US3603958A

US3603958A - Alarm device for window or door lock

Info

Publication number: US3603958A
Application number: US747056*A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric C Wahlberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-06-17
Filing date: 1968-06-17
Publication date: 1971-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-07

Abstract

A unitary alarm device for use with window or door locks which signals unauthorized unlocking, opening or removal. The device is incorporated in the nonoperating portion of the lock assembly which may be used in present installations or new installations without alteration to structures. The device incorporates a structure for deactivating the alarm when unlocking, opening or removal of access structure is authorized.

Description

United States Patent nu 3,603,958

[72] Inventor Eric C. Wahlberg [56] References Cited 2 A I N gi-lsglszvt, Stamford, Conn. 06905 UNITED STATES PATENTS 52 17 1968 665,856 1/1901 Biedermann et al.... 340/274 [45] Patented Se L7 1971 1,120,613 12/1914 Grove ZOO/61.68 p 1,326,380 12/1919 Veigel 340/274 Continuation-impart 0! application Ser. No.

490,176 Sept 27, 1965 now abandoned. 2,615,083 10/1921 Krueger 340/274 Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell Assistant ExaminerJ. Michael Bobbitt Attorney-Alfred E. Miller [54] ALARM DEVICE R WINDOW 0R DOOR LOCK ABSTRACT: A unitary alarm device for use with window or 7 Chums Dnwmgngs' door locks which signals unauthorized unlocking, opening or [52] US. Cl 340/274, removal. The device is incorporatedin the nonoperating por- 200/6l.64, ZOO/61.81 tion of the lock assembly which may be used in present instal- [51] lnt.Cl ..G08b 13/06 lations or new installations without alteration to structures. [50] Field of Search 340/274, The device incorporates a structure for deactivating the alarm 276; 200/6l.42,61.64,6l.67,6l.68,61.73,6l.79, when unlocking, opening or removal of access structure is 61.78,61.81,6 1.82 authorized. 7

ALARM DEVICE FOR WINDOW OR DOOR LOCK The present application is a continuation-in-part of my abandoned application Ser. No. 49(),l76, filed Sept. 27, I965 and entitled "Lock Assembly.

The present invention relates to locks and especially to deterrents to unauthorized or forced entries. More specifically the invention relates to house locks, car looks, cashbox locks etc. and means to signal unauthorized entries therein.

It is well known that door and window locks are constantly being broken or picked by unauthorized persons.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an alarm system for locks which is simple in construction and is capable of being mounted with the present lock structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-contained, unitary lock and alarm system.

Another object of the present invention is a combination lock and alarm system which is self-contained including the alarm generation device and is interchangeable with present lock systems.

4 A further object of the present invention is to provide a further alarm producing element which is only activated by the forceful removal of the catch in a sash lock.

Other objects and features of the invention will be explained in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose by way of example, the principles of the present invention. Therefore, in the drawings:

FIG. 1v is a front elevation of the assembled sash lock illustrating the locking mechanism and the catch containing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines BB of FIG. 4.

FIG. '6 is a detailed front view of the catch without the mating part.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section showing the detail of the alarm system deactivating mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a part of door lock assembly and the catch assembly.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the catch assembly.

FIG. 10 is a detailed section D-D of FIG. 9, of the side of the catch assembly.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the front of the catch.

FIG. 12 is a detail of the catch assembly, viewing the rear of the catch assembly shown in FIG. 8, with the cover removed.

Most'of the present day sash locks have a latch mechanism consisting of a base to which is affixed an approximately l80 camming rotatable latch. This latch mates with a second part which is a one-piece mounting surface and catch. These two parts are mounted in practice opposite each other on two different sash surfaces. The latch is generally mounted on the top of the lower sash while the catch is mounted on the lower part of the upper sash. When the latch engages the catch, the action draws the two sashes together and locks them in position against movement parallel to each other.

In the present invention the proposed arrangement constructed on adjacent sashes are shown in FIGS. 1-7.

In FIG. 1 there are shown two parts, the latch assembly 1 and the catch assembly 10. The latch assembly 1 is constructed of latch cam 2 rotatably attached to base 4 by means of rivet 3. The catch 10 is constructed of housing 5 having motor 11 attached thereto. A battery screw 22 is located on the face of the housing 5 as an alarm deactivator handle 25.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a battery 26, a battery spring 29, battery retaining screw 22, a battery contact 30 with battery terminal 28 assembled relative to terminal mount 27 which are all mounted in the housing 5.

In FIG. 5 there is shown the switch arm 15 having an inclined wear strip 16, a contact 19 mounted'in housing 5 by means of insulator I7 and insulating screws 23 shown in FIG. 6.

Terminals

18 and 20 are shown mounted on opposite sides ofthe housing 5. Also shown in FIG. 5 is the alarm mechanism constituting cam 13 mounted on motor shaft 12, said cam being in contact with diaphragm 14 which is mounted in housing 5 by means of rivets 24 shown in FIG. 6. Also shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is an antiforcing spring 35 mounted on contact l8 and having one end against the housing 5 and the other end poised to contact switch arm 15 if the center portion of the spring is not held up by the mounting surface of the sash. Thus, spring 35 is wound about post or terminal 18 with an end resting against the catch 10 in such a way as to make the spring 35 biased in a downward direction thereby causing spring 35 to contact or' engage spring 15 when catch 10 is forced off or removed from the window frame. Moreover, if spring 15 is forced up, the same will engage contact 18 and also activate the alarm.

FIG. 6 shows a deactivating arm 25, terminal 20, battery retaining screw 22 on the external front of the housing 5. Internally is shown a portion of contact arm 15 and insulator wear strip 16. V

FIG. 7 shows a deactivating cam 31 having a handle 25 relative to contact arm 15 and housing 5.

FIGS. 8-12 show the present alarm device mounted in exterior door locks, such as the well-known pin tumbler lock. The principles of this alarm are the same as those set forth hereinbefore with relation to the sash lock.

FIG. 8 shows two parts to the lock assembly, a portion of the lock and catch assembly 41.

FIG. 9 shows the rear view of the catch assembly with the deactivating shaft 42 extending out of both sides thereof.

FIG. 10 shows a battery 47, terminal 46, motor 45, cam 48, diaphragm 49, switch arm 70 with an insulator 71, and tab 6 all mounted to the housing 41. Also shown is a deactivator cam 44 mounted on shaft 42.

FIG. 11 is a front view of catch 41 where the battery retaining screw 43 is located. Shown in lock catch opening 7 is battery terminal 46 and deactivator cam 44 mounted on deactivator shaft 42, as well as contact assembly 71. In latch catch opening 8 is shown a portion of motor 45.

FIG. 12 is an open view of the rear catch 41 and shows battery 47 behind contact assembly 46. Also shown is contact arm 70 with deactivator shaft 42. In addition, lock catch opening 7 and lock catch opening 8 are shown.

The operation of the sash lock is such that latch cam 2 of FIG. 1, when it is in locked position, holds switch arm 15 in open, spaced position between the

contacts

18 and 20 and not engaging either contact. However, when latch 2 is withdrawn from the latch catch, switch arm 15, due to spring pressure, engages terminal 20. When this happens, a circuit is established from battery 26 through contacts 30, housing 5, terminal 20, contact 19, arm 15 and motor 11, as well as spring 29 and battery retainer screw 22. This causes motor 11 to start and cam 13 to rotate on diaphragm 14 causing a loud sound to alert nearby people. In the alternative, other alarm systems can be used, such as silent alarm systems connected to other locations, i.e., police station or neighbors house. Thus, when unauthorized entry is attempted by opening the latch on the window, the intruder will be detected and announced.

In order that the unit will not operate when the window is used under ordinary circumstances, a switch locking cam 31 is turned by means of arm 25 (FIG. 7) to a point where cam 31 holds contact 19 on switch arm 15 away from terminal 20 (FIG. 5). Thus, by means of cam 31 the window may be operated in the usual manner without setting off the alarm. If the catch should be forced off the mounting surface of the sash, arm 35 (FIGS. 5 and 6) will spring downwardly due to pretension so that the end of the arm will contact 15. This completes the circuit and causes the alarm to be set off. Thus, a means for warning of trespass through windows and the like has been accomplished with simplicity and compactness to fit existing conditions at a reasonable cost and excellent reliabili- The alarm for a door as seen in FIGS. 8-12 comprises, when the door is locked, a switch 70 (FIG. 10) which is engaged by the lock bolt which contacts insulator 71 and forces the switch laterally away from the contact 72. When the door is opened, the lock is withdrawn and switch arm 70 under spring pressure moves laterally to contact terminal 72. This causes a circuit to be formed with the motor 45 by means of battery 47, contact 46, motor 45, contact arm 70, terminal 72 and housing 41. The alarm is caused by vibration of diaphragm 49. As in the case of the sash lock described above, a deactivator is used to eliminate the functioning of the alarm under normal use of the door. The deactivator (FIG. 10) consists of an eccentric cam 44 on a shaft 42 which extends outside the housing 41 in FIG. 12. By rotating shaft 42 cam 44 causes the switch arm 70 to be continually held away from terminal 72. Thus, release of the switch arm 70, when the lock is withdrawn from the catch will not cause the circuit to be made for the alarm due to the position of the deactivator cam 44 which holds arm 70 in open position relative to terminal 72. The shaft 42 may be operated from the inside of the doorjamb by means of a knob, and from the outside by means of a key-operated lock as is usual for the household locks.

In an alternate method, the battery 47 and its associated structure of contact 46, battery retaining screw 43, motor 45 and diaphragm 49 may be eliminated. Since a bell system is generally installed close to the door lock on the outside of the jamb, the bell pushbutton could be incorporated in the catch assembly. The bell circuit would then replace the motor and battery circuit. The bell wiring would include in its circuit the contact 70 and insulated terminal 72. Thus, the bell circuit serves two purposes: One for announcing unauthorized entries and another for announcing visitors. In either case (use of a bell circuit or a battery circuit) the deactivating mechanism for the lock catch assembly with its associated key lock would be incorporated.

it should be noted that the deactivating cam is shaped in such a manner that when the spring is inactive the latch will automatically place the spring in activating position.

Whatl claim is:

l. A compact self-contained alarm device and energy source for coacting with a locking device provided with locking means comprising an enclosure having said alarm device, energy source, and a connecting means located between said alarm device and said energy source mounted within said enclosure, said enclosure having an opening to accommodate said locking means of said locking device, said connecting means including at least one switch means for completing a circuit from said energy source to said alarm device in response to said locking device being in the unlocked position, and said switch means being open in said connecting means in response to said locking device being in the locked position.

2. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two spaced terminals, said switch means including a switch having its movable member positioned between said terminals having a common connection in said connecting means in response to said locking means being in the locked position.

3. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a selectively manually operated mechanical means other than the locking means coacting with the movable member of said switch means to cause said movable member to be in open position regardless of the operative condition of said locking means.

4. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim I wherein said locking device is a catch and a coacting latching cam for mounting on adjacent sashes of a window.

5. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking device is a door lock having a bolt, the latter engaging said switch means in the locked position thereof for holding the same in open position in said connectin means.

6. compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an antiforcing spring having one end engaging the housing, said antiforcing spring being electrically connected to one of said terminals, and the other end of said antiforcing spring being biased in a downward direction thereby causing said antiforcing spring to engage said switch means when said self-contained alarm device is removed from its environs.

7. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said alarm device constitutes a rotatable cam and diaphragm whereby when said circuit is actuated said cam rotates on said diaphragm to create an audible alarm.

Claims

1. A compact self-contained alarm device and energy source for coacting with a locking device provided with locking means comprising an enclosure having said alarm device, energy source, and a connecting means located between said alarm device and said energy source mounted within said enclosure, said enclosure having an opening to accommodate said locking means of said locking device, said connecting means including at least one switch means for completing a circuit from said energy source to said alarm device in response to said locking device being in the unlocked position, and said switch means being open in said connecting means in response to said locking device beinG in the locked position.

4. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking device is a catch and a coacting latching cam for mounting on adjacent sashes of a window.

5. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking device is a door lock having a bolt, the latter engaging said switch means in the locked position thereof for holding the same in open position in said connecting means.

6. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an antiforcing spring having one end engaging the housing, said antiforcing spring being electrically connected to one of said terminals, and the other end of said antiforcing spring being biased in a downward direction thereby causing said antiforcing spring to engage said switch means when said self-contained alarm device is removed from its environs.