GB2582544A

GB2582544A - Covers for electrical appliances

Info

Publication number: GB2582544A
Application number: GB1903488.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Ward Derek
Original assignee: Hoody Speaker Hoods Ltd
Current assignee: Hoody Speaker Hoods Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-14
Filing date: 2019-03-14
Publication date: 2020-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-14
Also published as: GB2582544B; GB201903488D0

Abstract

A fire proof cover for fitting into a wall or ceiling. The cover comprises an open side, formed from cloth material coated with an intumescent, and has a means for attaching to a wall or ceiling. The coating may be an LVR coating. The cover may include in one side 10 or top 12, a member (figure 2,22) for passing cabling through comprising an intumescent material. Screw receiving mounting brackets 16 may project inwards from the lower rim of the cover. One or more brackets may have an upturned end 20 with a through-hole. The cover may have a noise insulating lining made of sponge impregnated with an intumescent solution. The cover may be cylindrical, having a top 12 and sides 10 which are stitched together. An inwardly extending lip may seal against the abutting wall or ceiling surface. A second hood made of sponge may be placed inside the cover.

Description

COVERS FOR ELECRICAL APPLIANCES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to covers for electrical appliances and fittings (referred to herein as "appliances") and more especially to covers for ceiling or wall internally mounted electrical appliances such as audio speakers.

Background to the invention

Electrical appliances including audio speakers recessed into walls and ceilings are well known. On occasions, the heat generated by such appliances can be considerable and represents a fire hazard. Furthermore, the recess in which the fitting is located can itself provide a pathway for fire and smoke to the room or area bordered by said walls and/or ceiling.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cover for electrical appliances and fittings which provides enhanced protection against the consequences of smoke or fire emanating from a wall or ceiling mounted electrical appliance. Typically, covers in accordance with the invention provide in excess of two hours protection against smoke and fire emanating from a wall or ceiling in which a faulty appliance is located.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a cover open on one side for a recessed wall or ceiling mounted electrical appliance, said cover being formed from a cloth material coated with a material which intumesces in the presence of excessive heat without damaging the integrity of the cloth material for a period in excess of one hour (preferably a period in excess of two hours) , and means for attaching the cover to the wall or ceiling behind which it is located.

Preferably, the coating is an LVR coating as supplied by the Applicant.

The cover includes in one side or top a member through which cabling of an electrical appliance can pass, said member being formed of or including a material which intumesces in the 10 presence of excessive heat.

The cover preferably includes around its lower rim at least two inwardly projecting screw receiving brackets for connecting the cover to the wall or ceiling in which it is located. One or more of the brackets may include an upturned end section formed with a through-hole for receiving a fixing for attaching the cover to the side edge of the wall or ceiling in which it is located.

The cover may include an inner lining of a noise insulating material; the noise insulating material is preferably a sponge 20 which may be impregnated with a solution which includes an intumescent material.

The cover may comprise separate pieces of cloth joined by stitching to define a generally cylindrical body having sides and a top. The sides and top are preferably stitched together.

The lower edge of the cover may include an inwardly extending lip which acts as a seal with the abutting surface or surfaces of the wall or ceiling in which the cover is to be located.

A second hood of a sponge material may be positioned within the hood to provide enhanced noise insulation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a plan view from below of a cover in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the cover illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an isometric view of a detachable internal lining 10 for the hood illustrated in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The cover illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings is shown in its inverted position for ease of description. The cover comprises a generally circular side wall 10 to one boundary of which is secured a lid 12 which, in use, defines the upper surface of the cover. The bottom of the cover opposite to the lid 12 is generally open.

The cover is produced from a fire resistant cloth material coated with an intumescent containing coating, preferably an LVR coating as supplied by the Applicant under its ENVIROGRAF trademark. The fire resistant cloth material is preferably a 440 gram cloth also coated with an LVR coating.

The perimeter of the side wall 10 is sewn inwards to form a 25 joint seal with the wall or ceiling to which it is to be secured.

These covers provide a minimum of a two hour fire and smoke integrity.

An intumescent containing cloth piece or card 14 is secured to the side wall 10 through which cabling for an electrical device located within the cover can pass. The piece 14 can be sited over a through hole formed in any selected position in the side wall or lid to receive the required cabling. In the event of a fire occurring the through hole is immediately sealed by intumesced material to prevent flames and or smoke passing through the through holes.

Protruding inwardly from the base of the side wall 10 are a plurality of fixing members 16 each including a generally horizontally extending arm 18 and a vertically extending end piece 20. Each arm 18 and end piece 20 includes a through hole for receiving a screw or pin to secure the cover in its required position. The fixing members 16 are secured to the cover by connection pieces 22. The through holes are sited so that each fixing member can be secured to a flat surface of a ceiling member or to an edge surface of a ceiling member.

Positionable within the cover is a similarly shaped sound insulation lining member 24 whose general shape replicates that of the cover but is dimensioned so that it defines a close fit within the cover. The member comprises a fabric inner section 26 and an outer section 28 produced from an acoustic noise insulating foam material. The member 24 may be secured in place within the cover by stitching to form a joint seal with the ceiling or wall to which the cover is attached. Typically, the foam material comprises 10mm sponge stitched inside the outer section 28 of 400 gram double silicone cloth.

A similarly shaped additional acoustic member comprising a noise insulating foam may be located within the cover.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of covers in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cover open on one side for a recessed wall or ceiling mounted electrical appliance, said cover being formed from a cloth material formed with a coating which intumesces in the presence of excessive heat without damaging the integrity of the cloth material for a period in excess of one hour, and means for attaching the cover to the wall or ceiling behind which it is located.
2. A cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coating is an LVR coating.
3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cover includes in one side or top a member through which cabling of an electrical appliance can pass, said member being formed of or including a material which intumesces in the presence of excessive heat.
4. A cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover includes around its lower rim at least two inwardly projecting screw receiving brackets for connecting the cover to the wall or ceiling in which it is located.
S. A cover as claimed in claim 4 wherein one or more of the brackets includes an upturned end section formed with a through-hole for receiving a fixing for attaching the cover to the side edge of the wall or ceiling in which it is located.
6. A cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein it includes an inner lining of a noise insulating material.
7. A cover as claimed in claim 6 wherein the noise insulating material comprises a sponge impregnated with a solution which includes an intumescent material.
8. A cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising separate pieces of cloth joined by stitching to define a generally cylindrical body having sides and a top.
9. A cover as claimed in claim 8 wherein the sides and top are stitched together, the lower edge of the cover including an inwardly extending lip which acts as a seal with the abutting surface or surfaces of the wall or ceiling in which the cover is to be located.
10. A cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a second hood of a sponge material is positioned within the hood to provide enhanced noise insulation.