Toxic combustion gas alarm

• US 5,379,026 A
• Filed: 06/17/1993
• Issued: 01/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leonard C. Whittle
• Original Assignee: Leonard C. Whittle
• Inventors: Whittle, Leonard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US08/077,276
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/632, 340/633, 340/634, 73/23.21, 126/116 A, 116/4, 116/5
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2231/20 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/003 using detectors sensitive to combustion gas properties F23N5/02, F23N5/18 - F23N5/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/24 Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements F23N5/02 - F23N5/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A carbon-monoxide detector and alarm circuit for alerting occupants of a structure to a presence of a toxic gas. The apparatus utilizes a probe to detect carbon-monoxide within an air duct of a conventional furnace installation. A siren and a flashing red light are both activated upon a detection of a predetermined amount of carbon-monoxide within the air duct, thereby alerting the occupants to the presence of such carbon-monoxide. The apparatus also includes a warning sign which deploys upon activation of the alarm circuit.

Claims

1. A new toxic combustion gas alarm for use with a furnace having an air duct and an electric gas valve, said alarm comprising:

a toxic gas detection means for detecting a predetermined level of carbon monoxide gas within said air duct;

an alarm circuit electrically coupled to said toxic gas detection means for closing said electric gas valve upon detection of said predetermined level of carbon monoxide by said toxic gas detection means;

a siren means electrically coupled to said alarm circuit for generating audible noise upon said detection of said predetermined level of carbon monoxide by said toxic gas detection means;

a light means electrically coupled to said alarm circuit for generating visual light upon said detection of said predetermined level of carbon monoxide by said toxic gas detection means;

a test circuit means in electrical communication with said alarm circuit for selectively actuating said alarm circuit to simulate said detection of said predetermined level of carbon monoxide by said toxic gas detection means to verify proper operation of said alarm circuit;

a case mountable to a wall for containing said alarm circuit, said siren means, said light means, and said test circuit, said case comprising a hinge and a bottom side having a catch, with the hinge pivotally connecting the bottom side to the case, said bottom side having an interior surface and a pair of spaced, parallelly aligned guides mounted to said interior surface of said bottom side;

a solenoid latch mounted to said case and electrically coupled to said alarm circuit, with the solenoid latch being engagable to said catch to retain said bottom side in a first horizontal position;

a warning sign slidably captured between said guides and releasably contained within said case, said warning sign having a stop limiting slidable movement of said warning sign relative to said bottom side, with said warning sign further having written instructions explaining the nature and danger of said detection of said predetermined level of carbon monoxide by said toxic gas detection means, whereby upon said detection of said predetermined level of carbon monoxide by said toxic gas detection means the solenoid latch releases said catch to allow said bottom side to pivot away from the case under a force of gravity into a second non-horizontal position, whereby said warning sign will slidably extend downward into view.

2. The toxic combustion gas alarm of claim 1, and further comprising an indicating light in electrical communication with said alarm circuit for indicating an energization of said alarm circuit.