US858925A - Burglar-alarm. - Google Patents

Description

No. 858,925. PATENTED JULY 2, 1907. C. VAN BBRGH. BURGLAR ALARM.

APPLIGATION FILED Dmzz, 1906.

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BReLAR-ALARM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed December 22, 1906. Serial No. 349,072.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARLOS VAN BERGH, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba, Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and Improved Burglar-Alarm, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in burglar alarm systems, and more particularly to means whereby adjacent windows or other entrance openings 1 may be protected and the entrance of a burglar indicated by the ringing of a bell or the operation of any other suitable signal.

More particularly, the invention relates to a screen formed of dependent metallic conductors freely suspended closely adjacent each other, and so connected that the alarm will be set off by the bringing of any two adjacent conductors in contact with each other, or by the cutting away or removal of the conductors. The conductors are arranged at such a distance and so disposed that it is impossible for a person to pass through the window or door without either brushing the conductors aside, whereby they are brought into contact with each other or cutting away said conductors.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the conductors may be readily removed when the necessity for their use no longer exists, but whereby any attempt on the part of a burglar to remove the `device when in place will result in the starting of the alarm.

rhe invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, all of which will be fully set forth hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures, in which Figure l is a side elevation of my improved device, showing a portion thereof in longitudinal section and showing the circuit diagrammatically; Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a transversesection on the line 8 3 of Fig. l.

My improved burglar alarm is adapted to be attached adjacent the upper edge of any window or door, or adjacent the upper side of any other entrance opening, and is provided with a plurality of dependent conductors l0 freely suspended in front of the window, door, or other opening. "hese conductors are preferably in i the form of small chains or wires, although they may be of any other suitable material adapted to conduct a current of electricity. For supporting these conductors and controlling the circuit, I provide two metal brackets ll, each having a branch or arm l2, whereby the bracket may be rigidly secured to the casing of the window or door. These brackets are each provided with a socket 18, and extending into the two sockets of the opposite brackets and supported thereby is a metal tube I4 provided with perforations l5 through which extend the conductors IO. The ends of the tube 14 preferably extend but short distance into the sockets 13, and any suitable means may be provided for preventing the accidental displacement of the tube from the sockets* As shown, a metal block 1G is fitted within each end of the tube I4, and a suitable screw I7 passes through the wall of the socket, the wall of the tube, and into each of the blocks 16.

Extending through the tube 'I4 and concentric therewith, I provide a metal rod I8 supported adjacent its ends by insulating packings l) within openings in the blocks IG. The rod 18 is thus insulated from the tube I4, and means are provided for connecting the tube and the rod to the opposite poles of a battery. As the tube is in direct contact with the bracket ll, this bracket is utilized as a portion of the conductor and is connected by a wire 20 to one pole of the battery 2l..

For connecting the rod 18 to the opposite pole I provide an insulating ring 22 screw-threaded into the end of the bracket ll and serving to support a metal tube 28 out of electrical contact with the bracket ll. This tube 23 supports a longitudinally movable member 24 having one end tting within the tube 23 and the other end preferably pointed and fitting within a socket within the rod I8. The member 24 is kept firmly in contact with the end of the rod and also in electrical contact with the tube 2S by means of a spring 25 within the interior of said tube. The tube 23 is connected by means of a wire 26 to a coil 27 of the circuit closer and thence to the battery 2l.

Within the tube I4 and supported upon the rod 118, I

"provide a plurality of rings all insulated from each other; certain of the rings being in electrical contact with the rod 18 and the remaining rings being in electrical contact with the tube 14. The first mentioned rings, namely, those in contact with the rod 18, are preferably of the construction illustrated in Fig. 2 and comprise a body portion 28 closely fitting the rod 18 and having its outer surface closely adjacent but out of contact with the tube 14. Secured to the outer surface of the ring 28 is a bracket 29 acting as a pivotal support for a curved plate 30'lying intermediate the surface of the ring 28 and the surrounding tube ll. One end of the plate 30 is located directly above the opening l5 of the tube, and the conductor l0 is secured to and supported from the end of the plate andA passes freely through the opening without contacting with the tube.

For counterbalaneing the weight of the conductor l0 and holding the plate in its proper position, I -provide a coil spring 3l fitting within a recess in the ring 28 and contacting with the inner surface of the plate 30. The size and tension of the spring is so regulated ybamboo screens now on the market.

that its outer pressure on one side of the plate exactly counteracts the downward pull exerted by the chain 10 and the plate normally remains in the position shown in Fig. 2. The remaining rings which are preferably arranged alternately with the rings 2S, comprise body portions 32 insulated from the rod 18 by packings 33-and in electrical contact with the tube 14 by means of a coil spring 34 fitting within a recess in the ring and contacting with the inner surface of the tube. These rings serve to support conductors which extend through the openings 15 and out of contact with the tube. As these conductors are supported from the rings 32 and the rings are in contact with the tube 14 by means of the spring 34, it is evident that it is iinmaterial whether or not the conductors contact with the tube 14 in passing through the openings, but by supporting the conductors in this manner it is impossible for a person to tell from an inspection of the device and without dismantling it, which of the conductors are connected to the positive pole of the battery and which to the negative.

With the conductors supported as above described, and with each conductor connected to a separate pole of the battery than are the two adjacent conductors, it is evident that by bringing any two of the adjacent conductors in contact with each other, it will close a circuit from the battery 21 through the wire 20, bracket 11, tube 14, ring 32, conductors 10, ring 28, rod 18, member 24, tube 23, wire 26, and coil 27. This energizes the coil and in attracting the armature 35 releases tlie switch v3G and closes the alarm circuit. This alarm circuit may be ot any suitable character' and is represented merely conventionally as comprising a battery 37, bell 38, switch 3G and suitable connecting wires. The alarm may be set ott not only by bringing two adjacent conductors in contact with each other', but also by pulling upon any one of the conductors 1.0, which are connected to the plates 30. This will compress the spring 31 and bring the ends of the plates in contact with the tube 14 and close the circuit independent of the conductors. Likewise, the cutting off of any of these conductors will relieve the plate 30 of the weight and permit the spring 31 to press the opposite end of the plate in contact with the inner snrface of the tube. The cutting off or pulling upon the conductors connected to the rings 32 will have no effect upon the system, but by supporting these conductors in the manner described, it Vis impossible to determine which of the conductors may be disturbed with impunity, and airy attempt to ruin the device will thus be forced olf` The conductors 10 are preferably of lvery light construction and easily removed, and may take the form of an ornamental screen somewhat resembling the The device is preferably supported directly above the window, and the conductors 10 arranged so closely together that it is impossible for a person to pass through without brushing them aside. It is practically impossible to brush the conductors aside without bringing some two of them which are connected to opposite poles, in contact with each other, and this -will immediately set of the alarm. It is only necessary that the wires leading from the battery 2l. be connected to one end of the tube 14 and the `rod 18, but in order to prevent the interference with the system by the cutting of these wires, I provide additional wires 39 and 40 leading from the opposite end of the tube 14 and rod 18 to the battery either entirely independently of the first mentioned wires or joining said wires adjacent the battery.

In order to prevent the entire removal of the tube 14 and its conductors, I provide each of the brackets with an inwardly-directed flange 41 and each of the members 24 with an outwardly-directed flange 42 closely adjacent thereto. As the member 24 is longitudinally movable and is normally pressed in the direction of the rod 1S, any removal of the rod would serve to permit the flanges 41 and 42 to come in Contact with each other and close the circuit. 'llie screws 1S may, if desired, be omitted and the tube 14 and its conductors removed during the daytime or when its use as a protection is no longer necessary. This may be readily accomplished by moving the tube 14 longitudinally to the inner end of one of the sockets 13, whereupon the opposite end of the tube will be freed from the opposite socket and may be readily moved laterally ont of alinement with the bracket 1l to permit the removal of the first mentioned end from said socket. The tube 1.4 carries with it the rod 1S and the condiictors and its removal brings the flanges 42 in contact with the flanges 41, but before removing the tube the circuit would preferably be broken by means of any suitable form of switch 43.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In :i burglar' alarm system, a plurality of freely suspended substantially parallel independent conductors forming a curtain, :in alarm signal, and means whereby the bringing of certain of said conductors in contact will operate said alarm signal.

2. In a burglar alarm system, a plurality of freely suspended substantially parallel independent members forining :i curtain, :in alarm signaly and means whereby the increasing or decreasing o1 the weight of certain of said members will close an electric circuit to operate the alarm.

In a burglar :ilarm system, an electric circuit including an alarm signal, and a plurality of freely suspended substantially parallel independent conductors forming :i curtain and adapted to close the circuit to operate the alarm signal upon the contact of certain of said conductors or an increase or decrease in the weight of certain of said conductors.

4. In combination, a suitable support, a plurality oi' independent conductors freely suspended therefrom and serving as a curtain, a suitable source of electric energy, means for connecting certain of said conductors to one pole of said source, means for connecting certain of the other conductors to the other pole of the source, and means whereby the contact of any one of the iirst nientioned conductors with any one of the last mentioned conductors will close a circuit and operate an alarm signal.

5. In a burglar alarm system, a tube having a plurality 0i' perforations therein, a suitable support within said tribe, electric conductors suspended from said support and extending through the apertures in said tribe, said tube serving to conceal the point of attachment of each condiictor and said conductors adapted to serve as a screen or curtain, an alarm signal, and means whereby said alarm signal is operated by the contact of certain of said conductors.

G. In combination, a tube having a plurality of perfor-ations therein, a suitable support within said tube, conductors suspended from said support and extending through the apertures in said tube, said tube concealing the points of attachment of the conductors; a suitable source of electrical energy, means for connecting one pole of said source to certain of said conductors, and means for connecting the other pole of said source to the remainingr conductors, one of said connecting means including an alarm signal.

'7. In combination, a tube having a plurality of perforations therein, a rod extending through said tube and insulated therefrom, a plurality of conductors suspended from said tube and extending through said perfor-ations, certain of said conductors being in electrical contact with the tube and the remainder of said conductors being in electrical contact with the rod, and an open electric circuit connected to said rod and said tube and inclwing a suitable source of electrical energy, and an alarm signal.

S. In combination, a tube, a rod extending therethrough and insulated therefrom, a member pivotally supported intermediate said tube and said rod and in electrical con-- tact with said rod, a conductor suspended from said member and adapted to normally hold the member out ot' contact with the tube, and an open electric circuit including the tube` the rod, a suitable source of electrical energy, and an alarm signal.

f). In combination, a tube, a battery, means for connecting said tube with one pole of said battery, a rod extending through said tube and connected to the opp0 site pole of the battery, a member pivotally supported intermediate said tube and said rod and in electrical contact with said rod, a spring normally pressing one end of said member toward said tube, and means Suspended from the opposite end of the member for pulling the last mentioned end toward the said tube the spring and the suspended means being so proportioned as to balance each other, whereby an increase or decrease in theweight of the depending means will bring the member into contact with the tube and close the circuit.

10. In combination, a tube having a plurality of perforations therein, a battery, means flor connecting said tube with one pole of said battery, a rod extending through said tube, means connecting said rod t0 the other pole of the battery, a plurality ot' plates pivotally supported intermediate the tube and the rod and normally in contact with but one of the same, and a plurality of de pending members extending through said perforations and suspended from said plates, each of said depending mem bers serving to hold one et the plates in its normal position, whereby the position of any of said plates may be varied to close a circuit upon Athe variation in the weight ol the corresponding depending member.

11. In combination, a tube having a plurality of pertforations therein, a rod extending through said tube and insulated therefrom, a plurality of rings mounted on said tube, means for insulating each .ring from the next adjacent ring, a plurality of conductors suspended from said rings and extending through the perforations in the tube, a battery, means for connecting thc tube to one pole of the battery, and means for connecting the rod to the other pole of the battery, one of said connecting means including an alarm signal.

12. In combination, two supports having sockets therein. a tube tting within said sockets, a rod extending through said tube and insulated from said supports and said tube, a plurality of depending conductors in electrical contact with said tube, a plurality oi depending conductors in electrical contact with said rod, a battery, means for connecting said tube to one pole oi the battery, means for connecting said rod to the other pole of the battery, one of said connecting means including an alarm signal, and means within each of said sockets for closing the electric circuit upon removal of the rod.

13. ln combination, a plurality of supports having sockets therein. a rod supported within said sockets but insulated therefrom, a longitudinally movable springpressed member within each socket in contact with said rod, an electric circuit including the supports, and the member, and means whereby the removal of the rod from the sockets permits the member to contact with the supports to close the circuit.

1-i. In combination, a plurality ot supports, each liaving u socket therein, a tube provided with a plurality of perfoi-ations and supported within said sockets, a rod extendA ing through said tube and insulated 'from the supports and tube, a plurality of conductors supported from said rod and extending through said perforations, a battery, a spring pressed member within each support and in engagement with the end of the rod, coacting ilanges carried by said support and said member and normally out o contact with each other, means for connecting one pole oi' said battery to each support, and means for connecting said member with the opposite pole of the battery, whereby a longitudinal movement ol the rod within the sockets permits the contact ot' the coacting ilanges and the closing of the circuit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARLOS VAN BERGI-I.

Witnesses JNO. M. RITTER, CLAIR W. FAIRBANK.

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