Sleeper's smoke-alarm clock

• US 4,186,389 A
• Filed: 02/09/1978
• Issued: 01/29/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clifford G. Flittie
• Original Assignee: Clifford G. Flittie
• Inventors: Flittie, Clifford G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Myer, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US05/876,332
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 340/630, 340/628, 58/19 R, 58/19 A, 58/19 B, 58/19 C, 58/152 B, 58/152 R, 250/573, 250/574
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means

Abstract

An alarm device functioning both as a time alarm and a smoke and fire alarm, which includes an electric clock with an alarm-setting device, an electrically-activated alarm, cooperating contacts on the clock and alarm, a switch coupling the contacts to the alarm to permit switching the time alarm on and off, an electronic smoke detector and an amplifier to amplify the output of the smoke detector as a second input to the alarm.

Claims

1. An alarm device capable of providing both a time alarm and a fire alarm comprising:

(a) a timepiece providing an output representing time of day;

(b) means for setting an alarm time and providing an output representative thereof;

(c) means to compare said time of day output with said alarm time output and to provide an output when the two coincide;

(d) an electrically operated alarm;

(e) a switch coupling the output of said means to compare to said alarm;

(f) an electronic smoke detector;

(g) means to amplify the output of said smoke detector; and

(h) means coupling the output of said means to amplify to said alarm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said timepiece comprises a clock having time hands and a dial, said output representing time of day being said time hands and their position with respect to said dial, said means for setting an alarm time and providing an output indicative thereof being an alarm hand, said means for comparison being cooperating contacts coupled to said time hands and said alarm hand and providing a switch closure when said hands are in alignment.

3. A battery operated alarm device capable of giving a time of day and a fire alarm comprising:

(a) a battery;

(b) an electric clock including a clock motor and gearing with clock hands attached thereto receiving input power from said battery;

(c) means, including an alarm hand for setting an alarm time;

(d) contacts coupled to said clock hands and said alarm hand respectively and adapted to close when said hands are in alignment;

(e) an alarm;

(f) a switch coupling said contacts to said alarm, said battery coupled across said alarm through said contacts and said switch;

(g) means for detecting the presence of smoke and providing an output indicative thereof;

(h) means to amplify the output of said means for detecting and provide an amplified output;

(i) latching means for latching in response to an output from said means for amplifying; and

(j) means for coupling the output of said latching means to said alarm.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for coupling include a driver between said latching means and said alarm.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said smoke detector comprises a photodetector.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 and further including a pulse circuit interposed between said battery and said photodetector for pulsing said photodetector to reduce power consumption.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery and further including a transformer and rectifier unit for recharging said battery and for supplying power to said apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for detecting means the amplify and latching means are powered by said battery and further including a reset switch coupling said battery to at least said latch whereby opening said switch will permit resetting said latch.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3 and further including a voltage monitor across said battery providing an output to said alarm when said battery voltage drops below a predetermined limit.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said smoke detector comprises a photodetector.