Abstract: A circuit breaker with trip indicator assembly for indicating the trip status of the circuit breaker. The trip indicator assembly includes a spring powered shaft movable between a cocked position and a trip position in which the spring powered shaft protrudes through the housing of the circuit breaker to indicate the trip status. The shaft is operatively connected to a trip actuating mechanism of the circuit breaker so as to actuate the shaft in response to the trip actuating mechanism actuating an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. A lost motion coupling is provided to assure that the trip indicator assembly is not actuated until after actuation of the operating mechanism. A bell alarm switch assembly for signalling the trip status of the circuit breaker may be operatively connected to the trip indicator assembly.

Abstract: A new barking dog sound alarm system for scaring away intruders using the menacing sounds of a dog. The inventive device includes a microphone for detecting noise, a device to compare the detected noise level to a reference level so as to determine whether the detected noise is a potential intruder, a plurality of sound recordings of different excited dogs, a speaker for broadcasting one of the recordings, and a controller for activating one of the sound recordings when the detected noise is determined to be a potential intruder.

Abstract: An emergency indicator system which comprises a telephone located within a building and a visual display unit. A facility electrically connected to the telephone is for activating the visual display unit, when a person dials 911 on the telephone during an emergency, so that the building can be quickly located, such as by an emergency rescue vehicle, the police, etc.

Abstract: A training aid for skiers or other individuals engaged in physical activity using an athletic apparatus includes a sensor for sensing the force between a skier's leg and his boot. The sensor is arranged to generate an electrical signal indicative of the weight distribution of the skier during skiing. This signal is monitored and if it indicates that the skier's weight distribution is improper, an indication is provided to the skier so that the skier can take corrective measures.

Abstract: In an overhead power line switch, critical switch adjustment dimensions, switch position, switch status and other switch parameters are sensed by a plurality of particularly placed sensors, allowing determination as to whether the switch has operated correctly at critical points of the switch. The sensors also provide critical maintenance indication as to the operational status of the switch. In a preferred arrangement, the sensors are positioned to sense at least one of whether the contact blade is in a toggled closed position or a switch-open position, whether the contact blade is aligned with the clip assembly, the contact blade depth in the clip assembly, etc. The monitoring system is preferably provided with a remote terminal unit delivering sensor data to a remote operating facility.

Abstract: A vehicle alarm is provided including a vehicle unit situated within a vehicle. The vehicle unit includes a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal via free space upon the receipt of an alarm signal. An intrusion detection mechanism is adapted to generate an intrusion signal upon the unauthorized infiltration of the vehicle. Another component of the vehicle unit, control means, is adapted to transmit the alarm signal to the transmitter means upon the receipt of the intrusion signal. Next provided is a home unit situated within a house with a dialer for contacting an emergency entity upon the actuation thereof. The home unit further includes a receiver for effecting the actuation of the dialer upon the receipt of the activation signal via free space.

Abstract: An integrated pressure sensitive adhesive backed label assembly includes a security device such as an electronic article surveillance device, security tag or other antitheft device on a bottom side of the label so that the security device is not readily noticeable to the consumer. The label assembly can have the security device bonded to the adhesive backing of the label by separating the release liner from the label, placing the security device on the label and reapplying the release liner. Alternatively, as portions of the release liner can be cut and removed to expose a small area of the adhesive so that the security device can be attached directly to the label. The small area of the release liner can be cut and the security device attached to the cut portion so that the remaining portion of the release liner can be separated while leaving the cut portion and the security device attached to the label.

Abstract: A universal adaptor for use with electronic parking meters which provides these electronic parking meters with the ability to detect the presence of a parked vehicle and to adjust the position of the detector for accomplishing the vehicle detection, to gather statistics on the parking spaces and the meters, to alert the parking authority of meters that are expired in connection with vehicles still parked, and zeroing the remaining time off of any meter once the parked vehicle departs.

Abstract: Safety discharge circuit and method, capable of protecting workers from electric shocks during maintenance of high voltage electrical systems. A high voltage electrical system is placed inside a grounded box having a cover, releasably connected to the box. The circuit uses an electronic device adapted to sense the removal of the cover from the box and disable the high voltage electrical system. The electronic device is connected to the cover at its input and to the high voltage electrical system at its output, and is preferably a semiconductor controlled rectifier having a gate at its input. The semiconductor controlled rectifier is in a reverse blocking state when the cover is connected to the box, and is latched in a forward conducting state when the cover is removed from the box. The connection from the gate of the semiconductor controlled rectifier to the cover is made through mounting screws, which hold the high voltage electrical system connected to the cover.

Abstract: A parking meter construction having an upper and lower housing with payment means for receiving coins or a payment card. A microprocessor and other electronic components are included on a PC board mounted in the upper housing. A modular jack is connected to terminals of the microprocessor for communication therewith, and the jack is supported in the meter for connection with any of a large variety of peripheral devices which can then utilize the microprocessor in their operation. A plurality of peripheral devices may be linked together and all kept in communication with the microprocessor.

Abstract: A monitoring device for detecting acoustic vibrations in monitored objects has a plurality of several structure-borne sound sensors which are connected to a remote central electronic analyzing system. The individual structure-borne sound sensors are each acoustically coupled with a self-testing unit, which can be activated from the central electronic analyzing system. Activation of the self-testing units is performed by modulation of an operating voltage supplied to structure-borne sound sensors, without additional electric connections to the electronic analysis system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromechanical wind chime. The chime includes a disk from which a hammer assembly is suspended. Additionally, a plurality of tubular chimes are suspended from the disk and surround the hammer assembly. The hammer assembly houses an internal electric motor, and an associated eccentric rotor. The motor serves to move the assembly about a central axis. In this manner, the hammer assembly comes into contact with the chimes to produce a pleasing sound. A control unit is coupled to the hammer assembly by way of an electric cord. The control unit includes means to control the current being delivered to the electric motor. Through the control unit the current can be shut off after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. Additionally, the unit can alternate the frequency with which the current is delivered to produce a more random motion. An embodiment employing a solenoid in place of an electric motor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-beam photoelectric switch and method adapted for detecting overheight vehicles that emits and detects red light along an optical axis, and emits and detects infrared light along a parallel and oppositely oriented optical axis. A fault detector receives signals from the light detectors, processes the signals in accordance with a predetermined logic and produces a pair of outputs indicating the fault status of the light detectors. An alarm mode component receives the signals of light detectors and the fault status outputs, enables and disables recognition of signals of the light detectors in relation to the fault status outputs, and triggers certain outputs in accordance with a predetermined logic.

Abstract: A system uses multiple tilt sensors mounted to the vehicle frame and the vehicle suspension system to detect lateral acceleration and lateral load transfer. The system uses these measurements to determine a lateral load transfer ratio indicative of an actual roll moment compared to a maximum roll moment. The measurements from the tilt sensors are also used to calculate an effective center of gravity height. A display coupled to the system provides the vehicle operator with a read out of the load transfer ratio and effective center of gravity height. The display enables the vehicle operator to more completely understand the nature of the vehicle load and thereby allow the vehicle operator to avoid conditions likely to lead to a vehicle rollover accident.

Abstract: A device for signaling a predetermined soil moisture condition includes a switching tensiometer that closes a switch when the root water tension reaches a predetermined level; a power source connected to the switching tensiometer; and a signal connected to the switching tensiometer so that when the switching tensiometer closes the switch, power source is connected to the signal operate the signal to indicate that the predetermined soil moisture condition has been reached. The signal preferably includes a spring-loaded flag that operates between a retracted position and an extended signal position; a latch for releasably securing the flag in its retracted position, and an electrically operated release that releases the latch to allow the flag to operate to its extended signal position.

Abstract: A lighted shoe apparatus includes a shoe having a shoe body, several externally visible light emitting elements mounted to the shoe body for lighting in a sequence, a logic circuit including an Or gate for supplying logic and power to the logic circuit, a clock for generating an output signal, a counter for converting the clock output signal into a number sequence, several And gates each corresponding and connected to one of the light emitting elements for receiving the number sequence and lighting the corresponding light emitting element selectively for certain numbers in the number sequence, a control switch for activating and deactivating the logic circuit, and an interconnection conductor electrically joining the Or gate and the control switch. The light emitting elements preferably each include a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A power and modulation circuit, notably for a passive remotely-pollable electronic tag is provided, the circuit having a coil for picking up an inductive field and modulating it, circuitry being provided whereby circuits of the tag can be continuously powered while the inductive field is being modulated.

Abstract: A diaper liner comprising an electrically insulating sheet material having disposed thereon first, second and third separated electrically conductive tracks which become short-circuited when the liner is exposed to moisture, at least one end of each of the electrically conductive tracks being in the form of a conductive pad printed on the liner for permitting easy connection thereto of a moisture alarm circuit. The third conductive track is commonly connected so that the first and the third tracks are short-circuited by urine whilst the second and third tracks are short-circuited by feces.

Abstract: A programmable alarm and lot monitoring system monitors a plurality of individual vehicles congregated together in a given area. A central server transmits RF signals to individual RF transponder sensor units installed on respective individual vehicles and receives RF signals from the Rf transponder units. Each RF transponder unit senses a change in the status of the respective vehicle and, upon sensing a change, transmits an RF violation signal to the central server and also honks the horn, flashes the lights, and/or sounds an audible alarm. The central server may activate a remote video camera to record the scene of the violation, and if moved, follow the movement of the vehicle until out of camera range and transmit a violation message to a remote security station. In a global alarm mode, all of the individual RF transponder units honk the horn, flash the lights, and/or sound the alarm on all of the vehicles upon one of the units sensing a violation.

Abstract: A tornado warning system having means for monitoring seismic waves of a predetermined frequency range including long-period seismic waves and short-period seismic waves. The seismic waves are associated with and produced in the ground as a result of an approaching tornado. The warning system comprises means for detecting the seismic waves including the long-period seismic waves and the short-period seismic waves and for providing an electrical output indicative thereof. Circuit means are provided for processing the electrical output to provide an output signal indicative of the long-period seismic waves and the short-period seismic waves. Alarm means are provided for receiving the output signal from the circuit means to generate an alarm to warn of the presence of a tornado.