Clock and ambient air condition sensing apparatus

• US 6,774,801 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terri L. Phillips
• Original Assignee: Terri L. Phillips
• Inventors: Phillips, Terri L., Sutton, Blair
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/292,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20040090336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/629, 340/630, 340/632, 340/636, 340/693.1, 340/693.2, 340/693.5, 340/515
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

A clock and ambient air condition sensing apparatus includes an alarm and ambient air sensor positioned in a housing and operatively connected to a logic circuit. The logic circuit is capable of evaluating air sensor data and energizing the alarm upon a preselected ambient air condition. A first battery is connected to the circuit for powering the air sensor. The housing includes a front cover pivotally movable between open and closed configurations. A clock is mounted to the front cover for displaying a relative time and is releasably electrically connected to the circuit. A second battery is connected to the circuit for powering the clock. The circuit is capable of evaluating the strength of the first and second batteries and of directing current from the second battery to the air sensor if the first battery is inoperable.

Claims

1. A clock and ambient air condition sensing apparatus, comprising:

a housing having opposed top and bottom walls with a continuous side wall extending between said top and bottom walls and defining a chamber, said side wall defining a plurality of apertures for passage of ambient air therethrough and into said chamber;

an alarm positioned in said chamber;

an ambient air condition sensor positioned in said chamber for providing a data signal corresponding to a preselected parameter of a condition of ambient air;

a logic circuit positioned in said chamber and capable of evaluating input data supplied thereto, said circuit being electrically connected to said ambient air condition sensor and including means for generating an output signal to energize said alarm if upon evaluation said data signal is indicative of a predetermined ambient air condition;

a first battery electrically connected to said circuit, said circuit including means for directing current from said first battery to said ambient air condition sensor;

a display means coupled to said bottom wall of said housing and depending therefrom for indicating a relative time;

a second battery electrically connected to said circuit, said circuit including means for directing current from said second battery to said display means; and

means for providing battery strength data to said circuit for evaluation indicative of operation of said first and second batteries, said circuit including means for directing current from said second battery to said ambient air condition sensor if upon evaluation said battery strength data is indicative of an inoperability of said first battery.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said display means is a digital display;

and

said apparatus further comprising means in said circuit for directing a message signal to said digital display corresponding to a predetermined alphabetic message indicative of a respective evaluation of said input data.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising:

a test button operatively connected to said circuit; and

means in said circuit for temporarily disabling said alarm for a predetermined period of time when said test button is depressed while said alarm is energized.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said front cover includes a circular configuration having a diameter larger than a diameter of said continuous side wall for concealing said plurality of apertures.

5. The apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a modular base member defining a void for removably receiving said housing therein in a friction fit engagement.