# US 2014/0191877 A1 · Method for detecting motion of an electrical device or apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191877 A1 - Document ID: US20140191877A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/999,504 - Filed: 2014-03-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-11 - Inventors: William Lee Foster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191877A1 ## CPC - G08B 21/24: Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms - G08B 13/14: by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles - G08B 13/1436: {with motion detection} - G08B 13/1445: {with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable (furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861)} - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A method for providing an alert to a person to unplug an electrical power cord of an electrical device or equipment includes an alarm device that is activated upon separation of a first portion from a second portion. The first and second portions of the alarm device are secured proximate opposite sides of a loop provided in the power cord. The first and second portions, when engaged, maintain a switch of an electrical circuit in an open position. If the equipment is moved prior to unplugging the power cord, the loop will be straightened, causing the first and second portions to separate. The switch closes, completing the electrical circuit and activating the alarm device. The alarm alerts the person to unplug the power cord. A first alternate method includes the alarm device as a part of newly manufactured equipment. A second alternate method includes a motion detector or sensor in the alarm device of the newly manufactured equipment. A third alternate method includes an add-on alarm device with the motion detector or sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 (canceled) ### Claim 3 (canceled) ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (canceled) ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (canceled) ### Claim 10 (canceled) ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 (canceled) ### Claim 14 A strain relief alarm for use with an electrical power cord of a type of an electrical device or apparatus, comprising: (a) an alarm device that activates an audible or visible or audible and visible alarm when a first portion of said alarm device is urged at least a minimum predetermined distance away from a second portion of said alarm device, and wherein said audible or visible alarm is not activated when said first portion is disposed adjacent to said second portion and cooperatively engaged with said second portion; (b) wherein said first portion is attached by a tether to the electrical power cord at a first location and wherein the electrical power cord includes a loop, and wherein said loop extends for a predetermined distance from a first end of said loop to an opposite second end of said loop, and wherein said first location is disposed at or proximate to said first end of said loop, and wherein said first location is not attached to the electrical device or apparatus; and (c) wherein said second portion is attached to the electrical power cord at a second location, or wherein said second portion is attached to the electrical device or apparatus, and wherein said second location is disposed at or proximate to said second end of said loop; and (d) wherein when the electrical power cord is sufficiently straightened, said loop is progressively straightened, and wherein when said loop is sufficiently straightened said second portion is urged out of said cooperative engagement with said first portion and said alarm is activated. ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 17 (canceled) ### Claim 18 (canceled) ### Claim 19 (canceled) ### Claim 20 (canceled) ### Claim 21 A method for detecting a change in motion of an electrical device or apparatus, comprised of the steps of: (a) providing an alarm device that activates an audible or visible or audible and visible alarm when said alarm device receives an activation signal; (b) providing means for detecting a change in motion of said electrical device or apparatus, and wherein subject to the detection of a change in motion of said electrical device or apparatus by said means for detecting a change in motion of said electrical device or apparatus when an electrical power cord of said electrical device or apparatus is connected to a source of electrical power, said means for detecting a change in motion of said electrical device or apparatus supplies said activation signal to said alarm device, and wherein when said electrical power cord of said device is not connected to a source of electrical power, said means for detecting a change in motion of said electrical device or apparatus does not activate said alarm device.