US2460133A - Alarm device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 25, 1949. w. E. LA PEDiJs ALARM DEVICE Filed Feb. 6, 1946 Patented Jan. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT crrlce ALARM DEVICE William E. La Pedus, Rockford, Ill.

Application February 6, 1946, Serial No. 645,839

3 Claims. 1

A large variety of alarm devices have been provided but these have been subject to the objection that each creates considerable noise and not only the person desiring to be awakened, is awakened by the alarm device but others in the vicinity are also awakened. In dormitories and in sleeping quarters for military and naval services particularly is it important that only the person to be awakened or alerted be subjected to the action of the alarm device.

An object of the present invention. is to provide an alarm device which will selectively alert or awaken one person without affecting others in the near vicinity. Yet another object is to provide a timer alarm device which will awaken or alert a person by means of vibration and without accompanying noise. Yet another object is to provide a device which may be convenlently placed under spring cushions or mattresses whereby the effect of the vibration is widely distributed and effective in awakening one sleeping on the mattress, etc. Other specific objects and advantages will apear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred erndrawing, in

Fig. 2, a side view in elevation of a timer and vibrator connected together on a simple circuit; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional View of the vibrator casing showing the operating mechanism within; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the vibrator spring element; and Fig. 5, a perspective view of the sound muffler or deadener.

The invention comprises broadly the use of an ordinary alarm timer In in conjunction with a silent vibrator H. The timer may be any suitable device for effecting a movement suitable ior controlling the vibrator H after a predetermined time. For example, the timer I0 is illustrated as an ordinary electric alarm clock equipped with an electrical conduit l2 equipped with a fitting l3 adapted to be plugged into an ordinary electrical outlet. The alarm clock in operates a switch or opening enclosing a circuit provided by conduit I'd leading to the vibrator H. In other words, the alarm clock It is the usual electric alarm clock structure with the bell omitted and with the electrical conduit I 4 connected to the terminals which ordinarily lead to the electric bell. In other words, the present vibrator is merely substituted for the electric bell and since such structure is extremely wellill cured thereto by the screws ll.

known, a detailed description is here believed to be unnecessary.

The vibrator device l l is provided with. a casing i5 which may be of any suitable construction. I prefer to employ a rather compact casing with rounded corners which permit the ready insertion of the device between mattresses and under cushions, etc., where it is least objectionable. The casing l5 supports a vibrator frame member EB by means of screws H. The upper leg l8 of the spring frame member l5 provides a vibrator arm and spaced below the leg is is a horimental flange 59 serving as a support for the sound mufiler 20.

Any suitable magnet may be employed for moving the spring leg l8 backward and forward to create the vibration desired. In the illustration given, a horseshoe magnet structure 2! is supported by the frame member l6 and se- An electric current 22 surrounds one of the legs 23 of the magnet and is served by the current provided by electric cable It. It will be understood that a variety of electrical magnetic devices may be employed for the purpose of vibrating the arm I8.

In the illustration given, the upper leg l8, which has a forward portion folded back upon itself, is provided with an opening 24 through which the screw member 25 extends. Preferably, a nut 26 is welded to the vibrator 24 and provides a threaded adjustment for the screw 25. Opening 24 is threaded and after proper adjust ment nut 26 is used to lock screw 25 in place.

The lower portion of the screw 25 engages a resilient member 20 which not only is useful in reducing sound but also is effective in pushing the vibrating arm l8 in an upward direction after the magnetic impulse has drawn it downwardly. The member 29 is preferably formed of rubber or other suitable resilient material and is equipped with a circumferential groove 23 which serves to lock the member 29 firmly within the recess 28 of the flange l9.

Operation In the operation of the device, the alarm clock H] is set for the desired time of operation and the fitting i3 is secured within the usual outlet so that the clock. will start in operation.

When the moment has arrived for operation of the alarm, the device In closes the circuit with which the conduit M is connected and an alter hating current flows to and from the coil 22. Thus, the magnet formed is energized and deenergized very rapidly and the result is a moveeffective in alerting or awakening a person in contact with the vibrator ll.

I find that the vibrator is unusually eifective when placed below a cushion or mattress equipped with a spring coil or frame. The metal frame within the body of the mattress or the cushion spreads the vibration effect so that the person resting on the mattress or cushion is effectively awakened no matter where he is resting upon the mattress. At the same time, the body of the cushion or mattress serves further as a dampener of sound.

With the apparatus disclosed, it is possible to alarm or alert one person in a room without awakening or disturbing anyone else in the room, and the awakening accomplished by gentle and continued vibrations is more pleasant than where the awakening is accomplished solely through the auditory system, Further, the device is efiective for awakening a person hard of hearingor deaf who cannot be awakened by the auditory alarms. The vibrator device is effective with any type of pads, stuffed cushions, etc., which may be between the vibrator and the person to be awakened.

Following the foregoing description, I have set forth a specific embodiment in considerable detail. It will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In an alarm device, a pressure-resisting casing providing a hollow interior and a smooth exterior, a spring member secured to said casing and extending from the inner wall thereof to a point approaching the opposite wall of said casing, a vibrating arm on said spring member, a coil magnet for subjecting said arm to magnetic impulses means for supplying alternating current 4 to said coil, timing mechanism controlling said last mentioned means to energize said coil after a predetermined time, and a resilient body spaced from and engaging said vibrating arm to limit the stroke thereof and to dampen the sound thereof.

2. A vibrator body adapted to be inserted below a mattress body provided with a spring core, said vibrator body comprising an elongated casin'g having rounded corners, a U-shaped spring member having one leg secured to the inner wall of said casing, a coil magnet carried by said oasing and adapted to subject the free arm of said spring to magnetic impulses, a dampener pin carried by said arm, and a sound deadener plug supported in spaced relation to said pin for limiting the stroke of said arm and for dampening the sound thereof, means for supplying alternating current to said coil, and timing mechanism controlling said last mentioned means to energize said coil after a predetermined time.

3. An alarm device of the character set forth, comprising a silent vibrator, consisting of a substantially U-shaped spring member, a coil magnet for subjecting one arm of said spring member to magnetic impulses to produce vibrating movement thereof, and a sound dampener plug carried by said spring at a point adjacent said arm to render the operation thereof silent, means for supplying alternating current to said coil, timing mechanism controlling said last mentioned means to energize said coil after a predetermined time, and a casin enclosing said spring and coil and secured to one leg of said spring, said casing being freely movable for location under a coil spring mattress;

WILLIAM E. LA PEDUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7

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