This invention relates generally to storage boxes and, more particularly, to alarms for storage boxes that may be located in the beds of pickup trucks.
Workers who frequently carry tools to their work sites often find it convenient to mount a container in the bed of a pickup truck. Doing so enables the worker to carry a large variety of tools and other belongings to distant locations without the need to load and unload the tools between jobs. Workers often leave the tools in the container for extended times between jobs. However, some tools are expensive and, accordingly, are subject to theft.
While locking the container provides some security for the tools, thieves might still pry open the lid, pick the lock, or otherwise obtain access to the tools. Thus, a need exists to raise an alarm when a container is opened in an unauthorized manner.
In practice, battery powered container alarms tend to discharge the battery too quickly thereby leaving the tools or other contents vulnerable. Even alarms powered by the vehicle battery will eventually drain the battery. Additionally, these vehicle-powered alarms require modification of the vehicle and accordingly require effort to install. Thus, a need exists for an inexpensive, low (or no) power container alarm.
It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. The invention includes methods and apparatus for safeguarding the contents of containers.
More particularly, the invention provides a number of advantages including smaller, lighter, and less expensive apparatus and methods for providing an alert when unauthorized persons enter containers. Moreover, the apparatus taught herein may be installed as original equipment or as retrofit kits on containers. Likewise, the methods may be used with original equipment or with retrofit kits. Accordingly, the present invention helps prevent the loss of valuable tools, equipment, and other belongings from containers.
In general, the invention utilizes low cost switches to detect the status of the lock and lid of the container. When the container lid is opened without the box first being properly unlocked, an alarm (e.g. an audible alert) is generated. Furthermore, power savings accrue from leaving the alarm in a standby, or un-powered, state until an attempted intrusion occurs.
In a first preferred embodiment, an alarm is provided for a container that includes an enclosure, a door, a door latch, and an actuator to open the latch. The alarm includes a switch, a circuit, and an output. The actuator closes the switch when it opens the latch. In turn, the circuit senses the position of the switch and drives the output if the latch is open. Additionally, the alarm may include a power supply that powers the circuit via the switch when the latch is open. The alarm may also include a guide that prevents relative movement in one (or more) direction between the actuator and the switch. A lock switch may also be connected in series with the actuator switch so that the circuit drives the output only when the latch is open and the lock is locked. Additionally, a housing fitted to a lip of the enclosure may contain the circuit and the guide.
In another preferred embodiment, a container is provided that includes an enclosure, a door, a latch, an actuator, and an alarm. The latch keeps the door closed except when opened by the actuator. Concurrently with opening the latch, the actuator also closes a switch. In turn, a circuit of the alarm senses the position of the switch and drives the output. Additionally, the container may fit in the bed of a pickup truck.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting unauthorized entry into a container. The method includes opening a latch of the container with an actuator and sensing the position of the actuator. If the actuator position indicates the actuator opened the latch, then an alarm is raised. Moreover, power may be supplied to a circuit that senses the switch position if the actuator has opened the latch. Furthermore, the method may include fitting a housing for the circuit to a lip of the container. Also, the actuator may be guided to prevent relative motion, in at least one direction, between the actuator and the switch. Additionally, if the container includes a lock, the position of the lock may be sensed and an alarm triggered if the lock is locked and the latch is open.
In another preferred embodiment, an alarm for a container is provided that includes a power source, a switch, a circuit, and an output. The normally open switch connects to the power source and closes when the latch opens. The circuit connects to the switch and receives power therefrom when the switch closes. Thus, the circuit drives the output when the switch is closed. Furthermore, the switch may be closed by an actuator for the latch.
Another preferred embodiment provides an alarm for a container that includes a housing, a switch, a circuit contained in the housing, and an output. The housing is shaped to correspond to the shape of the container. The actuator opens the latch and closes the switch. Meanwhile, the circuit senses the switch position and drives the output if the switch indicates the actuator has opened the latch.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements,
To provide security against unauthorized intrusions into the container 10, the present invention provides alarms for sensing a number of trip mechanisms to trigger the alarm. Herein, a “trip” will refer to a mechanism that may change between a tripped and an untripped condition, whereas “trigger” refers to activating an alarm based on a trip being changed to a tripped condition (or in the case of a switch, moved to a tripped position). Thus, trip mechanisms include, but are not limited to: locks with locked and unlocked positions, lids with open and closed positions, latches with latched and unlatched positions, latch actuators with positions for latching and unlatching the latch, and switches and sensors for sensing the same.
With reference now to
In operation, the user gains access to the interior of the bottom 16 by first turning the lock 22 with a key (not shown). Then, the user pushes against the lock 22 that may be configured to resemble a button to unlatch the latch 20. An actuator (to be discussed more herein) may urge the latch 20 to release the lid 18 when the user pushes on the lock 22. The user thereafter, opens the lid 18 to access the interior. Thereafter, the user closes the lid 18 whereupon the latch may be spring loaded to close and re-secure the door 18. Finally, the user may lock the lock 22.
With reference now to
Typically, the lip 30 is included in many containers 20 to add structural rigidity to the container 10. The lip 30 may be of any appropriate shape to achieve its intended purpose. Here the lip 30 has a channel-like configuration to strengthen the upper edge of the bottom 16. The alarm 28 has a rear wall 32 having a shape conforming to the lip 30 and the wall 26 of the container so that the alarm fits snugly against, or mates with, the lip 30 and wall 26. Also, the dimensions of the alarm 28 are such that it can be installed behind the actuator 36 without removing the actuator 36 from the container 10. Note that sliding the guides 35 over the actuator 36 and then rotating the alarm 28 in place against the wall 26 facilitates installation. Once fastened in place, the abutting relationship of the lip 30, wall 26, and rear housing 32 fixes the position of the alarm 28 in relation to the enclosure 16. As will be appreciated shortly, the actuator rod 36 is fixed relative to the enclosure 16 (except longitudinally).
The cover 33 detaches from the rear housing 32 to allow access to internal components of the alarm 28. As shown in the plan view of
In operation, the user unlocks the lock 22 with a key and pushes against the lock 22 to move actuator rod 36 longitudinally. In turn, the actuator rod 36 causes the latch 20 to pivot clear of post 37. Thus, post 37 may then move upward with the lid 18 when the user opens the lid 18. Accordingly, by unlocking the lock 22 and pushing the actuator 36, the user may gain access to the contents of the container 10 in a manner well known in the art. However, unauthorized persons may also attempt to gain such access. Typically, they pick, circumvent, or overcome either (or both of) the latch 20 or lock 22. Subsequently, they lift the lid 18 to gain unauthorized entry into the container 10.
With continuing reference to
In another preferred embodiment, the alarm 28 may also include a lock sensor 50. The purpose of the lock sensor 50 is to monitor the status of the lock 22 and to enable the circuit 46 to use that status in determining whether to sound an alarm. More particularly, if the lock 22 is locked and the lid opens, the combination is indicative of an unauthorized attempt to open the container 10. The sensor 50 senses the position of the lock 22 via an element 51. Generally, the element 51 turns with the lock 22 as the lock is being (un)locked. Accordingly, sensor 50 senses the presence or absence of the element 51 and changes state accordingly. Preferably, the sensor/element combination constitutes a magnetic reed switch for sensing the position of the lock 22. The guides 35 prevent relative motion between the rod 36 and the switches 42 and 50, with respect to vertical motion and may be configured to prevent relative motion forward or rearward relative motion as well.
Now turning to
The switches 104 and 106 sense the positions of the lid actuator and the lock respectively. In a preferred embodiment the lid switch 104 is normally open and the lock switch 106 is normally closed. Additionally, the switches may be any type of switch such as (but not limited to) reed switches, magnetic switches (i.e. a switch (de)activated by the absence or presence of a magnetic field), knife switches, push buttons, optical sensors, etc. As shown, the switches 104 and 106 are wired in series with the power supply. Accordingly, when the lid is open and the lock is locked, both switches are closed thereby completing a path from the power source 102 to the timer 108. In the preferred embodiment illustrated by
The output from the switches 104 and 106 is connected to the power, reset, and trigger pins 114 to 118 of the timer 108. Accordingly, when the power reaches the timer 108, the timer begins timing with its output 120 driven to an “on” condition. In turn, the output 120 turns on a transistor 122 in the output section 110. Since the emitter of the transistor 122 is also connected to the output of the switches 104 and 106, as shown, the transistor turns on a driver 124 of the output section 110. The output driver 124 produces a signal or waveform suitable for driving a device to produce an alarm. The alarm 126 may be a piezoelectric transducer or other suitable device for activating an appropriate alarm. The alarm may be a siren, a flashing light, an electromagnetic code, a signal sent to the vehicle's alarm system or to a device carried by the user (i.e. a silent alarm). After a preselected time, the timer 108 times out causing the output 120 to turn off. Preferably, the timer is set to sound the alarm for a sufficient time to scare off an intruder but not so long as to drain the battery power source. Further features may be added to the alarm 100 such as a mercury switch to sense tilting of the container 10 (e.g. because the container is being lifted from the truck bed). Because no current flows from the power source 102 until both switches are closed, the alarm 100 consumes little power.
Also shown by
Turning now to
With reference now to
Turning now to
In a preferred embodiment, the controller 508 is a PIC12C509 microcontroller available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. Accordingly, the controller 508 may be programmed to perform a large number of functions. In particular, because the controller 508 may be programmed to read the sensed position of the latch switch 506 on a rapid basis, the latch switch 506 may be a momentary switch. Thus, the power use associated with the closure of switch 506 may be reduced by an amount corresponding to the reduction in time that switch 506 is closed.
Because the controller 508 has a number of programmable input/output ports, additional enhancements such as the low battery detector 511 may be added. Thus, if the battery detector 511 detects a drop in the voltage provided by the power supply 502, the controller 508 may be programmed to generate a different output to indicate that the battery is low. For instance, the output 526 may be made to chirp upon detection of a low power supply voltage.
Turning now to
As discussed above, the alarm generator enters the lid closed state 608 from the alarm state 606 upon detection of lid closure. The generator may exit the lid closed state 608 if one of the following three conditions occurs. First, if a latch actuation occurs (indicating that the user has a key), the generator transitions to the idle state 602. Thus, the user may silence the alarm by closing the lid and operating the latch to reopen the lid. If the lid is simply reopened without using the latch, the generator returns to the alarm state 606. Otherwise, the generator may time out and transition to the idle state 602 accordingly. Upon a subsequent closure of the lid switch, the generator then reactivates the alarm.
The generator may also have an arm chirp state 610. Under normal use, at a construction site for instance, the container generally remains unlocked and open for tool retrieval. Under these circumstances the generator will revert to the idle state 602 to conserve power. When the lid is closed, power is supplied to the generator and since neither switch actuation is detected, the generator proceeds to arm the alarm. As long as the alarm is not set, the generator may sense whether the strength of the battery is satisfactory. If so, the generator will output a chirp indicative of a good battery. If the battery strength has dropped below a pre-selected level, the generator may produce a different chirp indicative of a weak battery.
As has been described, apparatus provided by the invention operate by sensing the status of the container lock, latch, and lid. While various sensors may be used, preferred embodiments utilize magnetic reed switches. The nature of these switches makes them well suited to the applications of the invention, in part, because they are durable with respect to mechanical shock and other environmental abuse. In addition, the use of reed switches provides small and inexpensive alarms as taught herein. Otherwise, relays, push buttons, transistors, FET switches or any suitable sensing mechanism may be employed to sense the container status.
Likewise, the present invention is not limited by the specific circuitry discussed herein. The alarm circuits may employ microprocessors, special application ICs, discreet devices, PROMs, analog devices, and the like without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the alerts produced are not limited by those specifically discussed herein. Possible alerts include wailing sirens, flashing lights, LED indications, silent alarms (e.g. a radio frequency pager that vibrates), or even the production of obnoxious smells or spray ink (to mark the intruder) may be employed. In one preferred embodiment, the output is an LED 48′ mounted on the circuit board 46 (of
Additional circuitry may be added to timeout, or shutdown, the alarm following an intrusion. A test feature may also be added to allow the user to verify functionality of the circuit (e.g. battery strength and circuit operation). Also, a key fob, or other remote control (e.g. radio frequency), may be provided to allow the user to arm, disarm, override and otherwise control the apparatus provided herein.
In another preferred embodiment illustrated by
Those skilled in the art will recognize that many mounting arrangements may be provided for the alarm 28 in addition to those discussed herein. The embodiments shown are exemplary and are not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention. For instance, a pair of metal screws or brackets could be provided on which to mount the alarm 728 to the container 710 instead of the systems illustrated.
Further advantages provided by the present invention include, for instance, enhanced security for belongings contained in truck containers. Moreover, the present invention provides rugged and inexpensive alarms to protect containers against unauthorized entry. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for safeguarding those belongings.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained. For instance, the invention may be employed in any application wherein the opening of a locked container indicates a possible intrusion. Designs in accordance with the principles of the present invention could be employed in any storage container (e.g. toolboxes, gun cases, plastic storage bins, footlockers, etc.). Likewise, existing storage containers may be retrofitted with a kit in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, apparatus provided by the invention may be powered by small batteries, particularly those capable of withstanding the temperature extremes of weather experienced by outdoor equipment. In other preferred embodiments, installation of alarms may be facilitated by connection of an alarm to the vehicle battery via an appropriate connector. Furthermore, through a unique arrangement of the switches the present invention minimizes power consumption. Thus, the invention extends battery life for the container alarms.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods 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. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.