Emergency release burglar bars actuated by smoke alarm

The combination of burglar bar apparatus and a smoke detector alarm, comprising:

• a frame for surrounding a window or door opening in a building;
• a grate hingedly connected with said frame movable between a closed position over said opening and an open position away from said opening;
• releasable electronic lock means including an actuator connected with a retractable locking bar engageable between said frame and said grate to prevent hinged movement of said grate away from said opening in a locked condition and to allow hinged movement thereof away from said opening in an unlocked condition;
• signal receiver means operatively connected with said actuator to receive a wireless signal generated by a smoke detector alarm, and upon receipt thereof, said actuator moving said retractable locking bar to said unlocked condition, allowing said grate means to be swung open;
• and
• the smoke detector alarm having an electronic circuit with a relay connected with a wireless signal transmitter having an electronic unlock switch that is activated simultaneously upon detection of smoke and sounding of the alarm to send said wireless signal to said signal receiver means.

A method for allowing persons to escape a building having a security grate covering door or window openings of the building upon detection of smoke in the building, comprising the steps of:

• providing a hinged connection between the grate and a frame surrounding the window or door opening of the building whereby the grate is movable between a closed position over said opening and an open position away from said opening;
• providing releasable electronic lock means including signal receiver means operatively connected with an actuator connected with a retractable locking bar which is engageable between the frame and the grate to prevent hinged movement of the grate away from the opening in a locked condition and to allow hinged movement thereof away from the opening in an unlocked condition;
• and
• providing a smoke detector alarm with an electronic circuit with a relay connected with a wireless signal transmitter having an electronic unlock switch that is activated simultaneously upon detection of smoke and sounding of the alarm to send a wireless signal to said signal receiver means;
• wherein
• said signal receiver means receives a wireless signal generated by said smoke detector alarm, and upon receipt thereof, said actuator moves said retractable locking bar to said unlocked condition, allowing said grate to be swung open.