sash up or down. I prefer to use the roller contact fixtures described. but I do not consider the invention limited in its broader aspeets to the particular kind ot roller contact shown in Figs. 3-7.

The signal box or board is pretor-ably made of Wood. Bell 5 switch 2, switch t may be mounted on the switch box but the lights 3 and 3 and all wring is preferably concealed therein and the box may be provided with holes for lights 3* to extend thru, as lights 3 are only intended to give light to party awakened suddenly and probably confused and excited, making it easy for him to find the switch box; Openings are preferably cut in the cover of the signal boX opposite the lights 3 which openings are covered by frames each hearing a transparent signas indicated, so that when the cover is closedthe sign would be over the related light. Should the light burn out the glass could'be slid out and the bulb removed and replaced. The cover may be also provided with holes through which the lanps 3 can be readily inserted or removed. To utilize the same system, also to give fire alarm in case of fire, novel automatic 55 circuit closers 8 are employed, see Figs. S and 9. These automatic fire alarm switches are constructed like single pole switches.. each having a blade 8 pivotally connected to a contact stud 8 and adapted to engage acontact member 8 attached to the base plate 8". Mountedon the base 8 at oppo site sides of the blade 8 are a pair of slotted members S which are adapted to retain a removable sheet of suitable material 8 prefe-ably of celluloid or other material which will ignite or give away at a predetermined dangerous temperature. This sheet 8 normally holds the bar 8 out of position to contact with the member 8, but if the sheet S is destroyed or gives way when heated above. a certain temperature, then the blade E is automatically closed by spring 8 'connected to the base and blade in such manner as to bring the blade into engagement with the contact 82 Each contact member 8 of the several automatic fire alarm circuit closers is connected by a wire 9 to a'wire 9 which is connected to the negative pole of the source of electricity 3 The contact mem-ber 8 of each fire alarm circuit is connected by a wire 9 to a wire 10 which leads to the contact 2 of the switch 2. A light 10 (similar to the lights 3 may be placed on the switch-board and connected in circuit in the wire 10 as shown in Fig. 1. A wire 10 leads front the said contact. point 2 to a light 10 on the signal board which light is also connected to the wire ti 1 see Fig. 1. The electrical counections are such that if any one of the fire alarm circuits closers 8 is operated by heat oi' fire destroying sheet S the bells 5 and 5 `will be caused to ring, and the visual signals and lights illuninatcd as above described. ly opening switch 2 the bells and burglar alarm lights are eliminated-but the fire alarm sign. and the related light 10 remain tiuninated. 1

e board. Lights 3' are controlled b Byopening the switch 3 the entire burglar 'alarm system will be cut out 'of operatio'n, but the fire alarm' will remain inoperative condition. The fire alarm switches are shown in the drawings as attached to the,lower part of the window casings, but they may be placed wherever deemed advisable or desirable. A

In the drawings the heavy black lines indicate wires leading to say the positive pole of the-battery and the lighter lnes indicate the negative pole of the battery.

The wire 3 is connected at one end to one pole of the battery 3 and at the other end to one of theroller contacts 6.: Wire 3 is a continuation of wire 3 one end of which connectsto the other 'roller 'contact and' other end `to switch clip 2 and to one terminal of liglt 3 then the negative conductor contnues-'from 2 to 5 also from 2 to 3'. Hence switch 2 is a circuit breaker in the negative conductor only,leaving the positive conductor running from battery E thru switch 5 (-which is the 'only means ofcutting out positive conductor) the positive conductor continues from switch 5 to lights 3 and to bells and 5?. 5 is apositive connection running to lights 3 and 3 and when circuit closer tconnects wres 3 and 3 it establishes a complete circuit.

Lights 3* ope'ate the same as lights 3' but are connected to the positive side of the current source tlru different wires. They should not be on same positive eonduetor as lights 3" are to give light to party at switch switch 5? and are ntended to scare a burg ar away or enable the watchman to turn the light upon him when he is entering a window.

-What I claim is: 1. In an alarm apparatus for a structure havin a plurality'of openings; an alarm at ac opening; a circuit for each alarm including means at the respective opening o erable by :in attack at said opening for c osingits respectrve circuit; a source of electricity common to all of said circuits;

'and means common to all of said circuits for normally connecting all of said circuits in .parallel whereby an attack at any opening will give an alarm at all openings said and a plurality of cooperating .means being operable to disconnect all of said alarms exc'ept at the opening attacked. I 2. In an alarm app-aratus -for a structure having a plurality of openings; an alarm at each` opening; a circuit for each alarm in- I cluding means at the respective opening of said alarms respectively to one contact on said switch, whereby when the switch is closed an attack at any opening will op erate the alarms at all openings;, and when the switch is opened the alarm only at the opening attacked will be ope'rated.

3. In analarm apparatus for a structure having a plurality of openings; a switch comprising a plurality of blades and a plurality of cooperating Contacts; means electrically connecting all of said blades together; a plurality of alarms, one at each of said openings; a circuit for each alarm including means at the respective opening operable by an attack at saidopening for closing its respective circuit; a source of electrcty.connnonto all of said circuits; means eonnecting one of said contacts on said switch to each of said circuits respectively between the alarm and'the first mention-ed means; whereby when the switch is closed an attack at any opening. will operate the alarms 'at all the openings, and when the switch is opened the alarms only at the opening attacked will be operated.

'4. In an alarm apparatus as set forth in 4 claim-3, a plurality of annunciators, one being provided for each said alarm circuit,

and means connecting said annunciators between ,the source of electricity and the re-' spective Contacts on said switch, whereby when the switch is closed an attack at any 'opening will operate all of said annunciators and when the switch is' open only the annunciator for the circuit closed by an at taek will be operated.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my 'own I afiix my signature.

RALPH' H. Rose

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