GB2348534A

GB2348534A - Sounder device

Info

Publication number: GB2348534A
Application number: GB9907230A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Kenneth Peter Stockwell; Billy Desmond Blakeman
Original assignee: CRANFORD CONTROLS Ltd
Current assignee: CRANFORD CONTROLS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-29
Filing date: 1999-03-29
Publication date: 2000-10-04
Also published as: GB9907230D0

Abstract

A sounder device, more especially for bedhead use, comprises a mounting plate (4) of the so-called pattress-style adapted for attachment to an electrical mounting box, an aperture (5) in the mounting plate, an electrically actuatable sound generator (2) mounted to the rear of the plate (4) and a reflector element (6) mounted to the front of the plate (4) in front of the aperture (5) and defining an opening (11) between the reflector element (6) and the plate (4). In use, sound from the sound generator (2) is directed through the aperture (5), is reflected from the rear face(13) of the reflector (6) and is then again reflected by the front face (7) of the plate (4) so that it issues outwardly through the opening (11). Such an arrangement provides for more effective sound emission than an arrangement with simple apertures in a mounting plate.

Description

Sonder Device The present invention relates to a sounder device particularly, although not exclusively, for use with a fire detection system.

It is well known to use bells, sirens and other acoustic devices as warning devices coupled to a fire detection system. In the particular case of buildings such as hotels for example, is often necessary, or indeed a requirement that warning devices be located in bedrooms in addition to common areas such as corridors.

In an effort to reduce the visual obtrusiveness of the warning device which can detract significantly from the decor of a hotel bedroom, it is now common to use a relatively small sounder device positioned in proximity to the bed to act as a warning device. This is necessary not only to ensure that an occupant of the room who is asleep is woken by the sounder but also because of the relatively low sound output of such devices.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sounder of significantly increased sound output and which furthermore has minimal visual impact.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sounder for bedhead use, comprising an apertured pattress- style mounting plate, an electrically operated noise generator located behind the aperture and a reflector element located in front of the aperture, the arrangement being such that, in use, sound energy exits through the aperture and is reflected by the element and thereby directed onto the plate where it is reflected so as to project outwardly therefrom.

Preferably, a single aperture is provided at the centre of the plate. It is has been found that a single substantially circular aperture provides good results although other configurations including multiple apertures could be used. Advantageously, the plate is sized to fit a conventional electrical mounting box in which case it may be provided with suitable fixing holes or other mounting means and may be square or rectangular in shape.

Preferably, the reflector element incorporates a concave surface facing said aperture. Conveniently, the element has an annular concave surface although other surface profiles may be employed particularly where multiple or non-circular apertures are formed in the plate.

In order to aid in understanding the invention an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sounder according to the invention ; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view on line II-II of the sounder of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional fragmentary view of a reflector element of the sounder of Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 is front view of the sounder of Figure 1 with the reflector element of Figure 3 omitted for clarity.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a pattress style bedhead sounder 1, for installation on a conventional electrical mounting box (not shown). The sounder 1, includes an electrically operated noise generator 2 which is mounted on a rear face 3 of a plastics material square plate 4. The plate 4 is moulded with a pair of spaced apart fixing holes 5 through which, in use, screws (not shown) are inserted to secure the sounder 1 to the mounting box. In addition, the plate 4 incorporates a substantially circular central aperture 5.

A reflector element 6 is mounted on a front face 7 of the plate 4. The element 6 is secured to the plate 4 by a set of three bayonet connectors 8 (only two of which are shown in Figure 3) which engage in corresponding rectangular mounting slots 9 equispaced around the circumference of the central aperture 5. Although the element 6 occludes the aperture 5 when the front of the sounder 1 is viewed, the bayonet connectors 8 include leg portions 10 which cause the element 6 to stand proud of the plate 4 to define a cylindrical slot or opening 11 between the front face 7 of the plate 4 and the circumferential edge 12 of the element 6. The element 6 has a complex generally concave internal surface 13 facing the aperture 5 and a generally hemispherical external surface 14 which is intended to be aesthetically pleasing.

The noise generator 2 is positioned behind the central aperture 5 in proximity to the rear face 3 of the plate 4 such that, when operated by a fire detection system, for example, a substantial portion of the sound energy generated thereby exits through the aperture 5 and is incident on the internal surface 13 of the element 6 and is thereby directed though the cylindrical opening 11 where it is reflected by the front face 7 so as to project outwardly therefrom.

It has been found that the perceived noise levels generated by such a sounder significantly exceed those obtained by existing bedhead sounders. It will be recognised by those skilled in the art that although the above embodiment describes a reflector element which is substantially circular in plan other non-circular configurations are possible particularly where non-circular and/or multiple apertures are formed in the plate.

Claims

1. A sounder device comprising a mounting plate having an aperture, an electrically operated noise generator located behind the aperture of the plate, and a reflector element located in spaced relation to said plate in front of the aperture, the arrangement being such that, in use, sound energy transmitted from the noise generator passes through the aperture in the mounting plate and is reflected by the reflector element in a direction towards the front face of the mounting plate and a space between the mounting plate and the reflector, whereby sound energy reflected by the mounting plate is directed outwardly with respect to said reflector element.

2. A sounder according to Claim 1, wherein a single aperture is provided at the centre of said plate.

3. A sounder according to Claim 2, wherein said aperture is substantially circular.

4. A sounder according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the said mounting plate is sized to fit a conventional electrical mounting box.

5. A sounder according to any one of Claims 1-4, wherein the said reflector element has a concave surface facing said aperture.

6. A sounder according to Claim 5, wherein said concave surface comprises an annular concave surface.

7. A sounder device according to any one of Claims 1-6, wherein said reflector device is formed integrally with connector elements arranged for interengagement with apertures in said mounting plate, said connector elements including leg portions for supporting the reflector element in spaced relation to said mounting plate.

8. A sounder device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.