US3127599A - Inspection reminder system having a periodically opened alarm nullified by switch actuation at all stations - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1964 M. SMITH ET AL 3,127,599

INSPECTION REMINDER SYSTEM HAVING A PERIODICALLY OPENED ALARM NULLIFIED BY SWITCH ACTUATION AT ALL STATIONS Filed Sept. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F l G. 2

INVENTORJS MORRIS SMITH THEIR ATTORNEY.

vMarsh 31, 1964 M. SMITH ETAL 3,127,599

INSPECTION REMINDER SYSTEM HAVING A PERIODICALLY OPENED ALARM NULLIFIED BY SWITCH ACTUATION AT ALL STATIONS v Filed Sept. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,f F I G. 3 38 i 72 r 7- 74 6 94 96 f INVENTORS MORRIS SMITH ROBERT c. READ THEIR ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,127,599 INSPECTION REMINDER SYSTEM HAVING A FERHGDICALLY OPENED ALARM NULLIFIED BY SWITCH ACTUATION AT ALL STATIONS Morris Smith, Saclrville, New Brunswick, Canada, and Robert C. Read, Norwallr, (30:111., assignors to The Gordon Company, Inc., Norwalk, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Sept. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 59,343 Claims. (Cl. 340-486) This invention relates to signal systems and more particularly to an inspection reminder system which is electrically timed and controlled and includes both audible and visual signals.

One object of the invention is to provide a system which produces both audible and visual signals to remind an inspector of a task needing attention.

Another object is to provide an inspection reminder system which produces intermittent signals continuing until manually shut off, thus indicating the task has been attended to.

Another object is to provide an inspection reminder system having one or more remote shut olf points and in which the signals continue until all the remote shut olf points have been manually operated.

The system of the present invention has many uses, one of which is in connection with the cleaning and servicing of toilets in roadside service stations. Since this work does not require the full time of the attendant, his other duties sometimes distract him and he fails to return to the servicing task for long periods of time. The advantage of the system of the present invention resides in the fact that the reminder alarm, set for any desired interval of time, continues to operate at prescribed intervals, say every ten seconds, until the task has been performed and the system re-set for a new cycle by pressing a button.

To this end, the system includes a motor driven camoperated switch which controls the entire system. This switch is held closed during the greater part of a cycle having a comparatively long period of time. At the end of the cycle, the switch is opened momentarily to de-energize the system. This switch is connected in series through a normally closed relay to a motor driven, cam-operated switch which is held open during the greater part of a cycle having a comparatively short period of time, at the end of which the switch closes momentarily to energize one or more signalling devices, such as gongs and lights. The coil of the normally closed relay is connected in series with one or more normally open relays, the coils of which are connected to one or more respective push button switches. When the push button switches are manipulated, the normally open relays are energized and closed, thus energizing the coil of the normally closed relay and opening it to de-energize the short cycle motor and switch thus stopping the operation of the gongs and lights. The normally open relays are arranged with holding contacts so that after the push button switches have been manipulated they remain closed, holding the normally closed relay open and consequently preventing the short cycle motor from operating the switch which energizes the gongs and lamps. This status continues until the end of the cycle when the long cycle switch is opened momentarily, de-energizing all the relays and allowing them to return to normal. The long cycle switch is then closed by its respective cam and motor, thereby energizing the short cycle switch and motor to operate the gongs and lights which continue until the push button switch or switches are operated as above.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

PEG. 2 is a front elevation, with cover removed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram.

While it is understood that the various component parts can be disposed in any convenient manner, for the purpose of illustration, a main cabinet 1t? constructed with a hinged cover 12 contains the components. Timing devices having the proper cycles to suit the problem at hand must be used. Those chosen here to illustrate the invention should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. If, for example, a busy service station manager desires to maintain the toilets in first class condition and decides to inspect them every hour, the installation of the present invention to signal every hour, both audibly and visually, would greatly enhance the functioning of his plan.

An electric timing device 14 is used which comprises a motor 16 (see FIG. 3), a cam 18 which makes one revolution per hour, and a switch 243 which is operated by the cam 18. It will be noted that the cam 18 is driven by the motor 16 which is energized by current from 115 volt power lines 22 and 24, through leads 26 and 28. A fuse 3t) protects the motor 16 from overload and a fuse 32 protects the entire system. The switch is connected to the power line 22 by lead line 34 and to a motor 42 of a second timing device generally indicated 44), through lines 36, 38 and switch 44 of a normally closed relay 46, and lead line 43. The circuit is completed through the motor 42 by connecting to power line 24 through lines 5t and 52. A fuse 54 serves to protect the motor 42 against overload. Besides the motor 42, the second timing device 40 consists of a cam 56 driven by the motor 42 at the rate of six revolutions per minute, and a switch 53 which remains open for the greater part of the cam cycle. A lead line 60 connects from line 48 to one side of the switch S8 and lead 62 connects the other side of the switch to a lamp 64 and a gong 66. The circuit is com pleted through the lamp and gong by connection through line 52 to 24. One side of the coil of the relay 4-6 connects to the power line 24 through line 6%. The other side connects to the switch 2% through a line 76, a switch 71 of a relay 72, thence through a line 74 and a second switch 75 of another relay 76, thence through lines 78, and 36. Another fuse 82 protects the relays from overload. A push button switch 84 is used to initially energize the coil of the relay 72 which then retains its energized condition through holding contact 36. Similarly a push button 88 initially energizes the relay 76 which is held energized by contacts A standard plug 92 (FIG. 1) is attached to the end of the power cord for plug-in convenience. The push button switches are placed in remote positions. Switch 84 is connected through lead wires 94 and 96 and switch 33 is connected through wires 98 and 1%.

It will now become apparent that, in operation, after plugging into a standard volt convenience outlet, the motor 16 becomes energized and drives the cam 18 counterclockwise at the rate of one revolution per hour, thus closing the switch 20 which energizes the motor 42 which drives the cam 56 of the second timing device 4% at the rate of six revolutions per minute. As the cam 56 rotates, the switch 58 is closed once every revolution, as indicated by the detent in the cam, thus energizing the gong 66 and the light 64 six times per minute. This is to alert the toilet maintenance man that it is time for inspection. This continues while the inspection of the first toilet is completed and the maintenance man then pushes a button 84 energizing the relay 72 and closing the switch associated therewith, including the closing of operating contacts 71 and holding contacts 86. The signalling still continues until the second button 88 (which is located 3 in the second toilet) is operated to energize the relay 76 and close switch 75 which then completes the circuit through the relay 4 6 which opens the switch 44 interrupting power to the motor 42 and to the gong 66 and the light 64.

After the motor 16 has driven the cam 18 through one revolution of one hours duration, the actuating member of the switch 20 drops momentarily into the detent of the cam 18 thus interrupting power to the entire system and allowing the relays to return to normal. Then as the cam 18 rotates the switch 29 is closed, starting the cycle again.

While there have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made therein Without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be included therein.

We claim:

1. An alarm inspection system for a plurality of inspection stations comprising; a motor-operated switch which connects a source of electrical power to said system continuously except for periodic reset intervals; an alarm circuit which includes, in series connection, said source of power, a pair of normally closed contacts of an alarm relay, a pair of motor-operated contacts, and a transducer which produces an alarm when actuated by electrical power; a release circuit at each of said stations for disabling the alarm circuit, each of said release circuits including a normally open release switch and a release relay with the switch and relay Winding connected in series with said motor-operated switch and the source of power; each of said release relays including a pair of holding contacts and a pair of normally open operating contacts, said operating contacts all connected in series with the winding of said alarm relay and the source of power; and circuit means for operating said transducer at predetermined intervals when said alarm relay contacts are closed.

2. An alarm inspection system for a plurality of inspection stations comprising; a motor-operated cam switch which connects a source of electrical power to said system continuously except for periodic reset intervals; an alarm circuit which includes, in series connection, said source of power, a pair of normally closed contacts of an alarm relay, a pair of motor-operated cam contacts, and at least one transducer which produces an alarm when the alarm circuit is closed; a release circuit at each of said stations for disabling the alarm circuit, each of said release circuits including a normally open release switch and a release relay with the release switch and relay winding connected in series with said motor-operated switch and the source of power; each of said release relays including a pair of normally open holding contacts and a pair of normally open operating contacts, said operating contacts all connected in series with each other and with the winding of said alarm relay and the source of power, whereby only the operation of all the release switches actuates the alarm relay and prevents the alarm from operating.

3. An alarm inspection system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said motor-operated cam contacts complete a circuit through said transducer, the contacts of the alarm relay, and the source of potential; the duration of said completed circuit being less than ten percent of the duration the uncompleted circuit.

4. An alarm inspection system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said motor-operated cam switch disconnects the source of electrical power from the alarm and reset circuits and permits all the contacts on the alarm and reset relays to normalize.

5. An alarm inspection system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said motor-operated cam switch disconnects said source of power for a duration which is less than ten percent of the duration of the connected time.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 990,434 Goldstein Apr, 25, 1911 2,559,746 Ahlberg et al. July 10, 1951 2,968,747 Shillington Jan. 17, 196 1

Claims (1)

1. AN ALARM INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR A PLURALITY OF INSPECTION STATIONS COMPRISING; A MOTOR-OPERATED SWITCH WHICH CONNECTS A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO SAID SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY EXCEPT FOR PERIODIC RESET INTERVALS; AN ALARM CIRCUIT WHICH INCLUDES, IN SERIES CONNECTION, SAID SOURCE OF POWER, A PAIR OF NORMALLY CLOSED CONTACTS OF AN ALARM RELAY, A PAIR OF MOTOR-OPERATED CONTACTS, AND A TRANSDUCER WHICH PRODUCES AN ALARM WHEN ACTUATED BY ELECTRICAL POWER; A RELEASE CIRCUIT AT EACH OF SAID STATIONS FOR DISABLING THE ALARM CIRCUIT, EACH OF SAID RELEASE CIRCUITS INCLUDING A NORMALLY OPEN RELEASE SWITCH AND A RELEASE RELAY WITH THE SWITCH AND RELAY WINDING CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH SAID MOTOR-OPERATED SWITCH AND THE SOURCE OF POWER; EACH OF SAID RELEASE RELAYS INCLUDING A PAIR

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