US 5,516,994 AGranted

Alarm continuity switch

OwnerBrian Layinventor

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Abstract

To be utilized with a conventional structural alarm system having a plurality of alarm wires which carry a constant current flow, an alarm continuity switch which includes at least two identical contact assemblies, each of which have a contact housing. Included as part of the contact housing is a front main face wherein a generally narrow vertical channel with a first contact extending therefrom is disposed, and a generally wide mouth recess having a second contact therein is disposed. The first and second contacts are positioned such that they will slidingly engage with opposing contacts of a confronting contact assembly, the first contact of one assembly engaging the second contact of a second assembly, and vice versa. Further, the contact housing, which is secured to the structure, will include first and second wire terminals, each respectively secured to the first and second contacts and adapted to maintain the constant current flow through the alarm wires.

To be used with a conventional structure alarm system having a plurality of alarm wires structured to carry a constant current flow upon the alarm system being armed and in a ready mode, an alarm continuity switch comprising:

at least two identical contact assemblies, each of said contact assemblies including a contact housing,
said contact housing including a front main face, a rear face, and a plurality of side faces,
said front main face including a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of opposite side edges,
a generally narrow vertical channel disposed in said front main face and extending from said top edge to said bottom edge,
a first contact, said first contact being generally elongate and extending from said housing at said vertical channel,
a generally wide mouthed recess disposed in said front main face, said wide mouthed recess having an at least partially open top edge and at an at least partially open bottom edge and corresponding said top and said bottom edges of said front main face,
a second contact, said second contact being disposed in said wide mouthed recess and extending substantially across said wide mouthed recess,
said second contact of a first of said contact assemblies being structured and disposed to slide into current flowing contact with said first contact of a second of said contact assemblies, simultaneously with said first contact of said first of said contact assemblies sliding into current flowing contact with said second contact of said second of said contact assemblies, upon said first and said second contact assemblies being disposed in adjacent, confronting relation with one another,
a first wire terminal and a second wire terminal disposed in said contact housing and being exteriorly accessible so as to facilitate connection of the alarm wires thereto,
said first wire terminal being connected in current flowing communication with said first contact,
said second wire terminal being connected in current flowing communication with said second contact, and
fastening means structured and disposed to secure said contact housing to corresponding surfaces of a structure to be secured by the alarm system.

9 more elements

Abstract

Claims14