Anti-theft electrical power cord
OwnerGlenn H. Chapman, Mark Zaacksinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An anti-theft power cord for use with electrical devices has sensors for detecting removal of the cord from an electrical receptacle and for detecting the removal of the cord from the device sought to be protected. Control systems associated with each of the sensors activate alarms when receiving signals from the sensors. The control systems, comprising microcontrollers, also communicate with one another along the power cord and will sound an alarm if the cord is cut. A battery backup system is provided to allow the power cord to function as an anti-theft device even during a power failure without sounding false alarms.
Claims25
An electrical power cord for deterring theft of an electrical device comprising:
- a) a first end comprising a male plug having first and second prongs, said plug fashioned to be plugged into a typical electric receptacle;
- b) a second end connectable to said electrical device;
- c) an electrically-conducting cable connecting said plug and said second end;
- d) a first sensor proximate said plug for sensing removal of said plug from said receptacle, said first sensor providing an alarm signal when said plug is removed from said receptacle;
- e) a second sensor proximate said second end for sensing removal of said power cord from said electrical device, said second sensor providing an alarm signal when said power cord is removed from said device;
- f) a first control system electrically associated with said first sensor, said first control system activating an alarm upon receipt of said alarm signal from said first sensor;
- g) a second control system electrically associated with said second sensor, said second control system activating an alarm upon receipt of said alarm signal from said second sensor;
- and
- h) electrical communications means connected between said first and second control systems for carrying communications signals produced by each of said control systems between said control systems.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.