Battery removal indicator

• US 4,881,063 A
• Filed: 01/30/1989
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The EI Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: The EI Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Fawcett, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/302,913
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 116/303, 116/5, 340/691, 340/693, 340/628, 340/568
• US Class Current: 340/693.7
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/185 Electrical failure alarms

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery removal indicator for battery operated units such as smoke detectors or fire alarms. The battery removal indicator is formed by a spring loaded member which is retained in a retracted position when a battery is present and which moves to a deployed position when the battery is absent. In its deployed position, the member prevents a cover of the unit from being engaged by a latch mechanism for securing the cover in a closed position. The unlatched cover acts as a first visual indication that the battery is not present. The member is also marked with warning indicia on one or more surfaces so as to provide a second visual indication that the battery is absent.

Claims

1. A battery removal indicator for use in a battery operated unit which includes a base member, at least one battery operated device attached to said base member, and a cover hingedly mounted to said base member for rotation about a first axis, said indicator comprising spring loaded means for preventing said cover from closing and for providing a separate visual indication that a battery is not present in said unit.

2. A battery removal indicator according to claim 1 wherein said spring loaded means rotates about a second axis.

3. A battery removal indicator according to claim 1 wherein said spring loaded means comprises a substantially planar indicator member hingedly mounted to said base member.

4. A battery removal indicator according to claim 3 wherein:

said base member has a raised portion;

said raised portion has two spaced apart slots; and

said indicator member has two pins located on opposed edges for engaging said spaced apart slots.

5. A battery removal indicator according to claim 4 which further comprises a spring member for moving said indicator member between a retracted position and a deployed position, said spring member surrounding one of said pins and having an end portion overlapping a surface of said indicator member.

6. A battery removal indicator according to claim 3 wherein said indicator member has warning indicia on at least one surface.

7. A battery removal indicator according to claim 1 wherein:

said cover has a latch;

said base member has a latch engaging device; and

said spring loaded means prevents said latch from contacting said latch engaging device.

8. A battery removal indicator according to claim 1 wherein said battery operated unit comprises a smoke detector.

9. A battery removal indicator according to claim 1 wherein:

said base member has two spaced arms for holding a battery; and

said spring loaded means has a portion sized to fit between said arms so that when a battery is properly positioned between said arms, said battery holds said spring loaded means in a retracted position.

10. A battery operated smoke detector having an indicator for displaying a visual warning that a battery is not present, said smoke detector comprising:

a base member;

a battery operated alarm device mounted to said base member;

a cover pivotably mounted to said base member for rotation about a first axis;

said cover having a latch for contacting an engaging device affixed to said base member; and

said indicator being formed by a pivotable member rotatable about a second axis substantially transverse to said first axis, said pivotable member in its deployed position preventing said latch from contacting said engaging device.

11. A smoke detector according to claim 10 wherein said pivotable member is spring loaded so that it automatically moves from a retracted position to a deployed position when said battery is not present.

12. A smoke detector according to claim 10 which further comprises:

means for engaging a battery for powering said detector and for holding said battery in a desired position relative to said base portion; and

said indicator being held in a retracted position by said battery when said battery is positioned in said engaging and holding means.

13. A smoke detector according to claim 10 wherein the alarm device includes means for issuing an audible alarm.

14. A smoke detector according to claim 10 wherein:

said pivotable member has warning indicia on at least one surface and acts as a first visual indication that the battery is not present; and

said cover acts as a second distinct visual indication that the battery is not present.

15. A smoke detector according to claim 10 wherein said pivotable member is substantially T-shaped and has on angled edge portion for contacting said cover.