Abstract: In order to confine radiation from an optical fiber display device within a specified angle, a light-transmitting cone is provided either at the input or output end of a set of fibers. The cone can be solid or constructed of conical fibers. The input can be filtered or switched.

Abstract: A buzzer arm is attached to a synchronous motor to provide an audible alarm in response to energization of a winding of the motor and the relative position of the buzzer arm to a buzzer anvil extending from the motor.

Abstract: An appliance alarm device communicates between a wall receptacle having at least two receptacles and the end plug of a cord of an appliance. The appliance alarm device includes a housing having a movable front wall. A pair of male connectors each having a pair of prongs extend through the rear wall of the housing, wherein the prongs are adapted to be received in the sockets of the wall receptacle. A female receptacle is mounted in the interior chamber of the housing and is aligned with a large circular hole in a sidewall of the housing. An indicator light is contained in the other sidewall of the housing. A switching member having a movable contact arm and an alarm member are contained in the housing. A first series circuit consists of the first male connector, the alarm member and the switching member. A second series circuit consists of the second male connector and the female receptacle.

Abstract: An alarm for signalling an improperly high temperature in a refrigerated container such as a freezer includes a thermostat within the container and an alarm unit magnetically mounted on the outside of the container. The alarm unit includes batteries for energizing a lamp and a buzzer within the unit in response to the thermostat. The alarm unit also includes a spring biased flag pivotly mounted thereon which is normally retained in a cocked position by a finger carried by a solenoid. The solenoid is energized by the battery to deploy the flag and thereby provide an enduring indication of alarm after the batteries have died out or the temperature has returned to normal.

Abstract: A safety device which may be coupled to a vehicle steering mechanism to provide an alarm indication of drowsiness or other inadequate steering activity by the operator, is disclosed comprising a transducer for providing a broad-band electrical signal in response to steering activity by the operator for all operable positions of the steering mechanism along with circuitry for monitoring this electrical signal and energizing an alarm when the electrical signal fails to satisfy some prescribed minimum condition. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric crystal is in contact with the steering shaft and the electrical output of the crystal is first amplified and then employed to maintain a charge on a capacitor. Means responsive to the capacitor charge falling outside the preferred charge range then energizes the alarm.

Abstract: A modular buzzer device which includes a striker arm, a diaphragm, and electromagnetic means for oscillating the striker arm. The device is housed in a container with a shape and size corresponding to a common electronic component configuration. The diaphragm is molded onto the housing and forms the top wall thereof. The striker arm is welded to one leg of an iron core used in oscillating the striker arm.

Abstract: A glazing unit having a plurality of plies is provided with a grid of fine wires electrically connected in parallel. A warning signal is activated upon a change in the resistance of the grid. The arrangement permits resetting the alarm after a partial break in the grid. A second grid may be used as the reference resistance in the alarm circuitry. Thermally induced breakage of the fine wires is avoided by providing resilient connections to the bus bars.

Abstract: Fluid pressure sensing means for sensing lubricant pressure levels. Means are activated to turn on a pump at regular intervals to provide lubrication at such intervals. It is desired to indicate failure of subsequent operation of the pump after a time interval greater in duration than the aforesaid periodic intervals. Pump operation causes closure of pressure switch which causes capacitance means to charge during the switch closure interval. As soon as the capacitance is charged beyond a predetermined threshold level, bistable means are set which in turn sets up a discharge path for the capacitor. The long-time constant of the discharge path, which is adjustable and which typically may be of the order of hours, continues until the voltage across the capacitor drops below a second predetermined threshold level resetting the bistable flip-flop. The reset operation triggers a switch means for illuminating a lamp which indicates that a prolonged period of time has occurred since the last pump operation.

Abstract: A portable fire alarm device comprising fire detecting means and alarm means powered from a self-contained power supply. The power to the detector and alarm is through a normally closed switch of the type such as a mercury switch which may be opened by tilting the device to a predetermined angle from the vertical so that the alarm may be shut off.A second normally open switch of the mercury type connects the power supply directly to the alarm device and is so oriented that tilting the device to a predetermined angle from the vertical closes said switch and energizes the alarm to test the condition of the battery.

Abstract: A talking door sentinel has a housing which is secured to the edge of a door by means of a bracket. The movement of the door away from the door frame upon its being opened, moves a trigger which actuates a battery-operated voice box inside the housing. The voice box then plays one of a number of pre-recorded messages. When the door is subsequently closed, the approaching door frame resets the trigger so that the sentinel will emit another message when the door is next opened.

Abstract: A warning buzzer having an armature arranged to strike the wall of the cavity formed by the buzzer housing to increase the sound emitted thereby. The buzzer includes terminals molded in a base with one terminal having a coil core and magnetic return leg formed thereon with the coil bobbin received on the core having a pair of lugs on which the coil terminals are wrapped and dip soldered. The dip soldered lugs are then staked in the terminal and in a contact member for both supporting the coil and extending electrical connections thereto.

Abstract: A device adapted to be associated with a fire alarm box or the like to assist in the identification of a person who actuates the mechanism of an alarm box has an evacuated container disposed to entrap air from around the person when the vacuum is broken and a means responsive to the actuation of the mechanism for opening the container to the atmosphere.

Abstract: For use in an intrusion alarm system, an on-line test circuit operative for the continuous supervision of system operation without affecting normal operation thereof. The transmitted signal is frequently modulated at a low rate to produce a detectable change in reflected energy sensed by sub-Doppler processing circuitry and operative to produce a failure indication in the absence of such sub-Doppler signal.

Abstract: A tactile numeric display apparatus comprises a plurality of concentric electrical conductor pairs extending from a panel of insulating material. The conductor pairs are arrayed in Braille groups to represent decimal positional notation. The conductor pairs selectively receive a periodic bipolar constant current pulse so that by feeling a current in the fingers when on particular conductor pairs a user can determine which numbers are displayed.

Abstract: An alarm buzzer device for a bicycle, emergency call or the like, incorporates an electric power source, for instance, a dry cell therein. The device comprises a housing accomodating various elements, such as a buzzer element, stationary and movable contacts, and a lid for covering an open end of the housing and arranged floatingly relative to the housing by the movable contact, so that the device can be actuated by pressing any portion of the upper surface of the lid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a television channel indicator and particularly to an indicator using a pair of readout devices, such as Nixie tubes, to give a visual indication of the selected television channel. A pair of coded surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of a disc fixed to the channel selector shaft with the voltage outputs from the coded surfaces being connected directly to the readout devices.

Abstract: A timed alarm system having an audio signal source coupled to a sound reproducing system by means of a field effect transistor which yields increasing output as its control electrode is biased by a capacitive network thus producing an alarm signal of gradually increasing amplitude. Apparatus for delayed alarm and drowse capabilities is also described.

Abstract: Solid-state circuitry is provided for an electrical thermometer for monitoring the interior temperature of food being cooked. A temperature sensing thermistor located in the tip of a probe, adapted to be partially inserted in food being cooked so as to monitor the interior temperature, is combined in circuit with a programmable unijunction transistor (PUT), used as a bridge threshold detector, an NPN transistor-diode load current switch and a buzzer alarm coil such that upon the reaching of a preset temperature within the food, the buzzer alarm is actuated. The self-heat of the thermistor probe provides a latching effect ensuring the continued firing of the PUT with the resultant smooth operation of the buzzer alarm. A resistor is combined in circuit to allow a slight back current to flow through the buzzer coil, thereby allowing the use of a buzzer alarm with a fairly non-critical air gap.

Abstract: A condition responsive circuit for generating an output signal upon the opening of a switch. An FET draws nominal current when the switch is closed. When the switch is opened the FET conducts to generate an output. The output may include an audio alarm, an oscillator and a transmitter to generate an alarm at a distant location, or a visual indicator.