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US 4,060,800 AGranted
Fire alarm device
OwnerPhilip Sterninventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerPhilip Sterninventor
Estimating the term…
Fire alarm device disposed within a booth having a door, the fire alarm device being operable only when the door of the booth is closed by the person operating the device. Upon the actuation of the fire alarm, the door of the booth is locked for a predetermined length of time, and a signal light visible outside the booth is actuated so as to alert passers-by and/or policemen to the fact that the fire alarm has been pulled. The time delay period during which the person operating the alarm is confined in the booth is sufficient to prevent his making an immediate get-away. This increases the chances of his being caught, should the alarm be a false one, after the door has again been permitted to open to release him from the booth. It also encourages the alarm operator to remain in the vicinity of the alarm box, when the alarm is legitimate, so that he may direct the fire apparatus to the fire.
In a fire alarm system, the improvement which comprises a fire alarm device, and a mechanism for ensuring the presence of the one who has operated the alarm device at such device for a predetermined length of time, said mechanism comprising an enclosure in which the alarm device is mounted, said enclosure having an opening for the entry and exit of said operator of the fire alarm device, the alarm device being so disposed in the enclosure so that the operator must be within the enclosure before he can operate the alarm device, a door for selectively closing the opening, means responsive to at least the partial open position of the door for preventing operation of the fire alarm device unless the door is closed, and means actuated by the operation of the fire alarm device for locking the door and maintaining the door locked for a predetermined length of time after operation of the fire alarm device.
In a fire alarm system, the improvement which comprises a fire alarm device, and a actuated mechanism for ensuring the presence of the one who has operated the alarm device at such device for a predetermined length of time, said mechanism comprising an enclosure in which the alarm device is mounted, said enclosure having an opening for the entry and exit of said operator of the fire alarm device, the alarm device being disposed remote from the opening of the enclosure so that the operator must be fully within the enclosure before he can operate the alarm device, a door for selectively closing the opening, electric circuit means for preventing operation of the fire alarm device unless the door is closed, and electrically operated means actuated by the operation of the fire alarm device for locking the door and maintaining the door locked for a predetermined length of time after operation of the fire alarm device and unlocking the door thereafter, the means for maintaining the door locked including an adjustable time delay switch means in circuit with the door-locking means, whereby said predetermined length of time may be varied within a desired range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.