Patents Examined by Glen R. Swann, III
  • Patent number: 4999611
    Abstract: The system indicates which of a plurality of dispersed towel cabinets in a building have their clean towel webs soiled, and require towel roll replacement. A clean toweling supply roller system is mounted within each of the cabinets for web unwinding rotary travel, and a used toweling wind-up roller system is also mounted within each of the cabinets for rewinding the soiled web as it is used. The supply roller system in each cabinet includes an axially extending dispensing roller with an electrically conductive, annular strip on its peripheral face, and a matching strip is provided on a second member which is normally separated from the strip on the roller by the web, and which, when the terminal end of the towel web is withdrawn, electrically engages therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: William Zehnder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4999615
    Abstract: Device for detecting the exceeding of a temperature threshold incorporating a first mobile part (5) in a sealed chamber (4) containing a material melting at the temperature of the threshold and a second mobile part (8) outside the chamber. In the armed position, the two parts exert forces on one another tending to move them apart, but the first part is blocked by the solidified material and the second is immobilized by the combination of shapes (12, 13) in case (9). The melting of the material frees the first part, whose displacement frees the second part, which then operates an alarm system (18). This displacement leads to the return of the first part to the initial position, which permits rearming when the material has resolidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventors: Joseph F. Toupin, Xavier Douesnel
  • Patent number: 4999609
    Abstract: An antipilferage tag (10) includes an acoustic resonator chamber (12) which has a membrane (1,2) formed of a layer of magnetostrictive material (2) as well as a system which may incorporate such tags. The system has a generator for generating an alternating magnetic field and a tag capable of interacting with the alternating magnetic field to generate an alarm tone, characterized in that (i) the alarm tone is generated by a tag which includes an acoustic resonator; and (ii) the generator for generating an alternating magnetic field and the tag are so arranged that an audible alarm tone is generated by the tag when it is subjected to the alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Scientific Generics Limited
    Inventor: Michael D. Crossfield
  • Patent number: 4999613
    Abstract: A remote confinement system provides a plurality of different unsupervised tests to determine the presence, identity or conduct of the prisoner. The tests preferably include an RF test performed continuously with an RF transmitter attached to the prisoner and a receiver at the remote location, a schedulable voice test performed to identify a person as the specified prisoner, and a breath alcohol test to determine the prisoner's sobriety. The tests are performed with equipment at the remote location in accordance with test selections and schedules selected in a prior automated communication with a central office computer. Events which include test results are communicated to the central office upon a selectively established communications link to the central office, in reply to which communication information selecting subsequent tests procedures or scheduling is communicated from the host to and stored at the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Guardian Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lon A. Williamson, Frank C. Pennypacker, Donald W. Collier, Kip L. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4999608
    Abstract: An electrically conductive security screen includes an electrical resistance sensor and alarm to detect tampering with the screening material of a window. An elongated path of flexible and electrically conductive coating composition is applied to the screening material in a predetermined and non-overlapping pattern, such that a closed circuit loop is formed when it is attached to the sensor alarm; the coating having an electrical resistance that varies when it is distorted or its path interrupted. The pattern having a marginal section of high electrical resistance and being in series with at least one switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: David E. Galomb
  • Patent number: 4999612
    Abstract: A wired mail delivery indicator having a physical construction which forces any size of mail across a groove (20). Slope on the left vertical wall of mailbox (10), slope of panel (14), and force of gravity cause mail to block light beam. The light beam is generated by a photodiode emitter (22) and detected by a photo detector (24). Mailbox and electronic circuitry (26) contains photodiode emitter (22), photo detector (24), current limiting resistor (42), and current amplifier transistors (46 and 48). House end electronic circuitry (28) contains power transformer (32), diode rectifier (34), and current sensor (38, 40, and 36). House/mailbox connecting wire (18) carries power and mail delivery information with two wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: Albert G. Cherveny
  • Patent number: 4999616
    Abstract: The invention includes a device and a method for recognizing the instantaneous position of a plurality of mechanical parts, the parts being linearly and incrementally movable between a departure position and an arrival position. The device includes a plurality of radiation modifying tags respectively associated and movable with the mechanical parts. There are a plurality of pairs of radiation emitters and receivers located on the opposite sides of the parts at incremental positions, whereby the pressence of a tag between a given pair causes modification of the radiation received by an associated receiver. The device further provides for generating detect signals from the receivers, and for recognizing that corroborating detect signals from the receivers correspond to a specific set of positions of the mechanical parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: SECAP
    Inventors: Claude Martin, Francis Chevillon
  • Patent number: 4999610
    Abstract: An infrared detection system having a detector which includes elements of different sizes which are electrically selectable to change the operational range of the system without any change in the associated optical assembly. The detector elements can be of two or more element sizes, and various detector configurations can be employed such as single or dual detector configurations. To provide a constant signal amplitude for the different selected ranges, the gain of the detector circuitry can be adjusted accordingly to provide uniform signal amplitude irrespective of range setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Aritech Corporation
    Inventor: John K. Guscott
  • Patent number: 4998096
    Abstract: A hot water tank leakage detection system having a conventional smoke alarm unit 10, conductor pair 20, and probe 30. Conductor pair 20 is removably connectable to alarm unit 10 through male/female two conductor jack pair 15 and 25 respectively. In use probe 30 is placed in the predicted water shed of hot water tank 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Anthony Benvenuti
  • Patent number: 4998095
    Abstract: An emergency transmitter system is disclosed for enhancing the personal security of individuals within a predetermined geographic area such as a campus, shopping mall or stadium. A plurality of fixed transceivers are located at selected locations within the predetermined geographic area, preferably in a substantially equidistant pattern throughout the area. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each fixed transceiver is preferably located in conjunction with a street light in an elevated location. A battery powered low power portable transmitter is then issued to selected individuals, each transmitter including circuitry for transmitting a coded signal associated with a particular individual. In the event of an emergency situation, the portable transmitter is activated, utilizing an irrevocable manual activation switch, and the coded signal is transmitted utilizing the low power radio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Specific Cruise Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal G. Shields
  • Patent number: 4998094
    Abstract: A safeguard device is provided with a high frequency sensor which triggers an alarm device after receiving high frequency energy. To prevent the alarm device being rendered ineffective by high frequency shielding of the safeguard device, a metal sensor is provided in addition which activates the alarm device regardless of the presence of high frequency energy when it is attempted to shield the safeguard device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Telefunken electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Englmeier, Hans-Werner Weber, Thomas F. Enkelmann, Salim Moolji
  • Patent number: 4996521
    Abstract: An intrusion deterrent apparatus which activates a water spraying device in a specific area to prevent unauthorized activities within that area such as the application of graffiti. Connected with the water spraying device is a sensor that detects the presence of an animal. The water spraying device is to be activated for a preset period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hollow
  • Patent number: 4994789
    Abstract: A continuous wave (CW) leaky cable sensor for an intrusion detector uses a pair of elongated parallel cables, one for establishing an RF field and the other for receiving the field. A modulator is connected at an intermediate location of the receiving (or transmitting) cable, subdividing a detection zone into detection regions on each side of the modulator. The modulator selectively modifies a signal received by a portion of the receiving cable connected to its input. By processing the signal at the output of the receiving cable, the detection region for either side of the modulator in which an intrusion has occurred can be determined. The resolution of a CW sensor is thus increased at low cost. Multiple modulators can be used at spaced locations increasing the number of detection regions, and thus the resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Senstar Corporation
    Inventor: R. Keith Harman
  • Patent number: 4994790
    Abstract: A method for setting an alarm comprising, with the present time value, the upper limit and lower limit of the living body signal being indicated, the operation of setting the threshold of the upper limit or lower limit is carried out depressing the keys indicated, and a method for setting a wave indicating sensitivity comprising, with a plurality of keys for setting sensitivity indicated, depressing any one of the indicated keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Ishii, Yasuji Yukimitsu
  • Patent number: 4994792
    Abstract: A fluid temperature monitoring system is characterized by an adjustable variable voltage divider for selecting a desired temperature range, a temperature detector for detecting whether the fluid temperature is above, below, or at the desired range, and a temperature indicator for emitting three different temperature indicating signals in accordance with temperatures above, below, or at the desired temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Eldon W. Ziegler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4994793
    Abstract: A device for detecting intrusion for security or inventory control purposes includes a mat having loosely superposed metallic foil sheets separated by a sheet of paper or plastic foil dielectric to form a capacitor, and circuitry connected to provide a voltage differential to the capacitor and to detect a change in capacitance caused by weight applied to or removed from the mat. The circuit includes a voltage regulator to regulate the applied voltage differential, a unity gain amplifier to isolate the mat capacitor from change signal amplifier circuitry, a comparator to compare the amplified change signal with user settable thresholds, and a one-shot multivibrator for initiating an alarm signal pulse when one of the thresholds is exceeded. The sheets are preferably aluminum foil backed with plastic film and, in one form, are wrapped one around the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Kevin Curtis
  • Patent number: 4992789
    Abstract: A theft protection device which will protect either a docked boat or a parked boat mounted on a trailer includes a control box which houses electronic circuitry and batteries for energizing an audible alarm when the boat's battery cable or a cable connecting a lock box to an anchoring post is severed. The lock box completes an electronic circuit which is integrated with the electronic circuitry in the control box and includes a pair of shackles which receive a key operated lock which may be adjustably received on the shackles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: Daniel Czerwinski
  • Patent number: 4992776
    Abstract: A housing contains a pick-up coil for detecting an external magnetic field; a power supply; a tone generator; and an electric circuit powered by said power supply and arranged to activate said tone generator in response to an output from said magnetic field pick-up including a piezoelectric material surrounded about its circumference by a thin layer of magnetostrictive material. Since the electrical output of the piezoelectric material is dependent on the stress imparted to it by the magnetostrictive material, and since the dimensional change in the magnetostrictive material is proportional to the magnetic field in the environment in which the magnetostrictive material is located, the electrical output of the piezoelectric material provides a measure of magnetic field strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: Michael D. Crossfield
  • Patent number: 4992778
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and means for detecting and giving warning of a predetermined status of cordage through the change of a warning element from one condition to a different condition in response to a change in the status of the cordage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: The University of New Mexico
    Inventors: Robert G. McKeen, Robert W. Spake
  • Patent number: 4990893
    Abstract: A method for an alarm system is intended in particular for the monitoring of service apartments for elderly and/or handicapped persons. The energy consumption of each apartment is recorded over a period, for example in a computer. The results are presented in the form of a reference curve or standard curve for each apartment. Thereafter the actual energy consumption is compared with the value for the normal curve, and alarms of various kinds and of various degrees of urgency are triggered if the values differ by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Czeslaw Kiluk