Patent Publication Number: US-2004050137-A1

Title: Carbon monoxide detector tester and method of using tester

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This is a completion Patent Application and under 35 USC Section 119 (e) claims a priority date of Jun. 11, 2001 from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/297,734, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention is directed to a carbon monoxide detector tester and method for determining the operability of a carbon monoxide detector.  
       [0004] 2. Description of Prior Art  
       [0005] Carbon monoxide detectors are used to detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas in the air and to signal an alarm when the carbon monoxide gas level in the air reaches a dangerous level. Upon detecting a carbon monoxide detector alarm, a person breathing the carbon monoxide filled air is put on notice that there exist dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the air. The person may immediately leave the area upon detecting the alarm. However, if the carbon monoxide detector is not functioning properly, then no alarm will signal and thus, a person may be exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas without being aware of such levels. Therefore, a device that can determine whether a carbon monoxide detector is properly functioning is both necessary and can prove to be life saving.  
       [0006] The three types of known carbon monoxide detectors are color metric, metal oxide, and electrochemical. Each type of detector has a different means for detecting carbon monoxide.  
       [0007] Additionally, there are several known carbon monoxide detector testers and methods of using those testers to determine whether a carbon monoxide detector is functioning properly. One tester made by Home Safeguard Industries Inc. of Malibu, Calif. comprises a tablet that when moistened, releases a hydrogen derivative gas, similar in nature to carbon monoxide. Upon exposing the hydrogen derivative gas to the carbon monoxide detector, a properly functioning carbon monoxide detector capable of detecting such a hydrogen derivative gas will sound an alarm. If an alarm is not sounded, then the carbon monoxide detector capable of detecting such a hydrogen derivative gas is presumed defective. However, only one or two carbon monoxide detectors are capable of detecting such a hydrogen derivative gas. Therefore, this tester does not adequately test the operability of many known carbon monoxide detectors.  
       [0008] Another type of known carbon monoxide detector tester made by Robert Elliott Enterprises of Aurora, Ontario Canada comprises a clear plastic bag for storing a carbon monoxide detector and a glass vile containing carbon monoxide gas. The method for using this tester to detect the operability of a carbon monoxide detector includes the steps of (1) placing the carbon monoxide detector and carbon monoxide filled glass vile into the plastic bag, (2) sealing the bag with a twist tie, and (3) breaking the glass vile inside the bag to expose the carbon monoxide gas to the carbon monoxide tester.  
       [0009] A properly functioning carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm once the vile is broken into pieces and the carbon monoxide is exposed to the carbon monoxide detector. If no alarm is sounded, then the carbon monoxide detector is presumed defective. A user of this tester must be careful not to perforate the bag with the sharp glass pieces to prevent the carbon monoxide gas from escaping the bag and voiding the test. In addition, the user must be careful in handling the broken glass vile to avoid being hurt.  
       [0010] Another carbon monoxide detector tester called the Detectagas Test Kit made by the English company SF Detection comprises a flexible vinyl material having an elastic edge enclosing a drawstring. The elastic edge is then placed around a carbon monoxide detector and the drawstring is drawn tight around the detector forming a bag having a small opening formed by the drawn draw string. It is necessary to tightly draw the drawstring to enclose the carbon monoxide detector to prevent the detector from being exposed to air outside of the bag. The tester further comprises a plastic tube having one end affixed to the opening within the bag and one end affixed to a can of compressed air to direct communication of the compressed air into the bag. The plastic tube is inserted within the bag opening once the drawstring has been drawn. In operation, a user depresses the can of compressed air to communicate flow of the compressed air from the can into the bag. A properly functioning carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm upon receiving the compressed air. If no alarm sounds, the carbon monoxide detector is presumed defective. A new can of compressed air must be used for each subsequent test performed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] The present invention, to address the above-stated problems in others, as is detailed hereinafter, enables an improved carbon monoxide detector tester for use in detecting whether a carbon monoxide detector is properly functioning.  
       [0012] The carbon monoxide detector tester of the present invention generally comprises:  
       [0013] (a) a bottom member, the bottom member having:  
       [0014] (i) a first side wall;  
       [0015] (ii) a first bottom wall;  
       [0016] (b) a top member, the top member adapted to mate with the bottom member, the bottom member matingly connects to the top member;  
       [0017] (c) means for storing a carbon monoxide detector within the bottom member; and  
       [0018] (d) means for storing a carbon monoxide emitting material within the bottom member.  
       [0019] The first side wall of the bottom member and the first bottom wall of the bottom member cooperate to form a first storage compartment, the first storage compartment defining means for storing a carbon monoxide detector within the bottom member and the means for storing a carbon monoxide emitting material within the bottom member.  
       [0020] Additionally, the present invention further comprises a method of using the carbon monoxide detector tester of the present invention. This method comprises the steps of:  
       [0021] (a) opening a carbon monoxide detector tester to receive a carbon monoxide detector and a carbon monoxide emitting material;  
       [0022] (b) removably placing a carbon monoxide detector and a carbon monoxide emitting material within a first storage compartment of the opened carbon monoxide detector tester;  
       [0023] (c) igniting the carbon monoxide emitting material to allow the carbon monoxide emitting material to emit carbon monoxide;  
       [0024] (d) securely enclosing the carbon monoxide detector and the carbon monoxide emitting material to allow the carbon monoxide detector to receive the carbon monoxide; and  
       [0025] (e) detecting an alarm signaled by the carbon monoxide detector when the carbon monoxide detector receives the carbon monoxide.  
       [0026] The improved carbon monoxide detector tester and the method of use accommodate any type of carbon monoxide detector currently available on the market. The carbon monoxide detector tester hereof is capable of repeated uses and is both easy and safe to use.  
     
    
    
     [0027] The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the detailed description and drawing in which:  
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester showing the carbon monoxide detector tester in its sealed position;  
     [0031]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a forth embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0033]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0034]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a carbon monoxide detector tester in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0035]FIG. 8 is a side view of a removable rear access panel in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0036]FIG. 9 is a side view of the carbon monoxide detector shown in FIG. 7.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0037] Referring now to the drawings, a carbon monoxide detector tester generally comprises: (a) a bottom member, the bottom member having i) a first side wall, and (ii) a first bottom wall; (b) a top member, the top member adapted to mate with the bottom member; (c) means for storing a carbon monoxide detector; (d) means for storing a carbon monoxide emitting material, wherein the first side wall and the first bottom wall of the bottom member cooperate to form a first storage compartment, the first storage compartment defining the carbon monoxide detector storage means and the carbon monoxide emitting material storage means.  
     [0038] Both the bottom member and the top member may be made from a material such as plastic. A plastic material is desirable because of its low cost and because of the ease with which a mold can be modified to accommodate any carbon monoxide detector, such as a detector designed to plug into an electrical outlet, etc. However, other materials such as metal may also be used to make the tester provided that the material used is not so thick as to block sound.  
     [0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the tester  10  is formed by a bottom member  12 , a top member  56 , and a hinge member  62 , the members being integral with one another and forming a unitary clamshell structure. The top member  56  is adapted to mate with the bottom member  12  and both cooperate to form a box having a rectangular shape when so mated. The side wall  14  and the bottom wall  16  cooperate to form a storage compartment  18  for storing both a carbon monoxide detector  70  and a carbon monoxide emitting material  68 .  
     [0040] Preferably, a suitable carbon emitting material  68  is charcoal or incense, or any other suitable material that emits carbon monoxide when ignited, as known by those skilled in the art.  
     [0041] The rectangular shape is preferred because it closely matches the design of most carbon monoxide detectors and therefore can easily provide a housing for disposing a carbon monoxide detector within the tester.  
     [0042] In the tester  10  according to this invention, the first bottom wall  16  has four edges  24 ,  25 ,  26  and  27 , which cooperate to form a rectangular shape. The side wall  14  projects substantially perpendicularly upwardly from the bottom wall  16  and terminates in an upwardly facing peripheral edge  20 . The top member  56  is a substantially planar member having a peripheral edge  60  of rectangular shape and adapted to mate with the peripheral edge  20  of the bottom member  12 . The top member  56  functions as a lid for the bottom member when the top member  56  mates with the bottom member  12 .  
     [0043] In one embodiment, the height of the side wall  14  is preferably about 2.75 inches. The side wall  14  is continuous and forms an opposed pair of longer wall portions, defined by the edges  24  and  26 , and an opposed pair of shorter wall portions, defined by the edges  25  and  27 . Preferably, the longer wall portions (defined by the edges  24  and  26 ) are about 9.5 inches long, and the shorter wall portions (defined by the edges  25  and  27 ) are about 6.375 inches long. Of course, the carbon monoxide detector tester  10  may be any other shape that does not deviate from the objects of the invention. Additionally, the rectangular design promotes ease of stacking multiple testers when not in use.  
     [0044] While the tester is shown as comprising a bottom member  56 , which forms a chamber, and a planar lid which closes onto the bottom member, the top and bottom members could be symmetrical and mirror images of one another.  
     [0045] The hinge member  62  hingeably connects the top member  56  to the bottom member  12 . The hinge member  62  is generally axially extending and of reduced cross-section to enable the lid to flex relative to the bottom member  12 . As shown, the hinge member  62  has an upper portion  64  that is attached to the top member  56 , proximate to the peripheral edge  60 , and a lower portion  66  that is attached to the bottom member  12 , proximate to the peripheral edge  20 .  
     [0046] In a second embodiment shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 , the tester is substantially the same as the tester of the first embodiment and further comprises a tab  58  on the top member  56  and a clasp member  38  on the bottom member  12 , the tab  58  being adapted to interlock with the clasp member  38 . The tab  58  is integrally, fixedly, formed with the top member, generally of rectangular cross-section, and projects outwardly from one of the longer wall portions of the lid  56 . The clasp member  38  is integrally formed with the bottom member  12  and extends outwardly from the first side wall  14 . The clasp member  38  includes a slot or keyhole  40  sized to receive the tab  58  in a friction retaining fit. The clasp member is rotatable about its attachment to the bottom member and rotates into retaining fitment with the tab  58 , wherein to secure the top member to the bottom member  12 .  
     [0047] As shown in FIG. 3, an airtight seal  61  is provided between the top member  56  and the bottom member  12  and the storage compartment  18  when the tab  58  is forced downwardly and into interengagement with the slot  40  in the clasp member  38 . The peripheral edges  60  and  20  are forced into mated engagement with one another, form an airtight sealed closure therebetween, and an airtight closure about the carbon monoxide detector  70  and the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  in the storage compartment  18 .  
     [0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the tester  10  may additionally comprise a handle  72  for transporting the tester  10 . The handle  72  is preferably removably attached to the tester  10  in any suitable manner, including male/female connections, snaps, tongue and groove, etc. The handle  72  is easily detachable from the tester  10  and is preferably formed of rigid plastic strong enough to support the weight of both a carbon monoxide detector  70  and a carbon monoxide emitting material  68 .  
     [0049] As shown, the handle  72  is connected to a pair of triangular mounts  74  and  76  fixedly attached to an outside portion of the first side wall  14  of the bottom member  12 . The handle  72  is adapted to securely fit into two recesses  78  and  80  formed within the triangular mounts  74  and  76 , respectively. In practice, the handle  72  is snapped into the recesses  78  and  80  of the mounts  74  and  76 , respectively, by slidably engaging the handle  72  to removably fix the handle  72  to the tester  10 . Likewise and in reverse manner, the handle  72  may be unseated from its corresponding recess  78  and  80  with a suitable force to overcome the frictional connection, thereby removing the handle  72  from the tester  10 .  
     [0050] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the first bottom wall  16  may have a plurality of feet  36  fixedly attached to the underside of the first bottom wall  16  for supporting the tester  10  when the tester  10  is seated on a horizontal surface.  
     [0051] In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the tester  10  is substantially the same as the tester of the first embodiment, however, the bottom member further comprises a groove  22  formed within the peripheral edge  20  of the first side wall  14 , the groove being adapted to receive the peripheral edge  60  of the lid or top member  56 . An airtight seal is formed between the peripheral edge  60  of the top member  56  and the peripheral edge  20  and the groove  22  of the bottom member when the groove  22  receives the peripheral edge  60  of the top member.  
     [0052] In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the tester is substantially the same as the tester of the second embodiment, and further comprises a second and separate storage compartment  48  for storing the carbon monoxide emitting material  68 . The storage compartment  48  is provided within the first storage compartment  18  and includes (a) a second side wall  50 , and (b) a second bottom wall  52 . The second storage compartment  48  is in the shape of an upwardly open box having a rectangular design to provide for easy insertion of the carbon monoxide emitting material  68 . However, the storage compartment  48  may be shaped otherwise, such as in the form of a cylinder.  
     [0053] The second storage compartment  48  may be attached to the bottom member  12  by fixedly attaching the second bottom wall  52  to the first bottom wall  16  by conventional methods such as gluing or riveting.  
     [0054] Alternatively, in lieu of having the separately formed second storage compartment  48  for storing the carbon monoxide emitting material  68 , as described above, the second storage compartment  48  may be integrally formed with the first storage compartment  12 . In such arrangement, the second bottom wall  52  is omitted and replaced by the first bottom wall  16  of the bottom member  12 , and the second side wall  50  extends upwardly from the first bottom wall  16 , sharing the first bottom wall  16  as a common floor with the first storage compartment  18 .  
     [0055] Additionally, in some applications, the second storage compartment  48  could include elimination of the second bottom wall  52 , and gluing or otherwise attaching the lower edge of the second side wall  50  to the first bottom wall  16 .  
     [0056] In a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the tester is substantially as the tester of the fourth embodiment, however, the bottom member  12  further comprises a horizontal shelf portion  34 . Preferably, the shelf portion is integrally formed with the first side wall  14 , projects inwardly towards the first storage compartment  18 , and defines a stop for a lid  
     [0057] Additionally, the second storage compartment  48  further comprises a lid  30 , and a latch  32 . The lid  30  moves between a closed first position for closing the storage compartment  48 , and an open second position for exposing or otherwise permitting placement of the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  in the storage compartment  48 . In the first position, the latch  32  receives the lid  30  and the lid  30  closes the upward opening of the second storage compartment  48  whereby to secure the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  in the storage compartment  48 . In the second position, the lid  30  is in the open position and engages, and is preferably detained by or held in, the horizontal shelf portion  34  of the bottom member  12 . Further, when the lid is in the open position, the top of the storage compartment is uncovered and the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  may be placed therein or is exposed. Upon ignition of the material  68 , the carbon monoxide gas is discharged from the second storage compartment  48 , and passed into the interior of the first storage compartment  18  which houses the carbon monoxide detector  70 .  
     [0058] In the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS.  7 - 9 , the tester is substantially the same as the tester  10  of the second embodiment, however the first storage compartment  18  further comprises a removable access panel  42  that is secured within an opening  46  formed within the first bottom wall  16 . When the removable access panel  42  is removed from the opening  46 , a carbon monoxide detector  71  of the type designed to plug into an electrical outlet may be inserted into the first bottom wall opening  46 .  
     [0059] Preferably and according to this invention, the means for securing the removable access panel  42  to the first bottom wall opening  46  comprises a snap clip  44 . The snap clip  44  secures the removable access panel  42  within the first bottom wall opening  46  when the snap clip  44  is not compressed, but when the snap clip  44  is compressed, the snap clip  44  allows for easy removal of the removable access panel  46  from the opening  46  of the first bottom wall  16 . Other means for securing may be used, such as a latch, a clasp, etc.  
     [0060] In practice, the top member  56  is opened thereby exposing the storage compartment  18 . The carbon monoxide detector  70  and the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  are placed within the first storage compartment  18 . The carbon monoxide emitting material  68  is then ignited thus allowing the material to give off a carbon monoxide gas, which is passed to the carbon monoxide detector  70 .  
     [0061] The test may be performed by using either the carbon monoxide detector  70  or the carbon monoxide detector  71  designed to plug into an electrical outlet. If the carbon monoxide detector  71  is used, the removable access panel  42  is first removed, the detector  71  is placed within the opening  46 , and then the detector  71  is plugged into an electrical outlet. The method of using the tester after plugging the detector  71  into an electrical outlet is the same as the method used for detecting the operability of detector  70  as described herein below.  
     [0062] Optionally, if the tester comprises a second storage compartment  48 , then the second storage compartment lid  30  is opened to engage the horizontal shelf portion  34  of the bottom member thus allowing the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  to be placed within the bottom member  12 . Next, carbon monoxide emitting material  68  may be ignited and thus allowing carbon monoxide to be emitted for presentation to the detector  70  within the bottom member  12 .  
     [0063] Immediately after igniting the carbon monoxide emitting material  68 , the top member  56  is mated with the bottom member  12  to form a closure in a manner described herein above thus allowing a concentrated amount of carbon monoxide gas to flow from the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  to the carbon monoxide detector  70 . Depending upon the sampling time T s  for the carbon monoxide detector  70  to sample carbon monoxide emitted from the carbon monoxide emitting material  68 , a properly functioning carbon monoxide detector will signal an alarm upon sensing the carbon monoxide after a predetermined length of time, T s . If an alarm is signaled by the detector  70  after T s  time passes, then the carbon monoxide detector is functioning properly. If no alarm signals after T s  time passes, the carbon monoxide detector tester has properly performed its function by indicating that the carbon monoxide detector has failed to function properly. Upon completion of the test, the carbon monoxide detector may be removed.  
     [0064] If the tester includes the second storage compartment  48  having a lid  30 , then the lid  30  may be secured by the latch  32  to securely store the carbon monoxide emitting material  68  until the next test is performed.  
     [0065] It is to be appreciated from the preceding that there has been described herein a carbon monoxide detector tester having means for testing a carbon monoxide detector in a cost efficient and simple to use and expedient manner.