US 11,982,403 B2
Method and apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object
David Hakins, Aldie, VA (US); Mike Bertosh, Bethel Park, PA (US); Brian Dunkin, Pittsburgh, PA (US); and Andrew Hard, Meridianville, AL (US)
Assigned to Strata Products Worldwide, LLC, Sandy Springs, GA (US)
Filed by David Hakins, Aldie, VA (US); Mike Bertosh, Bethel Park, PA (US); Brian Dunkin, Pittsburgh, PA (US); and Andrew Hard, Meridianville, AL (US)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/685,619.
Application 16/685,619 is a division of application No. 15/603,106, filed on May 23, 2017, granted, now 10,544,899.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/344,153, filed on Jun. 1, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0080689 A1, Mar. 12, 2020
Int. Cl. G08B 5/36 (2006.01); F16P 3/14 (2006.01); G01V 3/10 (2006.01); G08B 3/10 (2006.01); G08B 13/24 (2006.01); G08B 21/02 (2006.01); H03K 17/95 (2006.01); H03K 17/955 (2006.01)
CPC F16P 3/147 (2013.01) [F16P 3/145 (2013.01); F16P 3/148 (2013.01); G01V 3/10 (2013.01); G08B 3/10 (2013.01); G08B 5/36 (2013.01); G08B 13/2414 (2013.01); G08B 21/02 (2013.01); H03K 17/9525 (2013.01); H03K 2017/9527 (2013.01); H03K 17/955 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a length comprising:
a sensor portion having a wire loop through which electric current runs and creates an electromagnetic field that emanates about the wire loop, the wire loop extending along at least a third of the length of the object, the sensor portion includes a field generator which provides current to the wire loop, and wherein the wire loop is a cable with insulation disposed about the wire which bends back to create opposing wires with an outgoing wire extending from the field generator and an incoming wire which extends to the field generator from where the cable bends back, the wire of the cable has a first end and a second end electrically connected to the field generator, a first portion of the wire loop has the opposing wires of the cable spaced further apart than a space between wires of another portion of the wire loop to increase the field reach;
a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field emanating from the wire loop when the personal alarm device is in the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the magnetic field; and
a field extension module which varies the field shape.