AU2011100994A4 - Hole cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for covering up holes, in particular holes in the ceiling structure of houses, offices, buildings and the like. The cover includes a plate-like element dimensioned to be larger than the hole to be concealed and a fastening mechanism configured to removably attach the plate like element to the ceiling structure. .1/+

Description

1 HOLE COVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for covering up holes, in 5 particular holes in the ceiling structures of houses, offices, buildings and the like. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is known to install various mechanical and electrical devices in the ceiling structures of houses, offices, buildings and the like, for example light fittings, fire detectors and fire sprinklers. 0 These devices typically require a small hole to be made in the ceiling to allow the electrical wires of the device to pass through the ceiling and connect to electrical cables within the roof cavity. The hole may also be used to insert clips and the like to fasten the device to a panel ceiling. Alternatively, the device may be screwed or bolted to the ceiling surface. 15 When an installed device needs replacing or needs to be removed altogether, the device is removed from the ceiling by unscrewing the screws or other fastening means. However, where the device is not being replaced in the same location on the ceiling, or where the replacement device is of smaller dimensions or a different shape to the original device, unsightly holes are left in ?0 the ceiling. In ceilings where a removable panel ceiling is used, for example suspended ceilings in offices and retail shops, unsightly holes in the damaged panels are "removed" by replacing the entire panel with a new panel. In buildings where permanent plasterboard or concrete ceilings are used, for example in 25 houses and apartments, the holes must be manually patched by fastening plasterboard sections to the ceiling, eg using plaster, sanding the patched section smooth, and then repainting the ceiling surface. Both of these methods are labour intensive and costly, especially where a large number of devices are being removed/replaced. 30 It is accordingly desirable to devise an improved way of concealing unsightly holes in a ceiling which is less costly and less time intensive.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly, the present invention provides a cover which can be simply and quickly removably fastened to the ceiling to conceal the hole. In one aspect, the invention provides a cover for concealing a hole in a 5 ceiling structure, the cover including: a plate-like element dimensioned to be larger than the hole to be concealed; and a fastening mechanism configured to removably attach the plate-like element to the ceiling structure. The plate-like element can be made of a plastic material or, if desired, out of sheet metal, preferably powder coated or otherwise coloured/painted to match 10 the ceiling colour. The fastening mechanism may include at least one butterfly spring clip secured to the plate-like element and configured to clip onto an interior surface of the ceiling structure surrounding the hole to hold the plate-like element in force locking abutment against the surface of ceiling. 15 In one form, the butterfly spring clip may be secured to the plate-like element by means of a removable fastener, for example a nut and bolt. In another form, the butterfly spring clip may be welded to the plate-like element. The present invention provides a cost and time saving way of concealing a hole in a ceiling. It does not require any physical change or work to be 20 undertaken to the ceiling itself, but rather is securely yet removably installed over the hole to maintain a neat and pleasing aesthetic look. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further features and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the accompanying description. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a cover according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the cover of figure 1; Figure 3 shows the cover of figure 1 in use, installed over a hole in a 30 ceiling; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 5a and 5b are side views of the cover of figure 4; and 3 Figure 6 shows the cover of figure 4 in use, installed over a hole in a ceiling. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figures 1 to 3 show a cover 10 including a plate-like element 12 and a 5 fastening mechanism 14. The plate-like element 12 consists of a circular plate formed of any suitable material such as plastic, steel or alloy. The thickness of the plate is preferably between 1mm to 3mm, and most preferably about 2mm to look aesthetically pleasing when in use on a ceiling while still having suitable strength and rigidity. 10 The diameter of the plate will be dependent upon the size of the hole to be covered. This will generally be only slightly larger than the size of the hole for optimum aesthetic appearance. The fastening mechanism 14 includes a butterfly spring clip 16 fastened to the plate-like element 12 by means of a nut and bolt arrangement. The butterfly 15 spring clip 16 is connected to a rectangular joining plate 18. A bolt 20 is inserted through a central hole formed in the plate-like element 12, and a washer 22 and nut 24 are then firmly screwed onto the bolt 20 to secure the fastening mechanism 14 to the plate-like element 12. The size of the clip 16 will depend upon the size of the hole to be covered and the size of the plate-like element 12. 20 The length of each wing of the clip 16 however needs generally to be larger than the hole. Figure 3 shows the cover 10 in use over a hole 26 in a ceiling 28. The outer ends of the butterfly spring clip 16 are forced upward, for example by the hands of an electrician who has removed the existing light fitting, to fit through the 25 hole 26 in the ceiling 28. The plate-like element 12 remains on the opposite side of the hole 26. Once the clip 16 is through the hole, the wings of the clip 16 spring downwards towards the plate-like element 12 and are stopped by the interior surface of the ceiling 28. The cover 10 is therefore securely held in place by the downwards force acting on the wings of the clip 16. 30 To remove or replace the cover 10, a person simply needs to insert an object, for example a finger or a screw driver, between the ceiling surface and the plate-like element 12 and apply a downwards force to cause the wings of the clip 16 to bend upwards and therefore-fit back through the hole 26.

4 Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a cover 100. The cover 100 includes a plate-like element 112 and a fastening mechanism 114. The plate-like element is of the same construction and specification as in the first embodiment, with the exception of the central hole which is not required. 5 The fastening mechanism 114 includes a two-piece butterfly spring clip 116 fastened to the plate-like element 112 by means of a welding arrangement. Each part of the butterfly spring clip 116 is connected to a rectangular joining plate 118. The joining plates 118 are then welded onto the surface of the plate like element 112 at a location suitable to the size of the hole to be covered. 10 Figure 5a shows one arrangement where the joining plates 118 are positioned relatively close together, while Figure 5b shows another arrangement where the joining plates 118 are positioned further apart to compensate for a larger hole. In use, the cover 110 is installed in the same way as that described in relation to the first embodiment. Figure 6 shows the cover 110 installed over 15 two different sized holes in a ceiling. It is preferred that the cover is coated in a suitably coloured paint, eg white, to match the colour of the ceiling. While the embodiments described above have used certain types of fastening mechanisms, a person skilled in the art will realise that there are many 20 other forms of fastening mechanisms which could be used in other embodiments and fall within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, while the plate-like elements have been illustrated with a circular shape, other shapes could be used depending upon the desire of the user and the shape of the hole, for example square or oval shaped. 25 Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this 30 specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

5 It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art could implement the present invention in different ways to the one described above, and variations may be produced without departing from its spirit and scope. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this 5 specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art, in any country, on or before the filing date of the patent application to which the present specification pertains.

Claims (5)

1. A cover for concealing a hole in a ceiling structure, the cover including: a plate-like element dimensioned to be larger than the hole to be concealed; and 5 a fastening mechanism configured to removably attach the plate-like element to the ceiling structure.

2. A cover according to claim 1 wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one butterfly spring clip secured to the plate-like element and configured to clip onto an interior surface of the ceiling structure surrounding the hole to hold 3 the plate-like element in force-locking abutment against the surface of ceiling.

3. A cover according to claim 2 wherein the butterfly spring clip is secured to the plate-like element by means of a removable fastener, preferably a nut and bolt.

4. A cover according to claim 2 wherein the butterfly spring clip is welded to 5 the plate-like element.

5. A cover for concealing a hole in a ceiling structure substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. ACCESS LIGHTING PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P33618AUP1