US4731603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tactile alarm system for gaining the attention of an individual
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1986-05-19
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Granted: 1988-03-15
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Expires: 2006-05-19
Abstract
Abstract In an alarm system for gaining the attention of an individual requiring neither sound nor light for its operation, a transmitter unit is activated to send a signal at a predetermined frequency into an induction loop to be received by a receiver unit worn on the person of the individual whose attention it is intended to gain. The transmitter unit sends its signal for at least a predetermined period and the receiver unit responds by activating a mechanical agitator of selectable frequency and amplitude to cause bodily displacement of the receiver unit in a cyclic, periodic manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Elizabeth McRae
- 👤 Cameron McKenzie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:27
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/009; G08; G08B; G08B6/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A tactile alarm system comprising: a transmitter unit, said transmitter unit including transmit means for generating and transmitting a predetermined transmitted signal. said transmit means comprising monostable timer means and astable multivibrator means, alarm activator means coupled to said timer means for initiating upon activation a timeout mode in said timer means, said multivibrator means being responsive to said timeout mode for generating said predetermined transmitted signal for the period of operation of said timeout mode. a source of electrical power coupled to a first power rail for supplying electrical energy to said transmit means, a fuze connecting said timer means to said first power rail for protecting said timer means from excess currents flowing therethrough as a result of a fault condition, the blowing of said fuze and resultant disconnection of said timer means from said first power rail causing said multivibrator means to initiate the continuous generation of said predetermined transmitted signal, thereby providing an indication of the occurrence of said fault condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A tactile alarm system comprising: a transmitter unit, said transmitter unit including transmit means for generating and transmitting a predetermined transmitted signal. said transmit means comprising monostable timer means and astable multivibrator means, alarm activator means coupled to said timer means for initiating upon activation a timeout mode in said timer means, said multivibrator means being responsive to said timeout mode for generating said predetermined transmitted signal for the period of operation of said timeout mode. a source of electrical power coupled to a first power rail for supplying electrical energy to said transmit means, a fuze connecting said timer means to said first power rail for protecting said timer means from excess currents flowing therethrough as a result of a fault condition, the blowing of said fuze and resultant disconnection of said timer means from said first power rail causing said multivibrator means to initiate the continuous generation of said predetermined transmitted signal, thereby providing an indication of the occurrence of said fault condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 characterized in that said source of electrical power coupled to said first power rail comprises a first reservoir capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 2 further characterized in that said transmitter unit is coupled by said alarm activator to a second power rail driven by an electrical supply main, a second reservoir capacitor coupled to said second power rail for storing electrical energy from said electrical supply main in response to the activation of said alarm activator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as defined in claim 3 further including voltage regulator means interposed between said first and second power rails, said first reservoir capacitor storing electrical energy in the form of regulated voltage supplied by said voltage regulator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said transmitter unit further comprising a battery charged by a battery charger from said electrical supply main and said battery being operative to provide power to said transmitter unit in the event of failure of said electrical supply main.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 1 comprising a receiver unit, said receiver unit including: receiver means for receiving and detecting the receipt of said predetermined transmitted signal; and output means, responsive to the detection of said predetermined transmitted signal, for activating a mechanical oscillator operative to impart bodily, cyclic periodic displacement to said receiver unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said mechanical oscillator comprises an electric motor operative to rotate an eccentric mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said transmitter unit is an induction loop transmitter operative to provide said predetermined transmitted signal within an area encompassed by an induction loop.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said predetermined transmitted signal comprises a signal of a predetermined frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said receiver unit includes illuminating means for illuminating a light whenever said mechanical oscillator is activated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said alarm activator is a push-button.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein said push-button is affixed to said transmitter unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said transmitter unit includes buzzer means for sounding a buzzer in response to said transmitter unit being activated by said alarm activator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said receiver unit comprises a magnetic pickup coil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said receiver unit comprises a tuning capacitor for tuning said magnetic pickup coil to said predetermined frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein said mechanical oscillator comprises an electric motor operative to rotate an eccentric mass.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said mechanical oscillator comprises an electric motor operative to rotate an eccentric mass.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
A system as defined in claim 8 further characterized in that said timer means and said multivibrator means each have respective input and output terminals, input current amplifier means coupling said alarm activator means to the input terminal of said timer means, the output terminal of said timer means being coupled to the input terminal of said multivibrator means, output current amplifier means having respective input and output terminals, the output terminal of said multivibrator means being coupled to the input terminal of said output current amplifying means, an output transformer for driving said induction loop, said output transformer being coupled to the output terminal of said output current amplifying means whereby said predetermined transmitted signal generated by said multivibrator means appears on said loop.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-15 | 1991-09-14 | 1992-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-15 | 1995-09-14 | 1996-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-09-14 | 2000-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |