WO2022056583A1

WO2022056583A1 - Mount and applicator tool

Info

Publication number: WO2022056583A1
Application number: PCT/AU2021/051059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerry Flanagan; Brian Teo
Original assignee: SkyMount Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-15
Filing date: 2021-09-14
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: AU2021106998A4; AU2021342843A1; EP4214437A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a mount used to attach a device to a ferromagnetic structural member. The mount having a mount body comprises a device mounting surface to which the device can be secured to. The mount also comprises an engagement surface that is contactable with the structural member, a mount magnet disposed relative to the engagement surface and having a pull-force that is sufficient to be able to secure the mount to the structural member when the engagement surface contacts the structural member, and a tool engagement portion that is able to engage with an applicator tool for mounting the mount to the structural member and removing the mount from the structural member. Also disclosed is an applicator that is used to attach the mount to a structural member.

Description

Mount and applicator tool

Field

This disclosure relates to a mount used to mount a device to a structural member, and a tool used to position the mount to the structural member.

Background

Buildings are fitted with many different devices, such as security cameras, specialist lighting such as emergency lights, motion sensors, security systems, smoke detectors and other fire detection equipment such heat sensors, flame sensors and gas sensors.

For buildings with a high internal ceiling height, the installation, maintenance and removal of the devices can present occupational health and safety risks such as working from height risks. Mitigation of these risks often requires costly and time-consuming procedures. For example, installing devices adjacent high ceilings can require the need for specialist workers with Working From Heights (“WFH”) licenses, the use of Mobile Elevated Working Platform (“MEWP”) devices and site shutdowns. For devices that require regular maintenance, such as wireless devices, the costs of maintenance can be significant.

It is to be understood that, if any prior publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia, or any other country.

Summary

An embodiment provides a mount used to attach a device to a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount having a mount body comprising: a device mounting surface to which the device can be secured to; an engagement surface that is contactable with the structural member; a mount magnet disposed relative to the engagement surface and having a pull-force that is sufficient to be able to secure the mount to the structural member when the engagement surface contacts the structural member; and a tool engagement portion that is able to engage with an applicator tool for mounting the mount to the structural member and removing the mount from the structural member.

The tool engagement portion may have a ferromagnetic section. The tool engagement portion may include a recess and the ferromagnetic section defines a floor of the recess. The mount may further comprise an arm extending away from the engagement surface. The arm may prevent the mount from falling off the structural member if the mount magnet no longer secures the mount to the structural member. The arm may comprise a base plate that secures the arm to the mount body. An elongate member may extend from the base plate. A hook portion may be located at an end of the elongate member distal the base plate. The base plate, the elongate member and the hook may be integral. The base plate may define the ferromagnetic section. The engagement surface may be delineated at a first side by a sidewall. The arm may delineate the engagement surface at a second side to form an engagement channel extending between the sidewall and the arm.

The mount body may be formed from two parts. The device mounting surface may be on one part and the engagement surface may be on a second part. The mount magnet may be located in an interior of the mount body. The mount magnet may comprise two or more magnets. The mount magnet may have a pull force of 36 kg (8900 Gauss). The device mounting surface may include one or more threaded bores that can engage with a fastener that is used to secure the device to the device mounting surface. The device may be a wireless smoke detector. The structural member may be a steel purlin.

An embodiment provides an applicator tool used to position a mount on, or remove the mount from, a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the structural member, the applicator tool having an applicator body comprising: a mount engagement surface that is contactable with a surface of the mount; and a recess that houses an applicator magnet, the applicator magnet being movable between an installation position and a removal position.

The applicator magnet may protrude out past the mount engagement surface when the applicator magnet is in the removal position. The applicator magnet may protrudes out past the mount engagement surface by 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm when the applicator magnet is in the removal position. The applicator tool may further comprise an actuator that moves the applicator magnet between the installation position and the removal position. The actuator may include a lever having a cam. The cam may act on the applicator magnet to move the applicator magnet between the installation position and removal position. The applicator magnet may be moved between the installation position and the removal position by flipping over the applicator tool body. The flipping motion may negate the need for an actuator. The actuator may include a rotatable knob that is engaged with the applicator magnet. Rotation of the rotatable knob around a rotation axis may cause the applicator magnet to move between the installation position and the removal position. One of the applicator magnet and the rotatable knob may have a threaded bore and the other of the applicator magnet and the rotatable knob has a shaft with a thread that is complementary to the threaded bore. The actuator may include a plate that is secured to the applicator magnet. The plate may act to permit axial movement of the applicator magnet but to prevent rotation of the applicator magnet around the rotation axis. A diameter of the rotatable knob may be greater than a diameter of the recess. The applicator tool may further comprise a handle connected to the applicator tool body. The handle may be attached to the applicator tool body with a pivotable connection. The pivotable connection may be locked so that the handle is rotationally fixed relative the applicator tool body. The pivotable connection may be unlocked so that the handle is able to rotate relative the applicator tool body. The handle may include a clevis and a clevis pin that passes through a passage in the applicator tool body to connect the applicator tool body to the clevis. The applicator magnet may have a pull force of 32 kg. The structural member may be a steel purlin.

An embodiment provides a system used to position a mount on, or remove the mount from, a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the structural member, the system comprising: the mount as set forth above; and the applicator tool as set forth above.

An embodiment provides a method of mounting a mount to a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the ferromagnetic structural member, the method comprising:

(i) providing a mount having a mount body comprising: a device mounting surface which is used to secure the device to the mount body; an engagement surface that is contactable with the structural member; a mount magnet having a pull-force that is sufficient to secure the mount to the structural member when the engagement surface contacts the structural member; and a tool engagement portion having a ferromagnetic section;

(ii) providing an applicator tool having an applicator tool body comprising: a mount engagement surface that is contactable with a surface of the mount; a recess that houses an applicator magnet, the applicator magnet being movable between an installation position and a removal position, the applicator magnet being in the installation position;

(iii) contacting the mount engagement surface of the applicator tool with the tool engagement portion of the mount so that the applicator magnet engages with the ferromagnetic section of the tool engagement portion; and

(iv) contacting the engagement surface of the mount with the structural member so that the mount magnet engages with the ferromagnetic structural member to secure the mount to the structural member.

The method may further comprise removing the tool engagement portion from the ferromagnetic section of the tool engagement portion once the mount is secured to the ferromagnetic structural member. Removing the tool engagement portion from the ferromagnetic section may comprise sliding the tool engagement portion off from the ferromagnetic section. Prior to step (iii), the applicator magnet may be moved to the installation position. The applicator tool may have a handle extending from the applicator tool body. The handle may be pivotably connected to the applicator tool body about a pivot point. Rotation about the pivot point may be fixed prior to step (iv). The mount engagement surface may define a plane that is positioned at approximately a 35°-65° relative a longitudinal direction of the handle when the pivot point is fixed.

An embodiment provides a method of removing a mount from a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the ferromagnetic structural member and having a body comprising: a device mounting surface which is used to secure the device to the body; an engagement surface that is contactable with the structural member; a mount magnet having a pull-force that is sufficient to be able to secure the mount to the structural member when the engagement surface contacts the structural member; and a tool engagement portion having a recess that has a floor that acts as a ferromagnetic section; the method comprising:

(i) providing an applicator tool having a body comprising: a mount engagement surface that is contactable with a surface of the mount; a recess that houses an applicator magnet, the applicator magnet being movable between an installation position and a removal position, the applicator magnet being in the removal position;

(ii) contacting the mount engagement surface with the tool engagement portion so that the applicator magnet extends into the recess of the tool engagement portion and engages with the ferromagnetic section of the tool engagement portion; and

(iii) applying a removal force to the mount via the applicator tool to disengage the mount magnet from the structural member to remove the bracket from the structural member.

Brief Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying non-limiting Figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mount;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a body of an applicator tool used to mount the mount from Figure 1 onto a structure; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the applicator tool of Figure 2 along line A-

A;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the applicator tool of Figure 2 along line A- A; and

Figure 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view across along line B-B.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an applicator tool.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the mount being magnetically connected to applicator tool in an installation position.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a mount.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of a mount 10 of the present disclosure that is used to attach a device to a ferromagnetic structural member is shown in Figure 1 . In an embodiment the structural member is a steel purlin, such as a C-shaped or S- or Z-shaped purlin. The structural member can also be an I-beam.

The mount 10 has a mount body 12 having a device mounting surface in the form of bottom surface 16 and an engagement surface in the form of engagement region 14 that is located on a top surface 13 of the mount 10. Planes of the engagement region 14 and bottom surface 16 are generally parallel to one another. A device (not shown in the Figures) can be mounted to the bottom surface 16. For example, in an embodiment, the bottom surface is provided with threaded bores that each can receive and engage with a fastener, such as a bolt or screw, to secure the device to the bottom surface 16. Alternatively, or in addition, the bottom surface 16 can be provided with an adhesive to secure the device to the mount 10. In an embodiment, the bottom surface is provided with one or more deformable regions that are able to deform under the action of a fastener, such as a screw, being screwed into the deformable regions. The deformable regions may be provided with a pilot hole for the screw.

The mount 10 has a mount magnet 34. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the mount magnet 34 is positioned in an interior of the mount body 12 so as to be located between the engagement region 14 and bottom surface 16. In an embodiment the mount magnet 34 is offset from the top surface 13 of the engagement region 14 in a direction towards the bottom surface 16 by about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In an embodiment the mount magnet 34 is offset from the top surface 13 of the engagement region 14 by about 2 mm. The amount the mount magnet 34 is offset may be determined by a wall thickness of the mount body 12 in the engagement region 14.

In use the mount magnet 34 secures the mount 10 to a ferromagnetic structural member, such as a steel purlin. In the embodiments where the mount magnet 34 is positioned in the interior of the mount body 12, the mount magnet 34 does not physically contact the ferromagnetic structural member, but the strength of the mount magnet 34 allows the mount 10 to be secured to the ferromagnetic structural member. The mount magnet 34 has a strength sufficient to hold the mount 10 and the attached device to the structural member. In an embodiment the device has a weight of up to 10 kg. The device may be a smoke detector, such as wired or wireless smoke detector, fire detection equipment such heat sensors, flame sensors, carbon monoxide/dioxide sensors, multi criteria detectors, audible/visual alarms, temporary/permanent lighting, exit lighting, Wi-Fi modems, security system equipment and cameras. The device may be hardware such as signage, eyelets used to mount e.g. electrical cables, decorations, and feature and display pieces. In an embodiment the mount magnet 34 is a rare-earth magnet.

The mount magnet 34 has a pull force of about 36 kg (8900 Gauss). The mount 10 has at least one mount magnet. For example, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 8 there are two mount magnets 34 positioned in an interior of the mount 10. When two or more magnets are used, the combined strength of the magnets has a pull force of about 36 kg. For example, two magnets each having a pull force of 18 kg can be used as the mount magnet 34. In an embodiment the mount magnet 34 comprises two axially magnetised neodymium N38 magnets each having a diameter of about 25 mm (i.e. 25.4 mm) and a thickness of about 13 mm (i.e. 12.7 mm), and a pull force of 18 kgs (4450 Gauss).

Generally, a strength (i.e. pull force) of the mount magnet 34 is about 3-5 times a combined weight of the device that is secured to the mount 10 and.

The mount body 12 also has a tool engagement portion in the form of side segment 18. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the side segment 18 is a continuation of the engagement region 14 but is delimitated by an arm, as is detailed below. The plane of the side segment 18 extends to the plane of the engagement region 14. The side segment 18 has a recess in the form of cylindrical bore 20. The cylindrical bore 20 has a floor 24 that is in a plane parallel to a plane of a top surface of the side segment 18. Although a cylindrical bore is shown in the Figures, the cylindrical bore 20 could have any cross-sectional shape in a radial plane. In an embodiment the cylindrical bore 20 has a depth of about 2 mm to about 5 mm extending down from the plane of the top surface of the side segment 18.

An arm in the form of bracket 22 is connected to and extends away from the engagement region 14. The bracket 22 has an elongate member having a first portion 28 that extends transversely away from the engagement region 14. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the engagement region 14 and side segment 18 are integral and the first portion 28 delineates the engagement region 14 from the side segment 18. The first portion 28 extends into an interior of the mount 10 and is connected to a base plate in the form of flange 23. The flange 23 is secured to the mount body 12 to prevent the bracket 22 from being removed from the mount body 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the flange 23 defines the floor 24.

The bracket 22 has a second portion 26 that extends away from the first portion 28. The first portion 28 and second portion 26 collectively form the elongate member. The bracket 22 has a guide surface 39. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the guide surface 39 is located on a side of the second portion 26 that faces the engagement region 14. The guide surface 39 helps to locate the mount 10 during installation, as is described below. The engagement region 14 and guide surface 39 act to define an enclosure that can receive the structural member. A plane of the first portion 28 and a plane of the second portion 26 are angled relative one another. An end portion or flap 30 extends from the second portion 26. Described another way, first portion 28 and flap 30 are connected by the second portion 26, with the second portion 26 acting as a web. The connection of the flap 30 and second portion 26 forms an apex 36. The combination of the flap 30, apex 36 and second portion 26 defines a hook portion 38. The floor 24, first portion 28, second portion 26 and flap 30 are integral. For example, in an embodiment the floor 24, first portion 28, second portion 26 and flap 30 are formed from bent sheet material. Although the bracket 22 is shown as having discrete angled surfaces, in some embodiments the bracket 22 is formed so as to define a continuous curve instead of discrete sections/segments. The guide surface 39 can also extend from the second portion 26 to the first portion 28.

The purpose of the hook portion 38 is to engage with the structural member in the event that the mount magnet 34 fails or during unintended movement that causes the mount 10 to fall off the structural member. For example, an earthquake may inadvertently cause the mount 10 to fall off the structural member, in which case the hook portion 38 can engage with the structural member and prevent the mount 10 from falling to the ground. However, the bracket 22 is not required in all embodiments. When the bracket 22 is not provided, the floor 24 can be integral to the cylindrical bore 20 or be provided by a floor plate that is mounted to the mount body 12 or cylindrical bore 20.

The bracket 22 shown in Figure 1 tapers laterally inwards in a direction extending from the first portion 28 towards the apex 36. However, in alternative embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 8, the hook 22’ is formed from elongate material having parallel sides.

The mount 10 also has a sidewall in the form of plate 32. The plate 32 extends upwards from side 40 of the mount 10. The plate 32 defines a boundary of the engagement region 14 at a first side and the first portion 28 delineates the engagement region 14 at a second side. The engagement region 14 defined between the plate 32 and the first portion 28 of the elongate member forms an engagement channel. The plate 32 can help to prevent the engagement region 14 from sliding off the structural member in a direction extending from the plate 32 towards the first portion 28. In this way, the plate 32 acts as a sliding stop. Although the plate 32 is shown as extending across the side 40, in some embodiments the plate 32 is in the form of two or more pieces extending upwards from side 40. The plate 32 could also have scallops, holes, etc. to reduce the amount of material and therefore weight of the plate 32. The plate 32 is not required in all embodiments.

The hook portion 38 is located over the top of the engagement region 14 at a position approximately 25% to 40% along a path extending from the first portion 28 towards plate 32.

In an embodiment the bracket 22 is formed from a ferromagnetic material such as steel. The flange 23, and therefore the floor 24, can be formed from a ferromagnetic material. When the bracket 22 is not required, the floor 24 is formed from a ferromagnetic material.

The bracket 22 is not required in all embodiments. When the mount 10 does not have the bracket 22, the floor 24 of the cylindrical bore 20 includes a ferromagnetic material in place of the flange 23, such as a flat plate.

The mount body 12 can be formed from a two-part construction. In an embodiment, the engagement region 14 and side segment 18 are provided on a first part (e.g. an upper body part) and the bottom surface 16 is provided on a second part (e.g. a lower body part). The two parts are secured together to form the mount body 12. When a two-part construction is used with the bracket 22, the flange 23 is sandwiched between the two parts. In an embodiment the flange 23 is secured to the lower body part, for example with fasteners. A two-part construction may make it easier to manufacture the mount 10. When a two-part construction is used for the mount body 12, an interior of the mount body 12 is generally hollow. However, it should be appreciated that the mount body 12 could also be substantially solid. When the mount body 12 has a hollow interior, a wall thickness of the body wall can be about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In an embodiment the wall thickness of the body wall is about 2 mm.

The device that can be mounted to the mount 10 e.g. a wireless smoke detector, often has a base which engages with the device. The base is mounted to a support surface and the device is then secured to the device. In an embodiment the base of the device is secured to the mount 10. In an embodiment the base of the device is integral with the second part. For example, if the device engages with its base using a bayonet mount, the male bayonet component with radial pins or the female bayonet receptor with L-shaped slots can be integral with the second part. Such an arrangement can help to eliminate the need to use fasteners or adhesives to secure the device to the mount.

An applicator tool 100 used to position the mount 10 on, or to remove the mount 10 from, a ferromagnetic structural member is shown in Figures 2 to 4. The applicator tool 100 has an applicator tool body 110. The body 110 can also be referred to as a head of the applicator tool 100. The body 110 has an actuator which in the embodiments shown in Figures 2-4 is in the form of a rotatable knob 112. The rotatable knob 112 acts to move a tool magnet 126. The body 110 also has passage 114 that extends across a length of the body 110 which can receive a shaft, such as a clevis pin, for connecting the body 110 to a handle 150.

The applicator tool 100 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The body 110 has a top wall 111 and a bottom wall 128. An opening 113 extends from the top wall 111 to the bottom wall 128. The opening can form a part of, or be, a passage or recess. The bottom wall 128 has a bottom surface 136. The opening 113 is in part defined by a channel wall 117 which extends from the bottom wall 128 towards the top wall 111. The opening 113 is shown as being circular in the Figures, but the opening 113 need not be circular in all embodiments. An end surface 121 of the channel wall 117 is spaced from the top wall 111 to provide a space therebetween. A lower side of the rotatable knob 112 rests on the end surface 121 . The rotatable knob 112 is provided on its upper side with an indent that acts as a retaining surface 130. The top wall 111 is provided with an aperture to accommodate the rotatable knob 112, with a lip 132 of the aperture abutting against the retaining surface 130. Because the lip 132 has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the rotatable knob 112, the rotatable knob 112 is retained in the body 110 between the end surface 121 and the top wall 111.

The rotatable knob 112 is formed from a first piece 116 and a second piece 118 that are fixed to one another. A threaded nut 120 is positioned between the first piece 116 and second piece 118. The rotatable knob 112 also has a finger grip 108 which allows a user to rotate the rotatable knob 112 with their fingers. The first piece 116, second piece 118, finger grip 108 and nut 120 are fixed to one another and are collectively termed the rotatable knob

112 and are all rotatable in unison.

A tool magnet 126 is positioned in the opening 113 towards the bottom wall 128. The tool magnet 126 has a diameter that is slightly less than an internal diameter of the opening 113. The tool magnet 126 has a threaded member 124 extending axially along the opening

113 from the tool magnet 126 towards the rotatable knob 112. The threaded member 124 engages with the nut 120. A magnet plate 115 is abutted with and secured to the tool magnet 126 via magnet nut 125. The magnet nut 125 is tightened to ensure that the magnet plate 115 and tool magnet 126 are rotationally fixed relative a longitudinal axis of the threaded member 124. In an embodiment the magnetic plate 115 is secured to the tool magnet 126 via an adhesive in place of the magnet nut 125. The adhesive may be used in place of or in addition to the magnet nut 125. The tool magnet 126 has a pull force of 32 kg. The mount magnet 34 has a pull force greater than the tool magnet 126.

The channel wall 117 has a number of grooves 119 that each extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the threaded member 124 (see Figure 5). The magnet plate 115 has a number of radially extending fingers 134 that are received in the grooves 119. In an embodiment the fingers 134 are equidistantly spaced around a circumference of the magnet plate 115, as best seen in Figure 5. Engagement of the fingers 134 in the grooves 119 means that the tool magnet 126 is rotationally fixed around the longitudinal axis of the threaded member 124. Accordingly, when the rotatable knob 112 is rotated around a rotation axis defined by the longitudinal direction of the threaded member 124, such as by a user rotating the rotatable knob 112 with their fingers using the finger grip 108, it causes the nut 120 to rotate and move the threaded member 124 in an axial direction. Therefore, rotation of the rotatable knob 112 causes the tool magnet 126 to move in an axial direction of the opening 113.

The tool magnet 126 can be moved between a first position, as shown in Figure 4, and a second position, as shown in Figure 3. In the second position, the tool magnet 126 extends out past the bottom surface 136 so as to protrude from the body 110. In the second position, a bottom surface 127 of the tool magnet 126 extends out past the bottom surface by distance H. Distance H varies from 0.5 mm to about 5 mm.

In the first position, the bottom surface 127 of the tool magnet 126 sits in the same plane as the bottom surface 136. Simply put, in the first position, the bottom surface 127 of the tool magnet 126 is flush with the bottom surface 127 of the body. In some embodiments the bottom surface 127 of the tool magnet 126 is positioned within the opening 113 when the tool magnet 126 is in the first position. More generally, the bottom surface 127 of the tool magnet 126 does not protrude past the plane defined by the bottom surface 137 of the bottom wall 128 when the tool magnet 126 is in the first position.

In the first position, in an embodiment the magnet nut 125 abuts the rotatable knob

112 which prevents further axial movement of the tool magnet 126. In this way the magnet nut 125 acts as a movement limit stop. Similarly, in the first position an end surface 141 of the threaded member 124 abuts the rotatable knob 112 to prevent further movement of the threaded member 124 in a direction away from the bottom wall 128.

The first position can be considered a mount installation position and the second position can be considered a mount removal position.

The use of the rotatable knob 112 and the threaded member 124 is described as forming the actuator that is used to move the tool magnet 126 axially in the opening 113 between the first and second position, but the disclosure is not limited to the actuator described in the Figures and other actuator types can be used. For example, a lever mechanism, ramped surface, or cam and follower, could be used as an actuator as an alternative arrangement to the threaded member 124 and rotatable knob 112 to axially move the tool magnet 126. In an embodiment, the tool magnet 126 is free to move in the opening

113 and is moved between the installation position and removal position by flipping the application tool body 110 over. For example, in a first orientation of the application tool body, the tool magnet 126 is positioned in the installation position by abutting against a limit stop positioned towards one side in the opening e.g. towards one of wall 111 or wall 128. Flipping the application tool body over allows the tool magnet 126 to move away from the limit stop, along an axial direction of the opening, towards the other of the wall 111 or wall 128, where the tool magnet 126 is positioned in the removal position. Allowing the tool magnet 126 to move freely in the opening 113 may eliminate the need to an actuator to move the tool magnet 126 between the installation and removal positions, where swapping between the installation and removal position can be achieved by simply flipping the applicator tool body 110 over. In this embodiment, the application does not have a specific upper or top, or lower or bottom, surface, and instead to terms “upper”, “top”, “bottom” and “lower” are relative to the orientation of the applicator tool body between an installation orientation, where the tool magnet 126 is in the installation position, and removal orientation, where the tool magnet 126 is in the removal position.

A handle 150 is attached to the body 110. The handle 150 has a shaft 152 that terminates with a clevis 154 at one end 155. The shaft 152 can be telescopic. A user can grasp the other end 157 of the shaft 152. The shaft 152 has a length extending up to about 10 meters. The clevis 154 extends along a longitudinal direction of the shaft 152.

The clevis 154 is dimensioned to receive both the body 110 and mount 10 when the body 110 is secured to the mount 10. In an embodiment the clevis 154 is formed from metal such as aluminium. A clevis pin in the form of rod 156 passes through apertures located towards end 155in the clevis 154 and passage 114 so that the body 110 is connected to the handle 150 with a pivotable connection to define a pivot point. The rod 156 is has a thread 158 at its termini. In an embodiment, the rod 156 is threaded at one of its termini with the other terminus having a head similar to that of a bolt. A nut or knob 160 is threaded onto the thread 158 of the rod 156. Tightening one or both of the nut or knobs 160 causes the body 110 to be clamped to the clevis 154.

When the body 110 is clamped to the clevis 154, the body 110 is rotationally fixed (i.e. locked) about an axis defined by the rod 156 relative the handle 150. However, loosening both nuts or knobs 160 releases the clamping force and allows the body 110 to rotate about the axis defined by the rod 156. In an embodiment, the clevis 154 is dimensioned to allow the mount 10 with fitted the device, and that is also connected to the body 110, to rotate around the axis defined by the rod 156.

The termini of the clevis 154 has a reference surface 162. The reference surface 162 has a plane that extends at an angle of about 35°- 70°, such as about 45°, relative a longitudinal direction of the handle 150. The reference surface 162 provides a visual reference for an angle of the body 110, as measured by the plane of the top wall 111 of the body 110, relative the longitudinal direction of the handle 150. When the nut(s) or knob(s) 160 are tightened to clamp the body 110 to the clevis 154, the reference surface 162 can be used to gauge the rotational position of the body 110 relative the longitudinal direction of the handle 150. When the plane of the top wall 111 is aligned with, or close to being parallel to, the plane of the reference surface 162, the applicator tool 100 is considered to be in an installation position, as is described detail below in more.

As best seen in Figure 7, in an embodiment the longitudinal direction of the shaft 152 extends parallel to a plane of the second portion 26 when the applicator tool 100 is in the installation position and magnetically connected to the mount 10.

The tool magnet 126 is engageable with the ferromagnetic floor 24 of the bracket 22 of the mount 10 so that the mount 10 and applicator tool 100 can be magnetically connected to one another. When the tool magnet 126 is in the first position (e.g. Figure 4), the applicator tool 100 can slide over the side segment 18. When the tool magnet 126 is in the second position (e.g. Figure 3), the tool magnet 126 sits in cylindrical bore 20 so that a side 140 of the tool magnet 126 can abut with a sidewall of the cylindrical bore 20. Abutment of the side 140 with the sidewall of the cylindrical bore 20 prevents the applicator tool 100 from sliding off the side segment 18. In an embodiment, when the applicator tool 100 is magnetically connected to the mount 10 and the tool magnet 126 is in the second position, the tool magnet 126 contacts the floor 24.

When the tool magnet 126 is in the first position, the magnetic force holding the applicator tool 100 to the mount 10 is weaker than when the tool magnet is in the second position. In some embodiments the magnetic force holding the applicator tool 100 to the mount 10 when the tool magnet 126 is in the first position is weak enough to release the applicator tool 100 without the need to slide the applicator tool 100 off the side segment 18.

To install the mount 10 to a ferromagnetic structural member, such as a steel purlin, the tool magnet 126 needs to be in the first position. If the tool magnet 126 is in the second position, it is first moved to the first position before the bottom wall 128 is placed onto the side segment 18 such that the tool magnet 126 is placed into proximity to, but not touching, the ferromagnetic floor 24 to cause the tool magnet 126 to be magnetically connected to the ferromagnetic floor 24. This magnetic connection causes the mount 10 to be connected to the applicator tool 100. Before or after the mount 10 is connected to the applicator tool 100, the plane of the top wall 111 is aligned with the plane of the reference surface 162 and the nuts or knobs 160 are tightened to clamp and rotationally fix the applicator tool 100 relative the handle 150. This puts the applicator tool 100 in the installation position. In this position the longitudinal direction of the shaft 152 extends generally parallel to a plane of the second portion 26. When the mount 10 is magnetically connected to the applicator tool 100 and the applicator tool 100 is in the installation position, the hook portion 38 is the most distal point relative the end 157 of the handle 150. The mount 10 is then raised up to a ferromagnetic structural member by the handle 150 and is positioned so that engagement region 14 touches the structural member. Generally, the guide surface 39 will first contact the structural member and guide the mount 10 towards the structural member until the engagement region 14 contacts the structural member close to the plate 32. Once the engagement region 14 contacts the structural member, the mount magnet 34 becomes magnetically connected to the structural member. Once the mount 10 is in this position, the mount magnet 34 causes the mount 10 to snap towards the structural member so that the top surface 13 in the engagement region 14 abuts the structural member. This snap occurs because the magnetic force holding the applicator tool 100 to the mount 10 is weaker when the tool magnet 126 is in the first position, so the pull of the mount magnet 34 towards the structural member is strong enough to magnetically disengage the tool magnet 126 from the ferromagnetic floor 24 to cause the applicator tool 100 to be removed from the mount 10.

If the engagement region 14 contacts the structural member in such a way that the mount magnet 34 does not cause the mount 10 to snap towards the structural member, the handle 150 can be used to push the applicator tool 100 towards the structural member which causes the mount 10 to move towards the structural member, for example by sliding on guide surface 39, until the mount magnet 34 engages the structural member to cause the mount 10 to be mounted to the structural member.

If the applicator tool 100 does not magnetically disengage from the mount 10 once the mount 10 is mounted to a structure member, the applicator tool 100 can slide across the side segment 18 to magnetically disengage the tool magnet 126 from the ferromagnetic floor 24 allowing the applicator tool 100 to be removed from the mount 10. This sliding movement is permitted as the tool magnet 126 is flush with the bottom surface 136 or positioned in the opening 113. The sliding movement is achieved by a user sliding the applicator tool 100 using the handle 150. This sliding movement is also permitted because the tool magnet 126 is flush with bottom surface 136 or located within the opening 113 so as to not engage with the cylindrical bore 20.

To remove the mount 10 from a structural member, the tool magnet 126 is moved to the second position, i.e. the mount removal position, where the tool magnet 126 protrudes from the body 110 by distance H. The applicator tool 100 is then placed onto the side segment 18 so that the tool magnet 126 sits in the cylindrical bore 20. When the tool magnet 126 sits in the cylindrical bore 20, the bottom surface 127 of the tool magnet 126 contacts, or is in close proximity to, the ferromagnetic floor 24. In this position, the side 140 of the tool magnet 126 can abut a sidewall of the cylindrical bore 20 when the applicator tool 100 is moved laterally. Accordingly, when the tool magnet 126 is in the second position and sits in the cylindrical bore 20, the applicator tool 100 is “locked” in a lateral direction relative the side segment 18. This means that when the handle 150 is pulled downwards to disengage the mount magnet 34 from the structural member, the applicator tool 100 does not slide off the side segment 18. Accordingly, when the tool magnet 126 is in the second position and the applicator tool 100 is engaged with the mount 10, a force applied to the applicator tool 100 in a direction away from the structural member, for example applied by a user pulling on the handle 150, causes the mount magnet 34 to disengage from the structural member so that the mount 10 can be removed from the structural member. The nut(s) or knob(s) 160 are loosened to allow the body 110 to rotate or pivot about a longitudinal axis of the clevis 154. When the mount 10 is removed from the structural member, the mount 10 along with the device secured to the mount 10 can swing and eventually rest in a region defined within the clevis 154.

Removal of the mount 10 from the structural member is typically required for maintenance or servicing of the device secured to the mount 10. For example, for a wireless smoke detector fixed to the mount 10, the smoke detector may need to have a battery replaced which requires removal of the mount 10 from the structural member.

Together the mount 10 and applicator tool 100 form a system used to position a mount on, or remove the mount from, a ferromagnetic structural member.

The mount 10 and applicator tool 100 can be provided as a kit. The kit may include instructions on how to use the mount 10 and/or applicator tool 100. Typically, the applicator tool 100 can be used to install and remove multiple mounts 10. Accordingly, the kit (or system) may have two or more mounts 10 and one applicator tool 100.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the disclosure, except where context requires otherwise due to expressed language or necessary implications, the word “comprise” or variants such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense i.e. to specify the presence of the state features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

Claims

1 . A mount used to attach a device to a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount having a mount body comprising: a device mounting surface to which the device can be secured to; an engagement surface that is contactable with the structural member; a mount magnet disposed relative to the engagement surface and having a pull-force that is sufficient to be able to secure the mount to the structural member when the engagement surface contacts the structural member; and a tool engagement portion that is able to engage with an applicator tool for mounting the mount to the structural member and removing the mount from the structural member.

2. The mount according to claim 1 , wherein the tool engagement portion has a ferromagnetic section.

3. The mount according to claim 2, wherein the tool engagement portion includes a recess and the ferromagnetic section defines a floor of the recess.

4. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an arm extending away from the engagement surface, wherein the arm prevents the mount from falling off the structural member if the mount magnet no longer secures the mount to the structural member.

5. The mount according to claim 4, wherein the arm comprises a base plate that secures the arm to the mount body, an elongate member extending from the base plate and a hook portion located at an end of the elongate member distal the base plate.

6. The mount according to claim 5, wherein the base plate, the elongate member and the hook are integral.

7. The mount according to claim 5 or 6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the base plate defines the ferromagnetic section.

8. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the engagement surface is delineated at a first side by a sidewall.

9. The mount according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the arm delineates the engagement surface at a second side to form an engagement channel extending between the sidewall and the arm.

10. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mount body is formed from two parts with the device mounting surface being on one part and the engagement surface being on a second part.

11 . The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mount magnet is located in an interior of the mount body.

12. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the mount magnet comprises two or more magnets.

13. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mount magnet has a pull force of 36 kg (8900 Gauss).

14. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the device mounting surface includes one or more threaded bores that can engage with a fastener that is used to secure the device to the device mounting surface.

15. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device is a wireless smoke detector.

16. The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the structural member is a steel purlin.

17. An applicator tool used to position a mount on, or remove the mount from, a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the structural member, the applicator tool having an applicator tool body comprising: a mount engagement surface that is contactable with a surface of the mount; and a recess that houses an applicator magnet, the applicator magnet being movable between an installation position and a removal position.

18. The applicator tool according to claim 17, wherein the applicator magnet protrudes out past the mount engagement surface when the applicator magnet is in the removal position.

19. The applicator tool according to claim 18, wherein the applicator magnet protrudes out past the mount engagement surface by 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm when the applicator magnet is in the removal position.

20. The applicator tool according to any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising an actuator that moves the applicator magnet between the installation position and the removal position.

21 . The applicator tool according to claim 20, wherein the actuator includes a rotatable knob that is engaged with the applicator magnet, wherein rotation of the rotatable knob around a rotation axis causes the applicator magnet to move between the installation position and the removal position.

22. The applicator tool according to claim 21 , wherein one of the applicator magnet and the rotatable knob has a threaded bore and the other of the applicator magnet and the rotatable knob has a shaft with a thread that is complementary to the threaded bore.

23. The applicator tool according to claims 21 or 22, wherein the actuator includes a plate that is secured to the applicator magnet, the plate acting to permit axial movement of the applicator magnet but to prevent rotation of the applicator magnet around the rotation axis.

24. The applicator tool according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein a diameter of the rotatable knob is greater than a diameter of the recess.

25. The applicator tool according to any one of claims 17 to 24, further comprising a handle connected to the applicator tool body.

26. The applicator tool according to claim 25, wherein the handle is attached to the applicator tool body with a pivotable connection, wherein the pivotable connection can be (i) locked so that the handle is rotationally fixed relative the applicator tool body and (ii) unlocked so that the handle is able to rotate relative the applicator tool body.

27. The applicator tool according to claim 26, wherein the handle includes a clevis and a clevis pin that passes through a passage in the applicator tool body to connect the applicator tool body to the clevis.

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28. The applicator tool according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the applicator magnet has a pull force of 32 kg.

29. The applicator tool according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the structural member is a steel purlin.

30. A system used to position a mount on, or remove the mount from, a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the structural member, the system comprising: the mount according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and the applicator tool according to any one of claims 17 to 29.

31 . A method of mounting a mount to a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the ferromagnetic structural member, the method comprising:

(iv) contacting the engagement surface of the mount with the structural member so that the mount magnet engages with the structural member to secure the mount to the structural member.

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32. The method according to claim 31 , further comprising removing the tool engagement portion from the ferromagnetic section of the tool engagement portion once the mount is secured to the ferromagnetic structural member.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein removing the tool engagement portion from the ferromagnetic section comprises sliding the tool engagement portion off from the ferromagnetic section.

34. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein, prior to step (iii), the applicator magnet is moved to the installation position.

35. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the applicator tool has a handle extending from the applicator tool body, the handle being pivotably connected to the applicator tool body about a pivot point, wherein rotation about the pivot point is fixed prior to step (iv).

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the mount engagement surface defines a plane that is positioned at approximately a 35°-65° relative a longitudinal direction of the handle when the pivot point is fixed.

37. A method of removing a mount from a ferromagnetic structural member, the mount being used to attach a device to the ferromagnetic structural member and having a mount body comprising: a device mounting surface which is used to secure the device to the mount body; an engagement surface that is contactable with the structural member; a mount magnet having a pull-force that is sufficient to be able to secure the mount to the structural member when the engagement surface contacts the structural member; and a tool engagement portion having a recess that has a floor that acts as a ferromagnetic section; the method comprising:

(i) providing an applicator tool having an applicator tool body comprising: a mount engagement surface that is contactable with a surface of the mount; a recess that houses an applicator magnet, the applicator magnet being movable between an installation position and a removal position, the applicator magnet being in the removal position;

19 (ii) contacting the mount engagement surface with the tool engagement portion so that the applicator magnet extends into the recess of the tool engagement portion and engages with the ferromagnetic section of the tool engagement portion; and

(iii) applying a removal force to the mount via the applicator tool to disengage the mount magnet from the structural member to remove the mount from the structural member.

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