WO2013014543A1

WO2013014543A1 - Alarm system

Info

Publication number: WO2013014543A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052726
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shuli ATON; Yehuda ATON; Roni MERETZ; Yael NEGEV MERETZ
Original assignee: Electro Active
Priority date: 2011-07-25
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2013-01-31

Abstract

An alarm system including an electrically conducting sensor. A transmitter is connected to the conducting sensor, which transmits a signal to an alarm system control unit when the conductor sensor is damaged mechanically. The conducting sensor includes an easily breakable conducting bar, held under tension.

Description

ALARM SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims priority from US provisional application serial number 61/511,125 filed 25 July 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to alarm systems, in particular

"active" alarm systems including an electronic alert as well as a mechanical intrusion barrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] Alarm systems and physical barriers are commonly used to protect commercial and residential structures. Active security systems typically include a physical barrier, e.g. security bars as well as an electronic alarm to ward off attempting intruders. A typical set up of an alarm system includes sensors connected to a control unit via low-voltage wiring or a narrowband RF signal in conjunction with a response device. Alarm systems can use various sensors to detect an attempted breech, such as passive infrared detectors, ultrasonic detectors, microwave detectors, glass break detectors, vibration (shaker) or inertia sensors, passive magnetic field detection, taut wire fence systems, and so on. [004] In this regard, US 5,461,356 (Guixian Lu) discloses an electronic alarm system using a graphite sensor activated in the event of cutting, shorting or touching the sensor; US 4,553,134 (William Holt) discloses a window alarm activated automatically in the event of window opening and if the device is moved or tampered with; US 4,293,778 (William H. Williams) discloses a security screen arrangement for use with an intrusion alarm system; and US 5,825,289 (Dennis E. Riordan) discloses a combined alarm system and window covering assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] Embodiments of the present invention provide an alarm system comprising an electrically conducting sensor, which comprises: a breakable conducting bar; at least one spring attached to at least one spring attached to at least one end of the conducting bar, configured to keep the conducting bar under mechanical tension; a transmitter connected to the conducting sensor; an alarm system control unit for receiving signals from the transmitter, and at least one power source for powering the sensor, powering the transmitter and the alarm system control unit.

[006] The term "spring" in the specification and claims is to be perceived in its broadest sense and includes any mechanical biasing member capable of pushing and/or pulling, such as a coil spring, piston or any resilient component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[007] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: [008] Figs. 1A and IB are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of an alarm system of the present invention, disposed within a security bar/tube, which is shown partially cut away;

[009] Fig. 2A is a schematic side view of a sensor of the present alarm system; and

[010] Fig. 2B is a schematic side view of the sensor with associated filler in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[011] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DETAILED DES CRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[012] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described.

[013] Figs. 1A and IB show the prominent structural aspects of an alarm system of the present invention. Components of the active security alarm system 100 include an electrically conducting sensor 108 disposed within an external tube 112. Tube 112 is shown cutout to expose its internal contents. Sensor 108 includes a breakable (typically relatively fragile) electric conducting bar 114 tightly attached to one or more springs 116 that keeps the conducting bar 114 under stretching (tensile) force.

[014] In Fig. IB, spring 116 is shown cut to indicate the relationship between a terminal end of conducting bar 114 and the spring. In some embodiments, active security system 100 further includes a tubular seal 126 that seals off sensor 108 to protect it from harmful effects of the environment e.g. humidity, rain and water, which may cause corrosion and eventually short circuit the system.

[015] Fig. 2A shows further structural aspects of embodiments of the alarm system 100, in which external tube 112 is omitted. In some embodiments, sensor 108 is adapted to function as an electrical conducting element, so that current flows through both conducting bar 114 and springs 116, as indicated by double headed arrow 130. That is, current flows upwards, downwards (DC) or in both directions (AC). Sensor 108 is connected by a wire, or wirelessly, to an alarm system control unit 140 (Fig. 3).

[016] In some embodiments, the sensor has associated with it a filler 134, shown cut lengthwise, disposed between external tube 112 (not shown in Figs. 2 A and 2B) and conducting bar 114, typically surrounding conducting bar 114. Filler 134 can be designed to absorb shocks as well as seal conducting bar 114 thereby preventing false alarms and early deterioration, respectively.

[017] Bending and/or cutting conducting bar 114, which is typically made of brittle material, causes it to become damaged ("broken") as a conductor of current, thereby opening the associated electric circuit and subsequently actuating an alarm adapted to be activated upon such occurrence. Springs 116, which keep the conducting bar under mechanical tension, urge the conducting bar 114 to separate when the conducting bar 114 is broken (cracked or otherwise weakened).

[018] Not only will bending or cutting of conducting bar 114 typically actuate the alarm, in addition, any type of displacement of conducting bar 114 potentially deprives sensor 108 of its conductivity (electrical continuity) to subsequently set off an alarm as will be dwelt upon below in more detail. [019] In some embodiments of the invention, conducting bar 114 is made of graphite; spring(s) 102 are made of metal; and external tube 112 is made of glass.

[020] Fig. 3 shows the three distinct units of the alarm system 100, operably connected. Sensor 108 is operably connected to a transmitter 136, by wire or wirelessly. Sensor 108, once losing its conductance, typically by breakage, causes transmitter 136 to be activated, sending a signal, typically wirelessly, to alarm system control unit 140, which may be located in any appropriate place as long as it can receive the signal properly. A power source 142 provides electrical energy to sensor 108, transmitter 136 and alarm system control unit 140.

[021] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above- described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims

1. An alarm system comprising an electrically conducting sensor, the conducting sensor comprising:

a breakable conducting bar;

5 at least one spring attached to at least one end of the conducting bar, configured to keep the conducting bar under mechanical tension;

a transmitter operably connected to the conducting sensor;

an alarm system control unit for receiving signals from the transmitter, and at least one power source for powering the sensor, powering the o transmitter and powering the alarm system control unit.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the transmitter is adapted to send a signal when the conducting bar is damaged mechanically. 5

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein the conducting bar is made of graphite.

4. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a seal for protecting the sensor. 0