Smoke detector housing and surface mount

Abstract

The smoke detector includes a detector mount that can define a cavity into which air can flow to reach a detector component of a detector body that engages the detector mount. The detector mount can include: a base, such as the base defines the cavity into which air can flow and / or a portion of the detector body can extend into the cavity; and an intermediate member that can removably engage both the base and the detector body such that the base engages the detector body via the intermediate member. The intermediate member can include fins or other features to direct the air flow in the cavity to one or more portions of the detector body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to, for example, smoke detectors and other surface-mounted devices including replaceable batteries. Background Art

[0002] Smoke detectors are commonly used to detect room or other space conditions such as smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and other potential hazardous conditions. Many smoke detectors include replaceable batteries, for example, at least for providing backup power when the main power supply is interrupted. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some aspects, a smoke detector includes a mount having two parts, for example, a base configured to be fixed to a surface such as a ceiling, and an intermediate member that can be removably attached to both the base and a detector body (which may house smoke, fire, and other environmental sensors). The two-part detector mount can provide more flexible detector configurations and / or easier detector use, such as by allowing easier attachment of the base to the ceiling and / or configuring the detector for different operating conditions. For example, since the base does not need to include functional components or other components (such as fins or other air movement-affecting parts) included in the intermediate member, the base can include larger, additional, or otherwise more conveniently accessible features for fixing the base to the surface. This can allow the base to be more easily mounted to a wide variety of different mounting surfaces. Additionally, since the base can be interconnected with the detector body through the intermediate member, a single base construction can be used with different configurations of detector bodies or intermediate members. This can allow for flexible configuration of the detector for different environments. For example, different environments may require different airflow requirements and / or detection features. As an example, the intermediate member can be used as an adapter to allow the detector mount to be used with different detector body arrangements that may require different sensors, airflow, or other features. Additionally, the intermediate member can be provided with functional features for guiding airflow, such as fins or other elements, and thus different intermediate member arrangements can be interchanged to provide different airflow or other functional effects. Therefore, by interchanging the intermediate member, the smoke detector can be configured for different operating environments. Further, since the intermediate member does not need to include features for mounting to the ceiling or other surface, the functional features can be provided on the intermediate member in any suitable manner without regard to ceiling or other surface mounting limitations.

[0004] In some embodiments, a smoke detector can include a movement indicator that is movable to prevent the engagement of the detector body with the detector mount and / or the cover from being positioned to at least partially cover the battery location in the event that the battery is not retained in the battery location. In some cases, the detector mount can include both a base and an intermediate member, and in the event that the battery is not in the battery location, the movement indicator can prevent the engagement of the intermediate member with the detector body. The intermediate member can serve as a cover, for example to at least partially cover the battery location, and can be used to interconnect the base and the detector body. Thus, the movement indicator and the intermediate member / cover can provide a convenient indication to the user that a battery is required, e.g., because the user can be informed that the battery is not properly positioned in the battery location before the user attempts to mount the detector to the ceiling or wall. For example, in a configuration where the movement indicator prevents the engagement of the detector body with a base mounted to the ceiling, the user will only know that a battery is required after the user attempts (and fails) to mount the detector body to the base mounted on the ceiling. This can be inconvenient, e.g., because the user may have climbed a ladder to mount the detector body to the base, only to find that the installation requires a battery. In contrast, in embodiments where the detector mount includes a base and an intermediate member, the user can learn that a battery is required before climbing a ladder or otherwise using to mount the detector body, because the engagement of the intermediate member with the detector body is performed (or attempted) before the detector body is mounted to the wall or ceiling. In the event that the battery is properly set in the battery location of the detector body, the intermediate member can first engage with the detector body, e.g., before climbing a ladder, and then the combined detector body and intermediate member can be mounted to the base.

[0005] In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having components for detecting environmental conditions, such as smoke, fire, heat, combustion gases, etc., at the smoke detector. A detector mount can be configured to support the smoke detector on a surface, and the detector mount can include a base configured to be fixed to the surface and an intermediate member configured to removably engage with both the base and the detector body such that the base engages with the detector body via the intermediate member. In some cases, the intermediate member may be required for the engagement of the detector body with the base, i.e., the detector body cannot engage with or be mounted to the base without the intermediate member.

[0006] In some cases, the intermediate member includes fins or other features to direct an air flow toward a detector component of the detector body. For example, the intermediate member may include an opening through which the detector component receives air, and the fins may be configured to direct the air flow toward the opening. In some embodiments, the opening is located at the center of the intermediate member, and a portion of the detector body may extend through the opening such that, for example, the detector body can receive air through the opening.

[0007] In some embodiments, the intermediate member and the detector body are configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member relative to the detector body. For example, the intermediate member may include a periphery having one or more protrusions, such as one or more protrusions extending radially outward from the periphery and configured to engage corresponding hooks on the detector body. In some cases, the detector body may include one or more hooks configured to engage corresponding slots in the intermediate member, such as by positioning the hooks in the corresponding slots and rotating the intermediate member such that the hooks engage a portion of the intermediate member at an end of the slot. In some embodiments, one or more of the hooks may each include a ramp configured to engage the intermediate member and move the intermediate member away from the detector body in response to rotation of the intermediate member in a direction opposite to the direction in which the intermediate member and the detector body can engage with each other. This arrangement can positively disengage the intermediate member from the detector body and signal to the user that the disengagement is complete.

[0008] In some embodiments, the intermediate member and the base may be configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member relative to the base. For example, the intermediate member may include a periphery having one or more protrusions, such as one or more protrusions spaced equidistantly around the periphery and configured to engage corresponding hooks on the base.

[0009] In some cases, the intermediate member is configured to at least partially cover a battery location of the detector body when the intermediate member is engaged with the detector body. Thus, the detector body and the intermediate member can be removed together from the base, and then the intermediate member can be removed from the detector body to replace the battery. In the case where the battery replacement is complete, the intermediate member can be re-engaged with the detector body, and the combined detector body and intermediate member can be installed onto the base.

[0010] In some cases, the base may define a cavity or other space in which air can be received for delivery to a detector component of the detector base, and / or a portion of the intermediate member or the detector body may be received in the cavity or other space. In some embodiments, the base may include a sidewall having an opening to allow an air flow to enter the space defined by the base. The space may be at least partially enclosed by the base and the intermediate member, and / or a portion of the intermediate member or the detector body may be received in the space.

[0011] In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having detector components for detecting environmental conditions at the location of the smoke detector, such as one or more detector components for detecting smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, etc. A detector mount may be configured to be fixed to a surface and to support the smoke detector on the surface, such as on a ceiling. The detector mount may include a base configured to be fixed to the surface, and the base has sidewalls having one or more openings to allow air to enter a cavity at least partially defined by the base. The detector body may be configured to receive air from the cavity for detecting environmental conditions using the detector components. For example, air may enter the cavity through one or more openings at the sidewalls of the base and may flow in the cavity to an air receiving region of the detector body (e.g., one or more openings of the detector body that receive air for operation of the detector components).

[0012] In some embodiments, the detector mount includes an intermediate member configured to removably engage both the base and the detector body such that the base engages the detector body via the intermediate member. Thus, an intermediate member may be required to mount the detector body to the base, although this is not always necessary. In some cases, the intermediate member may be configured to direct an air flow in the cavity toward the air receiving region of the detector body. For example, the intermediate member may include fins or other features to direct the air flow toward the detector components of the detector body or an opening of the detector body through which air is received. In some cases, the intermediate member may be configured to at least partially enclose the cavity with the base, and a portion of the detector body may extend into the cavity defined by the base and the intermediate member. As an example, at least a portion of the detector components may be positioned in the cavity to receive air. The intermediate member may include an opening through which air may flow to the detector body (e.g., via an opening in the detector body), and fins or other elements may direct the air flow in the cavity toward the opening in the intermediate member.

[0013] In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having a battery location configured to receive and hold a battery for use by the electronic components of the smoke detector. A detector mount may be configured to be fixed to a surface and configured to support the smoke detector on the surface and may be configured to releasably engage the detector body to at least partially cover the battery location. For example, the detector mount may include a base configured to be fixed to the surface and an intermediate member configured to engage the detector body, for example, to at least partially cover the battery location. A change indicator may be configured to move between a first position where the change indicator is located when a battery is held in the battery location and a second position where the change indicator is located when no battery is held in the battery location. The change indicator and the detector mount may be configured to prevent engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the second position and configured to allow engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the first position. For example, in the case where the detector mount includes an intermediate member, if the change indicator is in the second position, the change indicator may prevent engagement of the intermediate member with the detector body. In some cases, the base may be configured to engage the detector body via the intermediate member, for example, the intermediate member may be required to engage the detector body with the base.

[0014] In some embodiments, the change indicator is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis oriented along a direction of receiving the battery at the battery location. For example, the detector body may have an upper surface disposed in a plane and the change indicator may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the plane. In some cases, the detector body and the detector mount may be configured to engage by relative rotation about an engagement axis and the change indicator may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis oriented along a direction parallel to the engagement axis. In some embodiments, the change indicator may be configured to pivot about the pivot axis and slide along the pivot axis during movement between the first position and the second position. For example, the change indicator may be configured to pivot within the battery location about the pivot axis between the first position and the second position and have a portion extending out of the battery location when the change indicator is in the second position. In some embodiments, the change indicator may move between the first position and the second position along a helical ramp. The change indicator may be elastically biased to move towards the second position and configured such that a battery at the battery location holds the change indicator in the first position.

[0015] The change indicator can prevent the engagement of the detector mount and the detector body in different ways. For example, the change indicator in the second position can be configured to prevent the detector mount from being properly positioned near the detector body for the engagement of the detector body and the detector mount. In some cases, the change indicator in the second position can be configured to prevent the detector mount from rotating relative to the detector body for engaging the detector body and the detector mount. For example, the change indicator can prevent the rotation of the intermediate member relative to the detector body for engagement.

[0016] Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a smoke detector in an illustrative embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the smoke detector;

[0020] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the smoke detector, where the detector body and the intermediate member are removed from the mounting base;

[0021] Figure 4 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the smoke detector, where the intermediate member is separated from the detector body;

[0022] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the intermediate member of;

[0023] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a top view of the intermediate member of;

[0024] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the detector body of;

[0025] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the detector body, illustrating the change indicator; and

[0026] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the change indicator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described below by way of one or more illustrative embodiments. It should be understood that the described illustrative embodiments are not intended to limit the aspects, but rather to help illustrate how one or more aspects may be implemented in a particular example. Additionally, aspects may be implemented separately and / or in combination with other aspects. For example, some of the aspects below relate to a detector having a two-part mount with a base and an intermediate member, while other aspects relate to a change indicator that is movable based on whether a battery is received at a battery location and, if not received, can prevent engagement of the detector body with the mount. In other aspects, the detector mount may define a cavity into which air can be received and transmitted to a detector component of the detector body. These and other aspects may be used together, separately, and / or in any suitable combination with one another. For example, the detector may include a two-part mount arrangement but not include a change indicator and / or an air receiving cavity, or the detector may employ a change indicator and a single-part mount and / or no air receiving cavity.

[0028] In some aspects, a smoke detector can include a body (e.g., housing one or more detector components for detecting smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, fine particles, and / or other environmental conditions) and a detector mount that includes two parts—a base that can be fixed to a ceiling or other surface on which the detector is supported, and an intermediate member positioned between the base and the detector body. The base and / or the intermediate member can engage with the detector body. For example, the base can engage directly with the detector body, or the base can engage with the detector body via the intermediate member. The intermediate member can provide various benefits, particularly in cases where the base engages with the detector body via the intermediate member. For example, since the intermediate member does not need to be configured to be fixed to a ceiling, wall, or other surface, the intermediate member does not need to have openings or other features to accommodate fasteners. Instead, the base can be separately configured with such features to allow the base to be fixed to a ceiling or other surface. This allows the intermediate member to be configured in any suitable manner, e.g., to perform various functions without regard to enabling the intermediate member to be fixed to a ceiling or other surface. For example, in some embodiments, the intermediate member can include fins, openings, or other features to direct or otherwise affect the air flow to one or more components of the detector body. Since the intermediate member does not need to be configured to be fixed to a ceiling, the intermediate member can have larger fins, more fins, more closely spaced fins, larger openings, etc. than would otherwise be possible for interacting with the air flow. Additionally, or alternatively, having an intermediate member separate from the base of the detector mount can allow one intermediate member to be replaced with another, e.g., to configure the detector for different conditions. As an example, one location may require the intermediate member to restrict the air flow compared to another location that requires less restricted air flow. By replacing the intermediate member with another having different functional characteristics, the detector can be configured for different operating conditions and / or provide other functional characteristics. In some cases, the intermediate member and the base of the detector mount can define a cavity into which air can enter and be received by one or more detector components of the detector body. Different intermediate members can allow for the construction of different cavity characteristics, such as enlarging or reducing the size of the cavity, thereby providing more or less air flow restriction, etc.

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2Shows a bottom perspective view and a top perspective view of the smoke detector 1 in some embodiments. As used herein, a smoke detector can be configured to detect any suitable environmental conditions, such as smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, and / or fine particles, and is thus not limited to detecting smoke. In some embodiments, the detector 1 includes a mounting member 3 that can be configured to be fixed to a surface, such as a ceiling or a wall, and support the smoke detector 1 on that surface. In some embodiments, the detector mounting member 3 includes two separable parts, such as a base 31 configured to be fixed to the surface and an intermediate member 32. For example, a detector body 2 including components for detecting environmental conditions such as smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, etc. can be fixed to the mounting member 3 at the smoke detector 1 and thus fixed to the surface. In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 can be configured to removably engage both the base 31 and the detector body 2, such that the base 31 engages the detector body 2 via the intermediate member 32. That is, the intermediate member 32 can be configured to engage the detector body 2 and configured to engage the base 31, so that the base 31 and the body 2 can be fixed together. However, in certain embodiments, the base 31 and the body 2 can be configured such that the two can be fixed together without the intermediate member 32. That is, in some embodiments, the base 31 and the body 2 can be configured to directly engage each other without the need for the intermediate member 32, which can simply be positioned between the base 31 and the body 2, engage either the base 31 or the body 2 separately, or be eliminated entirely.

[0030] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1Exploded view of an embodiment, in which the base 31 is separated from the intermediate member 32 and the body 2. In some embodiments, the base 31 is configured to be fixed to a ceiling, wall, or other surface and may have suitable features to enable such engagement, such as one or more openings 33 to receive fasteners, adhesives, and / or hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, etc. fixed to the surface. Thus, the base 31 can be fixed to the ceiling or other surface separated from the intermediate member 32 and the body 2, and thereafter the intermediate member 32 and the body 2 can be engaged with the base 31 to fix the detector 1 to the surface. In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 and the base 31 can be configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member 32 relative to the base 31. Thus, if the intermediate member 32 is engaged with the body 2, the body 2 and the intermediate member 32 can be engaged with the base 31 by rotating the body 2 and the intermediate member 32 relative to the base 31. In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 includes a periphery having one or more protrusions 34 configured to engage corresponding hooks 35 on the base 31. As an example, the periphery of the intermediate member 32 may include a notch 34a adjacent to the corresponding protrusion 34, the notch 34a being configured to receive the hook 35 of the base 31 when the base 31 and the intermediate member 32 are positioned adjacent to each other. With the hook 35 positioned in the corresponding notch 34a, the intermediate member 32 (and the attached body 2) can be rotated relative to the base 31 to position a portion of the hook 35 below the corresponding protrusion 34 and thereby engage the intermediate member 32 (and the body 2) with the base 31. Other arrangements can be used to engage the intermediate member 32 with the base 31, such as keyhole slots and clamp engagement features, bayonet connectors, spring protrusions, threads, cams, and cam follower joints, etc.

[0031] Figure 3Also illustrated is that, in some embodiments, the base 31 can be configured to define a cavity. For example, a portion of the intermediate member 32 and / or a portion of the body 2 can be received in the cavity. The base 31 can also be configured to allow air flow to enter the cavity, for example, via one or more openings 36 in the sidewall of the base 31. That is, the base 31 can include an upper wall (e.g., which is positioned against a ceiling or other surface) and a sidewall extending downward from the upper wall. The sidewall can define the cavity together with the upper wall and can include the openings 36 for allowing air flow to enter the cavity. The air entering the cavity or other space (e.g., defined by the base 31 and the intermediate member 32) can be received by one or more detector components of the detector body 2, and the one or more detector components can be at least partially positioned in the cavity or other space. In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 can be configured to interact with the air in the cavity, for example, to direct the air flow to a portion where the detector components of the detector body 2 are located. For example, the intermediate member 32 can include one or more fins 37 or other features to direct the air flow toward the detector components of the detector body 2 or other portions 21 of the detector body 2, and the other portions 21 of the detector body 2 are configured to receive the air from the cavity or space defined by the base 31 and the intermediate member 32. The fins 37 can be equally spaced around the intermediate member 32 and, for example, extend radially outward from the opening 38. The intermediate member 32 can include other air flow influencing features according to the desired effect on the air in the cavity, such as baffles, diffusers, turbulence inducing elements, restrictors, etc., and different intermediate members 32 can be employed to have different effects on the air in the cavity. One or more portions of the base 31 can also include air flow features, for example, to direct the air flow, produce a turbulence or mixing effect, etc. In some embodiments, the base 31 can include fins, ribs or other features arranged opposite or laterally to the fins or other air flow features 37 of the intermediate member 32. Figure 3 An option is shown where the base 31 includes concentric rings, ribs or fins, for example, with the center of the concentric rings, ribs or fins at approximately the center of the opening 38 of the intermediate member 32. These concentric ribs can be substantially perpendicular to the nearby fins 37 and can disrupt the air flow along the direction of the fins 37 or cause turbulence in the air flow along the direction of the fins 37. Of course, other air flow feature arrangements can be provided on the base 31.

[0032] In some embodiments, the fins or other air flow features 37 can be configured to direct the air flow radially inward toward the center of the intermediate member 32 or other locations where the detector body 2 can receive air. For example, Figure 4A exploded view of the intermediate member 32 and the detector body 2 is shown, and it is illustrated that in some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 may include an opening 38 through which a portion 21 of the detector body 2 may extend and / or receive air. In some cases, the fins 37 may be configured to direct an air flow toward the opening 38, and the opening 38 may be located at the center of the intermediate member 32. In some embodiments, for example, when the intermediate member 32 is engaged with the body 2, a portion 21 of the detector body 2 may extend through the opening 38. The portion 21 may be configured to receive air from the cavity and / or position at least a portion of the detector component in the cavity. In some embodiments, the portion 21 may include one or more openings 22 through which air may enter the body 2.

[0033] In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 may be removably engagable with the detector body 2 and may be engaged / disengaged by rotation of the intermediate member 32 relative to the detector body. In some cases, the intermediate member may have a periphery with one or more protrusions 39 configured to engage corresponding hooks 23 on the detector body 2. Figure 5 and Figure 6 A top perspective view and a top view of the intermediate member 32 are shown, and it is illustrated how the protrusions 39 extend radially outward from the outer periphery of the intermediate member 32. In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 may have three protrusions 39 spaced 120 degrees apart around the periphery of the intermediate member 32. The hooks 23 on the detector body 2 may be similarly positioned and configured such that the periphery of the intermediate member 32 may be received in the region between the hooks 23 as long as the protrusions 39 are positioned away from the hooks 23. In the case where the intermediate member 32 is in the region between the hooks 23, the intermediate member 32 may be rotated relative to the body 2, for example clockwise, such that the protrusions 39 are received and captured by the corresponding hooks 23. The protrusions 39 and / or the hooks 23 may include stoppers such that rotation of the intermediate member 32 beyond a certain point is prevented. For example, when the protrusions 39 are properly engaged with the hooks 23, the stoppers may prevent further rotation of the intermediate member 32. In some embodiments, the hook 23 may serve as a stopper for the engagement of the base 31 with the intermediate member 32. For example, in the case where the hook 35 of the base 31 is received in the notch 34a and the intermediate member 32 is rotated such that the hook 35 engages the protrusion 34, the hook 35 may move into contact with the hook 23 on the detector body 2. At this time, further rotation of the base 31 relative to the intermediate member 32 and the body 2 may be stopped by the hook 23.

[0034] In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 may be engaged with the detector body 2 in other or additional ways other than by hook and protrusion engagement at the periphery of the intermediate member 32. For example, in some embodiments, as Figure 4As shown, the detector body 2 may include one or more capture members 24 configured to engage corresponding slots 40 on the intermediate member 32. In some embodiments, the detector body 2 may include three capture members 24 positioned at circumferentially equidistant positions on the body 2 such that the capture members 24 all engage corresponding slots 24 of the intermediate member 32. For example, the intermediate member 32 may be positioned on the body 2 such that an upper portion of the capture member 24 is received in the corresponding slot 40 of the intermediate member 32. In the case where each capture member 24 is received in the corresponding slot 40, the intermediate member 32 may be rotated relative to the body 2, e.g., clockwise, such that a portion of the intermediate member 32 at the end of each slot 40 is captured in a hook or recess of the capture member 24. This may fix the intermediate member 32 to the detector body 2, e.g., such that the intermediate member 32 cannot be removed from the body 2 without a counterclockwise rotation.

[0035] In some embodiments, the capture member 40 may include, as Figure 4The ramp at the upper surface shown in [description] is configured to engage with the intermediate member 32 and move the intermediate member 32 towards and away from the detector body 2 in response to the rotation of the intermediate member relative to the body 2. For example, the intermediate member 32 may be positioned on the body 2 such that the upper portion of the capture member 24 forming the ramp is received into the corresponding slot 40 of the intermediate member 32. When the intermediate member 32 rotates, the first end of each slot 40 will travel along the corresponding ramp of the capture member 24, and thus move the intermediate member 32 towards or away from the body 2 according to the direction of rotation. If the intermediate member 32 rotates in the clockwise direction, the first end of each slot 40 will travel downward along the ramp surface of the capture member 24, allowing the intermediate member 32 to gradually move towards the body 2 as the intermediate member 32 rotates, and until the intermediate member is fully seated on the body 2. Once the intermediate member 32 is seated, further clockwise rotation of the intermediate member 32 will cause a portion of the second end of each slot 40, opposite the first end, to be received into the hook or recess of the corresponding capture member 24, thereby engaging the intermediate member 32 with the body 2. When the intermediate member 32 rotates, counterclockwise rotation of the intermediate member 32 will disengage the second end of each slot from the capture member 24 and cause the first end of each slot 40 to travel upward along the ramp surface of the corresponding capture member 24. The upward travel of the first end of each slot 40 along the ramp surface of the capture member 24 causes the intermediate member 32 to gradually move away from the detector body 2. Thus, the intermediate member 32 and the detector body 2 may be configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member 32 relative to the detector body 2 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise), and the ramp surface on the capture member 24 may be configured to engage with the intermediate member 32 and move the intermediate member 32 towards the detector body 2 when the intermediate member 32 rotates in the first direction towards engagement with the body 2. The ramp engagement may help ensure proper alignment and engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the body 2, e.g., by controlling the movement of the intermediate member 32 towards the body 2 during rotation, since the first end of the slot 40 follows the profile of the corresponding ramp during rotation of the intermediate member 32. Additionally, the intermediate member 32 and the detector body 2 may be configured to disengage by rotation of the intermediate member 32 in a second direction opposite the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise), such that the intermediate member 32 moves away from the detector body 2 in response to rotation of the intermediate member 32 in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise). This arrangement may help ensure proper disengagement of the intermediate member 32 from the body 2 in response to rotation of the intermediate member 32 relative to the body 2. Note that the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the body 2 may be achieved only through the capture member 24 and the slot 40, and there are no engagement features at the periphery of the intermediate member 32.

[0036] Another feature of the intermediate member 32 is that the intermediate member 32 can be operated to at least partially cover the battery location 25, where the battery 26 (the battery 26 is locatedFigure 4 The battery location 25 on the right side can be received and held for use by the electronic components of the smoke detector, for example, to receive power from the battery 26 and / or charge the battery 26 or maintain the charged state of the battery 26. For example, the intermediate member 32 can help hold the battery 26 in the battery location 25, such that the battery 26 remains in proper electrical contact with the components of the detector 1.

[0037] In some embodiments, the battery location 25 can include a change indicator 27 configured to move between a first position where the change indicator 27 is located when the battery 26 is held in the battery location 25 and a second position where the change indicator 27 is located when no battery 26 is held in the battery location 26. If the change indicator 27 is in the second position, the change indicator 27 and the intermediate member 32 or other parts of the detector mount (such as the base 31) can be configured to prevent the engagement of the detector body 2 with the intermediate member 32 (or other parts of the detector mount). This can help ensure that the battery 26 is provided to the smoke detector 1 during operation, because if the battery 26 is not at the battery location 25, the detector 1 can be prevented from being mounted to the ceiling or other surface. For example, in the case where the detector mount includes the intermediate member 32, the change indicator 27 in the second position can prevent parts of the intermediate member 32 (such as the protrusion 39 or the slot 40) from being properly positioned near parts of the detector body 2 (such as the hook 23 or the catch 24) for engagement. As described above, in embodiments where the intermediate member 32 is required to mount the detector body 2 to the base 31, the failure of the intermediate member 32 to engage with the body 2 will also prevent the mounting of the body 2 to the base 31. Conversely, if the change indicator 27 is in the first position, the change indicator 27 can allow the engagement of the detector body 2 with the detector mount (e.g., the intermediate member 32 and / or the base 31). For example, the change indicator 27 in the first position can allow the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the body 2, and thus allow the engagement of the body 2 with the base 31.

[0038] In Figure 4In [the situation], the battery position 25 on the left side does not hold the battery 26, and thus the change indicator 27 is in the second position. In the second position, a part of the change indicator 27 extends upward from the upper surface of the detector body 2 (e.g., positioned around the battery position 25) and / or from the corresponding battery position 25, and thus prevents the engagement of the intermediate member 32 (or other detector mounting portion) with the detector body 2. For example, as described above, the intermediate member 32 can be configured to engage the detector body 2 by fitting the protrusion 39 under a part of the corresponding hook 23 when the intermediate member 32 rotates relative to the body 2. However, when in the second position, the change indicator 27 can hold the intermediate member 32 properly away from the detector body 2 such that one or more protrusions 39 cannot engage the corresponding hooks 23, thus preventing the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the detector body 2. Additionally, or alternatively, the change indicator 27 can hold the intermediate member 32 properly away from the detector body 2 such that the catching member 24 cannot engage the intermediate member 32 at the corresponding slot 40. Thus, since the intermediate member 32 cannot engage the detector body 2, the user can receive an indication that the battery 26 is missing in the battery position 25.

[0039] The change indicator 27 is not limited to preventing the engagement of the intermediate member 32 or other detector mounting member 3 elements with the body 2 by preventing the components from being properly adjacent to each other. For example, when the change indicator 27 is in the second position, the change indicator 27 can engage the intermediate member 32 or other detector mounting components to prevent rotation relative to the body 2, e.g., to prevent the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the body 2. For example, in some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 can include one or more engagement features 41, such as ribs, protrusions, notches, grooves, fins, etc., and one or more engagement features 41 extend from or into the lower surface of the intermediate member 32 and are configured to engage the change indicator 27 in the second position to prevent the rotation of the intermediate member 32 relative to the body 2. With this type of arrangement, the change indicator 27 does not need to hold the intermediate member 32 properly away to prevent the engagement of the protrusion 29 / hook 23 or the catching member 24 / slot 40. Instead, the intermediate member 32 can be allowed to be positioned adjacent to the body 2 (e.g., properly close for engagement), but the engagement features 41 can prevent the relative rotation of the intermediate member and the body required for the engagement of the intermediate member 32 and the body 2.

[0040] In some embodiments, the change indicator 27 may be configured to pivot about a pivot axis 28 between a first position and a second position. In some cases, the pivot axis 28 may be oriented along the direction in which the battery 26 is received in the battery location 25. In some embodiments, the detector body 2 may have a rear surface disposed in a plane, for example, around the battery location 25, and the pivot axis 28 may be oriented perpendicular to this plane. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the detector body 2 and the detector mount, such as the intermediate member 32, are configured to engage by relative rotation about an engagement axis 42, and the change indicator 27 may be configured to pivot about a pivot axis 28 that is oriented along a direction parallel to the engagement axis 42. As can be seen at the left change indicator 27 in Figure 4 , the change indicator 27 may have a portion that extends upwardly beyond the battery location 25 when in the second position, whereas the change indicator 27 may be positioned within or flush with the entrance of the battery location 25 when in the first position, as shown by the right change indicator 27 in Figure 4 .

[0041] To achieve this type of movement between the first position and the second position, the change indicator 27 may be configured to both pivot about the pivot axis 28 and slide along the pivot axis 28, for example, to move out of and / or into the battery location 25 during pivoting between the first position and the second position. For example, as can be seen in Figure 7 , the change indicator 27 may be configured to pivot about the pivot axis 28 between a first position and a second position within the battery location 25 and have a portion that extends out of the battery location 25 when the change indicator 27 is in the second position. For example, the change indicator 27 may be elastically biased to move towards the second position and be configured such that the battery 26 at the battery location 25 holds the change indicator 27 in the first position. In Figure 7 , there is no battery 26 positioned at the battery location 25 on the left, and thus the change indicator 27 is in the second position. In this case, the change indicator 27 pivots from the first position to the second position about the pivot axis 28 within the battery location 25. When in the second position, the change indicator 27 may not only prevent the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the body 2 but also prevent the battery 26 from being placed in the battery location 25 unless the change indicator 27 is moved. To place the battery 26 in the left battery location 25, the user may manually overcome the spring bias that forces the change indicator 27 to move to the second position and pivot the change indicator 27 to the first position in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figure 7 ). When the change indicator 27 is held in the first position, the battery 26 may be placed in the battery location 25, as shown in Figure 7As seen from the right battery position 25 in the middle. Alternatively, when the battery 26 is placed in the battery position 25, the user can use the battery 26 to move the change indicator 27 to the first position. For example, the user can slide the battery 26 from one end of the position 25 into the battery position 25 such that when the battery 26 is further inserted into the battery position 25, the front end of the battery 26 contacts the change indicator 27 and pivots the indicator 27 to the first position. When received at the battery position 25, the battery 26 can hold the change indicator 27 in the first position, as Figure 7 shown on the right in the middle, so that the intermediate member 32 can engage with the body 2 (assuming the battery 26 is at the two battery positions 25, so both change indicators 27 are in the first position; in some embodiments, only one battery position 25 and / or one change indicator 27 need to be employed).

[0042] The change indicator 27 can be configured to move between the first position and the second position in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the change indicator 27 moves along a helical ramp between the first position and the second position. For example, Figure 8 Fig. shows a lower perspective view of a part of the detector body 2 with the change indicator 27 mounted thereon. In this embodiment, the change indicator 27 is mounted on a shaft 271 of the detector body 2, and the shaft 271 includes a pair of helical ramps 272 ( Figure 8 only one ramp 272 is shown in the figure; the second ramp 272 is located at the rear side of the shaft 271). As Figure 9As can be seen, the change indicator 27 includes an opening 273 that receives the shaft 271, so that the change indicator 27 can pivot about a pivot axis 28 on the shaft 271. A pair of cam followers 274 are constructed in a portion of the opening 273 (e.g., the counterbore portion of the opening 273) to engage corresponding helical ramps 272 at the base of the shaft 271. The helical ramps 272 and the cam followers 274 are constructed such that when the change indicator 27 pivots to the first position, the change indicator 27 moves downward on the shaft 271 and pivots about the pivot axis 28. Conversely, when the change indicator 27 pivots to the second position, the helical ramps 272 and the cam followers 274 are constructed such that the change indicator 27 moves upward on the shaft 271 and pivots about the pivot axis 28. A torsion spring 29 or other elastic element can be provided to bias or otherwise force the change indicator 27 to move to the second position and / or move upward on the shaft 271. Thus, if no battery 26 is located in the battery position 25, the change indicator 27 will tend to move to the second position. However, in the case where the change indicator 27 is in the first position, the battery 26 can be placed in the battery position 25, and as long as the battery 26 is in the battery position 25, the battery 26 can hold the change indicator 27 in the first position. The change indicator 27 and / or the detector body 2 can include one or more stoppers to determine the positions of the change indicator 27 in the first and second positions. For example, the change indicator 27 can include a stopper 275 that can contact a corresponding stopper 276 on the detector body 2 when the change indicator 27 is in the second position. To limit the position of the change indicator 27 to the first position, a pin 277 of the change indicator 27 can contact a portion of the body 2 at the battery position 25. The pin 277 can also be used to contact the intermediate member 32 to prevent the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the detector body 2 when the change indicator 27 is in the second position. As described above, the intermediate member 32 engages with the detector body 2 by rotating clockwise about the engagement axis 42 relative to the detector body 2. The pin 277 can engage with the intermediate member 32, for example, at the engagement feature 41 to prevent the rotational movement of the intermediate member 32 relative to the detector body 2. The stoppers 275, 276 can prevent the change indicator 27 from moving beyond the second position (e.g., the change indicator 27 rotates counterclockwise about the pivot axis 28 beyond the second position), and thus help prevent the engagement of the intermediate member 32 with the body 2.

[0043] The operation of a smoke detector component, such as one or more sensors for detecting smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, fine particles, etc., can be controlled by a controller, which may include a programmed processor and / or other data processing means together with suitable software or other operating instructions for performing the desired functions, one or more memories (including non-transitory storage media that can store software and / or other operating instructions), sensors, input / output interfaces (such as a user interface on a housing), communication modules (e.g., for wired and / or wireless communication), buses or other links, displays, switches, relays, triacs, speakers or other noise generating devices, batteries or other energy sources or power supplies, or other components required to perform the desired input / output, control, or other functions. The user interface can be arranged in any suitable manner and includes any appropriate components for providing information to the user and / or receiving information from the user, such as buttons, touchscreens, voice command modules (including microphones for receiving audio information from the user and suitable software for interpreting the audio information as voice instructions), visual displays, one or more indicator lights, speakers, etc.

[0044] Although the systems and methods have been described with reference to various illustrative embodiments, these systems and methods are not limited to the described embodiments. Thus, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A smoke detector, comprising: A detector body, the detector body including components for detecting environmental conditions at the smoke detector; And A detector mount configured to be fixed to a surface and support the smoke detector on the surface, the detector mount including a base configured to be fixed to the surface and an intermediate member configured to removably engage both the base and the detector body such that the base engages the detector body via the intermediate member, Wherein the intermediate member includes fins for guiding an air flow towards a detector component of the detector body.

2. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein, The intermediate member includes an opening through which the detector component receives air, and wherein the fins are configured to guide the air flow towards the opening.

3. The smoke detector according to claim 2, wherein, The opening is located at the center of the intermediate member and a portion of the detector body extends through the opening.

4. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein, The intermediate member and the detector body are configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member relative to the detector body.

5. The smoke detector according to claim 4, wherein, The intermediate member includes a periphery having one or more protrusions configured to engage corresponding hooks on the detector body.

6. The smoke detector according to claim 4, wherein, The detector body includes one or more hooks configured to engage corresponding slots in the intermediate member.

7. The smoke detector according to claim 6, wherein, The intermediate member and the detector body are configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member relative to the detector body in a first direction, and wherein each of the one or more hooks includes a ramp configured to engage the intermediate member and move the intermediate member away from the detector body in response to rotation of the intermediate member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

8. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein, The intermediate member and the base are configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate member relative to the base.

9. The smoke detector according to claim 8, wherein, The intermediate member includes a periphery having one or more protrusions configured to engage corresponding hooks on the base.

10. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein, The intermediate member is configured to at least partially cover a battery location of the detector body when the intermediate member is engaged with the detector body.

11. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein, The base includes a sidewall with an opening to allow an air flow to enter a space defined by the base and the intermediate member and into a detector component of the detector body.

12. The smoke detector according to claim 9, wherein, A portion of the detector body extends into the space defined by the base and the intermediate member and is configured to receive an air flow from the space and to the detector component.

13. A smoke detector, comprising: A detector body, the detector body including a detector component for detecting environmental conditions at the smoke detector; And A detector mount configured to be fixed to a surface and support the smoke detector on the surface, the detector mount including a base configured to be fixed to the surface, the base defining a cavity and having a sidewall with one or more openings for allowing air to enter the cavity. Wherein, the detector body is configured to receive air from the cavity for detecting the environmental conditions using the detector components.

14. The smoke detector according to claim 13, wherein, The detector mount includes an intermediate member configured to removably engage both the base and the detector body such that the base engages the detector body through the intermediate member.

15. The smoke detector according to claim 13, wherein, The detector mount includes an intermediate member configured to direct an air flow in the cavity toward an air receiving region of the detector body.

16. The smoke detector according to claim 13, wherein, The detector mount includes an intermediate member configured to at least partially enclose the cavity with the base.

17. The smoke detector according to claim 16, wherein, A portion of the detector body extends into the cavity defined by the base and the intermediate member and is configured to receive an air flow from the cavity.

18. The smoke detector according to claim 16, wherein, The intermediate member includes fins for directing an air flow toward the detector components of the detector body.

19. The smoke detector according to claim 18, wherein, The intermediate member includes an opening through which the detector components receive air, and wherein the fins are configured to direct an air flow toward the opening.

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