US 5,682,834 AGranted

Earthquake alarm

OwnerMorris T. Croghaninventor

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an earthquake alarm that functions as an awakening and early warning mechanism which provides an audio and visual warning to a possible earthquake. The device is comprised of a free-standing arm which rests against an adjustable rod which can be manipulated to make the arm more or less sensitive to vibrations, The arm, which is pivotally mounted within a case, swings downwardly through a slot in the case when vibrations comparable to the vibrations of an earthquake cause the arm to be dislodged from its upright position. The arm is entrapped between two tabs that extend outwardly from a rotatably attached beam. The beam comprises a third tab which is secured against one distal end of a rocker arm, the opposite distal end of the rocker arm being engaged in the extended teeth of a spring loaded wheel. A vibration sufficient to cause the arm to be dislodged from its upright position and swing downwardly causes the beam to rotate in conjunction with the arm thereby releasing the rocker arm. A spring located underneath the wheel spins causing the rocker arm to repeatedly strike a bell. To reset the device, an individual is required to rewind the spring in order to reposition the arm in an upright position.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An earthquake alarm comprising

a) an arm, having one distal end protruding outwardly from a case through a case slot, the arm is pivotally mounted to a pin on an opposite proximal end, the pin is secured within an interior of the case, the case further has a case arm stop and a case speaker located thereon, the one distal end of the arm rests against a rod, the rod is slidably contained in a rod housing that is attached to a top of the earthquake alarm, the rod further comprises a rod knob, secured on an opposite end, protruding outwardly from the case,
b) a beam comprised of a beam trip tab, a beam spring tab, a beam reset tab and a beam load tab which extend outwardly from the beam, the beam tip tab and the beam reset tab loosely entrap the arm, the beam is located beside the arm and is rotatably secured by means of the arm pin, the beam load tab is secured against one distal end of a rocker arm, an opposite end of the rocker arm has a rocker arm foot extending perpendicularly therefrom, the mid-section of the rocker arm has a rocker striker protruding upwardly in close proximity to a bell, the rocker arm foot is engaged in a spring loaded toothed wheel which is secured within the case by means of a wheel pin and the case by means of a wheel pin and spring loaded by a wheel main spring, the wheel further comprises a wheel handle attached thereto, the wheel handle protruding outwardly from the case, said bell being positioned in said case so as to be struck by said rocker arm striker;
c) a blocking arm is pivotally mounted to the case on one end by means a blocking arm pin, the blocking arm further comprises a blocking arm spring which holds the blocking arm in an upright position resting gently against the wheel main spring, and allows the blocking arm to move backwards and forwards, a second end of said blocking arm blocking said case slot when said blocking arm moves forward;
and
d) a top attachment element and a bottom attachment element affixed to top of the case and the bottom of the case, respectively, the top attachment element and the bottom attachment element each having a fastening means inserted therein to attach the earthquake alarm to a vertical surface such as a wall.

2 more elements

An earthquake alarm-comprising

a) an arm, the arm having an arm from extension and an arm rear extension extending outwardly from an arm base in opposite directions, the arm further comprises a weighted member suspended from the arm front extension, the arm rear extension extends into a case over a wheel main spring, the arm further having one distal end protruding outwardly from the case through a case slot, the arm is pivotally mounted to a pin on an opposite end, the pin is secured within an interior of the case, the case further has a case arm stop and a case speaker located thereon, the one distal end of the arm rests against a rod crown which is attached to one distal end of a rod, the rod is slidably contained in a rod housing that is attached to a top of the earthquake alarm the rod further comprises a rod knob, secured on an opposite end, protruding outwardly from the case,
b) a beam comprised of a beam trip tab, a beam spring tab, a beam reset tab and a beam load tab which extend outwardly from the beam, the beam trip tab and the beam reset tab loosely entrap the arm, the beam is located beside the arm and is rotatably attached by means of the arm pin, the beam load tab is secured against one distal end of a rocker arm, an opposite end of the rocker arm has a rocker arm foot extending perpendicularly therefrom, the mid-section of the rocker arm has a rocker striker protruding upwardly in close proximity to a bell, the rocker arm foot is engaged in a toothed wheel which is secured within the case by means of a wheel pin and spring loaded by said wheel mainspring, the wheel further comprises a wheel handle attached thereto, the wheel handle protruding outwardly from the case, said bell being positioned in said case so as to be struck by said rocker striker;
and
c) a top attachment element and a bottom attachment element affixed to top of the case and the bottom of the case, respectively, the top attachment element and the bottom attachment element each having a fastening means inserted therein functioning as a method to attach the earthquake alarm to a vertical surface such as a wall.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.