Weatherproof Adapter Plate for Flush Notification Appliance Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor notification appliances on buildings require unsightly back boxes and conduits on exterior walls, detracting from the aesthetic appeal and violating building codes for visual and audio alarms.
Innovation Solution
An adapter plate assembly with gaskets and mounting members for flush installation of notification appliances and back boxes, creating a weatherproof seal to eliminate the need for exterior conduits and back boxes, using materials like cold rolled steel and EPDM gaskets for durability and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If notification appliances are placed on the outside of a building with back box and conduit, then the notification appliance can be installed and function properly, but the aesthetic appeal of the building is deteriorated due to bulky and unattractive back box and conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unsightly back box and conduit from the exterior wall by routing them through the wall interior. Only a small adapter plate with mounting holes remains visible on the exterior, while the notification appliance and wiring are concealed within the wall structure, eliminating the bulky external components that detract from aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification appliance is nested within the wall structure through the adapter plate installation method. The adapter plate serves as an interface between the exterior wall surface and the concealed notification appliance, allowing the appliance to be housed inside the wall cavity rather than mounted externally on bulky hardware.
2Ease of operation
If conduit runs many feet along the exterior of a building, then the notification appliance can be connected to wiring, but the aesthetic appeal of the building is further deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit and wiring are extracted from the exterior wall surface and rerouted through the wall interior. The adapter plate provides a connection point that allows wiring to enter the wall cavity, eliminating the need for external conduit runs that would compromise the building's aesthetic appearance.
3Shape
If a small adapter plate is used instead of back box and conduit, then the aesthetic appeal of the building is maintained, but the weatherproof sealing becomes more critical and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter plate incorporates gaskets at the specific locations where sealing is required - between the plate and the notification appliance, and between the plate and the wall opening. This localized sealing approach concentrates weatherproofing efforts at the critical interface points rather than requiring extensive sealing along external conduit runs.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket acts as an intermediary sealing element between the adapter plate and the notification appliance, and between the plate and the wall opening. This intermediary component provides the necessary weatherproof barrier while allowing the compact adapter plate design to maintain aesthetic appeal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Maintains the aesthetic appeal of buildings by hiding unsightly components while ensuring a weatherproof and code-compliant installation of notification appliances, enhancing the visual and audio alert systems without compromising durability or functionality.
Implementation Method 1
said first gasket forms a substantially weatherproof seal between said front side of said plate and said notification appliance
Implementation Method 2
said second gasket forms a substantially weatherproof seal between said back side of said plate and said exterior side of said wall
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally discloses a weatherproof flush adapter plate assembly. In one embodiment, the adapter plate assembly includes a plate. The plate includes a front side, a back side, an outer edge, at least one inner edge, at least one mounting member for receiving a back box and at least one mounting member for receiving a notification appliance. The adapter plate assembly also includes a first gasket coupled to the front side of the plate and a second gasket coupled to the back side of the plate.