초록 ▼

The present invention provides a pressure alarm for use in conjunction with conventional pressure gauge unit systems, as a replacement pressure gauge and alarm, or as a pressure alarm system. The invention provides adaptable alarm feedback signals for an operator, preventing the unexpected loss of p

The present invention provides a pressure alarm for use in conjunction with conventional pressure gauge unit systems, as a replacement pressure gauge and alarm, or as a pressure alarm system. The invention provides adaptable alarm feedback signals for an operator, preventing the unexpected loss of pressure when using a gas cylinder, pressure boiler, or other device. The invention provides an alarm that may be a visual, audible, electronic, or mechanical low-pressure alarm and may include a means of ordering replacement supplies or sending a warning message. A system controller and memory module prevents false alarms and eases the burden of the operator while allowing external input and control.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A pressure alarm device, for a pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot, said pressure alarm device comprising: an alarm body; at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle relative to said pivot during a use of sa

What is claimed is: 1. A pressure alarm device, for a pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot, said pressure alarm device comprising: an alarm body; at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle relative to said pivot during a use of said pressure gauge and for creating a corresponding position signal; said means for sensing and creating operably joined to said alarm body; means for retaining said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge and for positioning said means for sensing relative to said first desired position; alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal; said means for receiving and generating operably joined to said alarm body; and means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said means for sensing and creating determines said needle is at said at least first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means receives said position signal and generates said at least one alarm signal; further comprising: at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means; said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal; said at least one alarm component being at least one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, a wired electronic message alarm unit, a wireless electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal, whereby said one at least one alarm component is effective to notify a user of said alarm signal, said means for retaining and positioning said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge includes at least one of an elastomeric member system, a cover system, and an adhesive system; said elastomeric member system including an elongated elastic member; said elastic member elastically retaining and repositionably holding said alarm body relative to an outer circumference of said pressure gauge; said elastic member enabling said user to position and retain said alarm body along said outer circumference relative to said first desired position; and said elastic member urging said alarm body into a stabilizing close contact with said outer circumference during said use, whereby said means for sensing reliably senses said needle relative to said first desired position during said use. 2. A pressure alarm device, according to 1, further comprising: a pair of support arms extending outward from said alarm body; said support arms including concave contact surfaces; and said elastic member urging said concave contact surfaces into a mating contact with a selected convex portion of said outer circumference during said use, whereby said support arms align said alarm body with said pressure gauge during said use and guide said alarm body about said outer circumference during repositioning. 3. A pressure alarm device, for a pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot, said pressure alarm device comprising: an alarm body; at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle relative to said pivot during a use of said pressure gauge and for creating a corresponding position signal; said means for sensing and creating operably joined to said alarm body; means for retaining said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge and for positioning said means for sensing relative to said first desired position; alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal; said means for receiving and generating operably joined to said alarm body; and means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said means for sensing and creating determines said needle is at said at least first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means receives said position signal and generates said at least one alarm signal; further comprising: at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means; said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal; said at least one alarm component being at least one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, a wired electronic message alarm unit, a wireless electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal, whereby said one at least one alarm component is effective to notify a user of said alarm signal, said means for retaining and positioning said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge includes at least one of an elastomeric member system, a cover system, and an adhesive system; said cover system includes at least a cover front and a cover back; said means for sensing and for creating said position signal in said cover front; said cover front covering at least a portion of a face of said pressure gauge; said cover back covering at least a portion of a back of said pressure gauge; and means for connecting and positioning said cover front relative to said cover back enabling an alignment of said means for sensing and creating relative to said at least first desired position, whereby said cover system enables ready adaptation of said pressure alarm device to preexisting said pressure gauge. 4. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 3, further comprising: a sliding snap lock connection in said means for connecting and positioning; said sliding snap lock connection including a sliding-snap male member and a sliding-snap female member on respective said cover front and said cover back; and said sliding-snap male member and said sliding-snap female member enabling positive engagement between said cover front and said cover back while permitting rotation of said cover front relative to said pressure gauge, whereby said user may reposition said means for sensing relative to said needle during said use. 5. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 3, wherein: said adhesive system fixably joins alarm body to said pressure gauge after a positioning of said means for sensing relative to said at least first position, whereby said alarm body is reliably and cheaply secured to said alarm body. 6. A pressure alarm device, for a pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot, said pressure alarm device comprising: an alarm body; at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle relative to said pivot during a use of said pressure gauge and for creating a corresponding position signal; said means for sensing and creating operably joined to said alarm body; means for retaining said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge and for positioning said means for sensing relative to said first desired position; alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal; said means for receiving and generating operably joined to said alarm body; and means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said means for sensing and creating determines said needle is at said at least first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means receives said position signal and generates said at least one alarm signal; further comprising: at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means; said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal; said at least one alarm component being at least one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, a wired electronic message alarm unit, a wireless electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal, whereby said one at least one alarm component is effective to notify a user of said alarm signal, a sensor arm member in said alarm body; said means for sensing in said sensor arm member; said sensor arm member being extendable from said alarm body along a front face of said pressure gauge; and said sensor arm member positioning said means for sensing at said first desired position, whereby said sensor arm and said means for sensing do not detrimentally interfere with said users view of said front face and said needle during said use. 7. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 6, wherein: said sensor arm member includes one of a transparent and a translucent material. 8. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 6, wherein: said sensor arm rigidly extends from said alarm body along said front face. 9. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 6, further comprising: a pivot hinge; said pivot hinge pivotally joining said sensor arm to said alarm body; said pivot hinge enabling an extension of said sensor arm along said front face of said pressure gauge during said use; and said pivot hinge enabling a retraction of said sensor arm away from said pressure gauge prior to said use, whereby said user can easily view said pressure gauge during said use and position sensor arm and said means for sensing at said first desired position. 10. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 9, wherein: said alarm body includes a first indicator mark along a radian extending from said pivot, whereby said first indicator mark enables simple user alignment of said alarm body with a desired position on a pressure scale of said pressure gauge; and said means for sensing on said sensor arm positioned at a selected offset angle distant from said first indicator mark, whereby when said user aligns said first indicator mark with said desired position on said pressure scale, and pivots said sensor arm to extend along said front face, said sensor means is positioned at said first desired position said selected offset angle. 11. A pressure alarm device, for a pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot, said pressure alarm device comprising: an alarm body; at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle relative to said pivot during a use of said pressure gauge and for creating a corresponding position signal; said means for sensing and creating operably joined to said alarm body; means for retaining said alarm body proximate said pressure gauge and for positioning said means for sensing relative to said first desired position; alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal; said means for receiving and generating operably joined to said alarm body; and means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said means for sensing and creating determines said needle is at said at least first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means receives said position signal and generates said at least one alarm signal; further comprising: at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means; said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal; said at least one alarm component being at least one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, a wired electronic message alarm unit, a wireless electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal, whereby said one at least one alarm component is effective to notify a user of said alarm signal, at least one system controller in said alarm circuit means; said at least one system controller monitoring said alarm circuit during said use and determining a validity of said position signal based upon a predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and said system controller actuating said at least one alarm generating component, whereby said system controller prevents false alarm signals and conserves alarm circuit energy. 12. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 11, further comprising: at least one memory device in said alarm circuit means; said memory device retaining at least one validity parameter and said predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and said system controller comparing said position signal to said at least one validity parameter and said predetermined position signal profile during said use, whereby said system controller determines a validity of said position signal relative to both said at least one validity parameter and said acceptable position signal profile. 13. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 12, further comprising: at least means for receiving external electronic control signals in said at least one system controller; and said electronic control signals allowing an external operator to submit control instructions to said controller during said use and to store said control instructions in said at least one memory device, whereby said system controller enables an electronic control of said pressure alarm device from a remote communications position. 14. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 13, wherein: said means for receiving includes means for receiving said control signals via one of a wired and a wireless communication system; and said communication system including a communication interface with at least one of the world wide web, a cellular signal system, and a cellular paging system. 15. A pressure alarm device, comprising: a pressure alarm; a pressure gauge; said pressure gauge including an indicator needle operable about a pivot relative to a pressure scale upon an introduction of an external gas pressure; said pressure alarm including at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle during a use of said pressure alarm device and for creating a corresponding position signal; alarm circuit means in said pressure alarm for receiving said position signal and for generating at least a one alarm signal; and means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use when said external gas pressure is applied and said means for sensing and creating determines when said needle is at said first desired position and creates said corresponding position signal, said alarm circuit means generates said at least one alarm signal, at least one alarm generating component in said alarm circuit means; said at least one alarm component generating said at least one alarm signal; said at least one alarm component being one of an audible alarm unit, a visual alarm unit, an electronic signal alarm unit, an electronic message alarm unit, and a mechanical alarm unit; and said at least one alarm signal being at least one of an audible signal, a visual signal, an electronic signal, an electronic message signal, and a mechanical signal, at least one system controller in said alarm circuit means; said at least one system controller monitoring at least said alarm circuit means during said use and determining at least a validity of said position signal based upon a predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and said system controller actuating said at least one alarm generating component, whereby said system controller prevents false alarm signals and conserves an alarm circuit energy. 16. A pressure alarm device, according to claim 15, further comprising: at least one memory device in said alarm circuit means; said memory device retaining at least one validity parameter and said predetermined acceptable position signal profile; and said system controller comparing said position signal to said at least one validity parameter and said predetermined position signal profile during said use, whereby said system controller determines a validity of said position signal relative to both said at least one validity parameter and said acceptable position signal profile. 17. A pressure alarm system, adaptable to a pressure supply system, comprising: a pressure stem; said pressure stem in a pressure communication with said pressure supply system; said pressure supply system including at least one gas cylinder; at least a pressure diaphragm in a pressure communication with said pressure stem; at least one male pressure release device in an operable pressure communication with said pressure stem, whereby said at least one pressure release device enables filling external items with a pressurized gas released from said gas cylinder during a use; a pressure alarm device in a pressure communication with said pressure stem, comprising: at least a first pressure gauge and at least a first pressure alarm; said pressure gauge having an indicator needle operable about a pivot during said use; at least a first means for sensing at least a first desired position of said needle during said use and for creating at least a first corresponding position signal; alarm circuit means for receiving said position signal and for generating at least one alarm signal; both said means for sensing and creating and said alarm circuit means in said pressure alarm; and means for supplying power to said alarm circuit means, whereby during said use, when said means for sensing determines said needle is at said at least first desired position, said means for sensing creates said corresponding position signal and said alarm circuit means generates said at least one alarm signal.