Improvements in Automatic Electric Alarms.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct., 1897.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Electric Alarms.
I, PAUL VICTOR VANDEVELDE, residing at Park Street Corona, in the County
of Queens, State of New York, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to automatic electric alarm devices for use in connection
with window sashes provided with counter-balance weights, and the object thereof
is to provide an improved device of this class which is adapted to be operated
when the sash is raised, or an attempt is made to raise the sash.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, said drawing being a sectional side view
of a part of one side of a window frame, and showing my improvement connected
therewith.
In the drawing forming part of this specification the separate parts of my
improvement are designated by numerals of reference, and in said drawing I have
shown a bar, plate or board 5, which forms a part of one side of a window frame
in which is formed a transverse opening 6, in which is mounted a casing 7, which
is provided with a plate S, which is secured to the inner side of the plate or
board 5.
Mounted in the casing 7, and projecting through the plate 8, is an ordinary
grooved pulley wheel 9, and passing over said pulley wheel is the usual window
sash cable 10, the outer end of which is connected with a counter-balance
weight 11, which moves in a suitable vertical chamber formed in the side of the
window frame, in the usual manner, said chamber being not shown.
It will be understood that this construction is exactly the same at both sides of
the window, and the sash is connected with the end 12, by the cable 10, in the
usual manner, and in my invention I secure to the lower end of the plate 8, in
the lower end of the transverse chamber 6, in which the casing 7, is mounted,
a plate 13, which is provided with an outwardly directed arm 14, and I also
provide two spring arms 15, and 16, which are connected with the arm 14, of the
plate 8, by a bolt 17, and the spring arm 15, is in electrical connection with the
bolt 17, but the spring arm 16, is insulated from said bolt, and from the plate 13,
and the arm 14, thereof, or in other words said spring arm 16, is entirely insu-
lated, while the spring arm 15, is in electrical connection with the arm 14.
When the window sash is closed, or in its lowest position, it being understood
that this apparatus as shown and described, is applied to the lower sash, the
weight 11, is in the position shown in the drawing, and the spring arm 15, presses
upon the upper end of said weight; but if the sash be raised, the counter balance
weight 11, will be lowered, and the spring arm 15, will move downward, and come
in contact with the spring arm 16.
When the weight 11, is not in its highest position, as shown in the drawing,
the spring arm 15, rests on the arm 16, and the window sash must be lowered
to its lowest position in order to separate the arms 15, and 16.

page_text: I also provide a battery 18, which is provided with two wires or conductors 19,
and 20, and one of these wires or conductors is conected with the arm 16, and
the other with the arm 14, of the plate 13, as clearly shown in the drawing, and
placed in the circuit thus formed, is an electric alarm 21, and the operation will
be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection,
with the accompanying drawing, and the following statement thereof.
Suppose the sash to be in its lowest position, the parts of my improvement will
occupy the position shown in the drawing, and if an attempt be made to raise
the sash, the weight 11, will move downwardly, and the spring arm 15, will come
in contact with the arm 16, and the circuit will be completed; and the alarm be
operated but when said window sash is in its lowest position, the circuit will be
broken as will be readily understood, the parts then assuming the position shown
in the drawing.
It will be understood that the electric alarm is only connected with one side
of the sash or window frame, and it will also be apparent that my improvement
may be connected with the upper sash as well as the lower one, in which event
the alarm would be operated when the upper sash is lowered.
My improvement is simple in construction and operation, and perfectly adapted
to accomplish the result for which it is intended, and it will be apparent that
changes in and modifications of the construction herein described, may be made
without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing its advantages.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;-
-
1. A window frame provided with means for supporting a window sash, con-
sisting of a counter-balance weight a cable connected therewith, and an electrical
alarm device which is placed in a circuit which is open when the weight is in
its highest position, and closed when said weight is lowered, substantially as shown
and described.
2. In a device of the character herein described, a plate or board which forms
a part of the window frame, a casing mounted therein, a pulley mounted in said
casing and provided with a cable to one end of which a counter-balance weight
is attached, a stationary plate mounted in said opening and provided with an
outwardly directed arm, a spring arm in electrical connection with said first named
am, and another arm which is insulated from all of said parts, and electrical
alarm devices in a circuit which is in electrical connection with the first named
arm, and also with said last named arm, said circuit being open when the counter-
balance weight is in its highest position, and closed when said counter-balance
weight is lowered, substantially as shown and described.
Da thin 10th day of August 1897
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.