Battery powered smoke alarm safety lockout system

• US 4,870,395 A
• Filed: 03/10/1988
• Issued: 09/26/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maple Chase Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Seat SA (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Belano, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US07/166,177
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 340/693, 340/628, 340/636, 340/687, 248/550, 312/245, 312/319, D10/106
• US Class Current: 340/693.7
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/145 of fire detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

Disclosed is a safety lockout system for battery powered smoke alarms. The body of the smoke alarm is removably securable to a mounting bracket that is attached to the wall or ceiling of a building. The safety lockout system prevents securing the body of the smoke alarm to the mounting bracket prior to the installation of a battery. Once a battery is installed in the body of the smoke alarm, it may easily be secured to the mounting bracket attached to the wall or ceiling.

Claims

1. In a battery powered combustion products detector having a mounting bracket for securing said detector to an interior surface of a building land a body that is removable from said mounting bracket to allow installation of a battery in said detector, the improvement which comprises:

mating and engageable locking means for removably securing said body to said mounting bracket upon engagement of said locking means; and

battery safety lockout means for obstructing the engagement of said locking means and the securing of said body to said mounting bracket if no battery is installed in said detector.

2. The improved combustion products detector of claim 1 wherein said body includes a base a pocket formed therein for receiving the battery and a battery clamp located in said pocket for securing the battery therein, said battery clamp having a finger which strikes said mounting bracket to obstruct engagement of said locking means when said battery clamp is not securing the battery;

said finger also being movable to a position in which said finger does not strike said mounting bracket thereby allowing engagement of said locking means.

3. The improved combustion products detector of claim 2 wherein said body has an inner surface from which a boss projects proximate said battery clamp;

and said battery clamp includes a tab which engages said boss when no battery is secured by said battery clamp, whereby said finger of said battery clamp is held in an output extending position for striking said mounting bracket to obstruct engagement of said locking means.

4. The improved combustion products detector of claim 2 wherein said body is adapted for receiving a smoke alarm electronic circuit for which the battery supplies electrical power.

5. A smoke alarm assembly, comprising:

a mounting bracket adapted to mount said mount alarm to a supporting surface;

body having a size and configuration suitable for housing electronic circuitry for detection of combustion products and for issuing an alarm in response thereto;

said body also including means for receiving and retaining a battery to power said circuitry;

means for releasably securing said body to said mounting bracket; and

an extendable and retractable finger;

said finger being positioned in a extended position projecting from said body to prevent proper operation of said securing means when said battery is not mounted within said receiving means, and said finger being positioned in a retracted position within said body to permit proper operation of said securing means when said battery is mounted within said receiving means.