US2293609A - Barrier alarm - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1942.

BARRIER ALARM Filed June 9, 1941 IN V EN TOR.

J. K. LIVINGSTON 2,293,609

Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BARRIER ALARM Jay K. Livingston, Houston, Tex., assignor of onehalf to Ben Battelstein, Houston, Tex.

3 Claims.

This invention aims to provide a simple means whereby a signal will be given when an attempt is made to open a Venetian blind or other barrier unlawfully.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present inven tion appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment V of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, parts being in section;

Fig, 2 is an elevation showing one member of the blind-retaining hook;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the complemental member of the hook;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the hook structure in relation to a part of the blind;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken through the hook.

The letter B marks a barrier of any desired kind, such a Venetian blind, comprising slats I and a bottom rail 2 connected by vertical flexible bands 3.

In order that a signal circuit may be operated when the blind is raised, a hook structure is shown as mounted on a window sill 4 although the hook structure might be otherwise mounted. Moreover, the way in which the conductors of the signal circuit are arranged, and the way in which they are shielded from view, so that an intruder will not know that his actions are likely to be reported by a signal, will depend on whether the mechanism hereinafter described is incorporated in a building already constructed, or in one that is being newly erected.

The foregoing qualification being carried in mind, combined circuit closers and blind retainers 5, which may be headed screws, are mounted in the ends of the bottom rail 2, if the bottom rail is not already provided with such elements.

The hook structure, mounted on the window sill 4, if desired, is made up of complemental conducting members 6 and I, which are alike, saving for the fact that the member I is provided at the inner end of its mouth 8 with an enlarged opening 9. The members 6 and I of the hook structure have oppositely projecting feet I0, shown as held on the window sill 4 by securing elements I I, for example, screws.

A sheet of insulating material I2 is held tightly between the hook members 6 and I, and has a laterally projecting U-shaped hub I4, received in the opening 9 of the hook member I. The sheet I2 of insulating material conforms in outline to the hook members 6 and I.

The structure last-above described preferably is duplicated at each end of the bottom rail 2 of the blind B.

The numeral I5 marks an electrical circuit, located as found convenient, and concealed as the details of installation may dictate. In the circuit I5 is interposed a source I6 of electrical energy, which may be either a battery or the usual source of house current. A signal I! is interposed in the circuit I5 and is shown in the form of an audible signal, although a visible signal may be substituted if desired. A switch I8 is interposed in the circuit I5, and is under the control of an operator, to the end that the house owner may render the signal mechanism active or inactive, as he sees fit. The conductors of the circuit I5 may pass through an opening I9 in the sill 4 and be held beneath the feet II] of the hook members 6 and I, in electrical contact therewith, by means of the securing elements II. The other hook structure can be brought into the circuit I5 by means of conductors 20 when the blind B is drawn down, and when the circuit closers 5 are engaged with the hook structures, the circuit closer 5 touches the hook member 6, but not the hook member I, because the circuit closer is engaged with the insulating hub I4. So soon, however, as a prowler attempts to unhook the lower part of the blind, the part 5 rides out of the insulating hub I4 and touches both members 6 and I of the hook structure. The circuit I5 then is closed, the signal I! will become active, and notice will be given that a breach of the house or other building is in progress.

As is common in connection with any device adapted to form part of a building, allowance must be made for the fact that, as to installation, the structure of the building has to be taken into consideration.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a circuit closer, a bridge, a fixedlymcunted hook structure including substantiallyduplicated hook members located closely enough together to receive the bridge, and insulation carried by one hook member, in the bight thereof, and engaging the bridge, the insulation being so limited in area that, when an effort is made to detach the bridge from the hook structure, the bridge will ride off the insulation, and come into electrical contact with conducting portions of both hook members.

2. A circuit closer constructed as set forth in claim 1, and wherein the insulation is a laterallyprojecting hub, forming part of an insulating sheet which is bound between the hook members, said one hook member being provided with an enlarged opening in which the hub is received.

3. In a circuit closer, a bridge, a fixedlymounted keeper structure including members located closely enough together to receive the bridge, and insulation carried by one keeper member and engaging the bridge, the insulation being so limited in area that, when an effort is made to detach the bridge from the keeper structure, the bridge will ride off the insulation, and come into contact with conducting portions of 10 both keeper members.

JAY K. LIVINGSTON.

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