GB2449633A

GB2449633A - Portable smoke and carbon monoxide with personal location beacon.

Info

Publication number: GB2449633A
Application number: GB0710120A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Nigel Kelsey; Frederick James Kelsey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-26
Filing date: 2007-05-26
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Also published as: GB0710120D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable personal alarm device 1 including a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and optionally an emergency beacon. When the device 1 detects either smoke particles or a dangerous level of carbon monoxide an alarm means 4, 8 will be activated to alert the user of the danger. The emergency beacon may also be activated by the smoke or carbon monoxide detectors or independently from the detectors in order to alert emergency services to the danger to the user and indicate their location. The alarm signal may be unique to identify which of smoke, carbon monoxide or a manual trigger event has occurred.

Description

* 2449633

TITLE

Personal Alarm Device

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. In particular, the present invention provides a portable personal alarm device including a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector.

Background Art

Smoke detectors are well known in the art. They are devices that are used to alert people to the presence of a potential fire. Typically, smoke detectors are devices that are permanently mounted to a ceiling and either emit a loud audible alarm or set off an associated alarm system when they detect the presence of smoke particles in the atmosphere.

Electronic carbon monoxide detectors are also well known. They are devices that are used to alert people that there are hazardous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) within a room or other enclosed space. Electronic carbon monoxide detectors are also usually permanently-mounted devices that may be secured to a wall or a ceiling. Typically, when a dangerous level carbon monoxide is detected they either emit a loud audible alarm or set off an associated alarm system.

In one's own home, and to a lesser extent, one's workplace, it is relatively simple to ensure that there is adequate provision of both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and that they are regularly maintained. Unfortunately, it is much more difficult to ensure that there are adequate smoke detectors and carbon monoxide in other buildings. This is a particular concern when travelling as there is no way of ensuring that the hotels, hostels or other buildings in which people might temporarily have suitable, functioning and well maintained detectors. At best this is a cause of concern, at worst the lack of detectors can lead to injury or even death. For example, in recent years there have been a number of high profile incidents leading to injury or death as a result of the lack of, or inadequate, fire alarms and/or carbon monoxide detectors.

This problem could be overcome if the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were portable and could be easily carried by a traveller.

Personal emergency beacons are also well known. They are designed to be carried by people that are visiting remote and/or dangerous areas and are intended to be activated when the person is in danger or distress. For example, personal emergency beacons are often carried by off-piste skiers in case of avalanches. When activated, an emergency beacon will transmit an omni-directional radio signal, usually at the standard international distress frequency of 457 kI-Iz, to alert the emergency services.

Personal emergency beacons often also include a receiver that enables a suitable remote device to switch the beacon to a receive mode. When the beacon is in receive mode it may then be used in conjunction with the remote device in order for the person operating the remote device to locate the beacon, which may be buried or otherwise obscured. Usually, when in receive mode, a beacon will interact with a signal from a suitable remote device in order to produce audible beeps at a distance dependent frequency. Rescuers can then interpret those beeps to estimate the distance to the beacon. Personal emergency beacons that include a receiver are commonly referred to as personal emergency transceivers.

Summary of Invention

The present invention provides a battery-powered portable personal alarm device including a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and an alarm means that may be activated by either detector.

The present invention is portable and may be handheld. Preferably it will be relatively small and will be able to be easily carried in a coat or bag pocket.

The alarm means of the present invention includes an audible siren. When activated, the siren will produce a loud and immediately audible alarm signal. For example, the siren may produce either a persistent beeping or a ringing sound at an audible frequency.

Many countries have volume and frequency standards for smoke and carbon monoxide alarm signals, thus it may be preferable that any audible siren meets the standards for the country in which it is designed to be used. Additionally, the alarm device may further include an adjusting means that may be used to adjust the alarm signal or signals produced by the audible siren. In this manner the alarm signals produced by the device may be varied in order to meet the volume and frequency standards for alarm signals in different regions or countries.

Furthermore, it may also be preferable that the audible siren produces different distinguishable alarm signals depending on whether smoke or a dangerous level of carbon monoxide has been detected, i.e. depending upon which detector has activated the alarm means.

The alarm means may also include a visual alarm means. For example, the alarm means may include one or more LED's that are illuminated when the alarm means is activated. The LED's may be continuously illuminated or may be flashed on and off at a predetermined frequency. Again it may be preferable that the visual alarm means produces different distinguishable alarm signals depending on whether smoke or a dangerous level of carbon monoxide has been detected.

Preferably the present invention will be at least water-resistant and will be able to continue functioning when exposed to small amounts of water. This may be important as the alarm device is portable and intended to be carried by an individual and therefore may be unintentionally exposed to water. For example, the alarm device may be exposed to rain when being carried outside. In order to be water- resistant the alarm device may be substantially formed within a suitable water-resistant casing.

The present invention will preferably include its own power supply to enable the device to operate without being connected to any external power supply. This is important, as the device may be required to operate in situations where no external power supply exists. Furthermore, it is important that the device is not reliant on an external mains power supply to function as such power supplies often fail in the emergencies in which the device is intended to operate e.g. when a fire breaks out.

The power supply may be a rechargeable battery mounted within the casing of the alarm device. The rechargeable battery may be recharged by connecting the alarm device to a mains power supply or other power supply, for example a car battery, using a suitable adaptor. The adaptor may be attached to the alarm device by a power inlet formed in the casing of the device. Alternatively, the power supply may consist of conventional disposable batteries that may be temporarily mounted within a suitable enclosure formed within the casing of the alarm device.

If the alarm device is battery powered it is preferable that it provides a warning signal when the device has only low power and the battery or batteries require recharging or replacing. The warning may be visual and/or audible. For example, the alarm device may include a visual warning means consisting of one or more LED's, or other light emitting device, that are illuminated when the battery or batteries require recharging or replacing. The alarm device may also include a LED to show that the battery or batteries are fully charged. Any audible low power warning must be immediately distinguishable from any audible alarm signal produced when the alarm means is activated by the smoke or carbon monoxide detector.

Preferably, the present invention may be switched on or off when required. The alarm device may include a power button or switch that enables the device to be switched on and off manually. If a power button or switch is included it is preferable that it is designed such that it is difficult or impossible for a user to accidentally turn the alarm device off. For example, the alarm device may include a sliding power switch that is biased towards a first position and that must be slid to a second position in order to turn the alarm device on and that must be slid to the second position and held in that position for a defined period of time, for example three seconds, in order to turn the device off.

The alarm device may also include a test button or switch that enables the user to test that the alarm means is functioning properly. A test button may be a simple button that when depressed activates the alarm means either for a pre-defined period of time or until the button is released.

The alarm device may also include a reset button that enables a user to turn off the alarm means after it has been activated. If the alarm device does include a reset button it is preferable, that after being activated, the alarm means remains activated until the alarm device is reset using the reset button, even if an attempt is made to turn the alarm device off using any power button or switch. The reset button may be such that it is difficult or impossible for a user to accidentally reset the alarm device. For example, the reset button may be inset within a casing of the alarm device such that it can only be depressed by using a suitable pointed implement such as a pen or pencil.

Preferably the alarm device will further include an emergency beacon. Preferably, when activated, the emergency beacon will preferably transmit an omni-directional radio signal, at the standard international distress frequency of 457 kFIz or at any other suitable frequency, in order to alert the emergency services.

It may be further preferable that the emergency beacon includes a receiver and is an emergency transceiver, the operation of which is described in the prior art.

If the alarm device includes an emergency beacon it is preferable that it is automatically activated by the smoke or carbon monoxide detector in the same maimer as the alarm means. Additionally or alternatively, the emergency beacon may be able to be activated independently of the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

For example, the alarm device may further include a beacon initiation button or switch that, when used, activates the emergency beacon. If the emergency beacon is able to be independently activated it is preferable that when the emergency beacon is activated the alarm means are also activated. This ensures that the emergency beacon cannot be accidentally activated without the user noticing. If independently activating the emergency beacon does activate the alarm means it is preferable that the alarm signal produced is different to, and distinguishable from, the alarm signal produced when smoke or a dangerous level of carbon monoxide is produced. Furthermore, if the alarm device also includes a reset button, it is preferable that resetting the alarm device switches the emergency beacon off after it has been activated.

The alarm device may further include means for temporarily and individually disabling one or more of the smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector or emergency beacon, if included, whilst leaving the alarm means active. For example, an alarm device including a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and emergency beacon may include a smoke detector switch, a carbon monoxide detector switch and an emergency beacon switch. When the alarm device is switched on the smoke detector switch could be used to switch the smoke detector on and off without disabling the alarm means, carbon monoxide detector or emergency beacon. The carbon monoxide switch could be used in a similar maimer to control the carbon monoxide switch and the emergency beacon switch to control the emergency beacon. Similarly, if the alarm device includes both visual and audible alarm means, the alarm device may include means for individually and temporarily switching the visual and/or the audible alarm means on or off without disabling the other.

Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A first preferred alarm device 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The alarm device contains a smoke detector and an electronic carbon monoxide detector (not shown) contained within a water-resistant plastic casing 2 approximately 75mm wide, l0Omm tall and 30mm deep. A power button 3, a warning speaker 4, a reset button 5, a first indicator LED 6 and a second indicator LED 7 are mounted in the front of the casing 2. A warning light 8 is mounted in the top of the casing 2.

The alarm device I may be switched on and off using the power button 3. When the device is switched on the first indicator LED 6 will be illuminated. When switched on the carbon monoxide detector and the electronic carbon monoxide will be operate and if either is activated, by the presence of smoke particles or a dangerous level of carbon monoxide respectively, they will activate the warning speaker 4 and the warning light 8. When activated the warning speaker 4 will emit a loud audible alarm and the warning light 8 will flash on and off until the device 1 is reset by pressing the reset button 5. Furthermore, when the warning speaker 4 and the warning light 8 have been activated the device I cannot be switched off until the reset button 5 has been pressed.

In that situation pressing the power button 3 will not switch the device off until the reset button has been pressed.

The reset button 5 is formed such that it cannot be accidentally pressed. In particular, the reset button 5 is inset in the device 1 away from the surface of the casing 2 such that it can only be pressed by a pointed object such as a pen or pencil and cannot be accidentally pressed.

The device 1 is powered by a battery (not shown) that is contained within the casing 2.

Figure 2 shows a second alarm device 11 of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially the same as, and operates in substantially the same manner as, the first embodiment described above. Therefore, where appropriate, the same reference numerals have been used to denote the features of the second embodiment.

The second alarm device I I further includes an emergency transceiver (not shown) that is contained within the casing 2. It also includes a transceiver button 10 that may be used to activate the emergency transceiver when desired. In order that the emergency transceiver is not accidentally activated the emergency transceiver button must be held down for three seconds in order to activate the transceiver. The emergency transceiver is linked to the warning light 8 and the warning speaker 4 such that when it is activated the light and speaker are also activated in order to ensure that the emergency transceiver is not activated without the user noticing.

The emergency transceiver may also be activated by the smoke or carbon monoxide detector. That is, when smoke particles or a dangerous level of carbon monoxide are detected the emergency transceiver will be activated as well as the warning light 8 and the warning speaker 4. Furthermore, in the same maimer as the warning light 8 and the warning speaker 4, the emergency transceiver will only be able to be turned off by pressing the reset button 5.

Claims

I. A battery-powered portable personal alarm device including a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and an alarm means that may be activated by either detector to produce an alarm signal.
2. An alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm means produces a first alarm signal when activated by the smoke detector a second alarm signal when activated by the carbon monoxide detector.
3. An alarm device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the alarm means includes an audible alarm means that produces an audible siren.
4. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm means includes a visual alarm means that produces a visual alarm signal.
5. An alarm device according to claim 4, wherein the visual alarm means consists of at least one LED that may be illuminated to produce a visual alarm signal.
6. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm device is water-resistant.
7. An alarm device according to claim 6, wherein the alarm device is substantially contained within a water-resistant casing.
8. An alarm device further including a power switch that enables a user to switch the alarm device on and off
9. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm device further includes a rechargeable power supply that may be recharged by connecting the device to a suitable external power supply using a suitable adapter. -.10-
10. An alarm device according to claim 9, wherein the alarm device includes a low power warning means that produces a low power warning signal when the power supply needs recharging.
11. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, further including a transmitting beacon.
12. An alarm device according to claim 10, wherein the transmitting beacon may be activated by the smoke detector and by the carbon monoxide detector.
13. An alarm device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the transmitting beacon may be manually activated independently of the smoke detector or the carbon monoxide detector.
14. An alarm device according to claim 13, wherein when the transmitting beacon is manually activated the alarm means is also activated and an alarm signal is produced.
15. An alarm device according to claim 14, wherein when the transmitting beacon is manually activated the alarm means produces a third alarm signal.
16. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm device includes an emergency transceiver.
17. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, further including a reset button that may be pressed to deactivate the alarm means, wherein when the alarm means has been activated the alarm device cannot be turned off until the reset button has been pressed. -Il-
18. An alarm device according to any preceding claim, further including a test button that may be pressed to activate the alarm means for a predetermined length of time.
19. An alarm device according to any preceding claim substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the Figures.