The present invention relates to an economical means of broadcasting alarm conditions that may occur in basements, utility rooms or other seldom occupied areas to the areas of residential and/or commercial premises that are more likely to be occupied. This invention uses ductwork to spread the sound of a hazard detector (e.g. smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, or flood detector) placed in a basement or utility room to other areas of the premises.
A large assortment of smoke and/or CO alarms is available in any hardware store. These units are generally reliable and affordable. They often operate for a year or more on one inexpensive battery. If alarm or hazard conditions occur (for example, smoke, unauthorized entry or high CO concentration) they are often designed to produce a high pitched, ear piercing sound, loud enough to awaken most people in the immediate vicinity.
Many residential and commercial buildings are heated by forced air furnaces, fueled by natural gas, or oil. These units (as well as water heaters) are typically located in basements or utility rooms, which are quite often acoustically insulated from the rest of the premises. Malfunction of furnaces and water heaters are common causes of fires and/or carbon monoxide poisoning. Placing typical alarm devices (as described above) in these areas offers less than desired protection, because the sound is generally not effectively transmitted to dwelling areas. Alarm systems do exist, that feature remote sound sources, linked to the actual alarm sensors through wires, or through radio-frequency transmitters. This adds much to the cost and to the needed maintenance.
There is therefore a need for an effective and highly economical broadcasting hazard alarm system.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided an alarm system comprising
(a) a sensor;
(b) an electronic alarm generator; and
(c) a sound generating device, connectable to heating or air conditioning ductwork.
In another embodiment, the alarm has a visual display instead of a sound generating device. Such a visual display can include, for example, a flashing light for gaining the attention of the hearing impaired.
Another embodiment herein provides an alarm system comprising (a) a hazard sensor, (b) an audible sound source; and (c) a connector to connect the sound source to a heating or air conditioning ductwork system. Alternatively, the connector can be a means to couple the sound source to the ductwork.
A key feature of the present disclosure is to provide a method of improving an audible hazard alarm system having a hazard sensor, also referred to herein as a detector, and an audible sound emitting device, wherein the improvement comprises attaching the audible sound emitting device of the hazard alarm system to a heating or air conditioning system having ductwork.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the present disclosure, as claimed.
The disclosure herein provides an alarm system able to connect to a venting or ductwork system in a home or commercial building whereby an economical and inexpensive improvement is provided to the safety and hazard notification of the home or commercial building.
In one embodiment, the present alarm system includes a detector, an audible-sound-emitting alarm device, and a tube connecting the audible-sound-emitting alarm device to a ductwork system capable of use for conduction of air throughout a facility.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure the sound generating device is placed within the ductwork. In yet another embodiment the sound generating device is attached to the outside of the wall of the ductwork, in such a manner that the sound vibrations get coupled to the wall, which in turn produces a loud sound within the duct. This embodiment eliminates the need to perforate the duct wall. Another embodiment provides a kit for adapting a hazard audible alarm system to create a facility-wide warning system through the facility's air ductworks. Such a kit herein can, in one embodiment, comprise one or more typical unmodified hazard detectors (including but not limited to smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, motion or water) and a device which is attached to the ductwork in any of the ways described above. This device detects the sound produced by any of the hazard detectors in the vicinity, and in turn feeds it or a much louder sound into the ductwork.
By “ductworks” herein is meant any and all hollow devices, hoses, tubes, vents, piping, or structures for conveying air from one location to another in a facility. The ductworks can be formed of, for example and not as a limitation herein, one or more metals (such as aluminum or galvanized iron), composite board, wood, paper, paperboard, plastic or other rigid or semi-rigid materials, and combinations thereof. The ductwork can in one embodiment be square or rectangular in cross-section or can be circular in the case of, for example, flexible large tubes or hoses.
Alarm systems of the various embodiments herein feed sound into existing ductwork, so that the audible alarm is heard, loudly and clearly, throughout the premises served by this ductwork. By this manner the cost and effort of installing sensors in sound-proof areas is dramatically lowered or eliminated, and this system thus has a much higher chance of saving lives and reducing property damage. The following examples further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure but do not limit the present invention.
In the following examples a “typical alarm device” comprises:
A short tube is attached to the sound source of a typical alarm device. This tube is inserted or plugged into a hole drilled into existing ductwork of a heating or air conditioning system. (
The sound source is removed from a typical alarm device and replaced with a short post. The sound source is then attached to the end of this post. The post and sound source are then inserted into the ductwork, through a hole of appropriate size. (
A sound source is attached on the outside of existing ductwork, so that the audible alarm signal is fed through the wall of the duct. (
A sound source is attached to ductwork as in any of the examples above. This device is adapted to detect sound from other hazard detectors in the vicinity and respond by generating a loud sound into the ductwork. (
Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. This invention is susceptible to considerable variation in its practice. Accordingly, this invention is not limited to the specific exemplifications set forth hereinabove. Rather, this invention is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, including the equivalents thereof available as a matter of law.
The patentee does not intend to dedicate any disclosed embodiments to the public, and to the extent any disclosed modifications or alterations may not literally fall within the scope of the claims, they are considered to be part of the invention under the doctrine of equivalents.