US2789188A - Alarm station - Google Patents

Description

April 16, 1957 A. s. KoRABowsKl 2,789,188

ALARM STATION Filed Aug. 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 if if f7 i] l INVENToR. v

-n fwn@ United States Patent() ALARM STATION Adam S. Korabowski, Springfield, Mass., assignor to The Standard Electric Time Company, Springfield, Mass., a corporation of Connecticut Application August 29, 1956, Serial No. 606,892

18 Claims. (Cl. 20G-168) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an alarm apparatus or alarm station for use in connection with :lire alarm systems and the like.

The principal objects of the invention are directed to the provision of alarm apparatus wherein a support having operating mechanism associated therewith is separate from a switch carrying base for a wall box. The support is easily and readily connected to and disconnected from the base and has advantages in that the components of the mechanism are accessible for inspection, manipulation, and testing, repairs are readily ac-V complished as may be necessary, or an unserviceable support with its mechanism may be replaced by a serviceable unit as may be desired.

According to the invention as one feature thereof, a trigger is pivoted to the support for movements between cocked and uncooked positions by means which, if desired, may be quickly disabled to permit removal of the trigger from the support.

According to another feature of the invention, the trigger is provided with a Sear which resiliently or yieldingly releasably engages a hammer device. The trigger is held in releasably cocked position and may be pulled manually from said cocked position to red position for alarm purposes.

rthe hammer device is such that the hammer is held in depressed position by a trigger sear but is released as the trigger is pulled from its cocked position. With the support connected to the base, the hammer, when released by the sear, immediately acts on the arm of the switch device associated with the base so as to shift the arm to its alarm position.

The switch device is of the type wherein the arm thereof is movable between its alarm and non-alarm positions, and is such that a hammer quickly operates on or propels the arm with a spring action.

The trigger and Sear are not engaged or connected with the switch arm wherefore the trigger and Sear are independent thereof. The hammer for applying Vforce to the arm is under the control of the trigger sear only while the trigger is in its cocked position. When the trigger is pulled from cocked position, the hammer is operable independently of the trigger for its propelling function wherefore movement of the switch arm is not dependent on connections between the arm and the trigger or parts thereof.

The support is releasably connected to the base by engageable means carried by said support and base. VLock means is provided to lock the support and base in connected relation, and said means .is readily disabled for complete separation of the support from the base. This is advantageous as the base and support components are readily accessible for repairs, inspection, testing or replacement.

Positive movement of the switch arm to alarm position -is assured since the hammer component is arranged to function automatically on release .thereof bythe se'ar as the trigger is pulled.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the form of the apparatus, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is illustrated in the form at present preferred in the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figs. 1 and 2 are plan and edge views respectively of the base of the alarm station embodying the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the alarm station embodying the novel features of the invention, with the trigger component in the cocked position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view on the line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5V is a rear elevational view of the mechanism support of the alarm station shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 lis a vertical sectional elevational View through the alarm station on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View through the upper part of the base and support to illustrate how same are connected;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the lower portion of the outer or front side of the support;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the lowerportion of the rear or inner side of the trigger component of the support;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the hammerportion of theoperating mechanism; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the releasable locking components of the base and support.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, the novel features of the alarm station of the invention will be fully described. Y

In a general way, the alarm station includes a base 2 and a Support 4 which are separate components adapted to be connected for operation of the device, as Vwill appear.

The base 2 is in the formof a plate adapted to be secured to a wall box or receptacle of well known form.

The base 2 is formed with an angularly y'disposed lip 6 along the upper edge thereof and with horizontally spaced ears 8 extending outwardly, as shown. A pair of horizontally spaced guide lugs 10 are provided at the lower portion of the base and extend outwardly therefrom.

A lock bolt 12 is secured to and extends forwardly from the base and is provided with a conical or spherical head having a rear shoulder 14. See Fig. 4.

A switch 16 is secured to the rear side of the base and has an arm 18 which is swingable between on and oif positions, or between alarm and non-alarm positions. Said arm is moved between its non-alarm and alarm positions by external means, such as a hammer, which, in the disclosure hereof, is incorporated in the mechanism carried by the support, as well be described.

In the drawings, the switch arm 1S is shown in its lower non-alarm position and is movable upwardly to its upper alarm position.

The support 4 is provided on its outer forward side or face at its upper portion with a cavity 20 (see Figs. 3, 6 and 7), and on its inner rear side opposite thereto with an elevated or platform portion 22 (see Figs. 5, 6 and 7).

The 'support 4, 0n its outer forward face and at its lower end, is formed to have a recess 24. On its rear inner face, at the lower portion thereof, said support 4 has an elevated portion or ledge 26. See Figs. 5 land 6.

Transversely spaced guideways 28 extend through the ledge 26 and are adapted to receive the guide lugs 10 of the base. The rear upper portion of the support 4, above the platform 22, is provided with a transverse slot 30 which extends langularly, upwardly and forwardly, and is adapted to receive the lip 6 of the base 2.

The support 4 is provided with a peripheral rim to surround the edge of the base and with bosses 4 to abut the forward face of the base.

Vsides of the recess.

The support 4 which Vis separate from the hase 2 is releasably connected` thereto by tilting the support in a manner such that the slot 30 of the support is in sub- Stantialalisnmentwiththe lip 6 0f the base The Support t is more@ downwardly for insertion@ thelip in the slot and then the support is moved towards the base.

The ears 3 of the base straddle theVYplatformv-ZZ and engage opposite sides 22 thereof.

The guide lugs Y16 of* the base 2 are received Vinthe guidewaysvZS of tha ledge 26y of the support.' Thus, by means'of the ears and guide lugs, the support is restrained from Yturning relative to the base, the rim of the support surrounds the base and the bosses 4' abut said base. The

slot 30 and lip 6 are arranged for movement of 'the sup Yportftowards the base withrthe lip engaged in thesiot 3i?.

The support is releasably held or locked to the base, as will hereinafter appear.

A trigger 36 is provided which has a lower end portion 38. Opposite sides of the trigger at said lower end fit between the sidesV of the recess V24 in the forward side of the support. See Fig. 5.

Pins 40 are movableV back and forth in grooves 42 sov that inner ends of the pins may project into the recess 24 in the front side of the support, as indicated in Fig. 8. With the'lower end of the trigger 36 in the recess 24 and being provided with pin receiving sockets 44, the pins r Vare movable inwardly into said sockets. Thus, the trigger If desired vthe pivot pins, with their inner ends inthe sockets yof the trigger, may be secured against sliding as by staking or in some other suitable manner.

1 Ribs 36 are provided on the inner or rear side of the trigger to abut the front face of the recess 46 of the support.

A at spring indicated by 66,.is disposed on lands 62 of the inner side of the support, and is looped at 64 around a Vboss 66" of the support. See Fig.v 5. An inner vertical portion 68 of the spring extends toa horizontal portion 70 which is looped at 72 and returns Ito asocket or hammer portion 76 which is in the form of an eye 76. An outer side portion 77 of the spring extends through a lower curve 78 to a transverse lower portion 8h and is looped at 84 to an upper portion 82 adjacent portion 80.

The lowerY and upper portions 80 and 82 respectively of the spring are rather closely adjacent and. cooperate to provide a keeper engageable with the lock bolt 12 of the base 2, as will hereinafter appear.

A cover plate 88 is superposed on Ithe boss 66', on other bosses 90, and on the ledge 26 of the support. It is secured to said bosses and ledge by means of screws 92.

Said plate overlies the elements of the spring and is pro-i vided at its lower edge with a cut-out 9i) for the therethrough of the Ylock bolt 12 of the base;

' Additionally, an opening94 is provided inthe plate 88. Said Vopening is adapted to receive the inner end of a key inserted througha key hole 94 of the supportV 4.

As the support 4, which is separate from the base, is connected to the base, as previously described, theV head passage 140i the lock bolt 12 passes through the cut-out 96 of Y plate SS'and between the relatively yieldable members Sil and 82,`so as to form the keeper whereby the shoulder 14' of the lock bolt lies behind the inner edges of the keeper parts 80 and S2, asindicated in Fig. ll. Thus the support is releasably locked to the base. n'

Y A keyhole 94 is provided in the support 4 for the 4 insertion of a key therethrough and between the spring portions? St) vandV S2 forming the keeper. The key will be formed so that, as it is turned, the spring portions 80 and 82 are separated by said key to allow passage of theV lock bolt head therebetween and to release the lock bolt so that the support 4 maybe removed Yfrom the base. Upstanding ribs'96V may be provided on the support which are adjacent parts Yof the springs Vso as to confine said spring and insure proper functioning thereof.

A scar is fixed to the rear or inner side of the trigger 36 and the support 4 is provided wi-th an opening lil@ for the passage of the sear therethrough.

The upper sideV of the hammer 716has a detent102 formed thereon. See Fig.' l0. The underside of the scar is provided with a notch 95' in which the detent 102 is receivable in the cocked position of the trigger 36 so as to releasably and yieldingly hold the trigger in said cocked position.

It will be assumedk that the switch 16 ofthe base is` connected in an alarm system and thatsaid switch arm 18 is in lower non-alarm position so that, when the arm ismoved to upper alarm position, an alarm will be operated.V The support 4 releasably connected to the base 2 for alarm purposes will have the trigger thereof releasably held in its cocked position by the detent 102V of the hammer 76 engaged in the notch 98A of the trigger sear 98. The arm 18 of the switch will be within the contines of the hammer 76 or related thereto for movement by said hammer.

The cockedtrigger may be operated with pulling it by aY linger F lover the upper end of said -trigger 36 in the cavity 20 ot the support 4. The. sear 9S releases the hammer T76 which, by a considerable spring action, moves the switch arm 18 to alarm position. Thusthe switch/arm instantly propelled to alarm position.

The support is unlocked and separated from the` base b yinserting a key in a keyhole 94 of the support and turning it to separate the keeper forming spring members 80 and 82. This allows movement of -the'lower end of the support away from the base Vso that the upper portion may bermoved upwardly to disengage the lip of the base from the slot of the support Y Y With the support disconnected from the base, Vthe mechanism of the support is readily accessible for reconditioning. The trigger is readily cocked by'manually depressing the hammer 76 and swinging Kthe trigger to cocked position s o that theesear 98 thereof overlies the spring actuated hammer. The support, being separable from the base as it is, makes possible the cocking'of the trigger iudep Andently of and without regard to the position of therswi'tch arm.

v In the connected relation of the support and base, the triggerY parts are independent of connection with the arm of lthe base switch, The spring pressed hammer releasably held in depressed position by the trigger sear, on beingv released by the pull of the trigger, functions automatically and Vindependently of the trigger and sear to positively move lthe arm to alarm position. Thus, any resistance offered by the switch arm, in itsV movement to alarmposition, is readily overcome by the propelling.

force of the hammer. The erase with which the trigger may be pulled'ifrom cocked p sition is not affected by any resistance olered by the switch arm.

Y As has been stated, the support and base, being separate components, are arranged for releasable connection for operation of the station. Thus the components are accessible by separationof the support and base for inspec- Ytion, repair, testing, and the replacement ofY components wherefor down time of the station isV greatly reduced. Testingof the mechanism is extremely important andis readily and easily accomplishedwith the support being separated fromthe base. j Y Y A telltale device isprovided which is'ruptured. as the trigger is pulled from cockedposition for alarm purposes.

SuchY a telltale device may` be "an elongated rod Vortube of glass indicated by T. Said telltale device in the uncocked position, or angular position of the trigger, indicated in Fig. 6, is dropped downwardly between the rear face of the trigger and forward face of the support which are formed to receive the telltale therebetween. As the trigger is moved to cocked position, the telltale drops into the recess 24, so as to lie below the guide lugs. As the trigger is pulled from cocked position, the lower portion 37 of the trigger engages and ruptures the telltale.

Although particular embodiments of my invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the object of the invention may be attained by use of constructions diterent in certain respects from those disclosed without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

I therefore desire by the following claims to include within the scope of my invention all such variations and modiiications by which substantially the results of my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

l. Alarm apparatus comprising in combination, a base carrying switch provided with an arm freely movable from non-alarm to alarm position, a support separate from said base having forward outer and inner rear sides, a trigger at the outer side of said support, hinge connections swingably connecting said trigger and base for movement of said trigger between cocked and uncocked positions, a spring member supported by the inner side of said support having a resilient hammer portion adapted to propel said switch arm when released from depressed position, a sear integral with and extending from said trigger and being receivable through an opening provided in said support in cocked position of the trigger and engageable means carried by said sear and hammer portion to releasably and yieldingly hold said trigger in cocked position and said hammer portion in depressed position, said spring member having adjacent relatively yieldable portions forming a keeper to releasably receive and hold a lock bolt, engageable connections carried by said base and support for releasably connecting the latter to the former with said hammer portion in depressed position and disposed for propelling said switch arm, and means for releasably locking said support and base in connected together relation.

2. Alarm apparatus set forth in claim l wherein said hinge connections includes pins slidable in said support having adjacent inner ends receivable in sockets provided in said trigger.

3. Alarm apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said engageable means includes a detent provided on said hammer portion receivable in a notch provided on said sear.

4. Alarm apparatus set forth in claim l wherein said engageable connections carried by the base and support include portions of said base which extend forwardly thereof and apertures provided in said support in which said portions are receivable.

5. Alarm apparatus set forth in claim l wherein said means for releasably locking said base and supports includes a lock bolt extending from said base which is receivable in said keeper.

6. Alarm apparatus comprising in combination, a base member having an alarm switch secured thereto and provided with an arm movable at the forward side of said base member between alarm and non-alarm positions, a support member separate from said base member, a trigger and connections between said trigger and support member arranged for movement of said trigger between cocked and uncooked positions, spring means carried by said support member having a hammer portion urged in switch arm propelling direction, a hammer control sear carried by said trigger adapted in cocked position of said trigger to releasably hold said hammer portion depressed against movement in propelling direction, engageable means for releasably connecting-said support member to said base member Ifor positioning said hammer portion for propelling movement relative to said switch arm, and releasable locking means for releasably locking said support member to said base member against separation therefrom, said hammer portion of said spring means including an eye in which said switch arm is receivable with said support and base members in releasably connected relation.

7. Alarm apparatus comprising, a base, a switch fixed to said base and having a switch-operating arm swingable relative thereto between non-alarm and alarm positions, a separate support, a manually engagea-ble trigger pivotally mounted on said support and movable -between a cocked and a tired position, spring means supported by said support and including a hammer portion automatically movable'in propelling direction from a depressed position to engage and propel said switch arm from non-alarm to alarm position, a sear integral with said trigger and being releasably engageable with said hammer portion'in cocked position of said trigger and depressed position of said hammer portion when said support is separated from said base for simultaneously and releasably holding said hammer portion in depressed position and said trigger in cocked position, and releasable engageable connections carried by said base and support arranged for connecting and positioning said support on said base so as to locate said hammer portion in its depressed position thereof and adjacent said switch arm in its non-alarm position whereby on movement of said trigger from cocked to fired position said hammer portion is released by said sear and engages and propels said switch arm to alarm position.

8. Alarm apparatus comprising, a base, a switch fixed to said base and having a switch-operatin-g arm `swingable relative thereto between non-alarm and alarm positions, a separate support, a manually enga-geable trigger pivotally mounted on said support and movable between a cocked Vand a red position, spring means supported by `said support land including a hammer portion automatically movable in propelling direction from a depressed position to engage and propel said switch arm from non-alarm to alarm position, a sear integral with said trigger and being releasably engageable with the hammer portion in cocked position of the trigger and depressed position of the hammer portion when the support is separated from the base for simultaneously and releasably holding the Ihammer portion in depressed position and the trigger in cocked position, and releasable engageable connections carried by said base and support arranged for connecting and positioning the support on the base so as to locate said hammer portion in the depressed position thereof adjacent the switch arm in its non-alarm position whereby on movement of the trigger from cocked to tired position the hammer portion is released by the sear and engages and propels the switch arm to alarm position, and means for releasably locking the support to the base in connected together relation.

9. Alarm apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said releasable engageable connections includes relatively spaced projections provided on said base and recesses provided on said supp-ort in which said projections are receivable.

10. Alarm apparatus set forth in claim S wherein said releasable locking means includes relatively spaced resilient portions of said spring means and a projection on said base having an enlarged outer portion insertable in one direction between said spring portions and yieldingly held thereby against withdrawal in an opposite direction.

l1. Alarm apparatus comprising, Ia base having a switch fixed thereto provided with a switch operating arm swingable between non-alarm and alarm positions, a support separate from and being connectable to said base Iand Icarrying mechanism settable with the support sepaverties alarm 'to alarm position, said mechanism including: ia

trigger mounted on the said support for swinging between cocked and tired positions, spring means mounted on saidL support having a hammer portion automatically movable-from a depressed position in propelling direction to engage and propel said switch arm from non-alarm position and being manually movable to depressed position, a sear fixed on said trigger, said sear and hammer portion having releasable engageable means arranged with the Vsupport separated from the baserfor releasable engagement lof the sear and hammer portion in cocked and depressed positions respectively, interitting means carried by the base iand support forreleasably lconnecting said support and base arranged and adapted with the support connected to the'base to position said hammer portion in its depressed position relative to the lswitch arm in its non-alarm position whereby said hammer portion when released by said scar will engage and propel said switch arm from non-alarm to alarm position, and means to releasably lock said support vand base in connected relation.

l2. An organization of coactive `elements for the purpose described, the same comprising, aV base forming one part of a bipartite box, a switch fixed to said base, a switch operating arm movably `connected to said switch and swingable between non-alarm and alarm positions, a support forming the other part of the bipartite box, a manually engageable trigger pivotally mounted `on said support and swingable between cocked and red positions, spring means carried by said support and being manually depressible to a depressed position and being automatically releasable to a propelled position, means Vfor holding said spring means inthe depressed position while said triggeris held in the cocked position and for releasing said spring means to the propelled position when said trigger is swung to the red position, interlitting means carried by said base and support for releasably connecting said -base and supp-ort and adapted with said support connected to said base when said spring means is in the depressed position and said trigger is the cocked position; and lsaid arm is in the non-alarm position to juXt-apose said spring means relative to saidrarm for preventing swinging of said arm until said trigger is swung to the'fired position. Y

13. Alarm lapparatus characterized by, abase, a switch Vfixed to saidbase, a switch arm movably connected to -sa'id switch and swingable between non-alarm and alarm positions relative thereto, a support separate from and connectable to said base, operating mechanism carried by said support and operable therewith when said support is connected to said base for swinging said arm fromV non-alarm to alarm position and including: a manually engageable trigger pivotally mounted on said support to occupy cocked non-alarm and tired Valarm positions, spring means carried by said support and being manually, actuated to a depressed position and being automatically releasable therefrom in a propelling direction, and releasable means for holding said spring means in the depressed position whileY said trigger is held in the cockedposition and for releasing said spring means to the propelled position in response to the movement of said trigger from the cocked to the fired'position, releasable interfitting means carried by Said base and supportand adapted when said support is connectedr to said base to juXtapose saidspring means in its depressed position adjacent said armv in the non-alarm position whereby movement of said Y arm from the non-alarm position is'preventeduntil a preselected moment in responseto thenrelease of Vsaid spring. means by said releasablemeans uponrtheimove-V ment of `said trigger trom the Vcoekedt'o the'red position whereupon said spring means engages Vand propels saidV armv to alarm position.

Y114. InA an apparatus of the character described, the

combination whichrincludes, a base forming one part of aY bipartite box, a switch mounted in cooperatingrelation with respect to saidlbase and-having a switch-operi ating element operatively` connectedY thereto for movementl between non-alarm andV alarm positions, Va separate support forming the other part of the bipartite boX, a manually engageable trigger pivotally mounted on said'support and movable betweentcocked and fired positions,

spring means operatively connected to said support and being automatically movable in a propelling direction from a depressed position thereof, Ya Sear integral with said trigger and being Vreleasably engageable with said spring means in the cocked position of said trigger for preventing movement of said springV means from the depressed position thereof and forholding ,said trigger .inY

the cockedposition, and engageable connections carried by said support and base and arranged for releasably connecting 'and positioning saidtsupport on said base to juxtapose said spring means in the depressed position thereof adjacent said switch'operating element in the nonalarm position thereof whereby on movement of said trigger fromcocked to Vfired position said spring means is released by Vsaid sear to exert anupthrusting pressure .Y for propelling said switch operating element to alarm position,

15. In alarm apparatus, the combination defined in claim 14 and further characterized in that said sear includes a recess and saidspring means includes a projection releasably receivable in ther recess of said sear while said sear is engaging said spring means. Y

16. In afire alarm` system, a switch, a base mounted in cooperating relation with respect to said switch, a switch operating element operatively connected to said switch for movement between non-alarm and alarm positions, a separateV support, a manually engageable trigger pivotally mountedV on saidl support and movable between cocked and tired positions, spring means operatively connected tol said support and being manually displaceable to a depressed position and being automatically movable in a propelling direction in direct response to the ring movement of said trigger, means operatively connected tosaid trigger and being releasably engageable withY said spring means when said support is separated fromV said base forsimultaneously and releasably holding said spring meansin the depressed position andtsaid trigger in the cocked position, said base and support being articulately connectable whereby said support is in a selected relative position to said basek for interposing said spring means in its'` depressed position adjacent said switch operatingV element in the non-.alarm positionv thereof for the prevention of relative movement of said switch operating element and whereby upon movement of said trigger from cocked to redtposition said spring means coacts to propel Vsaid switch operating element into alarm position for the activ ation of said switch. Y

17. In the system dened in claim 16, and further characterized by said support being provided with a recessed portion in the outer face thereof for the receipt therewithin of. said trigger in Vthe cocked position thereof.

18. In apparatus of the class described, a base, a switch mounted in cooperating relation on said base, a switch operating element operatively connected to said switch for the actuation thereof upon movement from the nonalarm to the alarm position thereof, a separate support adapted for overlying said base and having a central body panel coextensive with the-face of said base, a manually engageable trigger mounted on said support and shiftable between cocked and tired positions, spring means Voperatively connected to said Support and being automaticallyY releasably engageable with said spring means in the cocked position of said trigger and the depressed position of said spring means when said support is separated from said base for releasably holding said spring means in the depressed position and said trigger in the cocked position, said base and support being releasably connected whereby said support is in relative position to said base for interposing said spring means in the depressed position thereof adjacent said switch operating element in the non-alarm position thereof for the prevention of relative movement of said switch operating element and References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams Dec. 5, 1933 Flagge et al. Oct. 9, 1951

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