GB2525066A - A ceiling mount assembly - Google Patents

A ceiling mount assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2525066A
GB2525066A GB1501833.6A GB201501833A GB2525066A GB 2525066 A GB2525066 A GB 2525066A GB 201501833 A GB201501833 A GB 201501833A GB 2525066 A GB2525066 A GB 2525066A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ceiling
electrical device
lower member
tether line
ceiling mount
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1501833.6A
Other versions
GB201501833D0 (en
Inventor
Colin Peter Wills
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1501833.6A priority Critical patent/GB2525066A/en
Publication of GB201501833D0 publication Critical patent/GB201501833D0/en
Publication of GB2525066A publication Critical patent/GB2525066A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16MFRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02Heads
    • F16M11/04Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F16M11/043Allowing translations
    • F16M11/046Allowing translations adapted to upward-downward translation movement
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16MFRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F16M13/02Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
    • F16M13/027Ceiling supports
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S9/00Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply
    • F21S9/02Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
    • F21S9/022Emergency lighting devices
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/14Adjustable mountings
    • F21V21/16Adjustable mountings using wires or cords
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/36Hoisting or lowering devices, e.g. for maintenance
    • F21V21/38Hoisting or lowering devices, e.g. for maintenance with a cable
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/10Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/10Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
    • G08B17/11Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means using an ionisation chamber for detecting smoke or gas
    • G08B17/113Constructional details
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S8/00Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
    • F21S8/04Lighting devices intended for fixed installation intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V27/00Cable-stowing arrangements structurally associated with lighting devices, e.g. reels 
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01DMEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D11/00Component parts of measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D11/24Housings ; Casings for instruments
    • G01D11/245Housings for sensors
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion

Abstract

A ceiling mount assembly 10 for supporting a connected electrical device so that it can be temporarily lowered from a ceiling to facilitate servicing. The ceiling mount comprises an upper member 12, a lower member 14 and a tether line 18. A first end of the tether line 18 is connected to a mechanical (non-motorised) extension/retraction unit 16 within the upper member 12 and the second end of which is attached to the lower member 14 such that in use when said electrical device E is mounted underneath the lower member, both may together be raised or lowered relative to the upper member that is fixed to the ceiling C. The electrical device may be a smoke or toxic gas detector/alarm or a battery powered emergency light. Unit 16 has a reel (20, fig 4) having a rotational axis B which is perpendicular to a ceiling surface. A ratchet mechanism prevents premature retraction of the ether line 18. The lower assembly may have an arm or loop 34 that is engaged by a pole with a hook.

Description

A Ceiling Mount Assembly
Technical Field
The present invention provides a ceiling mount assembly that in use supports an electrical device (for example; a smoke detector/alarm) such that in use the electrical device can be temporarily lowered from the ceiling to allow testing and servicing.
Background Art
Electrical devices such as smoke detector/alarms; carbon monoxide detector! alarms and emergency (battery powered) lights are frequently mounted on room ceilings. Such devices need to be periodically tested and serviced; the latter normally involves replacement of one or more batteries. These activities often require that the person undertaking the testing/servicing stand on ladders or the like in order to reach the electrical device. This can be inconvenient and hazardous -especially for elderly or disabled people. Consequently, smoke detector/alarms and carbon monoxide detector/alarms etc., may become inactive owing to lack of such testing/servicing. This places lives at risk, Surveys have shown that 50% or more of cases of such devices failing are due to missing or flat batteries.
Devices are known that address this problem. These are often quite complex and generally require the purchase of a new detector/alarm unit and mount.
Disclosure of Invention
An aim of the present invention is to provide improved means of (apparatus for) temporarily lowering electrical devices from a ceiling to facilitate servicing. Another aim is to provide such apparatus that can be used with an existing detector/alarm or carbon monoxide detector/alarm.
In one aspect the invention comprises a ceiling mount assembly for supporting beneath said assembly a connected electrical device (E) said assembly comprising: an upper member that in use is attached directly to a ceiling (C); and a lower member; a tether line a first end of which is connected to a non-motorised mechanical extension/retraction unit within said upper member and wherein a second end is fixed to said lower member, or a portion of said tether line passes through an eye/aperture formed in a part of said lower member; such that in use when said electrical device (E) is mounted underneath said lower member, both said electrical device (E) and said lower member may together be raised or lowered relative to said upper member that is fixed to said ceiling (C); wherein the extension/retraction unit comprises a reel rotationally mounted such that in use it rotates about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the ceiling surface (C) to which it is fixed.
The ceiling mount may fhrther comprise a guide member or roller that facilitates a 90° change in direction of the tether line at the tether line is extended or retracted.
Preferably, the second end of the tether line is fixed to the lower member. However, an alternative is for the tether line to pass through a threading member attached to the lower member; in which case the second end of the tether line may also be fixed to the underside of the upper member. In this case when the ceiling mount is extended the tether may have a "V-shape". A portion of said tether line may pass through an eye/aperture forming part of said lower member and the second end of the tether line is fixed to the upper member.
Preferably, a ratchet mechanism is provided within the retraction mechanism in order to prevent premature retraction of the tether line.
The lower assembly may further comprise an arm or loop that may in use be engaged by a pole with a hook in order to lower the electrical device (E) and attached lower member.
Preferably, the electrical device (E) is a smoke of toxic gas detector/alarm. However, the device may also be a light fitting/assembly; for example, a battery powered emergency light assembly.
The ceiling mount assembly for supporting beneath said assembly a connected electrical device (E) may comprise: an upper member that in use is attached to a walllceiling; and a lower member; a tether line the first end of which is connected to a mechanical (non-motorised) extension/retraction unit within said upper member and wherein the second end is fixed to said lower member, or a portion of said tether line passes through an eye/aperture forming part of said lower member; such that in use when said electrical device is mounted underneath said lower member, both said electrical device (E) and lower member may together be raised or lowered relative to said upper member that is fixed to said wall/ceiling, thus assisting servicing of said electrical device.
The present invention may comprise a method of raising or lowering an electrical device from a ceiling using a ceiling mount assembly according to the invention.
While the first and second members that are typically disc-shaped (plan view), this is not an essential feature of the invention; for example, these members may be generally rectangular or polygonal in shape (plan view). They may also be manufactured from any suitable metallic or non-metallic (e.g. plastics) material.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The following diagrammatic drawings illustrate salient features of the present invention; where: Figure 1 shows a side view of a ceiling mount assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention canying an electrical device (B), in a partly extended position; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the upper member of the ceiling mount illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an underside view of the lower member of the ceiling mount illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 4 is shows a side elevation in cross section (along the line B-B') of the upper member of the ceiling mount illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the ceiling mount assembly of Figure 1 (with an attached electrical device B) in a fully retracted position; and Figure 6 shows a side view of a ceiling mount assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention, carrying an electrical device (E); in a partly extended position; where the tether line is attached at the second end to the first member.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Figures 1-5 show diagrammatically a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The ceiling mount (10) comprises an upper member (12) and a lower member (14).
Figures 1 and 4 show side views of the upper member (12); this houses a mechanical (non-motorised) retraction mechanism (16) that comprises: a tether line (18); a reel (20) which is rotateably mounted so that in use it rotates about an axis B-B' (see Figure 4) that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the ceiling surface (C); a helical spring mechanism (not shown) contained within a housing (36) below the reel (20); a roller (24) or rounded face that facilitates a 90° (approximately) change in direction of the tether line (18) as it is extended or retracted. All of these items are contained within an outer case (26) of the upper member (12) that has a small circular aperture (28) in its lower face.
The lower face is typically disc-shaped and has an adjoining short-cylindrically shaped side wall (30).
A first end of the tether line (18) is attached to the reel (20) of the mechanical retraction mechanism (16, 20) and the other end of which is attached to the lower member (14) of the ceiling mount (10).
The lower member comprises a disc-shaped flat plate (32) which has a pull-arm (34) attached thereto.
Figure 1 shows the upper member (12) attached directly to a ceiling (C).
Figure 1 also shows an electrical device (E) attached to the underside of the disc-shaped flat plate (32). Typically, this device (E) will be a smoke detector with combined audible alarm or a carbon monoxide detector with a combined audible alarm. Such devices are widely used to protect occupants of commercial and domestic buildings from injury.
S
The lower surface of the disc-shaped flat plate (32) may contain an array of small circular apertures (not shown) to facilitate bolting detector/alarms with various (bolt) fixing configurations. Alternatively (or additionally), the flat plate (32) may have engagement means that allow an alarm/detector to be attached by other conventional means such as push fit (male to female) means which require partial rotation to lock the alarm/detector to the underside of the flat plate (32).
Figure 1 shows the ceiling mount in a partly extended position. Typically, the tether line (18) will be long enough to allow the lower member to be extended by 0.5-1.5 metres.
This degree of extension is provided to allow the electrical device (E) to be accessed at waist-level by a user.
In use, the ceiling mount is normally in a fully retracted position, as shown in Figure 5. If the mount is being used with a smoke detector/alarm or a carbon monoxide detector/alarm the owner (or other person responsible) will need to periodically test that the device is in good working order (nonnally by depressing a test button and awaiting a visual/audible alarm) and also periodically renew the batteries that power such detector/alarms. When this is necessary, a pole with a loop/hook at one end can be used; the loop/hook end of the pole being used to engage part of the pull arm (34) of the lower member. When thus engaged the pole is used to pull the lower member (14) in a downward direction so that it separates from the upper member (12); during this action the tether line (18) extends by unwinding from the reel (20); the reel rotating about the axis B-B' with a helical spring (not shown); contained in a housing (36) below said reel (20) configured so that during this unwinding (extension) the helical spring becomes tensioned. After the detector/alarm has been serviced the tensioned spring (not shown) ensures that the tether retracts and is wound back onto the reel (20). Preferably, the retraction mechanism (16, 20, 36) includes a ratchet (or the like) that prevents such retraction until the tether is pulled downwardly (a second time) by a small distance.
The means by which the upper member is directly attached to a ceiling may be entirely conventional.
Figure 6, shows a ifirther embodiment of the invention which only differs from the preferred embodiment described above in that the second end (1 8b) of the tether line (1 8) is attached to the upper member (12) and the tether line passes (18) through an eye (38) fixed to or integral with the flat plate (32) of the lower member. In order to facilitate this arrangement the circular aperture (28) in the lower face of the outer case (26) is re-positioned as is the position of the reel (not shown) and roller (not shown) or rounded face. Alternatively, the flat plate (32) may contain two eyes (not shown) through which the tether line (18) passes. This results in the tether line (18) being "U-shaped" rather than "V-shaped" (as shown in Figure 6) when the mount is in a partly or frilly extended position.
While Figures 2 and 3 depict first and second members that are disc-shaped, this is not an essential feature of the invention; for example, these members may be generally rectangular or polygonal in shape (plan view).

Claims (7)

  1. CLAIMS1. A ceiling mount assembly (10) for supporting beneath said assembly a connected electrical device (E) said assembly comprising: an upper member (12) that in use is attached directly to a ceiling (C); and a lower member (14); a tether line (18) a first end of which is connected to a non-motorised mechanical extension/retraction unit (16) within said upper member (12) and wherein a second end is fixed to said lower member (14), or a portion of said tether line (18) passes through an eye/aperture formed in a part of said lower member (14); such that in use when said electrical device (B) is mounted underneath said lower member (14), both said electrical device (B) and said lower member (14) may together be raised or lowered relative to said upper member (12) that is fixed to said ceiling (C); and where the extension/retraction unit (16) comprises a reel (20) rotationally mounted such that in use it rotates about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the ceiling surface (C) to which it is fixed.
  2. 2. A ceiling mount assembly (10) according to Claim 1 further comprising a guide member or roller (24) that facilitates a 900 change in direction of the tether line (18) as the tether line (18) is extended or retracted.
  3. 3. A ceiling mount assembly (10) according to any preceding claim where said tether line (18) passes through the eye/aperture formed in a part of said lower member (14) and the second end (1 8b) of the tether line is fixed to the upper member (12).
  4. 4. A ceiling mount assembly (10) according to any preceding claim where a ratchet mechanism is provided in order to prevent premature retraction of the tether line (18).
  5. 5. A ceiling mount assembly (10) according to any preceding claim where the lower member (14) further comprises an arm or loop (34) that may in use be engaged by a pole with a hook in order to lower the electrical device (E) and the attached lower member (14).
  6. 6. A ceiling mount assembly (10) according to any preceding claim where the electrical device (B) contains a smoke or toxic gas detector/alarm, or a battery powered emergency light.
  7. 7. A method of raising or lowering an electrical device (E) from a ceiling (C) using a ceiling mount assembly (10) according to any preceding claim.
GB1501833.6A 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly Withdrawn GB2525066A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1501833.6A GB2525066A (en) 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1302142.3A GB2510573B (en) 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly
GB1501833.6A GB2525066A (en) 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201501833D0 GB201501833D0 (en) 2015-03-18
GB2525066A true GB2525066A (en) 2015-10-14

Family

ID=47988842

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1501833.6A Withdrawn GB2525066A (en) 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly
GB1302142.3A Active GB2510573B (en) 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1302142.3A Active GB2510573B (en) 2013-02-07 2013-02-07 A ceiling mount assembly

Country Status (1)

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GB (2) GB2525066A (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3034937A1 (en) * 2014-12-16 2016-06-22 Reel Tech Co. Ltd. Lifting reel having bearing type wire winding drum
DE202016101358U1 (en) * 2016-03-11 2016-05-06 Wilfried Mose Suspension device for a lighting unit
CN107883136A (en) * 2017-10-30 2018-04-06 东莞产权交易中心 A kind of fast quick-detach alarm device of basement
AT17065U1 (en) * 2019-05-08 2021-04-15 Prolicht Gmbh Lighting device
CN112610862B (en) * 2020-12-08 2022-09-16 华北科技学院 Alarm device used under coal mine

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202004020874U1 (en) * 2004-11-27 2006-04-06 Mayer, Werner K., Dipl.-Ing. Lighting device for lamps, uses intermediate element designed as cable run with cable drum, powered by drive motor
CN201126170Y (en) * 2007-12-14 2008-10-01 代双庆 Ceiling lamp elevating device
US20140007678A1 (en) * 2012-07-03 2014-01-09 Michael Lehti Retractable environment detector
WO2014204244A1 (en) * 2013-06-19 2014-12-24 Shin Jeong-Hun Up and down reel having bearing type wire winding drum

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7311425B2 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-12-25 Jervey Iii Edward Darrell Retrofit pendant light fixture
WO2009108991A1 (en) * 2008-03-05 2009-09-11 Cascade Production Pty Ltd An item support device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202004020874U1 (en) * 2004-11-27 2006-04-06 Mayer, Werner K., Dipl.-Ing. Lighting device for lamps, uses intermediate element designed as cable run with cable drum, powered by drive motor
CN201126170Y (en) * 2007-12-14 2008-10-01 代双庆 Ceiling lamp elevating device
US20140007678A1 (en) * 2012-07-03 2014-01-09 Michael Lehti Retractable environment detector
WO2014204244A1 (en) * 2013-06-19 2014-12-24 Shin Jeong-Hun Up and down reel having bearing type wire winding drum

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201501833D0 (en) 2015-03-18
GB201302142D0 (en) 2013-03-20
GB2510573A (en) 2014-08-13
GB2510573B (en) 2015-07-01

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