Fire safety apparatus

• US 5,625,345 A
• Filed: 05/08/1995
• Issued: 04/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick B. Stark, Paul Schepp
• Original Assignee: Patrick B. Stark, Paul Schepp
• Inventors: Stark, Patrick B., Schepp, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US08/440,355
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/632, 340/618, 340/604, 340/620, 340/521
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/122 involving electricity
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/1286 comprising watering means, e.g. a water reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/1293 including water feeding or water level monitoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/12 Christmas tree stands sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/2238
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details

Abstract

A fire safety apparatus particularly useful in association with Christmas trees comprising a smoke detector, circuitry for processing a signal generated by the smoke detector, an audible alarm, a moisture level sensor and circuitry for interruption of the flow of electricity to a receptacle. In the event of a Christmas tree fire, the smoke detector activates the circuitry which cause the audible alarm to be sounded. The audible alarm is sensed by a receiver which contains the circuitry for interruption of the flow of electricity and is in the form of one or more switches. Any appliances, such as Christmas tree lighting which are plugged into the receptacle, are deactivated by the interruption of electrical flow at the receptacle. Additionally, moisture sensing probes are provided which activate circuitry which cause the alarm to be sounded when the moisture level contained in a Christmas tree base falls below a certain level. Again, the circuitry activates one or more switches, thereby precluding the flow of electricity to the appliances plugged into the receptacle.

Claims

1. A fire safety apparatus for monitoring the operation of electrical Christmas tree ornamentation equipment supported on a Christmas tree, said apparatus comprising:

a low water level detector for detecting a low water level within a tree stand in which a portion of said Christmas tree is disposed, said low water detector having a low water detector circuit for detecting the presence of low water and generating an electrical alarm signal in response to the detection of a low water condition;

a smoke detector releasably securable to a portion of said Christmas tree, said smoke detector having a smoke detector circuit for detecting the presence of smoke and a first audible alarm for generating a first audible alarm signal in response to the detection of smoke in the vicinity of said Christmas tree;

a shut-off mechanism adapted to be removably electrically coupled to an existing AC wall receptacle and also coupled to said low water level detector, said shut-off mechanism including a sensing circuit for sensing the presence of the first audible alarm signal from said smoke detector;

said sensing circuit providing an electrical warning signal upon detection of the first audible alarm signal or in response to the detection of a low water condition within said tree stand;

said shut-off mechanism including;

a secondary AC receptacle for electrically coupling with said Christmas tree ornamentation equipment, said secondary electrical receptacle being electrically coupled with said existing AC receptacle;

means for interrupting current supplied from said existing AC receptacle to said secondary AC receptacle in the event of either a sensed low water level condition within said tree stand or the detection of said first audible alarm signal;

whereby upon detection of the first audible alarm signal or said lower water level condition said current interrupting means causes power supplied from existing AC receptacle to said secondary AC receptacle to be interrupted, thereby causing power to said Christmas tree lights to be interrupted; and

a second audible alarm responsive to said electrical warning signal for generating a second audible alarm signal indicative of a warning condition representing either a low water level condition or the detection of said smoke.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shut-off mechanism includes a visual alarm indicator for providing a visual indication of an alarm condition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said low water level sensor includes a water sensing probe removably Coupled to said shut-off mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said low water level sensor includes a pair of probe leads which are integral with said tree stand.

5. A fire safety apparatus for monitoring the operation of electrical Christmas tree ornamentation equipment supported on a Christmas tree, said apparatus comprising:

a low water level detector for detecting a low water level within a tree stand in which a portion of said Christmas tree is disposed, said low water detector having a low water detector circuit for detecting the presence of low water and generating an electrical alarm signal in response to the detection of a low water condition;

a smoke detector releasably securable to a portion of said Christmas tree, said smoke detector having a smoke detector circuit for detecting the presence of smoke and a first audible alarm for generating a first audible alarm signal in response to the detection of smoke in the vicinity of said Christmas tree;

a monitoring/shut-off mechanism adapted to be removably electrically coupled to an existing AC wall receptacle and also coupled to said low water level detector, said shut-off mechanism including a microcomputer adapted to receive said first audible alarm signal and coupled to said smoke detector via at least one electrical conductor for receiving an electrical signal via said electrical conductor indicative of the presence of smoke in the vicinity of said Christmas tree, said microcomputer further being adapted to monitor the integrity of said electrical conductor and to cause a signal to be generated in the event of damage to said electrical conductor;

said microcomputer providing said power shut-off signal Upon receipt of the electrical signal, upon generation of the first audible alarm signal, and in response to the detection of a low water condition within said tree stand;

said monitoring/shut-off mechanism further including;

a secondary AC receptacle for electrically coupling with said Christmas tree ornamentation equipment, said secondary electrical receptacle being electrically coupled with said existing AC receptacle;

means responsive to said power shut-off signal for interrupting current supplied from said existing AC receptacle to said secondary AC receptacle in the event of either a sensed low water level condition within said tree stand or the detection of said first audible alarm signal;

whereby upon generation of the first audible alarm signal or said lower water level condition, said current interrupting means causes power supplied from existing AC receptacle to said secondary AC receptacle to be interrupted, thereby causing power to said Christmas tree ornamentation equipment to be interrupted; and

a second audible alarm responsive to said signal for generating a second audible alarm signal indicative of a warning condition representing either a low water level condition or the detection of said smoke.