US2970560A

US2970560A - Anti-burglar electro sound alarm system

Info

Publication number: US2970560A
Application number: US764655A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean L F Perrin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-10-01
Filing date: 1958-10-01
Publication date: 1961-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 1978-02-07

Description

Feb. 7, 1961 J. F.'PERRIN ANTI-BURGLAR ELECTRO SOUND ALARM SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1, 1958 K m I Jean 1.. E PERR/N ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 J. 1.. F. PERRIN ANTI-BURGLAR ELECTRO SOUND ALARM SYSTEM 4 Sneets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 1, 1958 Jean L. F PERR/N AT TORNE Y5 Feb. 7, 1961 J. F. PERRIN 2,970,560

ANTI-BURGLAR ELECTRD SOUND ALARM SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 6/ 75a 65 Fig.9

5o 6/ 7a 6.9 6/ 7a 62 65 Fig. 10

IN l/E N TOR Jean L. A PERR/N AT TORNE Y5 1951 J. L. F. PERRIN 2,970,560

ANTI-BURGLAR ELECTRO SOUND ALARM SYSTEM Filed 001:. 1, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN YE N TOR Jean LE" PERR/N "f' '."V"V u I ")1", I 3 F 13 z Ag.

AT ORNEYS ANTI-BURGLAR ELECTRO SOUND ALARM SYSTEM Jean L. F. Perrin, Quebec, Quebec, Canada (6 Rue Jean-Moulin, Mainvilliers-Chartrcs (Eure et Loir), France) Filed Oct. 1, 1958, Ser. No. 764,655

4 Claims. (Cl. 116--88) The present invention relates to anti-burglar systems which produce an alarm upon unauthorized entrance.

The device which is made up of two main parts: an alarm mechanism and a trigger mechanism, is used particularly where a closure member swings out of the plane of the carrying frame whenever it is opened. One of the mechanisms is connected to the closure member while the other is connected to the frame and their position may be interchanged.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of an anti-burglar alarm system which is more particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with doors, windows and the like.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of an alarm system of the character described which is provided with selective means for arming and deactivating the system so that knowledge of the selected operation cannot be known to unauthorized persons.

Another important object of thepresent invention is the provision of an alarm system of the character described which, upon being activated, will produce a detonation by the firing of a blank cartridge.

Yet another important object of the present invention is the provision of a system of the character described which can very easily be arranged to actuate an electric sound alarm or any other electric warning system.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a system of the character described which takes up a minimum of space and can be disposed on doors or windows which open from either left or right.

Yet another important object of the present invention is the provision of a system of the character described which can detonate a plurality of blank cartridges in succession.

Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character described which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

The foregoing and other important objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the following disclosure and by referring to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in armed position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the alarm mechanism;

Figure 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the trigger mechanism;

' Figure 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the trigger finger;

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section showing the means for arming the striking plunger, taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevation of the assembled elements of the trigger mechanism shown in retracted position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view similar to that of Figure 6, partially cutaway and shown in armed position;

rates atent O Figure 8 is an enlarged view similar to that of Figure 7 and showing the trigger finger in deactivated position;

Figure 9 is a cross-section along line 9-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a cross-section along line 10-10 of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of the device show ing the plunger in armed position and the associated electrical circuit;

Figure 12 is an enlarged partial elevation of the electro-magnetically operated trigger plunger;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the locking pin for the trigger plunger, taken along line 13--13 of Fig. 2;

Figure 14 is a section along line 14-14 of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a plan view of a modified arrangement of the key, associated with the conventional key for a safety lock; and

Figure 16 is an enlarged partial longitudinal section along line 1616 of Figure 15.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like elements throughout, the alarm device, in accordance with the present invention, comprises essentially two separate mechanisms namely, an alarm mechanism, generally indicated at 1, preferably secured to a stationary part such as a door frame A, and a trigger mechanism 2 preferably secured to a movable part such as the door B. Obviously the position of the alarm mechanism 1 and trigger mechanism 2 could be reversed.

In a preferred arrangement, the trigger mechanism 2 is disposed adjacent the upper corner of the door B along the outer side edge of said door, while the alarm mechanism 1 is disposed adjacent the side edge of the door frame A opposite the trigger mechanism 2 on the closed door, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The two mechanisms are secured on the inside faces of the door frame and door so as to be inaccessible to a person trying to open the door from outside of the room to be protected.

The alarm mechanism 1 comprises an elongated bracket 3 adapted to be vertically secured to the inside face of the door frame A and having at its lower end a right angular flange 4 and at its upper end a rightangular flange 5; a channel-shaped housing 6 is rigidly secured to the bracket 3 and together with a channelshaped cover 7 forms guiding means for the vertical up and down movement of a main percussion plunger 8.

The plunger 8 has a lower portion ofsubstantially channel-shaped cross-section and has its web portion 9 slightly upwardly tapered with respect to the assembly of housing 6 and cover 7, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The upper end of the channel-shaped part of the housing of the plunger 8 forms a step 10 to the underface of which is secured an abutment plate 11 adapted to rest on a lip 12 formed at the upper end of the housing 6. The upper part of the plunger 8 is in the form of an elongated plate provided with a struck-out lug 13 and opposite lateral notches 14 and a right-angular flange 15 at the upper end thereof.

A firing pin or striker 16 is rigidly secured to or integralwith the bottom 17 of the plunger 8. A coil spring 13 is compressed between the bottom 17 of the plunger 8 and a bracket 19 secured to the housing 6.

A cartridge holder or barrel 20 is removably secured within the housing 6 at the lower end thereof by means of a bolt 21; the cartridge holder 20 has a cylindrical bore 22 and a shoulder 23 at its upper end for receiving a cartridge blank 24 with the flange of said cartridge resting in the shoulder 23 such that the percussion cap of the cartridge 24 will face the firing pin 16. A perforated plate 25 is disposed just above the cartridge blank in contact with the upper end of the cartridge holder 20 with the hole thereof adapted for the passage of the firing pin 16. Plate 25 maintains the cartridge against recoil. The lower portion of the cartridge holder 20 forms a skirt 26 for directing the combustion gases, produced by the detonation of the cartridge blank, down- Iwardly against the lower flange 4 of the bracket 3, said lower flange 4 serving as a gas deflector.

A gas pressure responsive electric switch 27 is disposed and secured to the lower flange 4 of the bracket 3 oppcsite the bore of the cartridge holder so as to be subjected to the pressure of the gas produced during the detonation of the cartridge blank 24. The switch 27 consists of casing 28 provided at its top face with an aperture 29 opposite which is disposed a movable contact 30 consisting of a flexible leaf spring adapted to abut against a stationary contact 31 under the action of gas pressure.

A micro-switch 32 is secured to the upper flange of the bracket 3 opposite the flange of the plunger 8 such that its actuating button 33 is depressed upwardly by said flange 15 when the plunger 8 is in armed position, its abutment plate 11 resting on the lip 12. When the button 33 is depressed, the circuit of the microswitch is openand said micro-switch is closed when the button 33 is released by the plunger 6.

A trigger plunger 34 is disposed behind the upper partof the main plunger 8, passes through the apertured upper flange 5 of the bracket 3 and is provided at its upper end with an iron head plate 35 which is adapted to be pulled upwardly by an electro-magnet 36 mounted on the upper end of the bracket 3 by means of support 37. The lower end of trigger plunger 34 is guided by a pin 62 secured to bracket 3 and passing through slot 62 made in said trigger plunger 34. A spring-pressed locking pin 38, more particularly illustrated in Figure 13, is disposed in a block 46 which is secured to the support 37 opposite the plunger rod 34 and is adapted to enter a notch or small bore in said plunger rod 34, to lock the same in up position with the iron head plate 35 hearing against the core of the electro-magnet 36. A coil spring 41 surrounds the plunger rod 34 between the upper flange 5 and a pin 42 secured to said plunger 34; the spring 41 serves to urge the plunger rod 34 downwardly into its lower limit position. The lower end of the plunger rod 34 forms a shoe 43 adapted to slide on the metal bracket 3 and a small idle wheel 44 is pivotally mounted on the plunger rod adjacent the shoe 43 and is adapted to engage the lug 13 of the plunger 8 to cause outward movement of the plunger 8 with respect to the bracket 3 upon upward movement of the trigger plunger 34, thereby releasing the main plunger 8 from the lip 12; thus the plunger 8 is free to move downwardly under the action of the coil spring 18 for firing the cartridge blank 24.

Once the trigger'plunger 34 has moved into its upper limit position, the locking pin 38 locks the same in said position and the wheel 44 is disposed at such a position that it will prevent rearming of the main plunger 8.

The cover '7 is provided with a window 45 and the lower portion of the web 9 of the channel part of the plunger 8 is coloured so as to show a coloured area through said window 45 when the plunger 8 is in armed position.

In the foregoing it has been seen that actuation of the trigger 34 by the electro-magnet 36 will cause release .in about the centre portion of the base plate 50.

A first slide member 55 is adapted to engage the channels 51 of the base plate 59 so as to slide horizontally in accordance with arrow 56. The first slide member 55 is provided with

vertical channels

57 and 58 along the vertical edges thereof, the channel 58 being interrupted by a cutout portion 59% The centre portion of the slide 55 is provided on its inner face with a circular hole 60 for housing a disc or wheel 61; the latter has a square keyhole 63 made in the centre thereof. Disc 61 is maintained in its housing 60 between base plate 56 and a second slide member 69, and its center keyhole 63 is adapted to register with hole 54 of base plate 50.

Thus, when the first slide member 55 is slid within the guiding channels 51 of the base plate 56 until the keyhole 63 of disc 61 is opposite the keyhole 54 of the base plate 54 a key 64 may be inserted through the aligned

keyholes

54, and 63 such that the square end 65 of the key 64 will engage keyhole 63 whereby the disc 61 can be rotated within its housing hole 60.

The key 64 has a blade 65 at its outer end for use as a screw driver.

The disc or wheel 61 is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 66 adapted to be engaged by a springpressed click 67 which maintains the wheel in any of several predetermined angular positions. The click 67 slidesradially Within a groove at the periphery of the hole 60 and is urged by one leg of the U-shaped spring 68, also inserted within a recess of the first slide member 55.

A second slide member 69, in the form of a flat rectangular plate, is slidably mounted within the

channels

57 and 58 of the first slide member 55 for reciprocal up and down movement according to double arrow 70. The second slide member 69 covers the wheel 61 and is provided with a vertical slot 71 for receiving the outer end of the key 64. Adjacent the slot 71 there is provided a threaded hole 72 for receiving a bolt 73, the outer end of which is adapted to engage a radial slot 74 made in the wheel 61. Thus, rotation of the wheel 61 causes up and down movement of the second slide member 69 with respect to the first slide member 55.

The trigger finger 75 is secured to the second slide member 69 at an adjustable level. The finger 75 is formed with two spaced flanges 76 adapted to embrace the plate of the second slide member 69 and are secured thereto at any adjusted level by means of a bolt 77 engaging any one of the holes 78. The outer end of the trigger finger 75 is provided with a pivoted part '79 which is spring-urged by leaf spring 80 into a position in alignment with the main body of the trigger finger. The part 79 can pivot only in one direction with respect to the main body of the finger 75 against the action of the leaf spring 80.

A cover plate 81 is adapted to be removably secured to the channels 51 of the base plate 50 so as to cover the entire assembly of the two

slide members

55 and 69, finger 75 and combination wheel 61. The cover plate 81 is provided with a flexible shield 82 adapted to close the outer opening of the trigger assembly so as to conceal the trigger finger 75 when the latter is in retracted position; thus the level of the said finger cannot be determined.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a bore 83 is made through the door B in alignment with the keyhole 54 of the base plate 50. Abutment screws 84, inserted through the channels 51 of the base plate 50, prevent removal of the assembled

slide members

55 and 69 from the base plate 50.

The device, in accordance with the present invention, operates as follows:

For normal opening and closing of the door B, the assembly of the

slide members

55 and 69 and trigger finger 75 are in retracted position within the housing defined by the base plate 50 and cover plate 81, as clearly shown in Figure 6.

When it is desired to set the alarm, the assembly of

slides

55 and 69 is pushed outwardly towards the free edge of the door B by means of a knob 85, secured to slide member 55, until the finger 75 projects outwardly from said free edge of the door B as shown in Figure 7. In this position, the knob 85 is tightened in slot 85 of cover plate 81. The key 64 is inserted through the bore 83 of the door into the square hole of the combination wheel 61 and is rotated whereby rotation of wheel 61 causes up or down movement of the second slide member 69. The level of the trigger finger 75 is thus adjusted by counting the number of clicks made by the click member 67 to such a position that the trigger finger 75 will be opposite a portion of the upper part of the main plunger 8 other than the portion provided with opposed notches 14. When the door is closed, the pivoted outer part 79 of the trigger finger 75 pivots against the upper part of the plunger 8, as clearly shown in Figure 4, and enters between the plunger and the bracket 3, as shown in Figure 9. Subsequent opening of the door by any unauthorized person will cause the trigger finger 75 to push the plunger 8 away from the bracket 3 thereby releasing said plunger which will fire the cartridge blank 24 as previously described.

It will be noted that no one, except the person who has set the alarm, even if the bore 83 made in the upper part of the door B is located, will be able to adjust the level of the trigger finger 75 so as to be opposite the lateral notch 14 of the plunger 8.

To open the door B without triggering the alarm, one rotates the combination wheel 61 by means of the key 64, while counting the number of clicks made by the click member 67, in order to adjust the level of the trigger finger 75 so as to be opposite the lateral notch 14 of the main plunger 8, as shown in Figure 8. It will be noted that the particular combination to be used for opening the door without setting off the alarm may be changed by repositioning the trigger finger 75 at another level on the second slide member 69.

Release of the plunger 8 will cause detonation of the cartridge blank 24 and, as illustrated in Figure 11, the combustion gases issuing from the cartridge holder 2i? will cause closing of the gas pressure responsive switch 27 which will, in turn, energize the electro-magnet 36 which will attract the iron head plate 35 and cause upward movement of the trigger plunger 34 and locking of said plunger in up position by pin 38, thereby positioning the idle wheel 44 of said plunger 34 in such a position as to prevent rearming of the main plunger 8. Upon release of the plunger 8 the microswitch 32 will close the electric circuit to the sound alarm or bell 86 and this bell will continue to ring because of the impossibility of recocking the plunger 8.

With the electric circuit diagram illustrated in Figure 11, it will be noted that it is possible to trigger the alarm mechanism 1 by other means than by the trigger mechanism 2. For instance, a photoelectric cell 87 may be arranged in the electric circuit and disposed at any suitable place whereby the passage of an opaque body will cause closing of the electric circuit through the electromagnet 36 which will in turn cause release of the plunger 8. Similarly, any other kind of switch 88 may be arranged to close the electric circuit to the electromagnet upon undue interference.

Also there might be several devices in accordance with the present invention connected in series such that the setting off of one device will cause the triggering in succession of the other devices, through the arrangement of the gas pressure responsive switch 27, electromagnet 36 and trigger plunger 34.

When the embodiment described hereinabove is used in conjunction with a door having a conventional safety lock, the user must use two separate keys to open the door without triggering the alarm mechanism: namely the key 64 to uncock the alarm mechanism and an ordinary safety key to unlock the door. However it may happen that the user forgets to uncock the alarm mechanism before unlocking the door thereby unwillingly setting off the alarm. To obviate this inconvenience, the arrangement of Figures 15 and 16 will preferably be used. This arrangement consists of the ordinary safety key S for a conventional door lock, permanently and pivotally attached to an alarm key 64.

The key 64' has a square end as in key 64 and is pivotally connected to the enlarged part of safety key S by a flanged rivet which is rigid with key S and with a washer 91 having a diametral groove 92 aligned with key S. The key 64' has a circular fiat head 93 having a diametral rib 94 on the face thereof facing the grooved face of washer 91. Head 93 is urged against washer 91 by a spring washer 95.

The key 64 is longer than key S such that when the two keys are in folded position as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 15, the key 64' projects outwardly of the end of key S whereby the latter cannot be used to unlock the door without first unfolding the keys, thus providing a reminder to the user that the alarm mechanism must be uncocked before unlocking the door.

The groove 92 and rib 94 together with spring washer 95 resiliently maintain the two keys in either one of their two positions, namely folded or unfolded position.

While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been illustrated and described, it is understood that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An anti-burglar device for use on two cooperating structural closure members; a first member being fixed and a second member being pivotally movable out of the plane of the first, said device comprising: an upstanding housing attached to one of said members and open at the top thereof; said housing having a back Wall, a striking plunger telescopically vertically displaceable within said housing and having a depth, normal to said back wall, smaller than the depth of said housing, leaving a space therebetween; an abutment lip formed on a vertical extension of the back wall and having a forward extent smaller than said space; an abutment plate on said striking plunger co-acting with said lip to maintain said plunger in an inoperative position; spring means between said plunger and housing compressed when said plate and lip are in mutual engagement; a lever vertically upstanding from the top of said striking plunger in spaced parallel relationship with said vertical back wall extension; an electrical circuit comprising an alarm-sounding device and a switch; means on the upper end of said lever for opening said switch upon contact therewith when said lip and plate are in mutual engagement; a firing pin at the lower end of said plunger; a cartridge holder and a cartridge blank therein located within said housing below said plunger; a trigger mechanism fixed to said other closure member and provided with an elongated substantially horizontal trigger finger; both said trigger mechanism and said housing being positioned along adjacent edges of said closure members with said horizontal trigger finger located between said back wall extension and lever; whereby upon an unauthorized opening of said closure member, said trigger will push said lever and move said plate off said abutment lip and said striking plunger will be moved downwardly by the action of said spring means to strike said blank cartridge, and said lever upper means will be released from said switch to close the sounding device electrical circuit and sound an alarm.

2. An anti-burglar device for use on a door and a door frame, said device comprising: an upstanding housing fixed to said frame along one edge thereof and open at thetop; said housing having a back wall; a striking plunger telescopically vertically displaceable within said housing and having a depth, normal to said back wall, smaller than the depth of said housing, leaving a space therebetween; an abutment lip formed on a vertical extension of the back wall and having a forward extension smaller than said space; an abutment plate on said striking plunger co-acting with said lip to maintain said plunger in inoperative position; spring means between said plunger and said housing compressed when said plate and lip are' in mutual engagement; a lever vertically upstanding from the top of said striking plunger in spaced parallel relationship with said vertical back wall extension; an electrical circuit comprising an alarm sounding device and a switch; a horizontal arm on the upper end of said lever for opening said switch upon contact therewith when said lip and plate are in mutual engagement; a firing pin at the lower end of said plunger; a cartridge holder and a cartridge blank therein located within said housing below said plunger; a trigger mechanism fixed to said door along an edge thereof adjacent said housing and provided with an elongated substantially horizontal trigger finger; said horizontal trigger finger being located between said back wall extension and lever; whereby upon an unauthorized opening of said door saidtrigger will push said lever and move said plate off said abutment lip and said striking plunger will be moved downwardly by the action of the spring means to strike said blank cartridge, and said lever upper means will be released from said switch to close the sounding device electrical circuit and sound an alarm.

3. An anti-burglar device for use on a door and a doorframe, said device comprising: an upstanding housing fixed to said frame along one edge thereof and open at the top; said housing having a back wall; a striking plunger telescopically vertically displaceable within said housing; front walls on said housing and striking plunger; the front wall of said plunger being upwardly and rearwardly inclined in relation to the front wall of said housing; an abutment lip formed on a vertical extension of said back wall; an abutment plate on said striking plunger co-acting with said lip to maintain said plunger in inoperative position; the maximum space between said front wall of said housing and plunger being greater than the forward extent of said lip; spring means between said plunger and housing compressed when said plate and lip are in mutual engagement; a lever vertically upstanding from the top of said striking plunger in spaced parallel relationship with said vertical back wall extension; an electrical circuit comprising a sounding device and a switch; a horizontal arm on the upper end of said lever for opening said switch upon contact therewith when said lip and plate are in mutual engagement; a firing pin at the lower end of said plunger; a cartridge holder and a cartridge blank therein located within said housing below said plunger; a trigger mechanism fixed to said dooralong an edge thereof adjacent said housing and provided with an elongated substantially horizontal trigger finger; said finger being located between said back wall extension and lever; whereby upon unauthorized opening of said door, said trigger will push said lever and move said plate off said abutment lip and said striking plunger will be moved downwardly by the action of the spring means to strike said blank cartridge and said lever horizontal arm will be released from said switch to close the sounding device electrical circuit and sound an alarm.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said trigger mechanism further comprises: horizontal guiding channels fixed in relation to said door; a pair of plates slidable, back-to-back, between said horizontal guiding channels; said pair of plates including a front and rear plate, one of said plates having vertical channels for guiding the rear plate in vertical displacement; a circular hole cut out of said front plate and a circular disc of substantially the same size as said hole rotatable therein; notches cut out of the circumferential edge of said disc and an elongated slot cut of its area; an outwardly spring pressed click along the periphery of said hole; said click adapted to selectively fit into one of said notches; a pin projecting from said rear plate into said slot; a square hole through the center of said disk; an aperture through said door in line therewith; said trigger finger being connected to said rear plate; a slit cut out of said lever facing the edge of said frame; whereby rotation of said disc by a square key introduced into the square hole will bring the rear plate and trigger finger into vertical displacement to place said finger in alignment with the lever slit for opening of the door without operation of the alarm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS