Abstract:
An alarm system with an integral high-intensity illumination means comprising reflective beads for increased visibility is intended to provide alarm notification for the hard-of-hearing or deaf individuals. The illumination means on the bottom provides visual notification to deaf or hard of hearing building occupants and those who may outside of the building. To aid in the visual observation of the illumination means, a series of reflective beads are hung from the bottom of the detector.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/294,922 filed Jan. 14, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to emergency alarm systems, and in particular, to emergency alarm systems such as smoke detectors which provide visual alerts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some of the most important fixtures in any home or building are safety alarm devices such as smoke detectors and fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, security sensors, and the like. Conventionally, these alarms provide loud audible alerts when activated so that all persons in the general vicinity are made well aware of the corresponding safety concern. 
     In large building establishments and public place, such alarms may include a flashing light which further indicates that the alarm has been tripped. However, many residential models do not include such a feature. This is particularly worrisome for hearing impaired individuals for whom an audible alarm is ineffective. Such persons generally rely upon visual stimuli to alert them as to environmental conditions. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide alarm devices with alert methods adapted for hearing impaired individuals. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,170, issued in the name of Zinsmeister, describes an alarm system including a signaling panel with a plurality of high intensity lights. The colors of the particular lights indicate a variety of alarm-triggering conditions such that the user is informed of the nature of the alarm. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,238, issued in the name of Kollin, describes a visual signaling apparatus in electrical communication with a plurality of sensing devices individually located adjacent to a sound producing device such as a telephone or doorbell. Upon activation of a sensing device, the user is notified by a visual signal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,759, issued in the name of Sulkoski et al., describes system including an alarm device such as a smoke detector and a receiver with a vibrating reed which provides a tactile alert to a user when the alarm is activated. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices do not provide a visual alert or a level capable of waking a person or which is readily visible from adjacent rooms. Also, many such devices are difficult to install, mount, wire, or configure. Furthermore, many such devices are unsightly even though they must be installed in readily visible locations. Accordingly, there exists a need for a visual alarm device without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for an alarm providing a strong and readily identifiable visual alert for a plurality of emergency situations which is aesthetic and readily installed. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to detect an emergency situation and relay a visual alert primarily utilized for persons who are hearing impaired. The apparatus includes an upper plate, a lower plate, a plurality of decorative beads located between the plates, and an illumination device. The apparatus also includes an internal sensor and a mounting bracket. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a noticeable visual alert by causing the illumination means to flash erratically when the sensor is triggered. The illumination means preferably includes a light-emitting diode. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a favorable aesthetic appearance due to the plurality of beads. The beads are attached along a plurality of bead attachments comprising rods, strings, or similar structures. Each bead attachment is attached at a top end to a lower surface of the upper plate and is attached to the lower plate at a bottom end. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the beads with reflective characteristics which increase the range and luminosity of the illumination device in order to further ensure that a user is visually alerted when the alarm is triggered. The beads are constructed of a transparent plastic or glass material and can comprise prismatic properties which disperse the light in order to provide additional visibility and aesthetic qualities. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to include an operating light which indicates to a user that the apparatus is functioning properly. The operating light is automatically illuminated whenever a power supply is connected to the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to protectively house the electrical components of the sensor within the upper plate. The sensor is further powered by an electrical power supply such as an alternating current power supply or a removable battery power supply. The sensor is further situated within the upper housing so as to properly sense hazardous and emergency situations based upon the type of sensor utilized. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to include a buzzer which provides an audible alarm to additionally alert individuals who are not hearing impaired. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to include a variety of mounting means which enable removable attachment to a variety of surfaces including walls and ceilings. In at least one (1) embodiment, the mounting means includes a wall bracket installed along a wall surface and a curved arm affixed to the upper plate and removably attachable to the wall bracket so that the upper plate is oriented parallel to a ground surface upon attachment. In at least one (1) other embodiment, the mounting means includes a wall bracket installed along a wall surface, wherein the upper plate is removably attachable to the wall bracket. In at least one (1) other embodiment, the mounting means includes a mounting hook disposed along a top surface of the upper plate which enables the apparatus to be suspended from a hook. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of acquiring the apparatus; attaching the apparatus to a desired surface using the mounting means; supplying an appropriate power which illuminates the operating light; allowing the sensor to sense a potential danger which triggers the illumination means and buzzer; allowing the illumination means and buzzer to warn a person or persons; and, providing a means of quickly notifying any and all persons in location of a dangerous situation regardless of their ability to hear. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an instrument for detecting and alerting an emergency situation  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an electrical block diagram of the instrument for detecting and alerting an emergency situation  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is another electrical block diagram of the instrument for detecting and alerting an emergency situation  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first mounting means  60 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second mounting means  70 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third mounting means  80 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  instrument for detecting and alerting an emergency situation 
               20  upper plate 
               25  lower plate 
               26  operating light 
               27  test/reset button 
               28  piezo buzzer 
               31  primary power source 
               32  sensor 
               33  electrical wiring 
               34  secondary power source 
               40  illumination means 
               50  decorative bead 
               51  bead attachment 
               60  first mounting means 
               61  first mounting plate 
               62  first mounting portion 
               70  second mounting means 
               71  second mounting plate 
               72  second mounting portion 
               80  third mounting means 
               81  mounting hook 
               82  third mounting portion 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an instrument for detecting and alerting an emergency situation (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a visual alarm means primarily utilized for persons whom are deaf, hearing impaired, or the like, yet may also be utilized for various persons not possessing a disability. The apparatus  10  comprises an upper plate  20 , a lower plate  25 , an illumination means  40 , and a plurality of decorative beads  50 . The apparatus  10  comprises an internal sensor  32  such as, but not limited to: a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a motion sensor, or the like which illuminates the illumination means  40  to alarm a person or persons within a structure or area surrounding the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is attached to a various surfaces which are preferably a ceiling via a mounting device which is discussed within  FIGS. 4 through 6  (see below). The apparatus  10  measures approximately three (3) to four (4) inches in length, yet other lengths may be utilized without limiting the scope of said apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  is fabricated from a material such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, or the like. 
     The upper plate  20  and lower plate  25  comprise disc-shaped forms and provide the main supports of the apparatus  10 . The upper plate  20  provides an attachment to a plurality of bead attachments  51  and provides housing to internal electrical components (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The lower plate  25  also provides an attachment to bead attachments  51 . The distance between the upper plate  20  and lower plate  25  determines the length of the apparatus  10  and the amount of decorative beads  50  utilized. The bead attachment means  51  are preferably strings, cables, or the like and each proximal portion is attached to a lower surface of the upper plate  20  and are suspended from said lower surface via adhesives, knots, integral molding, or the like. The bead attachments  51  are preferably arranged around an offset circumference of each plate  20 ,  25 . Each bead attachment means  51  provide a means to attach decorative beads  50  which provides an aesthetically pleasing aspect to the apparatus  10 . The decorative beads  50  also provide reflective characteristics that which increases the luminosity of the illumination means  40  further ensuring the person is alarmed visually. Each bead attachment means  51  to comprise up to three (3) decorative beads  50 . The decorative beads  50  are preferably a clear plastic or glass material in a prism-shape, yet other shapes, materials, sizes, and colors may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises up to eight (8) bead attachment means  51 , yet other amounts may be utilized which depends upon the size of the plates  20 ,  25 . A distal portion of each bead attachment means  51  is also attached to a lower plate  25  which secures said bead attachment means  51  and corresponding decorative beads  50  between the plates  20 ,  25 . The distal end portions of each bead attachment means  51  are secured to the lower plate  25  in a similar fashion to the bead attachment means  51  attached to the upper plate  20  as abovementioned. The upper plate  20  and lower plate  25  comprise a diameter of approximately three (3) inches and a thickness of approximately one-half (½) of an inch which provides a compact embodiment, yet other dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     An underside intermediate position upon the upper plate  20  comprises an illumination means  40  which provides a visual alarm to warn/alert the user of a dangerous event. The illumination means  40  is preferably a light-emitting diode (LED) yet other devices such as, but not limited to: a strobe light, light bulbs, or the like which also reflect against the decorative beads  50  to create additional alerting effect may be utilized. The illumination means  40  is preferably integrally molded to the underside of the upper plate  20  and interconnected via electrical wiring  33  to an internal portion of said upper plate  20  (also see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). When the sensor  32  is triggered the illumination means  40  erratically flashes which alerts the user of a potential danger within a structure. 
     A perimeter edge of the upper plate  20  comprises an operating light  26  and a test/reset button  27  which enable the user to visually and audibly know that the apparatus  10  is functioning properly (also see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The operating light  26  is preferably a light-emitting diode which will illuminate when power is interconnected to the apparatus  10 . The test/reset button  27  is preferably a pushbutton which is depressed to test a piezo buzzer  28  and reset the apparatus  10  after said apparatus  10  has been activated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The upper plate  20  houses electrical components which provide a sensing and alerting means. An internal portion of the upper plate  20  comprises electrical components which include a primary power source  31 , a sensor  32 , and a plurality of electrical wiring  33 . The primary power source  31  is illustrated as a conventional alternating current (AC), yet other sources may be utilized (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). As the primary power source  31  draws current the operating light  26  illuminates. The current is also supplying power to the sensor  32 . The sensor  32  may be a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a motion sensor, or the like which alerts the user of a variety of hazardous and emergency situations. The sensor  32  is facilitated as to properly sense the hazardous and emergency situations; i.e. if a smoke detector is utilized the corresponding sensor  32  is positioned in a location that will properly sense smoke, if a carbon monoxide detector is utilized the corresponding sensor  32  is positioned in a location that will properly sense carbon monoxide, and if a motion detector is utilized the corresponding sensor  32  is positioned to properly sense motion. As the sensor  32  is triggered, the illumination means  40  illuminates in an erratic flashing fashion to alert persons, especially those who are hearing impaired, that are within the vicinity of the apparatus  10 . A piezo buzzer  28  will also sound an audible alarm when the sensor  32  is triggered which alters other persons within the surrounding area of the apparatus  10  whom are not hearing impaired. The test/reset button  27  is depressed to reset the apparatus  10  to a non-active state and as abovementioned utilized to determine correct working functions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A secondary power source  34  may also be introduced into the apparatus  10  without limiting the scope of said apparatus  10 . The secondary power source  34  is preferably a user replaceable or rechargeable battery, or as seen in the illustrated configuration, a transformer may be used to lower the voltage of the primary power source to a direct current (DC) level and power the abovementioned electrical components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a first mounting means  60 ,  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of a second mounting means  70 , and  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a third mounting means  80 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  is suspended in a desired position via a mounting means which is attached to an upper surface of the upper plate  20 . The mount may be introduced in a variety of ways as illustrated herein.  FIG. 4  depicts a first mounting means  60  comprising a first mounting plate  61  and a first mounting portion  62  which comprises a wall bracket and a curved arm, respectively.  FIG. 5  depicts a two (2) part second mounting means  70  comprising a second mounting plate  71  and a second mounting portion  72  being similar to an attachment means for standard conventional smoke detectors.  FIG. 6  depicts a hanging third mounting means  80  which comprises a mounting hook  81  and a third mounting portion  82  allowing the apparatus  10  to be suspended from a hook at a desired location. The mounting means  60 ,  70 ,  80  enable the apparatus  10  to be mounted to a vertical surface such as, but not limited to: a wall, door, or the like. Each mounting means  60 ,  70 ,  80  is to be an integral part of the upper plate  20  and provides a variety of options to a user. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; suspending the apparatus  10  to a vertical wall via the first mounting means  60  by installing the first mounting plate  61  to said wall surface; affixing the first mounting portion  62 , or; mounting the apparatus  10  upon a ceiling by utilizing the second mounting means  70  by installing the second mounting plate  71  to the ceiling and affixing the second mounting portion  72  in a similar manner as a conventional smoke detector, or; hanging the apparatus  10  by utilizing the third mounting means  80  using the mounting hook  81  and third mounting portion  82  to suspend the apparatus  10  at a desired location; supplying an appropriate current to the primary power source  31  or secondary power source  34  which illuminates the operating light  26 ; testing the apparatus  10  via depressing the test/rest button  27  which sounds the piezo buzzer  28 ; allowing the sensor  32  to sense a desired potential danger which triggers the illumination means  40  and piezo buzzer  28 ; allowing the illumination means  40  and piezo buzzer  28  to warn a person or persons; resetting the apparatus via the test/rest button  27  as desired; and, providing a means of quickly notifying any and all persons in the structure of a dangerous regardless of their ability to hear. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.