Doorbell "button"

Don Y · 2015-02-23T02:12:39+00:00

Hi, [Amusing that we tend to call the *button* and the *annunciator* "The Doorbell"! :-/ ] Anyway... I'm looking for an unusual idea as to how to implement the "button" portion of a (home) "doorbell". I.e., the interface that is presented to the *visitor*. Note that this need not be electronic. Or, could be some perversion of an electronic adaptation of a *mechanical* device. Goal is to "mess with the heads" of (first-time) callers (I expect folks who visit often to quickly understand the mechanism). Note that actually *knowing* that a visitor is "at the door" is not an issue -- I can do that a number of different ways. What I am actually interested in is how the *visitor* thinks he has to signal his presence. The sorts of things I've been exploring: - a "knocker" that is not movable (no "hinge") - a knocker that is hinged at the *bottom* - a knocker that "fights back" - a knocker that "makes no noise" - a knocker that FALLS OFF when actuated - a "button" that you *pull* (Addam's Family) - a button that isn't "pushable" - a *group* of buttons ("which one do I press??") - a numeric keypad ("what do I *type*??") - a telephone *dial* ("WTF??") - a coin slot (or dollar bill validator! :> ) - a big red "HAL" eye - "In case of Emergency, break glass" (with LEXAN :> ) etc. (I've heard some REALLY off-the-wall ideas that I won't even mention, here :> ) [Remember, I am not interested in how you would *sense* the visitor's action -- that's typically easy] I.e., the point is to force first-time visitors (e.g., solicitors) to pause and have to think about how to proceed -- set them back on their heels, momentarily. ("regulars" won't think twice about any scheme I come up with AFTER their first encounter) So, how would you "confound" someone interacting with your door for the first time?

Feb 23, 2015 107 Replies

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George Neuner 11 years ago

In most places in the US, someone who is on your property without invitation and without otherwise being permitted by law (police, fire, mail carriers, delivery people) or prior agreement (condo personnel, lawn care, etc.) has no standing to sue for injuries received on your property.

The vast majority of "I slipped on your sidewalk" type lawsuits are

*illegal* nuisance suits that *should* result in judicial fines for the person who sues and for their lawyer (if any) who should have known better than to file the suit in the first place.

Unfortunately you need a judge willing to sanction the nuisance (and most are not). The majority of nuisance suits are dismissed without prejudice, which means that the people who file them have no record and so are free to do it again.

George

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Don Y 11 years ago

We have a neighbor who is a bigot, "old farte", racist, etc. (well, of course *he* doesn't think so -- but, of all the neighbors, he is the only one who "doesn't think so". Go figure...).

Decades ago, he recounted how he found flourescent lamps (tubes) in his swimming pool and large (fist sized) stones lying on the bottom of the pool. I.e., obviously, someone tossed the lamps over the fence along the side of his yard targeting the pool; then tried to shatter them with the stones. Locating shards of broken glass in your must be a difficult task (drain the pool?).

It never occurred to him to wonder why this happend to *his* pool and none of the others in the neighborhood... I'm sure whatever provoked the incident (i.e., some aspect of his behavior) wasn't something that

*he* would have considered "objectionable", "insulting", "provactive", etc.

I don't think any came through the neighborhood, this year. Typically see them camped out in front of department stores, etc.

Rarely *see* them, here. Though hear them make a kill every couple of nights, nearby. No doubt wandering the washes through the area. No idea what C has seen hiking. At least, no tales of mountain lion encounters, recently! (though ecstatic to finally get a chance to see the baby heffalump at the zoo)

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Don Y 11 years ago

Ha! Wouldn't be effective, here. (else I imagine everyone would have one!)

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krw 11 years ago

That simply not true, at least in practice. "Attractive nuisance" is a broad class that certainly does give one standing. Hell, people breaking into stores have sued because they were injured falling through ceiling tiles. ...and then there are the suits against land owners for traps.

Oh, good grief. They are *NOT* in any way illegal. You may wish they were but you lose.

You just contradicted what you said above.

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krw 11 years ago

I want the one that says "We do *NOT* call 911".

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Spehro Pefhany 11 years ago

Maybe this one?

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Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

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John S 11 years ago

Yes, exactly. Homeowners with antenna towers must take measures to prevent anyone from trying to climb them.

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krw 11 years ago

Saw one at a gun show today that said something like, "My favorite things are God and Guns. Do you want to meet both?"

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