US5442336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch-timer system and method for use in smoke detector alarm unit
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1993-06-01
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Granted: 1995-08-15
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Expires: 2013-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for temporarily disabling a smoke detector alarm unit. The present invention includes a switch between the main assembly and the power assembly of the unit and a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time. The switch is caused to break the circuit between the main assembly and the power assembly while the timer monitors the passage of time. Once the predetermined length of time has passed, the switch is caused to reengage the circuit between the main assembly and the power assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L. Murphy
- 👤 Paula N. Chavez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:15
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B17/00; G08B17/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
For use in a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a system comprising: a switch which is capable of having an off state and an on state and which is in communication with said main assembly and said power assembly so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means, wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; wherein said means for commanding said switch to assume said off state comprises; a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting an off state command signal positionable in a location remote to said switch; a receiver for receiving said off state command signal from said transmitter; a trigger in communication with said receiver for triggering said switch into an off state when said receiver receives said off state command; and means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
For use in a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a system comprising: a switch which is capable of having an off state and an on state and which is in communication with said main assembly and said power assembly so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means, wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; wherein said means for commanding said switch to assume said off state comprises; a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting an off state command signal positionable in a location remote to said switch; a receiver for receiving said off state command signal from said transmitter; a trigger in communication with said receiver for triggering said switch into an off state when said receiver receives said off state command; and means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a method comprising the steps of: providing a switch to communicate with said main assembly and said power assembly, said switch being capable of having an off state and an on state so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; providing means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; providing a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means and wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; providing a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; wherein said means for commanding said switch to assume said off state comprises; a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting an off state command signal; a receiver for receiving said off state command signal from said transmitter positionable in a location remote to said switch; a trigger in communication with said receiver for triggering said switch into an off state when said receiver receives said off state command; and providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a method comprising the steps of: providing a switch to communicate with said main assembly and said power assembly, said switch being capable of having an off state and an on state so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; providing means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; providing a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means and wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; providing a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; wherein said means for commanding said switch to assume said off state comprises; a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting an off state command signal; a receiver for receiving said off state command signal from said transmitter positionable in a location remote to said switch; a trigger in communication with said receiver for triggering said switch into an off state when said receiver receives said off state command; and providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
For use in a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a system comprising: a switch which is capable of having an off state and an on state and which is in communication with said main assembly and said power assembly so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means, wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; and means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
176 words
For use in a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a system comprising: a switch which is capable of having an off state and an on state and which is in communication with said main assembly and said power assembly so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means, wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; and means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a method comprising the steps of: providing a switch to communicate with said main assembly and said power assembly, said switch being capable of having an off state and an on state so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; providing means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; providing a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means and wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; providing a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; and providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time. providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a smoke detector alarm unit having a main assembly and a power assembly, a method comprising the steps of: providing a switch to communicate with said main assembly and said power assembly, said switch being capable of having an off state and an on state so that when said switch is off, electric current does not pass from said power assembly to said main assembly and so that when said switch is on, electric current passes from said power assembly to said main assembly; providing means for commanding said switch to assume said off state; providing a timer for monitoring a predetermined length of time, said timer in communication with said commanding means and wherein said timer is activated when said switch is set to said off state; providing a switching mechanism in communication with said timer and said switch for causing said switch to return to said on state after said timer indicates that said predetermined length of time has passed; and providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time. providing means for intermittently returning said switch to said on state during said predetermined length of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4313110A
Cited
US4567477A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-14 | 1999-02-13 | 1999-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-14 | 2003-02-13 | 2003-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-14 | 2007-02-13 | 2007-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |