Abstract: A pressure operated electrical switch and an alarm system for use in hospitals and nursing homes. The switch is constructed such that a force is applied to a pressure plate therein, and once the load is reduced below a predetermined value the pressure plate will move under spring influence to close/open a microswitch or electrical contact means. The normal force applied to the pressure plate is the load on the leg of a hospital bed when occupied. If the bed occupant gets out of the bed the load on the pressure plate is reduced below the predetermined value and the consequent movement of the pressure plate opens/closes the switch means to actuate the alarm.

Abstract: A safety device for lifting magnet has sensor means responsive to flux produced by the device in the magnetic circuit including the body to be lifted, a transducer responsive to the lifting tension produced by the device together with a signal translation circuit effective to compare signals from the sensor and from the transducer and to provide an output indicative of a safety margin between lifting tension and the field available for lifting.

Abstract: A monitoring system has a connecting unit that is adapted for connection between a nurse call button and a communication panel in a hospital room and is attached to a movable pressure activated switching means for placement in a bed or chair to operate an alarm in the nurse call system for remotely signaling the absence of a patient.

Abstract: An installation in a vehicle for indicating the load distribution and for warning against overloads with load-value transmitters coordinated to the vehicle axles; in which a first load-value transmitter coordinated with a vehicle axle for respective lateral sides of the vehicle includes a load-dependent threshold switch whereby the two threshold switches connect the positive terminal of the battery by way of the ignition lock with a filter, and the filter output is connected with a switching device which turns on the load-distribution indication and/or the overload warning.

Abstract: A system for detecting changes in load on terrain and actuating an alarm in response thereto including a fluid system, a pressure-sensitive device in the fluid system having a first pressure signal output responsive to a load on a terrain, a second pressure signal output generating device responsive to said first pressure signal output, an alarm and a pressure-sensitive switch connected to said alarm, said switch being responsive to the second pressure signal output to actuate the alarm.

Abstract: A device for telemetering loads on power transmission line conductors comprising load sensors installed along a power transmission line at the points of suspension of the line conductors to supporting structures, and ice load sensors mounted directly on the line conductors. The outputs of each load sensor and ice load sensor are connected to respective inputs of a respective transducer converting the sensor output signal into a high-frequency signal delivered to the high-frequency signal receiver. Each ice load sensor has a source of radioactive radiation and a radiation detector. Such an embodiment of the device for telemetering loads on power transmission line conductors allows determination of the magnitude of the ice load component of the resultant load on the line conductor.

Abstract: A system for detecting intrusions into a protected area by personnel, vehicles, or other objects, including a sensor capable of detecting magnetic and/or pressure disturbances and a signal processing means for generating an alarm signal when an unwanted intrusion occurs. The signal processing apparatus includes a first band-pass filter for selecting the portion of the signal from the sensor which is within a first frequency range, and a second band-pass filter for selecting a portion of the signal within a second frequency range. Logic circuitry is provided to process the two analog signals from the two band-pass filters using amplitude, signal energy and zero-crossing characteristics of the two signals in a cross-channel relationship to eliminate false alarms which might be caused by disturbances such as lightning, thunder, or wind.

Abstract: An intrusion detecting sensor assembly comprising a bracket having one leg to be clamped to the surface of a structural member, for instance of a building, and having a second leg spaced from the first leg and also abutting said surface, the second leg being joined to the first leg by a bridge portion of the bracket supporting a piezoceramic transducer which is sensitive to bending of the bridge portion when the structural member is flexed by changes in its loading.

Abstract: A bed mat having a sensor for detecting abnormally high temperatures and for detecting when the occupant of the bed is not in it is connected to a control console which has circuits for producing a first electrical signal having a first characteristic in response to the detection of an abnormally high bed temperature and a second signal having a second characteristic in response to the detection of the absence of the bed occupant. In one form of the invention, these signals are applied to the conventional nurse call system to produce sensory signals at the nurses' station, for example, indicative of the detection of high temperature or absence in a way such that they can each be distinguished from the the signal produced at the nurse's station by the use of the nurse call button by the patient. Provision is also made for coupling of a smoke detector into the system for actuating the high temperature alarm signaller if smoke is detected.

Abstract: To prevent inaccurate weighing on a platform scale in the event that a driver of a motor vehicle has purposefully or inadvertently positioned his vehicle with one or more of the vehicle wheels located off of the weighing platform, the platform scale is provided with an alarm system which comprises a weight responsive mat switch located in the roadbed along the perimeter of the weighing platform, a signal located in the proximity of the scale operator, and means interconnecting the mat switch and the signal for actuating the signal and alerting the scale operator in response to one or more wheels of the motor vehicle coming into engagement with the mat switch.

Abstract: The system denies unauthorized access to a locked facility by a person having a weight characteristic differing from that of the weight characteristic of the person locking a facility such as an automotive ignition system. The system comprises a method and apparatus which may be selectively activated to measure a deflection caused by a person seated in the vehicle's driver seat. The deflection is a weight information which is stored. A person subsequently seated in the vehicle seat and attempting to operate the igniton causes a second measuring operation and a comparison of the newly measured weight information with the stored information to test for a substantial parity therebetween. A substantial parity of these weights allows operation of the starting motor of a vehicle. A disparity between the weights operates a timer and/or alarm means while disabling the vehicle starter motor. The system may be used to control access to various other kinds of locked facilities such as locked rooms or buildings.

Abstract: A strap assembly constructed of shape retentive but deformable and resilient dielectric material. The strap assembly includes longitudinally spaced transversely extending corrugations and is adapted to encircle an upright trash can constructed of conductive material with a first side of the strap assembly opposing the outer surface of the trash can. The corrugations define ridges spaced along the first side for abutting engagement with the can and the assembly includes longitudinally spaced openings formed therethrough. Anchor structure is provided for releasably securing the strap assembly about the can and a conductor member is threaded through selected corrugations of the strap assembly and spans the openings.

Abstract: A switch placed in a bed under a patient, includes contacts which can make or break a connection to a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit charges a capacitor at a selected rate, when the switch is in a first state and discharges the capacitor when the switch is in a second state. A latch is set to actuate a signal when the voltage of the capacitor reaches a selected high value. By controlling the rates of charge and discharge of the capacitor it is possible to provide an indication of the degree of restlessness of the patient, the presence of the patient in bed, and whether the patient is out of bed.

Abstract: A first pressure sensor is positioned to sense the weight of part of the patient's body in the normal position and a second pressure sensor is positioned for sensing the weight of part of a patient's body when a patient begins to leave the bed. The device also includes an alarm and a pressure responsive switch connected to the first and second sensors to energize the alarm when the patient's weight is shifted from the first pressure sensor to the second pressure sensor. Another embodiment of the invention indicates when a patient moves from a recumbent to a sitting position or raises his head from a recumbent position. A further embodiment indicates when a child gets out of bed. Another embodiment of the invention indicates when a child moves out of an area where the child is supposed to be into an area where the child is not supposed to be.

Abstract: A jewelry show case or similar merchandise container is equipped with a door lock and alarm system which is effective to either automatically lock the access doors of the show case in fully closed positions, or signal an open condition of the doors when an authorized attendant leaves his usual station behind the show case.

Abstract: A resilient insulative layer of a plastic foam material is sandwiched between a dimpled carbon powder loaded plastic sheet and a resilient carbon powder loaded plastic foam pad. The dimples extend part way through holes provided therefor in the insulative layer. This sandwich assembly being placed under a bed mattress serves as a mattress-switch indicating electrically by contact between the sheet and the pad the presence of an occupant in the bed or his absence by lack of such contact. The characteristic time of the pad material for returning to its original shape is substantially longer than the corresponding return time of the insulative layer. Reliable operation is obtained for a wide range of occupant weights regardless of the weight(s) of the previous occupants.

Abstract: At least two conductive wire elements which are separated from each other by a thin insulating layer such that as soon as a pressure is exerted on the composite wire at least one of the electrical characteristics, contact resistance and/or capacitance between the elements, changes to a measurable extent. A fence constructed of such composite wire has a circuit connected with both conductive wire elments for detecting any deviation in the nominal value of contact resistance and/or capacitance between them and for controlling an alarm circuit responsive to such deviation.

Abstract: A personal security device incorporated into a conventional flashlight for informing a person, by remote control means, who is outside the door of the house, and indicating by a picture, whether it is a man, woman or child, the picture appearing on a view screen of a unit mounted on the flashlight, so that a person is thus cautioned against opening the door, particularly if there is a man outside.

Abstract: A computer-controlled oil drilling derrick is characterized by apparatus for determining the load supported by a traveling block during motion thereof from a first to second position within an oil drilling rig. The apparatus is operative to output a signal functionally related to the net load on the traveling block. Further, the apparatus outputs an appropriately scaled signal functionally related to the load on the traveling block when in a substantially static condition.

Abstract: Attempted boat theft is detected by measuring the increased displacement of the boat caused by the added weight of the thief. The device measures the slight sinking of the boat into the water under the added weight and automatically resets so as to be in readiness for responding to the next person.

Abstract: An annunciator to indicate the presence of a truck on a weighing platform to a weigh station operator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a presence sensor operable in response to the weight of the truck on the scales. The sensor provides a signal to a discriminator circuit which, depending upon the length of the signal from the presence sensor, determines whether the truck is merely passing over the scales or has stopped on the scales to be weighed. The discriminator produces an output causing a signaling device to operate and indicate to the operator of the weigh station that a truck is on the scales and is ready to be weighed.

Abstract: A person to be tested steps on a pair of foot steps, and a plurality of body load detectors sense the body load of the person, as applied to the foot steps. An arithmetic circuit receives the body load signals and provides difference signals which are displayed so that the person being tested can observe them. The person being tested sees body load distribution patterns on the display, and adjusts his body balance as a function thereof. Maximum-length linear shift register signals are provided which unbalance the body load distribution of the person being tested while standing on the foot steps. When the person observes these signals in the form of target signals, that person attempts to adjust the body load distribution so as to result in a balanced condition.

Abstract: Diet control apparatus comprises a food storage compartment having a door thereon for access to the compartment and broadcasting apparatus operatively connected to the compartment for broadcasting a message for encouraging dieting when food is sought in the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hook device with which safe handling operation can be assured. This device is constructed such that, as any load heavier than the predetermined weight is applied thereto, an eccentric shaft carrying a pulley for suspension thereof is rotated, and thereby an appropriate load indicating means is actuated. By use of the hook device according to this invention, a signal indicates to an operator that a load more than the predetermined level has been applied.

Abstract: A safety switch for machine tools and their like is formed by a mat incorporating, normally open, switching elements responsive to the weight of a person standing on the mat. The presence of a specified load, commonly of the order of 50 pounds, on the mat causes the normally open switching elements therein to close and to establish an electrical circuit. This circuit is interconnected with the machine tool by means of a flexible cable and a twist-lock connector mating with an appropriate socket on the machine. The electrical circuit is made part of the normal machine motor control circuit in such a manner that the mat has to experience the load represented by the weight of the operator to allow the machine to start and to function. Removal of such load, as, for example, by the operator walking away from the machine, opens the motor control circuit and shuts the machine down.