EP1953719A2

EP1953719A2 - Acoustic and/or visual warning apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1953719A2
Application number: EP08101002A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raffaele Bassetti
Original assignee: STS Elettronica SpA
Current assignee: STS Elettronica SpA
Priority date: 2007-02-02
Filing date: 2008-01-28
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Also published as: ITMI20070182A1; EP1953719A3

Abstract

Visual and/or acoustic warning apparatus, comprising a bracket (3) for fixing to a wall on which the apparatus must be positioned, provided with a first electric connector (33) for a power supply cable of the apparatus, and a box-shaped body (2) of the apparatus, inside of which the electric and/or electronic circuits are arranged suitable for controlling illumination means and/or acoustic means, having a second electric connector (23) able to be associated with such a first electric connector of the bracket so as to ensure the electrical activation and control of the apparatus.

Description

The present invention refers to a visual and/or acoustic warning apparatus. In particular, the visual and/or acoustic warning apparatus according to the present invention is of the kind used for alarms (antitheft alarm systems, fire alarms, gas and general danger alarms) and is able to be fastened to a wall, such as for example the outer wall of a building and connected by cable to a control unit that also provides the source of electrical energy for its operation.
Visual and/or acoustic warning apparatuses are known, normally positioned on walls in closed environments such as sheds, spaces used for offices, hotels, warehouses etc..., suitable for signaling intruder alarms, fire alarms, gas and evacuation alarms. Such apparatuses are normally consist of a box shaped case inside of which there are a light source and/or a sound source and a rechargeable battery that provides for the power supply in case the cables are cut or interrupted.
The devices are connected and powered through a dedicated power supplying electrical line (of low voltage or network voltage) that runs through cable troughs, pipes etc. foreseen along the walls on which the apparatuses are positioned.
The positioning onto the walls typically takes place through screws or equivalent means that directly fasten the box-shaped case onto the wall, typically a few metres from the ground.
In this way, every time it is necessary to access the apparatus, for example to change a part, for example a light bulb, an acoustic signal or a battery, it is necessary to remove the whole apparatus from the wall or from the general surface. This means that it is opened and the screws or the equivalent means are removed every time. Such an operation, if repeated many times, could damage such fastening means and make it necessary to use other ones and it should be noted that such an operation is carried out by the installer under critical conditions (for example on top of a ladder several metres from the ground). Moreover, the electric cable terminals that connect the apparatus to the control unit should always be disconnected in order to allow it to be removed from the wall. In this case, a safety procedure must also be considered that makes it possible to distinguish the correct electrical disconnection procedure of the apparatus from a possible attempted break in to make the alarm system inoperational.
The Applicant has tackled the problem of making means and solutions for fastening to the wall, that make both the installation and possible removal for maintenance of the apparatus easy and reliable.
The Applicant has made an acoustic and/or visual warning apparatus comprising a bracket for fixing to a wall on which the apparatus must be positioned, provided with a first electric connector for a cable for supplying power and controlling the apparatus, on such a bracket being removably fixed the box-shaped body of the apparatus, inside which the electric and/or electronic circuits suitable for controlling illumination means and/or acoustic means are arranged, having a second electric connector able to be associated with such a first electric connector of the bracket so as to ensure the electric and control activation by the control centre of the apparatus.
One aspect of the present invention concerns an apparatus as claimed in the attached claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the apparatus according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, refering to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the bracket for fixing to a wall according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body of the apparatus and of its cover;
Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus with the siren group made up of the box-shaped body and the cover assembled in advance fastened to the bracket in a partially open position.

With reference to the aforementioned figures the visual and/or acoustic warning apparatus comprises a box-shaped body 2 (also known as the base), provided with a suitable cover 4, inside of which the electric and/or electronic circuits are arranged suitable for controlling illumination means and/or acoustic means and a bracket 3 for fixing or fastening to the wall to which the box-shaped body and cover group is removably fixed.
Such a bracket preferably comprises, on respective peripheral portions, holes 31 suitable for fastening the bracket to a wall through conventional screws or equivalent means.
Said bracket allows the cable 32 for supplying power and transporting electrical signals towards the apparatus to reach it externally (in the case of visible placement) or from the underlying wall (hidden/built in placement). Such a cable is advantageously connected to a first electric connector 33. Such a connector is arranged in a housing 34 positioned in a substantially central position in the lower portion of the bracket.
The box-shaped body 2 can typically comprise electrical circuits for supplying power and/or commanding acoustic means (for example a siren 21) and illumination means 22 and autonomous power supply means (for example a battery 24) and also comprises a second connector 23 having characteristics and arranged in a position such as to be able to couple with the first connector of the bracket when the box-shaped body is fastened and in a closed position on the bracket itself.
Such a second connector has the electrical cables that transmit the signals to the aforementioned electrical and/or electronic circuits to the siren fastened to it, or the connector can be fastened/equipped directly onto the printed circuit board (PCB).
Preferably, at the upper end of the bracket and in the box-shaped body in a corresponding position there are fastening means that allow the box-shaped body to be removably fastened to the bracket.
In particular, such fastening means comprise a pair of hooks 35, preferably semicircular shaped, on which slots 25 formed on the box-shaped body are fastened. The coupling between hooks and slots allows the box-shaped body to rotate with respect to the bracket so that it can be lifted, even only partially, making it fast and easy to intervene on the apparatus.
Such hooks and slots 35 and 25 also perform the function of self-centring the box-shaped body with the wall support/bracket.
Such fastening means also comprise a screw 26 on the lower end of the box-shaped body that couples with a corresponding seat 36 formed on the bracket so as to lock the aforementioned rotation of the box-shaped body in closed position.

Claims

Visual and/or acoustic warning apparatus,
characterised in that it comprises
- a bracket (3) for fixing to a wall on which the apparatus must be positioned, provided with a first electric connector (33) for a power supply cable of the apparatus,

- a box-shaped body (2) of the apparatus, inside which the electric and/or electronic circuits are arranged suitable for controlling illumination means and/or acoustic means, having a second electric connector (23) able to be associated with such a first electric connector of the bracket so as to ensure the electric activation and control of the apparatus,

- fixing means arranged at the upper end of the bracket and in the box-shaped body in a corresponding position, which allow the box-shaped body to be removably fixed to the bracket.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein such fixing means comprise a pair of hooks (35), on which slots (25) formed on the box-shaped body are fastened.
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein such hooks are semicircular shaped so that the coupling between hooks and slots allows the box-shaped body to rotate with respect to the bracket making it easier for the box-shaped body to self-centre with the bracket and with the coupling of the connectors 33 and 26.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein such fixing means comprise, on the lower portion of the box-shaped body, a safety/fastening screw (26) that couples with a corresponding seat (36) formed on the bracket.