Range monitoring apparatus

• US 5,289,158 A
• Filed: 03/27/1992
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James E. Neves
• Original Assignee: James E. Neves
• Inventors: Neves, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/858,612
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/310 CP, 340/500, 340/501, 340/635, 340/660, 340/663, 340/664, 340/693, 340/640, 340/656, 340/661, 340/662, 340/654, 361/86, 361/87, 307/130, 307/131, 307/139-141, 219/492
• US Class Current: 340/309.9
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/087 of electric circuits regulating heat
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/003 acting only at one preselected time or during one adjustable time interval

Abstract

An apparatus for combination with a standard range having burners thereon and a power line connected thereto is provided and senses the current through the power line for a pre-set level, times the current once the pre-set level is reached, interrupts the current, signals when interruption of the current has occurred and includes controls for controlling the timing and the signalling in the apparatus.

Claims

1. In combination with a standard range having burners thereon, oven elements therein, and a power line connected thereto, an apparatus in electrical communication therewith for monitoring said range comprising:

sensing means for sensing a preset level of electrical current through said power line;

timing means for timing said current;

whereby said sensing means initiates said timing means when said sensing means senses said preset level of electrical current;

disconnect means for interrupting said current;

signaling means providing a signal when said disconnect means interrupts said current, whereby said signal means is activated by said disconnect means;

electronic control means for controlling said timing means and said signaling means whereby said timing means can be adjusted to time for different predetermined amounts of time.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signaling means and said electronic control means are in a housing separate from, but in electrical communication with, said sensing means, said timing means and said disconnect means.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signaling means comprises an alarm and a light.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus plugs directly into a female electrical receptacle and wherein said power line of said range plugs directly into said apparatus.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said electronic control means includes a reset button and an override switch.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said disconnect means is automatically activated when said sensing means and said timing means sense and time a predetermined current for a predetermined time.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for detecting high temperature within said range and means for detecting smoke within said range.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising acknowledging means for providing a reset signal for continued operation after said current has been interrupted.