Did You Know...
...that the inventor of the electric motor was a blacksmith named Thomas Davenport? Described as "a brilliantly unsuccessful inventor", Davenport invented the first rotary electric motor. In 1836 he headed out -- on foot -- from his Vermont home to file a patent application at the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. By the time he got there, he had squandered away his money and couldn't afford the $30 filing fee so he turned around and went home. When he later mailed in his application with money he'd raised, the Patent office was destroyed in a fire. He did finally get credit for his invention on Feb. 5, 1837.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7408477 | Fire alarm pull station with audio deterrent A fire alarm pull station includes a cover which must be opened to reach a fire alarm actuating handle, and an audio pull station alarm triggered by opening the cover. Once triggered, the pull station alarm remains on until reset, which reset requires using a tool i... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7391302 | Car-used lock with alerting function A car-used lock with alerting function comprises a lock installed with a sensor, a buzzer and a transmitter; a receiving control device for receiving signals from the transmitter; the receiving control device being installed with a receiver, a decoder, a microproces... | 06/24/2008 |
| 7346933 | Ultrasonic sensor component signal communication to standalone universal serial bus keyboard emulator for entry/exit computer proximity determination A device in one example comprises a standalone universal serial bus keyboard emulator and an ultrasonic sensor component. The standalone universal serial bus keyboard emulator is coupled with a computer through a universal serial bus port. The ultrasonic sensor comp... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7289023 | Supervised guard tour tracking systems and methods The present invention comprises systems and methods for addressing exceptions (i.e., alarms) associated with a guard tour according to a predefined hierarchy. The exception is generated automatically based on data associated with the guard tour, as typically collect... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7286048 | Supervised guard tour systems and methods The present invention comprises systems and methods for addressing exceptions (i.e., alarms) associated with a guard tour according to a predefined hierarchy. The exception is generated automatically based on data associated with the guard tour, as typicdally collec... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7098782 | Method and apparatus for temporary muting of smoke alarms A switch temporarily disconnects an alarm system from an external power source when a person activates an actuator in a false alarm situation. After a predetermined length of time, the switch is automatically changed to a position that allows power to resume flowing... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7066613 | Sound and light apparatus A sound and light apparatus including a lamp and a speaker. The sound and light apparatus can be used indoors or outdoors to enhance a landscape plan or an interior design plan. Multiple sound and light apparatuses can be used to further enhance the ambiance of the ... | 06/27/2006 |
| 6976883 | Adaptor apparatus and method for interchanging smoke alarms An adapter configured for use between an alarm device and a wire harness. The adapter includes a housing having first and second sides, a circuit board positioned at least partially within the housing, and a first connection configuration associated with the first h... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6952872 | Method for reducing stress on the multi-conductor cable The object of this invention is to provide an improved connection between a TTY keypad and an emergency call box. This is accomplished by lengthening and re-routing the multi-conductor ribbon cable that connects the TTY to the call box. Thus relieving the stress on ... | 10/11/2005 |
| 6889137 | Navigation method and navigation system for motor vehicles Navigation method and navigation system for motor vehicles for navigating from a present location to a destination. In response to an emergency user request, an emergency destination closest to the present location is selected from a database, set as the destination... | 05/03/2005 |
| 6858802 | Extension ring for electrical junction box installations A junction box assembly for weather-resistant installations is disclosed including a junction box (100) and an extension ring (116, 216) adapted to attach with an component such as an alarm signaling unit (118, 218). The junction box assembly en... | 02/22/2005 |
| 6829513 | Fire detection system and method for configuring The present invention provides an application which is used to program building systems such as fire safety systems. It is an object of the invention to provide a method for creating one or more configuration files for the control panel of a fire safety system to al... | 12/07/2004 |
| 6765477 | Apparatus and method for activating a non-contact switch fire alarm pull station A method and apparatus for activating a fire-alarm pull station. The pull stations includes a non-contact switch located within a housing, a movable actuation device linked to the non-contact switch wherein the device moves between an activation and non-activation p... | 07/20/2004 |
| 6727815 | Fire alarm system A fire alarm system may comprise a control center, a wired communication pathway connected to the control center, and a relay station having a receiver and a signal evaluation circuit connected to the communication pathway. First decentralized alarm boxes may be wir... | 04/27/2004 |
| 6693534 | Emergency alarm system using pull-station with camera An emergency alarm system is provided having a manually operated pull-station that activates the system. The emergency alarm system has a camera that provides image data of the area surrounding the pull-station. The emergency alarm system also has a contr... | 02/17/2004 |
| 6618582 | Customer service system with feedback and method for operating A system for transmitting and registering calls for assistance includes a plurality of call boxes, a central processor for receiving calls for assistance from the call boxes, and a plurality of portable radios capable of receiving paging messages from the... | 09/09/2003 |
| 6380846 | Pull station A pull station for an alarm includes a housing with a handle mounted for sliding movement within the housing. The housing includes a window for a user to access the handle for forcibly sliding the handle in a vertical direction. A latch is rotatably mount... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6121885 | Combination smoke detector and severe weather warning device A combination smoke detector and severe weather warning device is housed in a common housing, such as a housing resembling that for a conventional smoke detector. The combination device includes a smoke detector and alarm for sensing smoke and/or fire in ... | 09/19/2000 |
| 6103972 | Junction box and assembly An electrical junction box assembly for mounting a fire alarm signaling unit or the like. The box includes a substantially square rear panel, four generally rectangular sidewall panels extending forwardly therefrom, and an open forward end adapted to rece... | 08/15/2000 |
| 6100789 | Fire control and indicating equipment In a fire control and indicating equipment, a printed circuit board is so formed as to be larger in plane than an operation panel, engagement holes are defined in the printed circuit board, and engagement portions corresponding to the engagement holes are... | 08/08/2000 |
| 6060979 | Call box apparatus A call box apparatus includes a controller unit, a radio frequency audio transceiver unit controlled by the controller unit, and a sensor assembly connected to the controller unit for controlling operation of the controller unit. A power supply assembly, ... | 05/09/2000 |
| 6052052 | Portable alarm system An alarm security system is provided that interfaces a standard communications system with the monitoring of variety of remote sensors resulting in a flexible portable silent alarm. The sensor alarm conditions are communicated, with prerecorded voice info... | 04/18/2000 |
| 5955939 | Alarm station protector capable of being accessed by disabled individuals An improved alarm activation station protector for use with a depressible alarm activating member and which is capable of being accessed by individuals with varying degrees of hand and arm disability. A wall mounted frame member is formed in a generally "... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5949332 | Fire alarm radio transmitter and receiver set A fire alarm radio transmitter and receiver set is provided with a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. The radio transmitter has a plurality of temperature sensors, a first memory keeping data including an address of a building, a first controller for... | 09/07/1999 |
| 5883568 | Alarm system for detecting excess temperature in electrical wiring The system includes a sensor for each junction box in the building to be guarded, e.g., the residence, and a display panel showing the temperature of any junction box that is heated above the danger point. Another display panel shows the name of the resid... | 03/16/1999 |
| 5831543 | Fire alarm glass cover frame A frame for supporting a sheet of glass over a fire alarm signal switch mounted on a wall. The frame is of the type which holds the glass over the switch so that the alarm signal can only be operated by breaking the glass. The frame has a cover member wit... | 11/03/1998 |
| 5760678 | Manual modular pull station A pull box for an emergency alarm system is disclosed having a modular construction that accommodates one or more optional modules in order to provide a wide variety of possible configurations. Also, the basic design of the pull station provides for its r... | 06/02/1998 |
| 5654684 | Alarm system for detecting excess temperature in electrical wiring The system includes a sensor for each junction box in the building to be guarded, i.e., the residence, and a display panel showing the temperature of any junction box that is heated above the danger point. Another display panel shows the name of the resid... | 08/05/1997 |
| 5532677 | Variable distance marker A variable distance marker system includes a display mounted in a housing and attached to electronics circuits having a light detector for receiving externally generated light signals. A rechargeable battery and a solar cell array are interconnected for s... | 07/02/1996 |
| 5283546 | Vandal-resistant call box A call box (201) provides vandal-resistant operation by using a concealed magnetic switch and magnet (179) and specially locked compartments (101 and 103) in a heavy duty structure. The concealed magnetic switch determines the position of a handset (119) ... | 02/01/1994 |
| 5227776 | Combined alarm, security and rescue system A combined alarm, security and rescue system includes room boxes (33a-33j, 35a-35j) in associated rooms, a two way communication system (29a-29C, 30a-30C, 31a-31b, 32a-32j, 34a-34j) between a number of room boxes and a central operator station, and a cent... | 07/13/1993 |
| 4728928 | Call switch for wet areas Call switch for use by hospital patients and staff members to summon aid in wet areas such as shower and bath areas. An actuating magnet is positioned on the front side of a waterproof panel for controlling the operation of electronic circuitry mounted in... | 03/01/1988 |
| 4638297 | Remote signaling box A remote signaling box uses no glass or breakable parts. The signal box has an unbreakable door that protects a sliding panel and activator which constrains the internal alarm switch. When the door is closed, a foolproof interlock in the sliding panel pre... | 01/20/1987 |
| 4600914 | Apparatus for directing attention to specific locations such as emergency exits Apparatus for identifying and directing attention to a location, such as an emergency exit, includes a series of sound generators arranged along a path leading from a remote site to the location. The sound generators are energized sequentially and individ... | 07/15/1986 |
| 4551707 | Fire alarm pull station In order to pull a fire alarm door to actuate an alarm, a complimentary door must first be pushed in so as to permit an operator to pull the fire alarm door.... | 11/05/1985 |
| 4389635 | Interfacing attachment for remote mechanical fire alarms An attachment which converts a single station, spring powered, temperature sensitive, fire alarm protection device into a remote signalling heat detector for a central fire alarm system, without affecting the internal apparatus of the alarm device or the ... | 06/21/1983 |
| 4359719 | Hall effect alarm pull station An alarm pull station is provided having a housing for attachment to a support, a manually movable member mounted within the housing and having a magnet attached thereto, and a Hall effect switching device responsive to movement of the magnet for providin... | 11/16/1982 |
| 4164731 | Electrical communication signalling device An electrical signalling device for a nurse call electrical communication system comprises a switch box, switch means carried by the switch box for activating a call signal at the nurse station, and a manually operable actuator member carried by the switc... | 08/14/1979 |
| 4162485 | Fire protection apparatus A multi-zone fire protection system in which each protected zone is provided with a detector for producing an alarm signal in response to the presence of combustion products, a source of fire extinguishing agent, and a pull box station manually operable t... | 07/24/1979 |
| 4141007 | Central alarm conditioning detecting and alerting system A central smoke detector alarm system, for a multiple floor, multiple dwelling apartment building, which utilizes the existing components of the fire alarm system found in such buildings. Individual alarm condition detectors, such as smoke detectors, are ... | 02/20/1979 |
