US3754224A

US3754224A - Security alarm actuating device

Info

Publication number: US3754224A
Application number: US00271899A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Roy; S Pasavage
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-14
Filing date: 1972-07-14
Publication date: 1973-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-21

Abstract

The invention is a security device for sensing the unauthorized opening of a gate or the like, the device including an electrical series loop incorporated into a mechanical structure mounted directly on relatively movable members of the gate. Fixedly mounted on one of the gate members is a frame which carries a normally open electrical switch. A rod for operating the switch is removably mounted in the frame in such a position as to engage and hold the switch closed. A lock removably secures the rod to the frame in this switch-closing position. An electrical terminal block is secured to the same gate member and has mechanically and electrically connected thereto the opposite ends of a flexible electrical cable. The cable is mechanically secured between its ends to the rod and is passed around the other gate member so as to prevent more than a predetermined degree of relative movement of said members. The switch and the cable are electrically connected in series such that severing of the cable or opening of the switch by removal of the lock and rod from the frame will result in an open circuit which may be utilized for setting off an alarm.

Description

United States Patent [1 Roy et a1.

[ SECURITY ALARM ACTUATING DEVICE [76] Inventors:v Wilho R. Roy, 7031 Cross Ln., Fort Wayne, Ind. 46815; Stanley P. Pasavage, 806 Three Rivers E., Fort Wayne, Ind. 46802 22 Filed: July 14, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 271,899

[52] US. Cl 340/274, 340/256,.200/6108,

292/1, 116/8, 70/432 [51] Int. Cl. G08b 13/08 [58] Field of Search 340/274, 276, 280,

/6 70/l8, 30, 49, 435, 432, 441; 292/1, 253; 116/6, 8; ZOO/61.08

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,714,644 1/1973 Hellstrom 340/274 Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-William M. Wannisky Attorney- Harold B. Hood, George A. Gust et al.

[ Aug. 21, 1973 [5 7] ABSTRACT as to engage and hold the switch closed. A lock removably secures the rod to the frame in this switch-closing position. An electrical terminal block is secured to the same gate member and has mechanically and electrically connected thereto the opposite ends of a flexible electrical cable. The cable is mechanically secured between its ends to the rod and is passed around the other gate member so as to prevent more than a predetermined degree of relative movement of said members. The switch and the cable are electrically connected in series such that severing of the cable or opening of the switch by removal of the lock and rod from the frame will result in an open circuit which may be utilized for setting off an alarm.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAUBZI ma FICLI n \llllllll/ n 8 u n 2 u n M U WU u u 4 n M n am u n 1 2 n n H a l. Y m u H n mvll nu 8 l/ l .2 5 4 5 IO T0 BUEGLAR ALARM SENSING EQUIPME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to security systems and more particularly to the sensing of relative movement of two juxtaposed members, such as the adjacent frame members of a gate when the latter is closed.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Perimeter fences are customarily provided with gates that are conventionally locked. Many such gates are of the swinging type which fit loosely thereby seldom closing in the'same relative position. The provision of security sensing devices on such gates has not, therefore, been considered practical or conveniently feasible inasmuch as such devices are usually dependent upon rather precise positioning of the relatively moveable members upon gate or door closure. Essential elements of an intrusion alarm system include (I) sensing the intrusion, (2) transmission'of this information to a point remote therefrom, and (3) response to this information. In sensing the intrusion, it is known to utilize magnetic and electrical devices which provide a signal upon relative movement of two members, such as a door and its casing. The opening of an electrical loop is a classic alarm detection method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the broader aspects of this invention, there is provided a security alarm device for sensin g relative movement of two gate members comprising a frame adapted to be secured to one of said members which mounts an electrical normally open switch provided with an operating member. The frame includes guide means for removably receiving a rod element in position to engage and actuate said operating member, a lock being used to removably secure the element to the frame in this position. An electrical terminal block adapted to be secured to the same one gate member has opposite ends of a flexible electrical cable both electrically and mechanically secured thereto, the cable being secured between its ends to the rod element. With both the frame and the terminal block secured tosaid one gate element, the flexible cable is passed around the other gate member when the two gate members are juxtaposed upon gate closure. The switch and the cable are electrically connected in series such that the opening of the switch or the severing of the cable will result in an open circuit which may be utilized by a conventional alarm system (not a part of this invention) to actuate an alarm.

It is an object of this invention to provide a security alarm-sensing device adapted to detect the opening of a gate.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a sensing device for use in connection with a typical, loosely fitted fence gate for the purpose of detecting the opening thereof.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially exploded and sectioned view of one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as being used or combined with a typical gate in a conventional chain-link fence in which two upright juxtaposed gate members or

posts

10 and 12 which are relatively moveable with respect to each other, are shown as when the gate is closed. The

posts

10 and 12 are parts of the two relatively moveable gate frames (not shown) and in the usual instance have a manually operable lock mounted thereon for selectively securing the gate in closed position. The structure described thus far is conventional.

Secured to the upright 12 is an electrical terminal box 14, this box 14 preferably being totally enclosed and sealed, and having a bracket portion 16 secured to post 12 by means of a threaded connector which will be described more fully later on.

Inside the box 14 is an electrical terminal strip 18 (see FIG. 2) having mutually insulated connectors thereon identified by the numerals 1 through 6 of conventional construction. A flexible conductor 20 preferably in the form of a coaxial cable is electrically connected tothe connector strip 18 in the manner shown in FIG. 2, the center conductor being connected to terminals 1 and 4 and the sheath 22 to the

terminals

2 and 3. The coaxial cable 20 is conventional, having a cover of plastic or rubber insulating material thereon. The cable 20 preferably is secured to the box 14 mechanically by means of close-fitting sleeves, cable clamps or rubber grommets 25. As will be evident from an examination of FIG. 2, the cable 20 constitutes a closed electrical loop.

Secured to the post 12 is a frame or casing 24, having an elongated cavity 26 therein. adapted to receive reciprocally aswitch-operating element or rod 28. Laterally extending from the frame 24 are two threaded studs 30 which pass through respective openings 32 in the post 12 to receive nuts 31 so as to clamp the frame 24 securely to'the post 12. It should be noted that the terminal box 14 and the frame 24 are on opposite sides of the post 12, and that one of the studs 30 asses through an'opening in the bracket 16 to'securetheterminal' box 14 to the post 12.

The cable 20 is passed through an opening 34 inthe bottom of the pin 28 and there mechanically secured in place. Two registered'openings 36 and 38 and the Pin 28 and frame 24, respectively, may be aligned so as to receive the shackle 40 of an ordinary padlock 42. The

openings

36 and 38 are so sized and positioned that the pin 28 will be held in fixed position inside the frame 24. It should be stated at this point that the frame 24 preferably is a complete enclosure with only .the lower end open so as to receive the pin 28.

In the upper end of the frame 24 is fixedly mounted a normally open, single pole single throw hermetically sealed switch 44 having an operating member in the form of a plunger 46. Plunger 46 is spring-biased outwardly such that when it is depressed the open switch contacts will be closed. This switch 44, 46 is of conventional construction. For the purpose of securing the switch 44 in place relative to the frame 24, a flat plate or the like 48 closing the upper end of the frame 24 has an opening therethrough to receive the threaded extension 50 of the switch casing. A nut (not shown) received on the extension 50 secures the switch to the plate 48, hence to the frame 24.

The switch 44 is so positioned in the frame 24 that when the rod 28 is in the locked position shown, plunger 46 will be depressed and the switch 44 closed. Upon removal of the shackle 40, the rod 28 will be permitted to drop from the frame 24 thereby permitting the switch 44 to open.

As shown in FIG. 2, switch 44 is connected to

terminals

5 and 6 on strip 18. Terminals l and 3 are connected in series as are

terminals

4 and 5. In this circuit configuration, the switch 44 is connected in series with the inner and outer conductors of the cable 20 such that should any one of the inner or outer conductors of the cable 20 be cut or the switch 44 opened, an open circuit would be presented at the terminals 52. These terminals 52 are connected into a conventional alarm system which is activated by reason of the open circuit.

in operation, with the gate closed and the

posts

10 and 12 juxtaposed as shown in FIG. 1, the cable is passed around the

posts

10 and 12, and the rod 28 is inserted into the frame 24 in position to receive the shackle 40 of the lock 42. Engagement of the upper end of the rod 28 with the plunger 46 closes the switch 44 thereby presenting a closed circuit to the terminals 52 (FIG. 2).

Should an intruder cut or otherwise remove the lock 42 from the rod and

frame

28, 24, or in the alternative cut the cable 20, an open circuit would be presented to the terminals 52 which would activate the alarm system. With the system locked as indicated in FIG. 1, the

cable 20 provides some measure of mechanical containment of the

posts

10 and 12 thereby resisting the opening of the gate. Alternatively, a stranded'stainless steel, plastic covered cable may be paralleled mechanically with the cable 20 to provide additional security and containment, the free ends thereof being securely fastened to the box 14. Since gates of this type fit loosely with rather widely varying dimensional tolerances, it is seen that by reason of the length of the cable 20 rather large dimensional tolerances may be accommodated without impairing the sensing efficacy of the device.

The upper end portion of the frame 24 is provided with a cap 54 which enclosed a switch 44 thereby providing for a weather-resistant installation. The terminal box 14 is enclosed so as to exclude moisture or corrosive-laden atmosphere from the electrical connections thereinside. The locking

device

40, 42 may alternatively be embodied in a cylinder lock having its frame secured permanently to the casing 24 and a manually operable spring loaded bolt which would enter into an annular groove in the pin 28 to thereby lock the pin 28 to the casing 24.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A security alarm device for sensing relative movement of two gate members comprising a frame adapted to be secured to one of said members and mounting an electrical nonnally open switch provided with an operating member, said frame including guiding means for removably receiving an elongated switch-operating element in position to engage and actuate said operating member, a lock removably securing said element to said frame in said position, electrical terminal block means adapted to be secured to said one member and having opposite ends of an elongated flexible electrical conductor terminated thereon, said conductor being secured between its ends to said element and of a length to be passed around the other of said members so as to prevent more than a predetermined degree of relative movement of said members.

2. The actuating device of claim 1 wherein said frame has an elongated cavity which slidably receives said switch-operating element, said element and frame having aligned openings when said element is in said position, said lock including a shackle received by said openings for securing said element in position with respect to said frame.

3. The device of claim 2 in which said lock is manually actuable for removing said shackle from said openings thereby to actuate said switch by removal of said element from said frame.

4. The device of claim 3 in which said conductor includes a coaxial cable having the ends of the center conductor and conductive sheath connected to said terminal block means, said block means including electrical connections series connecting said center conductor and sheath together, said electrical switch being connected in series with one of said center conductor and sheath, the remaining end of the series circuit of said cable and switch being adapted to be connected into an alarm system.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said element is a rod having a diametral opening therethrough which receives said cable, said frame having stud elements thereon adapted to be secured to said one gate member by means of threaded connectors.

6. The device of claim 4 in which the operating member of said switch is a plunger, the end of said rod engaging and depressing said plunger to close said switch when said switch-operating element is in said position.

7. The device of claim 6 including in combination said two gate members mounted to be moved relative to each other from a closed juxtaposed position, said frame being in the form of an elongated closure open at one end to receive said element, said switch being mounted and enclosed in the other end of said frame, said frame being fixedly secured to said one gate member, said terminal block means also being fixedly secured to said one gate member and including a terminal device providing said electrical connections and a protective housing therefor which guards access to said electrical connections.

l i i l I! A tes ingf i er j fl U ITED AT NT OFFICE I V R I I A E O CT N Patnt iNbl 22: gid r uq-u g 21, 1-973 l f Wilho R'. Roy and Stanley Pasavage f and that said :Lttejrs Ptent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Please co'rietthename of one of the (xi-inventors in this applicatiomnamely Stanley F. Pasavage, by changing'fihe'middle initial "P" t -F-.--'-.

Attest V EDWARD MLFLE$CIFIERQJRQF ENE D; I'TEIGTMEYERLI Ic-i s c rft ifiid ,t fiat eirror'appears' in thflaboveddentified fiatgnt 313:1661 tn d --s eal i t is z5th a {or Dag-ember. 1973.

Ag?iIIgf QOITJIIliS SiOnGI' Patents I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i a CERTIFXCATE 0F CORRECHUN Patent No. 3,754,22 Dat Auqusezi, 1.973

lnventofls) Wilho R. Roy and Stanley F, Pasavage It is certified that error appears'in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected asshown below:

Please correct the name of one of the (Jo-inventors in this app.lication,namely Stanley P. Pasavage, by changing the middle initial "P" to -F--- Signed and sealed this 25th day of Deoember, 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER- Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A security alarm device for sensing relative movement of two gate members comprising a frame adapted to be secured to one of said members and mounting an electrical normally open switch provided with an operating member, said frame including guiding means for removably receiving an elongated switch-operating element in position to engage and actuate said operating member, a lock removably securing said element to said frame in said position, electrical terminal block means adapted to be secured to said one member and having opposite ends of an elongated flexible electrical conductor terminated thereon, said conductor being secured between its ends to said element and of a length to be passed around the other of said members so as to prevent more than a predetermined degree of relative movement of said members.