Emergency condition and door ajar alarm for appliances

Abstract

A combination of a freezer/refrigerator appliance door ajar alarm indicating system with an appliance occupant emergency condition indicating system in a single unit utilizes two visual indicator means, one for each of the emergency conditions, and an audio alarm means with two tone operation, one for each of the emergency conditions indicated. The alarm system incorporates a first light indicator means in conjunction with a first audio alarm means that is triggered in response to a door ajar condition switch is being activated for longer than a preset period of time. The time period before the alarm is triggered may be adjusted by means of timer circuitry. The alarm system also incorporates a manually operated switch installed on the interior of the appliance that allows an occupant of the appliance to indicate to those on the outside the existence of an emergency condition that requires assistance. The occupant emergency alarm system also incorporates a visual indicator means comprising a second light attached near, but distinctive to the visual alarm indicator for the door ajar system. The occupant emergency alarm system also incorporates a trigger to the audio circuitry that initiates an audible alarm signal of a characteristic distinctive of that initiated for the door ajar system.