Overhead detector and light assembly with remote control

• US 5,432,500 A
• Filed: 10/25/1993
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scripps International, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Scripps International, Ltd.
• Inventors: Scripps, Keith A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/140,495
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/527, 340/691, 340/693, 340/586, 340/538, 340/518, 340/333, 340/334, 340/310 R, 340/310 A, 340/309.15, 340/309.6, 340/310.01, 315/136, 367/197, 362/233, 362/272, 362/286
• 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

Abstract

The detector assembly is connectable to a power line which includes a switch which, when operated, causes power transitions at a power terminal for the detector assembly. The detector assembly includes a code responsive controller which operates in response to a plurality of power transitions occurring within a predetermined time period to deactivate a detector alarm for a determined delay period. The code responsive controller may also operate in response to different numbers of sensed power transitions to control the activation and deactivation of a light forming part of the detector assembly. A code transmitter responsive to the activation and deactivation of the detector alarm transmits an activation code and subsequently a deactivation code over the power line to activate and deactivate other detector assemblies, and a code receiver receives activation and deactivation codes from the power line and controls the activation and deactivation of the detector alarm in accordance therewith.

Claims

1. A detector assembly adapted to be connected to a building power supply system which includes a power supply line and a power control switch connected to said power supply line to control power transitions in power supplied to a unit connected to said power supply line, said power control switch operating an open position to cause a power-off condition and prevent power on said power supply line from reaching said detector assembly connected thereto and in a closed position to cause a power-on condition wherein power on said power supply line is permitted to reach said detector assembly, said detector assembly comprising:

a power terminal connectable to said power supply to receive power therefrom;

electrically powered alarm circuit means operable when activated to provide an alarm;

detector means connected to said alarm circuit means and operating to sense said alarm condition, said detector means operating in response to an alarm condition sensed thereby to provide electrical power to activate said alarm circuit means;

alarm control switch means connected between said detector means and said alarm circuit means to control the provision of electrical power from said detector means to said alarm circuit means, said alarm control switch means operating in a normal condition to permit electrical power to pass from said detector means to said alarm circuit means and operable in a blocking condition to prevent such electrical power from reaching said alarm circuit means;

and code responsive control means connected to said power terminal and said alarm control switch means and operating to control said alarm control switch means, said code responsive control means operating in response to a plurality of power transitions at said power terminal caused by said power control switch between a power-on and power-off condition constituting an activation code to cause said alarm control switch means to operate in said blocking condition.

2. The detector assembly of claim 1 wherein said code responsive control means operates to cause said alarm control switch means to operate in said blocking condition for a predetermined time interval and to then return to said normal condition.

3. The detector assembly of claim 2 wherein said power terminal includes a male electrical connector means which operates to removably secure said detector assembly to a female electrical receptacle connected to said power supply line.

4. The detector assembly of claim 3 which includes a housing which encloses said electrically powered alarm circuit means, detector means, alarm control switch means and code responsive control means, said male electrical connector means extending outwardly from said housing to form the sole mounting support for said housing.

5. The detector assembly of claim 1 wherein said code responsive control means is responsive to a preset number of power transitions occurring within a predetermined time period to cause said alarm control switch means to operate in said blocking condition.

6. The detector assembly of claim 5 wherein said code responsive control means operates to cause said alarm control switch means to operate in said blocking condition for a predetermined time interval and to then return to said normal condition.

7. The detector assembly of claim 1 which incudes a battery, said detector means and alarm control switch means being connected in an electrical circuit between said battery and said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

8. The detector assembly of claim 7 which includes a battery charger means connected to receive power from said power terminal, said battery charger means being connected to said battery and operating to provide charging power to said battery.

9. The detector assembly of claim 1 which includes code transmitter means connected to said power terminal and operative to sense the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code transmitter means operating upon the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means to transmit an activation code signal to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line.

10. The detector assembly of claim 9 which includes detector power supply means connected to supply electrical power to said detector means, and code activated circuit means connected between said power supply means and said electrically powered alarm circuit means;

said code activated circuit means including a power control switching means operable to normally open the code activated circuit means to prevent electrical power from the detector power supply means from being provided to said electrically powered alarm circuit means through said code activated circuit means, and code receiver means connected to said power terminal and operative to receive therefrom an activation code transmitted over said power supply line, said code receiver means being connected to said power control switching means and operating upon receipt of said activation code to cause said power switching means to close the code activated circuit means to provide electrical power from said detector power supply means to said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

11. The detector assembly of claim 1 which includes detector power supply means connected to supply electrical power to said detector means, and code activated circuit means connected between said power supply means and said electrically powered alarm circuit means;

said code activated circuit means including a power control switching means operable to normally open the code activated circuit means to prevent electrical power from the detector power supply means from being provided to said electrically powered alarm circuit means through said code activated circuit means, and code receiver means connected to said power terminal and operative to receive therefrom an activation code transmitted over said power supply line, said code receiver means being connected to said power control switching means and operating upon receipt of said activation code to cause said power switching means to close the code activated circuit means to provide electrical power from said detector power supply means to said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

12. A detector assembly adapted to be connected to a building power supply system which includes an electrical power supply line, comprising:

a power terminal connectable to said power supply line to complete an electrical connection therewith;

electrically powered alarm circuit means operable when activated to provide an alarm;

detector means connected to said alarm circuit means and operating to sense an alarm condition, said detector means operating in response to said alarm condition sensed thereby to provide electrical power to activate said alarm circuit means; and

code transmitter means connected to said power terminal and operative to sense the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means and operating after the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means to transmit an activation code signal to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line and upon the subsequent termination of the provision of electrical power to said electrically powered alarm circuit means to transmit a deactivation code to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line, said code transmitter means operating to delay the transmission of said activation code for a predetermined delay period after the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means and to transmit said activation code if said electrically powered alarm circuit means remains activated after said predetermined delay period.

13. The detector of claim 12 wherein said code transmitter means delays the transmission of said activation code for a predetermined delay period alter the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code transmitter means operating to transmit said activation code if said electrically powered alarm circuit means remains activated after said predetermined delay period.

14. The detector assembly of claim 13 wherein said code transmitter means transmits a deactivation code to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line upon the termination of the provision of electrical power to said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

15. The detector assembly of claim 12 which includes light bulb receiving socket means operative to receive and provide power to an electric light bulb, light power circuit means connected between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal to provide an electrical circuit therebetween, said light power circuit means including switching means operable to complete or break the electrical circuit between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal.

16. A detector assembly adapted to be connected to a building power supply system which includes a power supply line and a power control switch connected to said power supply line to control power transitions in the power supplied to a unit connected to said power supply line, said power control switch operating in an open position to cause a power-off condition and prevent power on said power supply line from reaching said detector assembly connected thereto and in a closed position to cause a power-on condition wherein power on said power supply line is permitted to reach said detector assembly, said detector assembly comprising:

a power terminal connectable to said power supply line to receive power therefrom;

electrically powered alarm circuit means operable when activated to provide an alarm;

detector means connected to said alarm circuit means and operating to sense an alarm condition, said detector means operating in response to said alarm condition sensed thereby to provide electrical power to activate said alarm circuit means;

a light bulb receiving socket means operative to receive and provide power to an electric light bulb;

light power circuit means connected between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal to provide an electrical circuit therebetween, said light power circuit means including light switching means operable to complete or break the electrical circuit between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal;

and code responsive control means connected to said power terminal and said light switching means and operative to control said light switching means, said code responsive control means operating in response to a first plurality of power transitions at said power terminal caused by said power control switch between a power-on and power-off condition constituting an activation code to cause said light switching means to break the electrical circuit between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal.

17. The detector assembly of claim 16 wherein said code responsive control means operates in response to a second plurality of power transitions of a number different from said first plurality of power transitions to cause said light switching means to complete the electrical circuit between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal.

18. The detector assembly of claim 17 which includes code transmitter means connected to said power terminal and operative to sense the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code transmitter means operating upon the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means to transmit an activation code signal to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line.

19. The detector assembly of claim 17 which includes detector power supply means connected to supply electrical power to said detector means, and code activated circuit means connected between said power supply means and said electrically powered alarm circuit means;

said code activated circuit means including a power control switching means operable to normally open the code activated circuit means to prevent electrical power from the detector power supply means from being provided to said electrically powered alarm circuit means through said code activated circuit means, and code receiver means connected to said power terminal and operative to receive therefrom an activation code transmitted over said power supply line, said code receiver means being connected to said power control switching means and operating upon receipt of said activation code to cause said power switching means to close the code activated circuit means to provide electrical power from said detector power supply means to said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

20. A detector assembly adapted to be connected to a building AC power supply system which includes an electrical power supply line, comprising:

a power terminal connectable to said power supply line to complete an electrical connection therewith;

a detector DC power supply means;

electrically powered alarm circuit means operable when activated to provide an alarm;

detector means connected between said detector power supply means and said alarm circuit means and operating to sense an alarm condition, said detector means operating in response to said alarm condition sensed thereby to provide electrical power to actuate said alarm circuit means, code activated circuit means connected in parallel relative to said detector means between said detector power supply means and said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code activated circuit means including a power control switching means operable to normally open the code activated circuit means to prevent electrical power from the detector power supply means from being provided to said electrically powered alarm circuit means through said code activated circuit means, and code receiver means connected to said power terminal and operative to receive therefrom an activation code transmitted over said power supply line, said code receiver means being connected to said power control switching means and operating upon receipt of said activation code to cause said power control switching means to close the code activated circuit means to provide electrical power from said detector power supply means to said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

21. The detector assembly of claim 20 which includes light bulb receiving socket means operative to receive and provide power to an electric light bulb, light power circuit means connected between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal to provide an electrical circuit therebetween, said light power circuit means including switching means operable to complete or break the electrical circuit between said light bulb receiving socket and said power terminal.

22. The detector assembly of claim 20 wherein said detector power supply means includes a battery charger connected to said power terminal and a battery connected to said battery charger and to said detector means and said code activated circuit means.

23. The detector assembly of claim 20 which includes code transmitter means connected to said power terminal and to said electrically powered alarm circuit means and operative to sense the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code transmitter means operating in response to the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means to transmit an activation code signal to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line.

24. A detector assembly adapted to be connected to a building power supply system which includes an electrical power supply line, comprising:

a power terminal connectable to said power supply line to complete an electrical connection therewith;

electrically powered alarm circuit means operable when activated to provide an alarm;

detector means connected between said power terminal and said alarm circuit means and operating to sense an alarm condition, said detector means operating in response to said alarm condition sensed thereby to provide electrical power to actuate said alarm circuit means;

code activated circuit means connected in parallel relative to said detector means between said power terminal and said electrically powered alarm circuit means to selectively provide electrical power to said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code activated circuit means including a power control switching means operable to normally open the code activated circuit means to prevent electrical power from being provided to said electrically powered alarm circuit means through said code activated circuit means, and code receiver means connected to said power terminal and operative to receive therefrom an activation code transmitted over said power supply line, said code receiver means being connected to said power control switching means and operating upon receipt of said activation code to cause said power control switching means to close the code activated circuit means to provide electrical power to said electrically powered alarm circuit means.

25. The detector assembly of claim 24 which includes code transmitter means connected to said power terminal and to said electrically powered alarm circuit means and operative to sense the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means, said code transmitter means operating in response to the activation of said electrically powered alarm circuit means to transmit an activation code signal to said power terminal for transmission over said power supply line.