Patent Publication Number: US-7218220-B1

Title: Signaling system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to signaling devices and more particularly pertains to a new signaling device for signaling when a person is at a door of a dwelling and which includes a plurality of wireless signaling devices, which may be selectively positioned within the dwelling. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of signaling devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,449 describes a device that utilizes illuminated signals for indicating when a person has used a doorbell. Another system utilizing visual signals is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,238. A similar device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,603 and includes a remote tactile alarm assembly which may be worn by a person to alert them of an alarm. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a doorbell system that, along with a conventional doorbell assembly, also includes one or more wireless signaling assemblies that are in wireless communication with the conventional doorbell assembly. This will allow a person to place doorbells signaling devices where needed. Additionally, it would be advantageous to include non-audible signaling members to allow a person to prevent being disturbed by an audible doorbell. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by comprising a primary signaling doorbell assembly that includes a sound emitter, an actuator electrically coupled to the sound emitter, and a transmitter electrically coupled to the actuator that is adapted for sending a wireless signal. A power supply is electrically coupled to the actuator. A plurality of secondary signaling assemblies is provided. Each of the secondary signaling assemblies includes a receiver adapted for receiving the wireless signal from the transmitter, a signal member electrically coupled to the receiver, and a power supply electrically coupled to the transmitter and signal member. The signal member is adapted for signaling a person when the receiver receives the wireless signal. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a signaling system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an electronic schematic view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a second electronic schematic view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a secondary signaling assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 5  thereof, a new signaling device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the signaling system  10  generally comprises a primary signaling assembly  12  that includes a sound emitter  14 , which may include a conventional chime  16  used for doorbells. An actuator  18  is electrically coupled to the sound emitter  14 . The actuator  18  is a conventional doorbell actuator and may include secondary actuators  20 . A transmitter  22  is electrically coupled to the actuator  18 . The transmitter  22  is adapted for sending a wireless signal. A power supply  24  is electrically coupled to the actuator  18  for powering the sound emitter  14  and the transmitter  22 . The power supply  24  is preferably the power supply of a dwelling and that is hardwired to the actuator  18 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  show variations of the system  10  depending on the types of power supplies being utilized. 
   The primary signaling assembly  12  includes a switch  26  that is electrically connected to the actuator  18  for selectively opening or closing the circuit between the actuator  18  and the transmitter  22  and sound emitter  14 . The switch  26  may include a plurality of switches  26  electrically coupled to the actuator  18  for the purposes stated above. The switch  26  is selectively positioned in a first positioned opening a circuit between the actuator  18  and the transmitter  22  and sound emitter  14 , a second position opening a circuit between the actuator  18  and the transmitter  22  and closing a circuit between the actuator  18  and the sound emitter  14 , or in a third position closing a circuit between the actuator  18  and the transmitter  22  and sound emitter  14 . The sound emitter  14  produces a sound when the actuator  18  is actuated and the switch  26  is positioned in the first position. The transmitter  22  transmits the wireless signal when the actuator  18  is actuated and the switch  26  is positioned in the first position or in the second position. 
   A plurality of secondary signaling assemblies  28  is provided. Each of the secondary signaling assemblies  28  includes a housing  30  and a receiver  32  that is positioned within the housing  30  and is adapted for receiving the wireless signal from the transmitter  22 . A signal member  34  is positioned within the housing  30 . The signal member  34  is electrically coupled to the receiver  32  and is adapted for signaling a person when the receiver  32  receives the wireless signal. The signal member  34  consists of a sound emitter  36 , a light emitter  38  or a vibrating member  40 . The sound emitter  36  may comprise any type of chime or speaker assembly adapted for emitting an audible sound when the receiver  32  receives a signal. The light emitter  38  is preferably a strobe light though any light emitting assembly may be used. The housing  30  is preferably translucent when the light emitter  38  is used. A power supply  42  is positioned within the housing  30  and is electrically coupled to the receiver  32  and the signal member  34 . 
   In use, the primary signaling assembly  12  is used as a conventional doorbell signaling system to alert a person within a dwelling that a person is at the door of the dwelling. The secondary signaling assemblies  28  allow a person to place signal members where needed without the need of additional wiring. The secondary signaling assemblies  28  that include light emitters  38  and vibrating members  40  allow a person to be signaled in a non-audible manner. The switch  26  may be used to turn off the primary signaling assembly  10  to ensure that a person is not audibly disturbed. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.