Patent Abstract:
A kit is provided that provides for remotely locating a smoke detector battery from a surface mounted smoke detector of the type that comprises an internal two wire battery connector. The kit comprises a first connector arranged to mate with the internal two-wire battery connector. The kit also includes a length of surface mountable tape wire comprising at least two, flat, thin, flexible, elongate conductors carried by an insulating tape. A second connector is configured to connect the first pair of electrical wire conductors to the two elongate conductors. A container is provided for containing a smoke detector battery. The container comprises a pair of contacts for electrically connecting to a smoked detector battery. A third connector is provided to connect the container contacts to the elongate conductors. The container is mountable at a location on a wall surface to provide convenient access to the battery.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to smoke detectors, in general, and to smoke detectors that utilize either battery power or back-up battery power, in particular. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The importance and safety provided by residential and commercial smoke detectors is well known. Building codes typically mandate that smoke detectors be provided in residential and commercial structures. 
     Most state and local laws regarding the required number and placement of smoke detectors are based upon standards established in NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The NFPA code requires smoke detectors on every habitable level and within the vicinity of all bedrooms. 
     Typically local building and fire codes require that smoke detectors be located high on walls or in many instances on the ceiling of the room in which the smoke detector is located. 
     Most residential smoke detectors run on 9-volt alkaline or carbon-zinc batteries. When these batteries run down, the smoke detector becomes inactive. Most smoke detectors will signal a low-battery condition. The alarm may chirp at intervals if the battery is low, though if there is more than one unit within earshot, it can be hard to locate. It is common, however, for houses to have smoke detectors with dead batteries. Because of the difficulty in replacing smoke detector batteries it is well known that many smoke alarms may have dead or removed batteries. 
     In new construction, minimum requirements are typically more stringent. All smoke detectors must be hooked directly to the electrical wiring, be interconnected and have a battery backup. In addition, smoke detectors are required either inside or outside every bedroom, depending on local codes. Some areas also require smoke detectors in stairways, main hallways and garages. 
     Even though smoke detectors are hooked up to electrical wiring, each such smoke detector includes a back-up smoke detector battery that can operate the detector in the event of a power outage. The back-up smoke detector battery is also most commonly a 9-volt battery having snap type battery terminals. 
     Because smoke detector batteries have a limited life, they must be periodically replaced. 
     A significant issue with smoke detectors is the inconvenience or difficulty involved in replacing the smoke detector battery. Because the smoke detector is located high on the wall or on the ceiling in a room, frequently a ladder must be used to perform the simple task of replacing the battery. 
     Still further, the smoke detector must be partially disassembled, the battery connector must be unsnapped from the battery snap terminals, a new battery snapped to the battery connector, and the smoke detector reassembled. 
     Although the process of replacing a battery is not complex, it typically is done while standing on a ladder. If the ladder is not tall enough, the person replacing the battery may perform the task at some risk. 
     Many people do not have a ladder, or the ladder is not tall enough to safely perform the task, or in the case of some senior citizens or those with physical infirmities or those who do not like to climb a ladder it is difficult, if not impossible to access the smoke detector to replace the battery. 
     Millions of smoke detectors have been sold and installed, and it is desirable to provide for easier replacement of smoke detector batteries and back-up smoke detector batteries. 
     Prior attempts to provide for remote smoke detector battery have required running wire above ceilings and/or within wall cavities to electrical utility boxes that are mounted like conventional electrical boxes extending into the wall stud cavity. 
     It is highly desirable to provide a kit for the remote locating of a smoke detector battery that does not require running wires in a ceiling or wall cavity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a kit is provided that provides for remotely locating a smoke detector battery from a surface mounted smoke detector of the type that comprises an internal two wire battery connector. The kit comprises a first connector arranged to mate with the internal two-wire battery connector. The first connector has a first pair of first electrical wire conductors extending there from. The kit also includes a length of surface mountable tape wire comprising at least two, flat, thin, flexible, elongate conductors carried by an insulating tape. One surface of the tape carries an adhesive layer or material bonded to the insulating tape. The cross-sectional area of the tape wire is such that the tape wire will be relatively inconspicuous when applied to a ceiling and/or wall. The tape wire is mountable to a flat surface or to adjacent flat surfaces such that said flat electrical conductors are mountable onto an interior wall surface, said wall surface being one of the same wall surface upon which said smoke detector is surface mounted or a wall surface adjacent to the surface upon which said smoke detector is surface mounted. A second connector is configured to connect the first pair of electrical wire conductors to the two elongate conductors. A container is provided for containing a smoke detector battery. The container comprises a pair of contacts for electrically connecting to a smoked detector battery. A third connector is provided to connect the container contacts to the elongate conductors. The container is mountable at a location on a wall surface to provide convenient access to the battery. The tape wire is trimmable such that the length between the first connector and third connector and container is selectably customizable. 
     In an embodiment a remote locatable smoke detector battery container can advantageously provide 9-volt battery voltage to a smoke detector. The 9 volts can be provided by using a 9-volt battery, or 6 AAA batteries, or 6 AA batteries, or a combination of a total of 6 AA and AAA batteries. 
     An embodiment of a smoke detector battery container comprises a first battery receptacle for receiving a 9-volt smoke detector battery and a first pair of contacts for establishing electrical connection to a 9-volt battery inserted into the first battery receptacle. The container also includes six pairs of second battery receptacles; each pair comprises a pair of second contacts. Each of the second receptacles is sized to receive one of an AA battery or an AAA battery. The container further includes first wiring connected to the first pair of contacts and second wiring connected to the second contacts of the six pairs of second receptacles. The second wiring is arranged such that when six batteries are inserted into the six pairs of second receptacles, said six batteries are connected in series. A connector has electrical connections to the first wiring and to the second wiring and has outputs coupleable to a smoke detector. The first battery receptacle and the pairs of second battery receptacles arranged such that when a 9 volt battery is received in the first battery receptacle, the first battery will prevent at least one battery from being received in one of the second battery receptacles. 
     In at least one embodiment, a smoke detector battery container also includes six pairs of third battery receptacles sized to receive AA batteries and the six pairs of second battery receptacles are sized to receive AAA batteries. The first battery receptacle is arranged relative to at least one of the second battery receptacles and said at least one of the third battery receptacles such that when a 9 volt battery is received in the first battery receptacle no AAA battery can be inserted into the at least one second battery receptacle and no AA battery can be inserted into the at least one third battery receptacle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the attached drawing figures in which like reference designators are used to identify like elements, and in which the various elements are not drawn to scale and are intended to only be representative of the various elements and are not intended to provide any physical constraints to the invention, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates smoke detector installation; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative cross-section of a tape wire; 
         FIG. 5  a view of a smoke detector battery container with cover removed; 
         FIG. 6 , which is found on the same drawing sheet as  FIG. 4 , is a cross-section of a portion of the container of  FIG. 5  along lines  5 - 5 ; 
         FIG. 7 , which is found on the same drawing sheet as  FIG. 4 , is a top view of a connector; 
         FIG. 8 , which is found on the same drawing sheet as  FIG. 4 , is an end view of the connector of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates wiring connections for the container of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a typical representative smoke detector installation  1  to which a kit in accordance with the principles of the invention advantageously applies. 
     Installation  1  includes a conventional smoke detector  101  mounted near the top of a wall of  100  on surface  11 . Smoke detector  101  includes a battery compartment  101   a , which is adapted to receive a smoke detector battery, e.g., a 9-volt battery. Battery compartment  101   a  includes a connector having conventional snap terminals for connection to a 9-volt battery. In accordance with the principles of the invention, a 9-volt battery is not inserted into battery compartment  101   a.    
     A kit  103  is provided to locate the smoke detector battery at a remote location that provides for more convenient access for battery replacement. Kit  103  comprises a first connector  201  shown more clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a second connector  203 , tape wire  205  and a smoke detector battery container  207  that is remotely located at a convenient height. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , second connector  203  makes a connection from a two-conductor tape wire to a pair of conductors  209  that terminate at first connector  201 . First connector  201  includes a pair of snap connectors  211 ,  213  that are selected to mate with the snap connectors or smoke detector battery connectors contained in smoke detector  101  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Second connector  203  establishes a conductive paths between a pair of elongate, flat conductors  205   a ,  205   b  of tape wire  205  and round wire conductors  209  that are connected to first connector  201 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , second connector  203  makes a connection from a two-conductor tape wire to a pair of conductors  209  that terminate at first connector  201 . First connector  201  includes a pair of snap connectors  211 ,  213  that are selected to mate with the snap connectors or smoke detector battery connectors contained in smoke detector  101  in  FIG. 1 . In addition, a dummy battery body  301  is provided. In many smoke detectors, a switch is provided in battery compartment  101   a  to detect the absence of a smoke detector battery. By providing dummy battery body, smoke detector  101  operates as if the smoke detector battery is in place. 
     Connector  203  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As clearly shown in  FIG. 8 . connector  203  includes an aperture  203   a  into which tape wire  205  extends. Connector  203  provides a connection between tape wire  205  and conductors  209 . 
     Advantageously, connector  203  includes an adhesive layer  203   b  on its bottom surface. By providing adhesive layer  203   b , connector  203  may easily be affixed to surface  11  of wall  1 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4  tape wire  205  is shown in cross-section. Tape wire  205  comprises the two conductors  205   a ,  205   b  that are typically metallic foil such as copper. Conductors  205   a ,  205   b  are carried by a thin insulating top layer  205   c  which may, for example, be a material such as Mylar. Typically conductors  205   a ,  205   b , are covered on the bottom side by another insulating layer, again which may, for example, be Mylar. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the bottom surface tape wire  205  is covered by an adhesive layer  205   e  that is provided with a removable layer  205   f . By peeling layer  205   f  off adhesive layer  205   e , tape wire  205  may be easily affixed to surface  11  of a wall  1  or a ceiling. 
     In other embodiments adhesive layer  205   e  and removable layer  205   f  are not provided, but rather a spray adhesive may be applied to either the bottom surface of tape wire  205  or to the surface to which tape wire  205  is to be affixed. 
     Tape wire  205  is constructed to have a cross-sectional thickness such that the tape wire will blend in with the surface to which it is affixed when painted or after wallpaper is applied or tape and joint compound is applied. 
     The two conductors  205   a ,  205   b  are generally on the order of about 0.002 inches thick, but may range from about 0.0004 to 0.20 inches. It is understood that the various dimensions described herein may vary considerably within the practice of the invention. 
     Insulating layer  205   c  can be composed of materials selected from the group consisting of polyester films (e.g., Mylar), urethane films or other insulating films. The adhesive material used for adhesive layer  205   e  can be an adhesive tape, liquid adhesive, or a combination of the two. 
     Tape wire  205  is a surface mounted, flat, flexible plurality of elongate conductors. Tape wire  205  may be of any convenient length. 
     In kit  103 , tape wire  205  is provided as a predetermined fixed length that may be cut to a desired length. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5 , and  6  one embodiment of smoke detector battery container  207  is shown. The cover of container  207  is not shown, however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various configurations of a cover may be utilized. Container  207  comprises sidewalls  503  and bottom wall  505 . The outer surface of bottom wall  505  carries an adhesive layer  507 . Adhesive layer  507  can be an adhesive tape, liquid adhesive or a combination of both. Adhesive layer  507  is covered by a removable layer  509 . By removing layer  509 , adhesive layer  507  is exposed and container  207  may be affixed to a wall surface at a convenient location as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Smoke detector battery container  207 , includes a third connector  501  and a 9-volt battery holder  511 . 9-volt battery holder  511  carries a fourth connector  513  that carries snap connectors  515 . Electrical connections are provided from snap connectors  515  to third connector  501 . Third connector  501  provides electrical connection between snap connectors  515  and conductors  205   a ,  205   b  tape wire  205 . Third connector  501  is constructed similar to second connector  203 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , battery container  207  also includes six pairs of AAA battery holders  517 ,  519 ,  521 ,  523 ,  525 ,  527  each having battery contacts  517   a ,  519   a ,  521   a ,  523   a ,  525   a ,  527   a.    
     A printed wiring board  531  is provided in smoke detector battery container  207 .  FIG. 9  illustrates conductive paths  901 ,  903  that connect 9-volt battery snap connectors  515  to third connector  501 . In addition conductive paths  905 ,  907 ,  909 ,  911 ,  913 ,  915 ,  917  are provided to serially connect AAA batteries retained in AAA battery holders  517 ,  519 ,  521 ,  523 ,  525 ,  527  and to connect the serially connected AAA batteries in parallel with conductors  901 ,  903 . 
     Conductive paths  901 ,  903 ,  905 ,  907 ,  909 ,  911 ,  9013 ,  915 ,  917  are carried on a printed circuit board  506  positioned in the bottom of smoke battery container  207 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that conductive paths  901 ,  903 ,  905 ,  907 ,  909 ,  911 ,  9013 ,  915 ,  917  may be provided by direct wiring or printed circuit or any combination of the two. 
     When a 9 volt battery, shown in phantom as battery  535 , is inserted into battery holder  511 , it is not possible to insert an AAA battery into holders  517 ,  519 . When a 9-volt battery  535  is not inserted into battery holder  511 , AAA batteries may be inserted into each of the AAA battery holders  517 ,  519 ,  521 ,  523 ,  525 ,  527 . The serially connected batteries provide a 9-volt output to third connector  501 . 
     Battery container  207  also includes six pairs of AA battery holders  547 ,  549 ,  551 ,  553 ,  555 ,  557  each having battery contacts  557   a ,  559   a ,  551   a ,  553   a ,  555   a ,  557   a . AA battery holder  547  is positioned adjacent to and along side AAA battery holder  517 , and its battery contacts  547   a  are connected in parallel with battery contacts  517   a  by conductive paths  905 ,  907 . AA battery holder  549  is positioned adjacent to AAA battery holder  519 , and its battery contacts  549   a  are connected in parallel with battery contacts  519   a  by conductive path  907 ,  909 . AA battery holder  551  is positioned adjacent to AAA battery holder  521 , and its battery contacts  551   a  are connected in parallel with battery contacts  521   a  by conductive path  909 ,  911 . AA battery holder  553  is positioned adjacent to AAA battery holder  523 , and its battery contacts  553   a  are connected in parallel with battery contacts  523   a  by conductive path  911 ,  913 . AA battery holder  555  is positioned adjacent to AAA battery holder  525 , and its battery contacts  555   a  are connected in parallel with battery contacts  525   a  by conductive path  913 ,  915 . AA battery holder  557  is positioned adjacent to AAA battery holder  527 , and its battery contacts  557   a  are connected in parallel with battery contacts  527   a  by conductive path  915 ,  917 . 
     AA battery holder  547  is positioned to the side of AAA battery holder  517  and above battery holder  511 . When a 9-volt battery, shown in phantom as battery  535 , is inserted into battery holder  511 , it is not possible to insert an AA battery into holder  547 , nor is it possible to insert an AAA battery into holder  517 . When a 9-volt battery  535  is not inserted into battery holder  511 , an AA battery may be inserted into battery holder  547  and or to connect an AAA battery into battery holder  517 . The serially connected batteries provide a 9-volt output to third connector  501 . 
     One feature of the embodiment is that the AAA battery holders  519 ,  521 ,  523 ,  525 ,  527  are positioned relative to AA battery holders  549 ,  551 ,  553 ,  555 ,  557  such that if an AAA battery is inserted into any one of the AAA battery holders  519 ,  521 ,  523 ,  525 ,  527 , an AA battery cannot be inserted into the corresponding one of the AA battery holders  549 ,  551 ,  553 ,  555 ,  557 . 
     With the structure described above, remote locatable smoke detector battery container  207  can advantageously provide 9-volt battery voltage to a smoke detector  101 . The 9 volts can be provided by using a 9 volt battery, or 6 AAA batteries, or 6 AA batteries, or a combination of a total of 6 AA and AAA batteries that. In the event that a 9 volt battery is inserted into the smoke detector battery container  207 , it is not possible to utilize any AA or AAA batteries to provide voltage to smoke detector  101 . 
     Because AA and AAA batteries have more energy capacity than a 9-volt battery, it is entirely likely that the batteries will not have to be replaced as often as a 9-volt battery. In addition, by allowing use of 9 volt, AA and AAA batteries, in a convenient location, it is more likely that there will be batteries available to provide power to a smoke detector. 
     The invention has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrative embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention include all such changes and modifications. It is also intended that the invention not be limited to the illustrative embodiments shown and described. It is intended that the invention be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6