US4570155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smoke alarm activated light
Assignee: Gateway Scientific Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-27
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2002-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A portable light for emergency illumination which is activated in response to the sound emitted by a smoke alarm device, which light has an efficient and reliable battery conserving circuit. The present light includes a switch interconnecting a battery and a light bulb for selectively activating the light bulb and a circuit interconnecting a microphone and the switch for selectively activating the switch in response to a smoke alarm signal. A strobe circuit interconnects the source of power and the circuit for periodically activating the circuit which, therefore, draws power for only a small fraction of the time.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Skarman
- 👤 Neal L. Tenhulzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B1/00; G08B1/08; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36; G08B5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A light activated by the sound signal of a smoke alarm comprising: a microphone; a light bulb; a source of power; switch means interconnecting said source of power and said light bulb for selectively activating said light bulb; circuit means interconnecting said microphone and said switch means for selectively activating said switch means in response to a smoke alarm sound signal; and strobe means interconnecting said source of power and said circuit means for periodically activating said circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A light activated by the sound signal of a smoke alarm comprising: a microphone; a light bulb; a source of power; switch means interconnecting said source of power and said light bulb for selectively activating said light bulb; circuit means interconnecting said microphone and said switch means for selectively activating said switch means in response to a smoke alarm sound signal; and strobe means interconnecting said source of power and said circuit means for periodically activating said circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A light according to claim 1, wherein said source of power is a battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light according to claim 1, wherein said light is selectively responsive to the frequency of the sound signal of a smoke alarm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A light according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the period of activation of said circuit means is significantly less than the period of deactivation of said circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A light according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said circuit means comprises: means responsive to the output of said microphone for amplifying the output thereof; a peak detector responsive to the output of said amplifier; means responsive to said source of power for establishing a reference level; and comparator means responsive to said peak detector and said reference level for generating a light-activating signal for activating said switch means when said output of said peak detector exceeds said reference level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A light according to claim 5, wherein said strobe means periodically activates said amplifying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A light according to claim 6, wherein said strobe means periodically activates said comparator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A light according to claim 7, wherein said strobe means periodically activates said reference level establishing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A light according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said strobe means comprises: means responsive to said source of power for periodically generating a pulse; and means responsive to said pulse and said source of power for conducting the power from said source to said circuit means for a predetermined time interval upon the occurrence of each pulse.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A light according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said circuit means comprises: amplifier means; and means interconnecting said source of power, said microphone and said amplifier means for simultaneously adjusting the DC bias of said amplifier and the amount of signal from said microphone coupled to said amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A light according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: means responsive to activation of said switch means by said circuit means for connecting said source of power to said circuit means until the termination of said smoke alarm sound signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |