Burglar and intruder detection system

A burglar and intruder detection system photographs burglars and other intruders by use of a mechanically trippable camera of the automatic advance type for sequentially taking successive pictures upon being repeatedly tripped. An electric motor drives a shaft having a cam. A lever arrangement is actuated by cam lobes to repeatedly trip the camera when the motor operates. Electric power for motor operation is provided by a switch mat or other switching device in response to detection of the presence of an intruder. A thread follower on the shaft establishes a predetermined time interval following the initiation of motor operation, operating a switching device for de-energizing the motor after the interval is timed out. An enclosure having a movable cover protects the camera and associated lighting. Solenoids control movement of the cover.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to systems for detecting burglars and other 
intruders and, more particularly, a system of a concealed, protected 
nature for photographing and surprising such intruders. 
Heretofore, it has been known to photograph an area of surveillance from an 
obscured or at least partially concealed position. The use of television 
cameras is a more recent development, permitting continuous or periodic 
surveillance of an area to be carried out by a strategic location of a 
television camera. Typical of arrangements for such surveillance may be 
found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,819,856; 3,916,097; 4,080,629; 4,160,999 and 
4,225,881. However, there is often a deterrent effect of mounting a 
television camera in prominent view, since it may deter thievery or 
shoplifting because of the impression that one is being watched by the 
camera. It may not be advantageous, therefore, for the television camera 
to be located in a concealed location. 
In the field of banking, the use of cameras for taking the picture of those 
entering or leaving banking facilities, or at a teller's window, is an old 
expedient, and the camera may not be concealed, but may be actuated 
remotely, as by a till switch, as typified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,976. 
However, for photographing after-hours intruders, concealment of a camera 
may be advantageous. U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,316 represents the type of 
arrangement where a camera is mounted within a concealed enclosure. The 
apparatus disclosed in that patent is actuated remotely by a radio 
transmitter, as when an individual enters the area of surveillance. 
Another radio remote control system for operating a camera from the 
transmitter is to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,686,672. Yet another 
arrangement utilizing a camera for photographing an intruder is proposed 
in the earlier U.S. Pat. No. 2,109,361, describing an arrangement for 
taking a picture by a still camera and then dropping the camera out of 
sight by a chute which delivers the camera to a secured location. 
For effective photography, the area of surveillance must be illuminated. If 
floodlights, spotlights, photoflood lights and the like are provided, 
their obvious presence would invite an intruder to disable them before 
being photographed and take other steps to avoid detection and being 
photographed. But, if one were to install the camera and photoflood or 
other bright lights behind an enclosure, there would be a risk of fire if 
the hot bright lights should somehow be illuminated while concealed, as by 
a cover. In any event, surprise is essential in effectively photographing 
a burglar or other intruder. And it may also be desirable to once more 
safely enclose the photography apparatus after taking pictures of the 
intruder so that access cannot be readily gained to the camera by the 
intruder, who might otherwise attempt to destroy the camera or attempt to 
take its film. 
Accordingly, an object of the invention is the provision of a system for 
photographing any sort of intruder, such as a burglar, and for 
sequentially taking a plurality of successive pictures of an area under 
surveillance once there has been an intrusion into the area, whereby it 
will be possible to obtain various pictures of the intruder as he 
endeavors to escape, seize property, and so forth. 
A further object is the provision of such a system which provides 
concealment and protective enclosure of not only a camera but also the 
lighting by which the protected area is to be illuminated for picture 
taking. 
Another object of the invention is the provision of such a system which 
opens an enclosure for the camera and lighting equipment to allow taking 
of a number of pictures successively, and then upon completion of the 
picture taking once more closes the enclosure to obscure and protect the 
camera and lighting apparatus. 
A further object of the invention is the provision of such a system which 
precludes operation of the lighting equipment such as photoflood lamps, 
unless the protective enclosure has first opened, for protecting against 
the hazard of fire or other damage which might occur if the light source 
were turned on within the enclosure while it remains closed. 
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a system which allows 
the taking of a predetermined number of successive pictures and, upon 
completion of the last picture, reliably acts to terminate the various 
functions of the system in a safe, failure-free manner. 
Among other objects of the invention are the provision of such a system 
which actuates suddenly to provide both light and sound to frighten and 
scare away an intruder before further damage or theft can occur; which 
provides precise timing of the interval between successive pictures; which 
is of a mechanically simple and effective design; and which can be easily 
armed for use as well as easily reset after use. 
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out 
hereinbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a 
suitable enclosure in which is located various elements of a system of the 
invention, including an automatic advance camera 2, which may be any of a 
variety of mechanically trippable cameras of the automatic advance type 
for sequentially taking a plurality of successive pictures upon being 
repeatedly tripped. For example, the camera may have a spring wind 
mechanism or self-contained battery and drive components which 
automatically advance the film each time a trip release button 3 is 
pressed. The camera is mounted in any suitable manner so that its lens 4 
is focused upon an area under surveillance, such as the interior of a 
dwelling, a hallway, a place of business, or the like. 
One preferred construction for enclosure 1 is a cabinet or similar woodwork 
portion of a dwelling. The enclosure is provided with a suitable cover 6 
which, in accordance with the invention, can be opened to permit the 
taking of pictures by camera 2. 
Also preferably located within enclosure 1 is a photoflood light 7 or any 
of a variety of different possible high intensity lights which will 
brightly illuminate the area under surveillance when cover 6 is opened. 
FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale so that it will be appreciated that cover 6 
is merely representative of any suitable cover that can be suitably 
mounted upon enclosure 1 for allowing the taking of pictures and for 
allowing light from source 7 to be aimed outwardly from the enclosure into 
the area of surveillance. For concealment purposes, cover 6 may appear to 
be merely a cabinet door. 
Where enclosure 1 is a cabinet, it can be mounted at a relatively high 
location within a room so that upon the cover 6 swinging open, light will 
be directed down into the room to brightly illuminate a wide area of the 
room as well as to surprise and scare any intruder, such as a burglar in 
the act of breaking in, by the overwhelming brightness and relatively high 
location of the light which may be temporarily blinding to the intruder so 
that he will be even unlikely to move for a few moments, enhancing the 
potential for obtaining multiple good photographs of him. 
Also, FIG. 1 is not intended to convey a particularly preferred pivot 
arrangement for cover 6, as such is subject to variation dependent upon 
the installation preferred by the user. However, for purposes of 
illustration, cover 6 is represented as having its opposite sides or ends 
pivoted to structure, as at 7, 7', of enclosure 1. For example, cover 6 
may swing upwardly, being aided by a spring 9, to permit the taking of 
pictures and illumination of the premises, or it may swing down or to the 
side. 
Mounted in relative adjacency to camera 2 is a motor 11 for being powered 
by conventional A.C. voltage, such as available in a home. Motor 11 is of 
the timing type having an output shaft 12 which rotates at a relatively 
low angular velocity such as preferably one revolution every four seconds. 
Carried at the outward end of shaft 12 is a cam 13 having two lobes 14, 
14', each of which will cause movement of a recessed cam follower arm 15 
which is connected to an actuating link 16. Arm 16 is interconnected 
adjustably by means of an adjustment lock screw 17 and spring 18 with a 
main trip actuating arm 19. The latter has one end pivotally mounted, as 
at 20. The other end is presented for contacting the trip button 3 of 
camera 2, by means of an adjustment screw 21. Thus, both elements 16, 19 
are pivotally or rockably mounted for movement in response to the rotation 
of cam 13, so that each rotation of the cam will produce two actuations of 
the camera trip button 3, resulting in the taking of pictures at periodic 
intervals, e.g., every two seconds. Elements 16, 19 are transverse to one 
another. 
The motor output shaft 12 is threaded and carries a timing collar 24 which 
is threaded onto shaft 12. Collar 24 includes a stem 25 which extends 
radially outwardly from motor shaft 12 for engaging a guide bar or groove 
26 to prevent rotation of collar 24 as the motor shaft turns, the 
threading being such as to cause movement of collar 24 toward the motor as 
the motor shaft turns in its normal direction. Mounted adjacent to guide 
26 is a switch device 28 having an actuating handle 28' for being 
contacted by stem 25 when the collar approaches the housing of motor 11. 
The switch device 28 actually contains plural switching sections as will 
be evident from the following description. 
The system further includes a siren 30 or other loud audible warning signal 
such as a yelper, horn, klaxon, bell, etc. which may be mounted anywhere, 
including within the enclosure, for being heard by the intruder. Although 
not shown, an additional siren or yelper, etc. may be mounted outside of 
the dwelling or place of business for alerting neighbors, police and 
others to detection operation of the system. 
For initiating operation of the system, there is provided a switch mat 31 
which will be stepped upon when the burglar or other intruder enters the 
area under surveillance, the switch mat providing electrical power for 
initiating operation of motor 11 and other functions of the system upon 
the intruder entering the premises. Other detection devices may be used 
instead, such as photoelectric devices, ultrasonic detectors, proximity 
detectors, and so forth, but providing, in any event, the requisite 
switching of electrical power for initiating operation of the system when 
the presence of an intruder is detected. 
Various arrangements for opening of cover 6 are possible within the scope 
of the invention, but the system includes at least driving means for 
permitting movement of the cover between its closed and open positions in 
response to actuation of the system. For this purpose, solenoids may be 
utilized, there being a first solenoid 33 having its armature connected to 
a latch 34 which normally retains cover 6 in its closed position in which 
camera 2, motor 11, light 7, and other apparatus of the system will be 
concealed from view and will deny access of the system to the burglar or 
other intruder who might wish to disable the system. When solenoid 33 is 
energized, a latch 34 normally held in place by spring 35 will move out of 
the way to permit cover 6 to swing open under the influence of spring 9. 
Another solenoid 37 has its armature suitably connected with cover 6 for 
causing the cover to be moved to its closed position after pictures have 
been taken by the system. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a switch SW1 is shown connected in one of a pair of 
leads L1, L2 by which electrical power, such as 115 V.A.C., is supplied. 
Switch SW1 represents the switching elements of switch mat 31. When weight 
of an intruder is sensed by mat 31, SW1 closes so that the power is 
provided across leads L1', L2. Lead L2 supplies one side of the power 
connection to motor 11, while lead L1' provides the other connection to 
the motor for operation through switch SW2 of the normally closed (n.c.) 
type. Switch SW2 is but one of the switch sections of switch device 28 and 
will be opened when stem 25 contacts actuator 28'. As shown in FIG. 2, SW2 
thus normally permits power to be supplied to motor 11 when SW1 of the 
switch mat 31 is closed by an intruder. To maintain voltage across leads 
L1', L2, a latch relay 38 may optionally be employed, thus maintaining a 
connection between leads L1 and L1' even if the intruder should move off 
the switch mat. Relay 38 may be reset by opening SW8 which is of the n.c. 
type. 
Upon the provision of voltage across L1', L2 by closure of SW1, voltage is 
applied across a pair of leads 39 to siren 30 and, if an external siren or 
yelper is employed, across a pair of leads 40 for actuating that device. 
Accordingly, the intruder will be immediately alarmed by siren 39, and any 
external siren or yelper connected by leads 40 will summon aid or the 
police, etc. 
Light 7 is also connected by a pair of leads 41, one of which includes a 
switch SW3 of the normally open (n.o.) type. This switch, referred to in 
FIG. 1, is suitably interconnected with cover 6 whereby SW3 will close 
only upon opening of cover 6. This will preclude light 7 from being turned 
on within the confines of enclosure 1 until the light can be shone through 
the opening of cover 6. Otherwise, the bright high-intensity photoflood 
type of device could cause excess heating and even present the possibility 
of fire. Cover 6 is caused to be swung open by the energization of the 
uncover solenoid 33, which is connected across a pair of leads 43, one of 
which includes n.c. switch SW4. When energized, solenoid 33 releases latch 
34 to permit cover 6 to spring open under the influence of spring 9. When 
the cover opens, SW4 opens to de-energize solenoid 33. 
Having been provided with electrical power, motor 11 turns shaft 12. The 
lobes of cam 13, by contacting arm 16, cause arm 19 to periodically 
depress trip button 3 of camera 2. Each time button 3 is depressed, the 
camera will take a picture and then automatically advance to the next film 
position. Therefore, if the intruder is moving around the room or 
attempting to flee, the camera will nevertheless take successive pictures, 
thus enhancing the potential for obtaining a picture of the intruder from 
various different angles and positions which will, of course, aid in the 
capture. 
The threaded shaft 12 of motor 11 causes movement of thread follower 24 
over a fixed distance, until contacting actuator 28'. Since the motor is 
turning at a constant speed, travel of follower 24 over this fixed 
distance will occur in a predetermined time interval following initiation 
of motor operation by closing of switch SW1. When stem 25 contacts 
actuator 28', switch SW2 is opened and a further set of n.o. switch 
contacts SW6 within switch device 28 will close. SW6 is connected in one 
of a pair of leads 44 which provide power to cover-up solenoid 37. The 
lead containing SW6 also contains n.c. switch SW5, which is suitably 
interconnected with door 6 for being caused to open when cover 6 is in its 
closed position, it being understood that SW5 will close upon opening of 
door 6 by energizing of solenoid 33. When both SW5 and SW6 are closed, 
solenoid 37 is energized, causing cover 6 to return to its closed 
position. When it closes, SW6 opens to remove power to solenoid 37. 
Finally, SW3 also opens to turn off light 7. 
According to this preferred mode of operation, cover 6 is thus returned to 
a closed position when the camera has taken a predetermined number of 
pictures, light 7 is turned off, and the camera is once more rendered 
inaccessible to the intruder. However, the inside yelper or siren 30 will 
continue to sound until the system is reset by opening of SW8 by the owner 
or authorized person. Of course, if desired, another light can be 
connected across leads L1', L2, as indicated, and will remain on until 
reset switch SW8 is operated. 
It will be appreciated that the system provides, therefore, entirely 
automatic operation of a fail-safe character, as well as providing 
protection against the possibility that components of the system would 
remain energized and thus produce fire hazard or the risk of component 
damage once the system has been actuated. However, the sirens or yelpers 
will remain on (together with any optional lighting) to provide continued 
warning of the fact that intrusion has taken place as well as to deter a 
burglar from continuing to take property, etc. 
Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode contemplated 
for carrying out the invention, various modifications are contemplated. 
As various modifications could be made in the constructions herein 
described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the 
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing 
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as 
illustrative rather than limiting.