Improperly inserted battery detector
AssigneePittway Corporation
InventorRonald Sisselman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A deflectable battery retaining member in a battery powered unit blocks the improper insertion of a battery into the unit. Further, the same member in the absence of a battery inhibits engagement of the cover of the unit thereto providing a visual indicator of the missing battery.
Claims21
A surface mountable electrical unit powered at least in part by a battery comprising a surface mountable base with the battery carriable thereon, a moveable cover closable against said base, and
- an essentially rigid member carried on said cover, oriented to block closure thereof against said base if the battery is not properly positioned in and electrically coupled to the unit.
An electrical unit powered at least in part by a battery comprising a base with the battery carriable thereon, a moveable cover closable against said base, and
- an essentially rigid member carried on said cover, oriented to block closure thereof against said base if the battery is not properly positioned in and electrically coupled to the unit;
- and
- a deflectable battery retaining member attached at a first end to said base with a second end movable between a battery missing location and a battery properly positioned location in response to the presence of the battery.
An electrical unit powerable by a battery with a body portion having connectors extending from an end thereof comprising:
- a base;
- a battery terminal carried fixedly on said base;
- and
- a member carried on said base deflectable in response to the presence of a battery and spaced from said terminal thereby forming a battery receiving region therebetween sized only for the battery body.
An electrical unit, powered at least in part by a battery, comprising:
- a base;
- a cover closable against the base;
- a battery connector carried on said base;
- and
- a rigid member attached to the cover for blocking closure of the cover against the base in the presence of a battery not properly coupled to said connector.
An electrical unit, powered at least in part by a battery, comprising:
- a base;
- a cover closable against the base;
- a battery connector carried on said base;
- and
- means for blocking closure of the cover against the base in the presence of a battery not properly coupled to said connector.
An electrical unit, powered at least in part by a battery with an elongated body, comprising:
- a base;
- a cover closable against the base;
- a battery connector carried on said base;
- a deflectable battery retaining member displaced from said connector and attached at a first end to said base with a second end thereof displaced in response to the presence of the elongated battery body between said member and said connector;
- and
- a rigid member, attached to said cover for engaging said second end in the absence of a battery and for not engaging same in the presence of a battery properly coupled to said connector.
A surface mountable electrical unit with an openable cover, the unit powered at least in part by a battery receivable within a region thereof, comprising:
- a planar base member positionable adjacent to the surface including means for holding said base member to the surface;
- a structure for locking said cover to the unit;
- means for sensing the presence of an improperly inserted battery;
- and
- means for inhibiting said locking function in response to a sensed improperly inserted battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.