GB2376551A - Domestic smoke alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

By separating the warning (sensor) components from the test and maintenance (battery) components, the positioning of each group of components become flexible and can be situated to suit the user and the dwelling. Thus the sensor unit (see figure 1) can still be ceiling mounted (in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations) but the maintenance unit can be at a position to suit the user. The units are connected by wire, the length of which can be adjusted. Typical positions for the maintenance unit would be shoulder height to discourage young children from access, or waist height for the benefit of wheelchair-bound users. The overall effect would be to make regular testing and battery replacement easy and thereby encourage routine maintenance of the smoke alarm.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1>

DOMESTIC SMOKE ALARM Description This invention relates to a smoke alarm for domestic use which is accessible to the user for routine testing and battery replacement whilst retaining the facility to position the smoke sensor in an optimum position.

Domestic smoke alarms, to be effective, are recommended by the manufacturer to be sited to suit the dwelling. A typical position would be ceiling mounted in the hallway or the landing.

Such positioning restricts user access to the alarm for routine maintenance. Restricted user access ultimately leads to poor maintenance and therefore, reduced efficiency of the smoke alarm.

This Invention separates the operating components of a smoke alarm into two groupsWARNING and MAINTENANCE. Each group is contained in a separate housing and connected to each other by electric wire.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the principal components and their connection to each other.

Figure 1 shows the SMOKE SENSOR HOUSING and describes the components contained therein.

User access to this housing is not required.

Figure 2 shows the MAINTENANCE UNIT housing and describes the components contained therein. User access to this housing is required.

Figure 3 shows the connecting wire linking the two housings.

Section A-A illustrates the method of stowing surplus wire by wrapping around the housing.

Section B-B indicates the removable top of the housing for battery replacement.

Claims (4)

1. Claims 1. A domestic smoke alarm which combines the facility for positioning the smoke sensor in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, whilst providing full user access for routine testing and battery replacement.

   2. The smoke sensor unit, the audible warning unit and operating light together with associated circuitry are contained in a housing (see figure 1) and positioned in the dwelling in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

   3. The battery, the sensitivity test device and an additional operating light, together with associated circuitry are contained in a housing (see figure 2) and positioned in the dwelling in the vicinity (say 6ft/1. 8m) of the smoke sensor housing (see figure 1) 4. The smoke sensor housing (see figure 1) and the maintenance unit housing (see figure 2) are inter-connected by an electric wire of variable length which forms an integral part of the smoke alarm circuitry.

   <Desc/Clms Page number 3>

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. This invention relates to a cable stowage facility which is an integral feature of a domestic smoke alarm and enables the component parts of the smoke alarm to be contained in two separate housings, as defined in claims 2 and 3, and connected to each other by an electric cable as defined in claim 4.
2. 2. A domestic smoke alarm as defined in claim 1 in which the smoke sensor unit, the audible warning unit and operating light together with associated circuitry are contained in a housing (figure 1), which incorporates the stowage facility as defined in claim 1, and positioned in the dwelling in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
3. 3. A domestic smoke alarm as defined in claim 1 in which the battery, the sensitivity test button and operating light together with associated circuitry are contained in a housing (figure 2) and positioned in the vicinity (say 6 feet/1.8m) of the smoke sensor housing (figure 1).
4. 4. A domestic smoke alarm as defined in claim 1 in which the smoke sensor housing (figure 1) and the maintenance unit housing (figure 2) are inter-connected by an electric cable (figure 3) which forms an integral part of the smoke alarm circuitry. The variable positioning of the two housings as defined in claims 2 and 3 will create a surplus of cable which can then be stowed in the facility defined in claim 1.