Smoke/fire detector for the hearing impaired

• US 5,917,420 A
• Filed: 01/28/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Antonio Gonzalez
• Original Assignee: Antonio Gonzalez
• Inventors: Gonzalez, Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/789,262
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407.1, 340/541, 340/542, 340/544, 340/545, 340/550-552, 340/561, 340/565, 340/573.1, 340/577-579, 340/584, 340/628-630, 340/632, 340/683 , 340/691.7, 340/693.9, 340/825.46, 74/53, 74/125, 74/567, 74/569, 74/838
• US Class Current: 340/691.7
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/02 using only mechanical transmission

Abstract

An alarm apparatus for shaking a piece of furniture in response to detection of a physical occurrence, such as smoke, fire, CO₂, or even a burglar, is provided. The apparatus includes a detector for detecting the physical occurrence and emitting a signal in response thereto. Connected to the detector is a signalling device that is positioned adjacent the piece of furniture to be shaken in response to the signal emitted from the detector. The signalling device includes a rotating cam shaft with a cam member thereon, against which is positioned one end of a cam follower. The opposite end of the cam follower is directed toward the piece of furniture, so that movement of the follower over the cam as the cam shaft rotates causes the furniture to move up and down.

Claims

1. An alarm apparatus for shaking a piece of furniture in response to detection of a physical occurrence, said apparatus comprising:

detecting means for detecting a physical occurrence and emitting a signal in response thereto; and

signalling means connected to said detecting means for receiving a signal emitted therefrom and positioned adjacent the piece of furniture for shaking the piece of furniture in response to a signal emitted from said detecting means, said signalling means being comprised of;

motor means adapted to be connected to a power source and said detecting means;

a cam shaft extending from and rotated by said motor means said cam shaft having an outer surface and an axis of rotation;

a cam member on said outer surface of said cam shaft extending radially outwardly from said axis of rotation; and

follower means having first and second ends and contacting said cam member at said first end thereof and extending from said cam shaft in a direction transverse to said axis of rotation of said cam shaft and positioned to contact said cam member when said cam shaft rotates for contacting and shaking the piece of furniture at said second end in response to rotation of said cam shaft and said cam member.

2. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detecting means is comprised of at least one detector selected from the group of detectors consisting of smoke detectors, heat detectors, CO₂ detectors, and burglar alarms.

3. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor means is comprised of:

a motor; and

relay means adapted to be connected to a power source, to said detecting means and to said motor means for directing power from the power source to said motor upon receipt of the signal emitted by said detecting means, whereby said motor is caused to operate in response to the signal emitted from said detecting means.

4. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor means is further comprised of:

an electric motor;

a battery power source for operating said motor;

relay means connected to said detecting means, said motor and to said battery power source for directing electric power from said battery power source to said motor upon receipt by said relay means of the signal emitted by said detecting means, whereby said motor is caused to operate and said cam shaft to rotate in response to the signal emitted from said detecting means.

5. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said battery means is a rechargeable.

6. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signalling means is further comprised of bracket means spaced from said motor means and having at least one opening therethrough for receiving said cam shaft extending from said motor means through said opening.

7. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said bracket means is comprised of a pair of spaced support members, each support member having a circular opening therethrough for receiving said cam shaft extending from said motor means.

8. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said follower means is comprised of:

a pair of spaced support brackets on opposite sides of said cam shaft and said cam member;

a hollow housing member fitted between said support brackets, said hollow housing member being spaced from said cam shaft and spaced from said cam member;

a cam follower within said hollow housing member and positioned to contact and follow said cam shaft and said cam member when said cam shaft is rotated by said motor means; and

adjustable plunger means within and extending from said cam follower in the direction away from said cam shaft and said cam member for contacting the piece of furniture, said plunger means extending an adjustable distance from said cam follower.

9. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising base support means for supporting thereon at least said signalling means, said base support means having a top surface with said signalling means mounted thereon and a bottom surface.

10. An alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one projection extending from said bottom surface for securing said base support means on a carpeted surface.

11. An alarm apparatus for shaking a piece of furniture in response to detection of a physical occurrence by a detection device, said apparatus comprising signalling means connected to said detection device and positioned adjacent the piece of furniture for shaking the piece of furniture in response to the signal emitted from said detection device, said signalling means being comprised of:

motor means adapted to be connected to a power source and said detection device

a cam shaft extending from and rotated by said motor means said cam shaft having an outer surface and an axis of rotation;

a cam member on said outer surface of said cam shaft extending radially outwardly from said axis of rotation; and

follower means having first and second ends and contacting said cam member at said first end thereof and extending from said cam shaft in a direction transverse to said axis of rotation of said cam shaft and positioned to contact said cam member when said cam shaft rotates for contacting and shaking the piece of furniture at said second end in response to rotation of said cam shaft and said cam member.