Motion sensing and light flashing apparatus

An alerting apparatus includes a pair of separate first and second lights capable of providing respective illuminations that are different from one another, an electrical power supply cord connected to the first and second lights for providing a supply of electrical power to activate the lights, and a motion detector connected to the electrical power supply cord and the first and second lights for activating the first and second lights for predetermined times in response to sensing motion in a predetermined area. The first light can provide a constant white illumination, while the second light can provide a flashing red illumination. Also, an alarm can be connected to the motion detector and the electrical power supply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention generally relates to motion sensing and lighting 
systems and, more particularly, is concerned with a motion sensing and 
light flashing apparatus. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Security lighting systems are widely used for prevention of crime and 
vandalism in many communities. These security systems are commonly used to 
monitor residential and business properties, such as the areas 
encompassing entrances to buildings, during nighttime hours. 
Representative examples of these security lighting systems in the prior 
art are the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. to Barnum (4,551,654), 
Yamauchi et al (4,942,384) and Sacchetti (4,970,436 and 4,992,701). 
One conventional security lighting system employs a lamp capable of 
illuminating a given protected area and a motion detector capable of 
turning on the lamp. The motion detector typically utilizes either 
ultrasound, infrared or some other suitable form of energy. The motion 
detector senses and is activated by the motion of an intruder or other 
individual entering into the given protected area which is being monitored 
by the sensor. Activation of the motion detector, in turn, turns on the 
lamp to illuminate the protected area for a given period of time. 
This conventional security lighting system provides the type of 
illumination that will reveal or expose the presence of the intruder. The 
system may also set off an alarm or buzzer in a residence or building 
adjacent to the protected area that will alert the user of the system of 
the possible presence of the intruder. However, one important drawback of 
the system is that it fails to provide the type of illumination that will 
necessarily ensure its notice by others in the vicinity, such as neighbors 
or a passing police car, who would be apt to investigate. 
Consequently, a need still remains for improvement in the design of a 
security lighting system in order to overcome the above-mentioned 
drawback. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a motion sensing and light flashing 
apparatus designed to overcome existing problems and satisfy the 
aforementioned need. The motion sensing and light flashing apparatus of 
the present invention employs separate lamps which provide different 
illumination. Preferably, one illumination, such as white in color, 
remains lit constantly for a predetermined time. The other illumination, 
such as red in color, flashes on and off for a predetermined time. The 
flashing red illumination will function not only to assist in scaring off 
the intruder, but to alert anyone seeing the flashing red light to 
investigate or to call the police. 
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a motion sensing and 
light flashing apparatus which comprises: (a) means for providing separate 
respective first and second illuminations being different from one 
another; (b) means for providing a supply of electrical power to activate 
the lights; (c) a motion detector capable of sensing motion in a 
predetermined area; and (d) means for electrically interconnecting the 
electrical power supply providing means, the motion detector, and the 
first and second lights to activate the first and second lights for 
predetermined times in response to the motion detector sensing motion in 
the predetermined area. 
Preferably, the illuminations providing means is a pair of first and second 
lamps. The first lamp provides a constant illumination, whereas the second 
lamp provides a flashing illumination. Also, the illumination provided by 
the first lamp is of a first color, such as white, whereas the 
illumination provided by the second lamp is of a second different color, 
such as red. Each illumination stays on as long as detection of the motion 
continues or for a predetermined time thereafter, and then automatically 
turns off. 
Further, electrically interconnecting means is a circuit arrangement of 
electrical conductors. The circuit arrangement connects the first and 
second lamps in electrical parallel relation with one another and connects 
the motion detector in electrical series relation with the electrical 
power supply providing means and the first and second lamps. The apparatus 
also includes an electrical switch actuatable between on and off 
positions. The circuit arrangement connects the electrical switch in 
electrical series relation with the motion detector and the electrical 
power supply providing means. Preferably, the electrical power supply 
providing means is an electrical cord having an outlet plug at one end. 
Also, the apparatus includes a signaling device, and means for electrically 
coupling the signaling device to the interconnecting means so as to 
activate the signaling device when the first and second lamps are 
activated by the motion detector. The signaling device is an audible alarm 
and the coupling means is an electrical transformer. Additionally, an 
electrical on/off switch is connected in electrical series relation with 
the transformer and the signaling device. 
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the 
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings 
wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the 
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is 
illustrated a motion sensing and light flashing apparatus, generally 
designated 10, of the present invention. The apparatus 10 functions to 
provide a constant illumination that will reveal or expose the presence of 
an intruder and a flashing illumination that will be noticed by others in 
the vicinity prompting an investigation or call to the police. 
Basically, the motion sensing and light flashing apparatus 10 includes a 
pair of separate first and second lights 12, 14, means 16 for providing a 
supply of electrical power, a motion detector 18, and a circuit 
arrangement 20 of electrical conductors 22. The electrical conductors 22 
of the circuit arrangement 20 electrically interconnect the electrical 
power supply providing means 16, the motion detector 18, and the first and 
second lights 12, 14 so as to cause activating of the first and second 
lights 12, 14 for a predetermined time in response to the motion detector 
18 sensing motion in a predetermined area monitored by the motion detector 
18. 
Referring to FIG. 3, the first and second lights 12, 14 are preferably a 
pair of flood lamps 12, 14 capable of insertion respectively in light 
holder sockets 24 (only one being shown in FIG. 3) supported by a housing 
26 and capable of mounting the lamps 12, 14 in an electrically connected 
relation. Also, a circular interface element 28, commonly referred to as a 
winker button, is removably installed in the respective one of the sockets 
24 mounting the second lamp 14, in a position between the socket 24 and 
threaded end 14A of the second lamp 14. The function of the circular 
interface element 28 is to cause making and breaking of the parallel 
portion 20A of the circuit arrangement 20 serially connected to the second 
lamp 14 and interface element 28 in order to make the second lamp 14 flash 
on and off. 
In accordance with the present invention, the first and second lamps 12, 14 
are thusly constructed or configured to provide respective illuminations 
that are different from one another. Preferably, the first lamp 12 is 
configured to provide a constant illumination, while the second lamp 14 is 
configured inherently or by the winker interface element 28 to provide a 
flashing illumination. In addition, the first and second lamps 12, 14 are 
configured to respectively provide different colors of illumination. 
Preferably, the first lamp 12 provides illumination having a substantially 
white color, while the second lamp 14 provides illumination having a 
substantially red color. It should be understood that other colors can be 
employed. As examples, the first lamp 12 can be a 150-watt white constant 
flood lamp and the second lamp 14 can be a 60-watt flashing red flood 
lamp. 
The electrical power supply providing means 16 of the apparatus 10 is 
preferably an electrical cord 30 made up of a pair of electrical 
conductors 30A, 30B and connected at one of their opposite ends to the 
electrical circuit arrangement 20 which electrically interconnects the 
motion detector 18 and the first and second lamps 12, 14. The pair of 
electrical conductors 30A, 30B of the electrical cord 30 have a plug 32 
connected at the other of their opposite ends for physically plugging into 
an electrical outlet socket (not shown) which supplies standard 120 volt, 
60 cycle AC. Alternatively, the means 16 can utilize other sources of 
electricity, such as an AC generator. 
The motion detector 18 of the apparatus 10 is connected in electrical 
series relation with the electrical power supply cord 30 and the first and 
second lamps 12, 14 by the circuit arrangement 20 of electrical conductors 
22. The motion detector 18 is capable of activating the first and second 
lamps 12, 14 for predetermined times in response to the sensing motion in 
a protected area being monitored by the motion detector 18. The circuit 
arrangement 20 also connects the lamps 12, 14 in electrical parallel 
relation with one another. Thus, in view that the first and second lamps 
12, 14 are connected in parallel with one another and in series with the 
same motion detector 18, the first and second lamps 12, 14 function to 
respectively provide constant white illumination and flashing red 
illumination for predetermined time periods which run concurrently with 
one another. The motion detector 18 can be any suitable 
commercially-available device which has the motion sensing capability. For 
instance, a suitable motion detector 18 typically utilizes either 
ultrasound, infrared, or some other suitable form of energy. 
The apparatus 10 also includes a first electrical switch 34 actuatable 
between on and off positions and interposed in the one conductor 30A of 
the electrical cord 30 and connected by the circuit arrangement 20 in 
electrical series relation with the motion detector 18 and the electrical 
cord 20. The apparatus further includes a signaling device 36 and means 38 
for electrically coupling the signaling device 36 to the circuit 
arrangement 20. One suitable signaling device 36 is an audible .alarm. 
Other signaling devices can be used in place of, or in 5 addition, to the 
alarm. The coupling means 38 can be an electrical transformer for stepping 
down the voltage from 120 VAC to 5 VAC. The transformer 38 transmits the 
electrical energy so as to activate (turn on and off) the signaling device 
36 in correspondence to when the first and second lamps 12, 14 are 
activated by the motion detector 18. Finally, the apparatus 10 can utilize 
a second electrical switch 40 actuatable between on and off positions and 
being connected in electrical series relation with the transformer 38 and 
the signaling device 36, and an AC interlock 42 being connected in 
electrical parallel relation with the signaling device 36 for adding a 
remote buzzer or bell to the circuit arrangement 20. 
It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be 
understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that 
various changes may be made thereto without departing from its spirit and 
scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the 
form hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiment 
thereof.