Switch-timer system and method for use in smoke detector alarm unit

• US 5,442,336 A
• Filed: 06/01/1993
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel L. Murphy, Paula N. Chavez
• Original Assignee: Daniel L. Murphy, Paula N. Chavez
• Inventors: Murphy, Daniel L., Chavez, Paula N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US08/071,282
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/644, 340/693, 340/309.15, 340/309.6, 340/527, 340/629, 340/630, 340/573
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means

Abstract

A system and method for temporarily disabling a smoke detector alarm unit. The present invention includes a switch between the main assembly and the power assembly of the unit and a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time. The switch is caused to break the circuit between the main assembly and the power assembly while the timer monitors the passage of time. Once the predetermined length of time has passed, the switch is caused to reengage the circuit between the main assembly and the power assembly.

Claims

1. For use in a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a system comprising:

a switch which is capable of having an off state and an on state and which is in communication with said main assembly and said power assembly so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly;

means for commanding said switch to assume said off state;

a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means, wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state;

a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed;

wherein said means for commanding said switch to assume said off state comprises;

a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting an off state command signal positionable in a location remote to said switch;

a receiver for receiving said off state command signal from said transmitter;

a trigger in communication with said receiver for triggering said switch into an off state when said receiver receives said off state command; and

means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.

2. In a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a method comprising the steps of:

providing a switch to communicate with said main assembly and said power assembly, said switch being capable of having an off state and an on state so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly;

providing means for commanding said switch to assume said off state;

providing a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means and wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state;

providing a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed;

wherein said means for commanding said switch to assume said off state comprises;

a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting an off state command signal;

a receiver for receiving said off state command signal from said transmitter positionable in a location remote to said switch;

a trigger in communication with said receiver for triggering said switch into an off state when said receiver receives said off state command; and

providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.

3. For use in a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a system comprising:

a switch which is capable of having an off state and an on state and which is in communication with said main assembly and said power assembly so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly;

means for commanding said switch to assume said off state;

a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means, wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state;

a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; and

means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.

4. In a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a method comprising the steps of:

providing a switch to communicate with said main assembly and said power assembly, said switch being capable of having an off state and an on state so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly;

providing means for commanding said switch to assume said off state;

providing a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means and wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state;

providing a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; and

providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.

providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.