US 5,510,774 A · Energy efficient independent alarm system

Abstract

An independent alarm system which is carried by a housing member designed to be located adjacent to or within building openings, and at various other site locations, or adjacent to specific to-be-protected objects. The housing member is free standing, for example, swingably suspended from a window frame, ceiling or a separate frame. The housing member has an agitation sensor and a proximity or tilt sensor incorporated therein and electrically wired to a first signal. When the housing member is agitated while in its original position, or when it is moved from its original position to a second position, the agitation sensor and/or the proximity/tilt sensor is activated, which in turn causes the first signal to be actuated. The agitation and proximity/tilt sensors are both battery powered. By being pulsed, the alarm circuit may be always "on", yet be fully operational for a period of thirty six months, and greater using a single set of batteries. In preferred embodiments, the pulsed alarm circuit includes an indicator, such as an LED, to indicate whether the system is operating, and also to indicate whether the battery has nominal stored energy, low energy, or no energy. The pulsed alarm circuit also includes a tampering sensor which, when triggered, causes a second signal to be activated.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An electrically powered alarm system, including in combination:

a portable housing member which is independent from the surrounding environment, and which requires no connection to an external electrical power source;
means for receiving a battery unit as a source of electric power carried by said housing member;
circuit means for the alarm system for consuming electric power at a reduced rate, which circuit means is adapted to be continuously electrically powered by such a battery unit, so that such a battery unit is capable of operating the alarm system for more than twice the period of time that such a battery unit would be able to operate the system without said circuit means, said circuit means carried by said housing member;
sensor means carried by said housing member and connected to said circuit means, which sensor means is activated by movement or agitation of said housing member;
and
signal means carried by said housing member and connected to said circuit means and to said sensor means, which signal means is activated when said sensor means is activated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy efficient independent alarm system

Life of this patent

Energy efficient independent alarm system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16