Battery sensing mechanism
First Claim
1. An electrical unit with an openable cover, the unit powered at least in part by a battery receivable within a non-movable region thereof and with a battery missing indicator comprising:
- a structure for locking said cover to the unit with said structure including at least one elongated, battery retaining locking member having first and second ends with said first end affixed to the unit and with said second end carrying cover engaging means said second end being deflectable from a cover non-engaging position to a cover engaging position in response to the presence of the battery.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A smoke detector with a visual battery missing indicator and a removable cover includes first and second locking prongs molded in the detector and directed toward the cover. A battery is positionable between the first and second locking prongs deflecting same from a non-locking position to a locking position. In the locking position, free ends of the prongs can engage the cover, locking same to the detector. In the non-locking position, the prongs are not effective to engage the cover. If the detector is mounted on a ceiling, the non-engaged cover will not remain closed. In an alternate embodiment usable with a bracket mounted detector, a depressible blocking member is located adjacent a region where the detector is normally coupled to a portion of the bracket. In the presence of a battery this member is retracted, enabling the unit to be attached to the bracket. In the absence of a battery, this member is extended and the detector cannot be attached to the bracket.
67 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An electrical unit with an openable cover, the unit powered at least in part by a battery receivable within a non-movable region thereof and with a battery missing indicator comprising:
a structure for locking said cover to the unit with said structure including at least one elongated, battery retaining locking member having first and second ends with said first end affixed to the unit and with said second end carrying cover engaging means said second end being deflectable from a cover non-engaging position to a cover engaging position in response to the presence of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electrical unit with an openable cover, the unit powered at least in part by a battery receivable within a non-movable region thereof and with a battery missing indicator comprising:
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a structure for locking said cover to the unit; means for sensing the presence or the absence of the battery; and means for inhibiting said locking function in response to the absence of the battery with said structure including at least one elongated locking member having first and second ends with said first end affixed to the unit and with said second end carrying cover engaging means and including means for detecting a battery that is present but not properly coupled to the unit.
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8. An electrical unit, powered at least in part by a battery, comprising:
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a surface mountable base; a battery receiving region on said base fixed with respect thereto; an openable cover for the unit; means for locking said cover to the unit; means for detecting the presence or the absence of the battery; means for inhibiting said locking means in response to the absence of the battery with said locking means including at least one elongated, deflectable, locking member with a first end affixed to said base adjacent said battery receiving region and with a second end extending therefrom with said second end carrying cover engaging means and with said locking member deflectable from an inoperative locking position to an operative locking position in response to the presence of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electrical unit, powered at least in part by a battery, comprising:
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a surface mountable base; a battery receiving region on said base fixed with respect thereto; an openable cover for the unit; means for locking said cover to the unit; means for detecting the presence or the absence of the battery; and means for inhibiting said locking means in response to the absence of the battery with said locking means including at least one elongated, deflectable, locking member with a first end affixed to said base adjacent said battery receiving region and with a second end extending therefrom with said second end carrying cover engaging means and including means for sensing a battery that is present but not properly coupled to the unit. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A battery powered, electrical unit with a missing battery indicator comprising:
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a base mountable on a selected surface and with a separate part engageable therewith in at least one locking region defined thereon; a battery receiving region on said separate part; means, on said separate part, for sensing the presence or absence of the battery; and means for closing said locking region in response to the absence of the battery thereby preventing engagement of said part with said base.
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17. An electrical unit with an openable cover, the unit powered at least in part by a battery receivable within a non-movable region of the unit comprising:
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means for locking said cover to the unit; means for detecting the presence or the absence of the battery; and means for inhibiting said locking means in response to the absence of the battery with said locking means including at least one elongated locking member having first and second ends with said first end affixed to the unit and with said second end carrying cover engaging means and with said cover including a member for coupling to said engaging means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A two-part battery powered electrical unit affixable to a surface comprising:
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a base affixable to the surface; a housing, separate from said base, with a battery receiving region said housing defining a locking slot; means, carried partly on said base and partly on said housing for removably coupling said housing to said base using said slot; and a blocking mechanism, carried by said housing, for blocking said slot thereby preventing coupling of said housing to said base in the absence of the battery.
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Specification