Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing a fitting 100 in a ceiling, comprising a carrier 3 and a base 55. The carrier 3 provides a plurality of fixing holes 33 for the fitting 100

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling, such as but not exclusively a smoke detector. Background It can be difficult to install smoke detectors or other electrical fittings in ceilings, such as suspended ceiling tiles, as the tiles or ceiling may be damaged, and / or the fitting may not be mounted securely and tightly, allowing passage of fire and air, and reducing the delay rating. Prior Art US 2021 0 344 151 (FLEMING) discloses a quick release junction box positionable above a ceiling in a building with a socket positioned in the junction box, a female electrical plug integrated into the socket and the female electrical plug electrically coupled to the wires for receiving voltage and voltage from the wires and a plug is slidably insertable into the socket and the plug is placed in electrical communication with the building's electrical system when the plug is inserted into the socket. EP 3 731 359 (COOREMAN) discloses a mounting system for mounting a ceiling or wall device in or on a ceiling or a wall comprises a ceiling or wall part to removably attach in or on the ceiling and a device holding part to receive the ceiling or wall device, the ceiling or wall part and the device holding part comprising mating connecting means to removably fix the device holding part to the ceiling or wall part by means of a combination of a linear movement and a rotating movement, such that, when mounted, an inner surface of the ceiling or wall part is facing an outer surface of the device holding part. CN 209560679 ZHAO discloses a rapid installation and connection structure of a smoke alarm. The smoke alarm device comprises a mounting assembly and a smoke alarm which are detachably mounted on a suspended ceiling plate, the mounting assembly comprises a mounting seat with an opening in the lower end and a mounting space inside; the lower end wall of the mounting base is provided with two oppositely-arranged U-shaped grooves with downward openings. A clamping rod is rotationally connected between the two side walls of the U-shaped groove. The middle of the clamping rod is rotationally connected with the U-shaped groove; the lower end of the smoke alarm extends to the lower end face of the mounting base, an abutting rod extending into the mounting space is arranged at the upper end of the smoke alarm, a spring in a compressed state is arranged between the abutting rod and the inner wall of the mounting base, an annular clamping groove is formed in the side face of the smoke alarm in the circumferential direction, and the abutting rod is clamped into the clamping groove along with rotation of the clamping rod to fix the smoke alarm. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling, comprising a carrier and a base, wherein the carrier provides a plurality of fixing holes for the fitting and the base comprises a threaded inner providing a connection mechanism for the carrier and an annular support surface extending outwards from the threaded inner, so as to support the apparatus on a ceiling. In some embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the carrier comprises a displaceable locking key, so as to allow the carrier to be screwed onto the base safely and securely and clamping to the ceiling. In some embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the base comprises resilient fingers for gripping the carrier, such as to allow for a deforming grip, consolidating the connection and closing fire gaps. In some embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the base comprises a displaceable cap, which closes onto these fingers. In some embodiments of the apparatus for example the base comprises a resilient gasket, which gasket is deformed by the cap securing onto and over the fingers, thereby creating a secure tight closure to protect the fitting. in some embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the base comprises an intumescent gland for passage of cables through the base and the apparatus in general, enabling the fitting to be safely wired to an electrical network. In some such embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the cap comprises a threaded internal bore, providing a progressive securement means. Other embodiments may be sprung or clip fitted In some embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the fitting comprises a fire detecting fitting such as a smoke detector. In some embodiments of the apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling the apparatus comprises a fitting, whereas in olher embodiments it may be envisaged that the fitting may be provided in use, wherein the apparatus is substantially a mounting means for an independently provided fitting. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing smoke detectors in ceiling tiles comprising apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the figures. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention, comprising a base and a carrier for a fitting; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, with a smoke detector fitting; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3, with a smoke detector fitting; Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figures 7 show further isometric views of the pictured embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of apparatus 99 for providing a smoke fitting 100 in a ceiling (not shown) such as a ceiling tile, generally comprising a carrier 3 and a base 55, wherein the carrier provides a plurality of fixing holes 33 for the fitting and the base comprises a threaded inner 29 providing a connection mechanism for the carrier 3 and an annular support surface 22 extending outwards from the threaded inner, so as to support the apparatus on a ceiling. In particular reference to the embodiment of the apparatus that is shown in Figure 1, the apparatus in this embodiment comprises a carrier 3 and a base 55, wherein the carrier may be used for fixing of a fitting such as a smoke or fire detector. The carrier comprises an annular lower face 32, having a plurality of radially spaced perforations 33 for passage of screw fixings so as to allow the fitting to be fitted to the ceiling. The carrier further comprises an extending cylinder 34, extending upwards in use, which cylinder comprises an external screw thread and an internal hole. In the pictured embodiment the hole receives a displaceable locking key 4, which key is shown as a three armed moulded part, which is inserted into radially spaced indentations 31 in the inner face of the hole, such that a user is enabled to turn the key as a consequence turn the carrier in the base. The additional key allows a user to fasten the carrier tightly to the base through ceiling tile wherein a smoke detector may be held to the carrier by two screws which screw through the ceiling tile and protrude into moulded screw-bosses. The base comprises an annular support surface 22 extending radially around a central through passage provided by a hole. The support surface in use may be envisaged to be in contact with the top surface of ceiling, in particular it may be envisaged a ceiling tile in a suspended ceiling structure, around a perforation in the ceiling or tile, so as to support the apparatus therearound. The central through-passage hole of the base comprises a sidewall extending away from the support surface and has an internal screw thread 29, for receipt of the external screw thread of the carrier sidewall 34. The external surface of the base sidewall comprises a screw thread 25. This external screw thread receives a cap 1, which cap comprises a threaded internal bore 14 which allows it to screw down onto the base sidewall external screw thread, At the top of threaded sidewall of the base through-passage there are provided a plurality of radially spaced, axially extending resilient fingers 24, which are deformed by the cap 1 screwing onto the external screw thread 25 of the base sidewall. In use a resilient gasket 12 is placed into the base through-passage butting against the top of the internal screw thread 29 of the base sidewall. The gasket 12 comprises one or more passage 12 for passage of a cable from the fitting, and is formed in intumescent material so as to form a fire-resistant cable gland to hold and fire-proof the cable connections. The cap 1 pulls the fingers 24 against the gasket or cable gland. The cabling is secured through the cable gland by turning the cap to clamp in place, and sit inside the ceiling to ciamp to the earner to the ceiling and hold the intumescent material for the cables to be placed through. This embodiment thereby provides a mounting apparatus for simply and securely fixing smoke detectors and other fittings to suspended ceiling tiles with a quick and easy connection and no additional mounting materials required, without weakening ceiling tiles and removing need to use any alternative materials such as blocks of wood for additional support across tiles. With reference to the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 3 an embodiment of the apparatus comprises a smoke or fire detector 100, which fitting comprises a lid 41 and a baseplate 42. The baseplate 42 is screwed onto the ceiling by fixings 43 through the perforations in the carrier, and the lid is connected thereto. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling, comprising a carrier and a base, wherein the carrier provides a plurality of fixing holes for the fitting and the base comprises a threaded inner providing a connection mechanism for the carrier and an annular support surface extending outwards from the threaded inner, so as to support the apparatus on a ceiling.

2. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to claim 1 wherein the carrier comprises a displaceable locking key.

3. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the base comprises resilient fingers for gripping the carrier.

4. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to claim any preceding claim wherein the base comprises a displaceable cap.

5. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to claim 4 wherein the displaceable cap is arranged to displace the resilient fingers.

6. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to according to any preceding claim wherein the base comprises a resilient gasket.

7. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to any preceding claim wherein the base comprises an intumescent gland for passage of cables through the base.

8. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to claim 7 wherein the cap comprises a threaded internal bore.

9. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to any preceding claim wherein the base comprises one or more through passages for cables.

10. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fitting comprises a fire detecting fitting.

11. Apparatus for providing a fitting in a ceiling according to any preceding claim comprising a fitting.

12. A method of installing smoke detectors in ceiling tiles comprising apparatus according to any of the preceding claims.5 13. A ceiling comprising apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9.

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