GB2143555A - Access panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure 12 in a ceiling may be suspended by means of four springs 13 from a light-fitting 11. The springs are engaged at or adjacent each corner of the closure so that access can be obtained to light-fitting 11 by gripping any side of the closure and pulling gently downwards. That pair of springs 13 which are adjacent either corner of the selected side, extend until their hooks 26 are clearly visible. The hooks can then be detached and the closure 12 pivots on the hooks 26 of the unextended pair of springs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Openable Closure This invention relates to openable closures and in particular, but not exclusively, to closures in suspended ceilings and the like.

The provision of access to the space above suspended ceilings hasalways presented a problem and this has been particularly true where access to light fittings has been required. Such light fittings are usually supported on the support grid of the suspended ceiling and the gap, within the grid, below the fitting is closed by a transparent lens or diffuser. Access is provided merely by resting the diffuser on the support flanges of the grid so that it can be lifted up and rotated into a position in which it can be withdrawn. Whilst this has the virtue of simplicity there is a considerable disadvantage in that the diffusers jump off their seating every time a door is opened or closed. They may also be subject to vibration due to adjacent air conditioning apparatus etc.

Other access systems involve the hinging of tiles and are really unsuitable for any frequent usage, because the tiles are of soft material and soon become damaged.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved closure for an aperture and in particular, but not exclusively, for an access to a space or plenum above the suspended ceiling.

From one aspect the invention consists in an openable closure for an aperture having a plurality of concealed extensible supports whereby the closure can be initially withdrawn from the aperture to allow release of a support or fixture for complete opening of the closure.

From another aspect the invention consists in an openabie closure for an aperture having a plurality of extensible supports for holding the closure in the aperture such that the closure can initially be opened by extending at least a pair of the supports and subsequently pivoted about an axis passing through a pair of supports.

In a preferred embodiment there are four supports, so that the pair of supports which are extended can be detached from the closure enabling it to pivot about the other pair.

If the closure is generally rectangular then it is preferred that there is a support at or adjacent each corner of the closure. Alternatively, if a single pair of supports is used, the supports may be movable relative to the aperture to allow pivoting adjacent an edge thereof.

The extensible supports are preferably resilient and may be springs. The springs may be provided with hooks at their lower ends which engage into a frame on the closure. In any of these cases the closure may include an open frame constructed to match the appearance of the grid of a suspended ceiling.

From another aspect the invention consists in a light fitting comprising a sheet reflector for supporting light sources and a housing for electrical control and/or power supply circuitry mounted on the rear of the reflector.

In a preferred embodiment the housing is formed to allow convection cooling of the circuitry and is made of a thicker material than the reflector. For example, the housing may have a thickness of 5 mm or more and the reflector may have a thickness of less than 5 mm. The reflector may be pre-coated on its front side and may have strengthening members secured to its rear.

Brackets may be provided for supporting the fitting on the grid framework and these brackets may include a pair of clips for engaging the framework, the clips being asymmetrically positioned so that the fitting can be mounted with like fittings in an end-to-end run.

From a further aspect the invention consists in a light fitting including an elongate sheet metal reflector and transverse strengthening elements mounted on its rear side adjacent or at its end.

The invention may also include a suspended ceiling including a closure as defined above, in which the closure may be mounted beneath a light fitting and comprise a frame and a diffuser, or other cover, secured to the frame. Alternatively, the closure may close an access to the ceiling space or plenum and in any event it may be mounted independently of the ceiling, for example on apparatus (such as a light fitting) mounted within the ceiling space.

The invention also includes a suspended ceiling incorporating a light fitting as defined above.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a specific embodiment will now be described, with modifications, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a view from below of a light fitting and anassociated cover or closure, with its diffuser removed; Figure 2 is an end view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view and end view of the reinforcing element of the light fitting of Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 4 to 6 show the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 in its closed, intermediate and fully open positions respectively.

Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly, generally indicated at 10, of a light fitting 11 and a closure 1 2,which is suspended from the light fitting by means of four springs, two of which are indicated at 1 3 in Figure 2.

The light fitting 11 is constructed from a number of elements, each of which can be made of the most appropriate and economical material. Thus it comprises a pressed sheet metal precoated reflector 14, light elements 15, transverse strengthening members 16, a galvanised control gear housing 1 7 and control gear 18.

The control gear housing 1 7 is mounted on the back of the reflector 1 4 and is open at its ends. Access is provided through an aperture 1 9 in the face of the reflector 14, which can be closed by a panel 20. The strengthening member 1 6 extends across the width of the reflector 14 adjacent either end. The light fitting 11 may either be suspended from the strengthening members or supported on the grid of the suspended ceiling by end brackets 21. These brackets have asymmetrically positioned clips 22 for engaging over the webs of the suspended ceiling grid.

As has been mentioned above the modular construction of the light fitting enables efficient and economical construction. Thus the additional strength provided by the strengthening members, not only overcomes the problems of flexibility which occurs with existing fittings, but also enables the reflector to be made of very thin material saving considerable expense.The location of the housing 1 7 on the rear of the reflector, as opposed to on the front as in existing fittings, not only enables cheap galvanised metal to be used, but even more importantly, removes the temperamental sensitive control gear from the direct heating of the light element and,in addition, allows it to be cooled by air flowing through the housing 1 7. The asymmetric position of the clips 22 allows light fittings of this type to be arranged in end-to-end runs in suspended ceiling systems.

The closure 12 comprises a square open frame 23, which has a main body portion 24 dimensioned to fit within a tile aperture in a suspended ceiling and a transverse flange 25 which can be dimensioned to match the exposed grid of the suspended ceiling.

The closure 12 is suspended from the strengthened member 1 6 by means of springs 1 3 which attach adjacent each corner of the body portion 24, by means of hooks 26 locating in apertures not shown). A lens, diffuser or other cover can seat on the inner portion of flange 25, within the body portion 24, and is held there by tongues 27 pressed through the walls of body portion 24.

In use,the springs 1 3 hold the closure 1 2 within a grid aperture 28,as can be best seen in Figure 4. When it is desired to obtain access to the light fitting 11 or the plenum above the ceiling 29 the flange 25 can be gripped by any of its sides and pulled gently downwards into the position shown in Figure 5. During this operation that pair of springs 1 3 which are located adjacent either corner of the selected side extend until the hooks 26 are clearly visible. These hooks can then be detached from apertures 25 and the closure 1 2 pivoted into the position shown in Figure 6. It will be seen that the hooks 26 on the unextended pair of springs 1 3 act as hinges for this pivoting movement.It will further be understood that this sequence of operations can be utilised whichever side of the closure 1 2 is first lowered.

Thus complete access through the ceiling aperture 28 is readily provided without having to in any way disturb the suspended ceiling grid 30 or the tiles 31. Indeed, in the arrangement shown in Figures 4 to 6, wherein the light fitting is suspended from the true ceiling,or other structural element, by means of hanging wires 32, the closure is held in the ceiling but is completely independent of it.

Although being particularly suitable for use in connection with light fittings, because it enables the diffuser to be locked to the frame.

the closure 1 2 can be used in any location in a ceiling. where there is provision for suspending the springs 13. Indeed, in this connection, support bars, mountable on the grid by means of brackets of the type indicated at 21 may be provided.

It is envisaged that closures will be supplied with a demountable tool which will enable the user to reach up and catch the contracted released springs 1 3 by the hooks 26 to reengage them to the frame 23. When this is done the springs will draw the closure 1 2 back into the aperture 28 and will ensure that it is correctly seated therein.

Although the use of springs is preferred, particularly because of their self correcting characteristics just mentioned, any disengagable extensible support may be used in their stead, for example, telescopically-extendable friction elements may be used. Indeed, these may be particularly suitable if it is desired to use the closure in a non-horizontal position, for example for providing access within a wall, such as a partition wall.

Although in most uses four extensible elements or springs 1 3 are sufficient, more may be required if big closures are needed. In such an instance it may be necessary to detach more than a pair of supports. In such arrangements, by selecting different combinations of supports to be detached, a number of pivoting axes can be achieved so that the most suitable can be selected if there is restricted space in which the closure may pivot. It is also possible to utilise only two supports, although in that case the closure cannot necessarily be opened from any side. If a pair of central supports is used and it is desired to pivot the closure about the edge of the aperture then means may be provided for sliding the supports relative to the aperture.

Claims (28)

1. An openable closure for an aperture having a plurality of concealed extensible supports whereby the closure can be initially withdrawn from the aperture to allow release of a support or fixture for complete opening of the closure.

2. An openable closure for an aperture having a plurality of extensible supports for suspending the closure in the aperture such that the closure can be opened initially by extending at least a pair of the supports and subsequently pivoted about an axis passing through a pair of supports.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2, comprising four supports wherein the pair of supports which are extended can be detached from the closure to enable it to pivot about the other pair.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the closure is generally rectangular and there is a support at or adjacent each corner of the closure.

5. A closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the supports can be moved relative to the aperture for pivoting.

6. A closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the supports are resilient.

7. A closure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the supportsare springs.

8. A closure for an aperture including four resilient extensible supports for holding the closure in the aperture.

9. An openable closure for an aperture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying,drawings.

10. A light fitting comprising a sheet reflector for supporting light sources and a housing for electrical control and/or power supply circuitry mounted on the rear of the reflector.

11. A light fitting as claimed in claim 10, wherein the housing is formed to allow convection cooling of the circuitry.

1 2. A light fitting as claimed in claim 11, wherein the housing is formed of a thicker material than the reflector.

1 3. A fitting as claimed in claim 12, wherein the housing has a thickness of 5 mm or more and the reflector has a thickness of less than 5 mm.

1 4. A fitting as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the reflector is precoated on its front side.

1 5. A fitting as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 1 4, further comprising strengthening members secured to the rear of the reflector.

16. A fitting as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 1 5 further comprising brackets for supporting the fitting on a grid framework.

1 7. A fitting as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bracket includes a pair of clips for engaging the framework, the clips being asymmetrically positioned so that the fitting can be mounted with like fittings in an end-to-end run.

1 8. A light fitting including an elongate sheet metal reflector and transverse strengthening elements mounted on its rear side adjacent or at its ends.

19. A light fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A suspended ceiling including a closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

21. A ceiling as claimed in claim 20, wherein the closure is mounted beneath a light fitting and the closure comprises a frame and a diffuser, or other covering, secured to the frame.

22. A ceiling as claimed in claim 20, wherein the closure closes an access to the ceiling space.

23. A ceiling as claimed in claim 22, wherein the closure is mounted independently of the ceiling.

24. A ceiling as claimed in claim 23, wherein the closure is mounted on apparatus or a fitting within the ceiling space.

25. A ceiling as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24, incorporating a light fitting as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 1 9.

26. A suspended ceiling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. An assembly of a light fitting as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 19, and a closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

28. An assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the closure is suspended from the light fitting by the extensible supports.