Remotely located battery for a smoke detector

• US 7,504,960 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Mcgrath
• Original Assignee: Patrick Mcgrath
• Inventors: McGrath, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US11/557,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 340/636.1, 340/628, 340/629, 340/630, 340/632, 340/693.1, 340/693.5, 340/693.6, 340/693.7, 340/693.9, 340/693.11, 340/693.12, 340/870.17, 340/286.05
• US Class Current: 340/636.1
• 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 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

A remote battery access device for remotely and conveniently positioning the battery of a smoke detector from the smoke detector. The remote battery access device includes a battery module having a battery holder shaped to retain the battery. The remote battery access device may also include an electrical connector for electrically connecting the battery module to the smoke detector and a plurality of wires connecting the electrical connector with the battery module, which permit the smoke detector to be disposed remotely from the battery module.

Claims

1. A remote battery access device for remotely positioning a smoke detector battery from a smoke detector, the remote battery access device comprising:

a battery module having a battery holder configured to retain the smoke detector battery and to create an electrical connection with the battery; and

a plurality of wires having a first end for connecting to the battery module and a second end for connecting to a smoke detector, wherein the plurality of wires have a sufficient length to permit the battery module to be disposed remotely from the smoke detector for convenient monitoring and replacement of the smoke detector battery.

2. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector for electrically connecting the second end of the wires to a smoke detector.

3. The remote battery access device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connector is a 9V battery snap connector attached to the second end of the wires.

4. The remote battery access device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connector comprises a pseudo-battery simulating the dimensions of the smoke detector battery to enable the pseudo-battery to be installed in the smoke detector in place of the smoke detector battery.

5. The remote battery access device according to claim 4, wherein the pseudo-battery simulates the dimensions of a 9V battery.

6. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing sized and configured to be installed on a wall of a room, within which the battery module is disposed.

7. The remote battery access device according to claim 6, wherein a light switch or an electrical socket is disposed within the housing in combination with the battery module.

8. The remote battery access device according to claim 7, wherein housing comprises a single, double, triple, or more gang electrical box.

9. The remote battery access device according to claim 6, further comprising a wall plate sized and configured to cover the battery holder disposed within the housing.

10. The remote battery access device according to claim 9, wherein the wall plate comprises a door for installing and removing the battery.

11. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing sized and configured to be installed for external attachment to a wall of a room, within which the battery module is disposed.

12. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, wherein the battery holder of the battery module is sized and configured to retain the battery that is normally installed in the smoke detector.

13. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, wherein the battery holder comprises electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the first end of the wires and that engage the terminals of the battery when disposed within the battery holder.

14. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, wherein the battery module comprises an installed battery indicator that indicates whether a battery is currently disposed within the battery holder.

15. The remote battery access device according to claim 1, wherein the battery module comprises a low battery indicator that provides a visible or audible signal.

16. A smoke detector assembly comprising:

a smoke detector designed to be powered by a smoke detector battery;

a battery module having a battery holder sized and configured to retain the battery and to create an electrical connection with the battery; and

a plurality of wires connecting the smoke detector with the battery module, wherein the plurality of wires have a sufficient length to permit the battery module to be disposed remotely from the smoke detector for convenient monitoring and replacement of the smoke detector battery.

17. The smoke detector assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a housing sized and configured to be installed on a wall of a room, within which the battery module is disposed.

18. The smoke detector assembly according to claim 16, wherein the battery module comprises a low battery indicator that provides a visible or audible signal.

19. A method of remotely positioning a smoke detector battery from a smoke detector comprising:

disposing a battery module remotely from the smoke detector, wherein the battery module has a battery holder sized and configured to retain the battery and to create an electrical connection with the battery;

electrically connecting the battery module to the smoke detector wherein the battery in the battery module provides electrical power to the smoke detector.

20. The method of remotely positioning a smoke detector battery from a smoke detector according to claim 19, wherein the battery module is electrically connected to the smoke detector by a plurality of wires, wherein the plurality of wires have a sufficient length to permit the battery module to be disposed remotely from the smoke detector for convenient monitoring and replacement of the smoke detector battery.