WARD DEREK ALFRED (GB)
| WO1999002919A1 | 1999-01-21 | |||
| WO2004018934A1 | 2004-03-04 |
| GB2388382A | 2003-11-12 | |||
| GB2297609A | 1996-08-07 | |||
| EP0805903A1 | 1997-11-12 |
| Claims
1. A fire resistant cover for an electrical fitting to be recessed into a supporting structure, the cover comprising a hood including a top supported by one or more upstanding side walls and a continuous base portion attached to, or integrally formed with, the lower margin of the side walls of the hood and extending inwardly to the periphery of the recess of the supporting structure.
2. A fire resistant cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in use, the base is held against the support structure by retaining means of the electrical fitting.
3. A fire resistant cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base portion extends beyond the periphery of the recess.
4. A fire resistant cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base portion is substantially annular.
5. A fire resistant cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base portion also extends outwardly from the lower margin of the side walls of the hood.
6. A fire resistant cover as claimed in claim 5 wherein the base portion extends 5 mm beyond the lower margin.
7. A fire resistant cover for an electrical fitting to be recessed into a supporting structure substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying figures. |
IMPROVED FIXING MECHANSIM FOR COVERS FOR ELECTRICAL LIGHT FITTINGS
This invention relates to an improved fixing mechanism for covers for electrical fittings.
Light fittings recessed into ceiling spaces are well known. Such light fittings are known as downlighters and are referred to as such hereinafter. Conventionally, downlighters are mounted within a ceiling space by clips.
Due to the intense heat emitted by downlighters, fire resistant covers are commonly required to be installed over the downlighters. A suitable downlighter cover is disclosed in the Applicant's European Patent No. 0805903B1. The cover comprises a fabric hood coated or impregnated with liquid based iĻtumescent material and includes a top supported by one or more upstanding side walls. The bottom part of the downlighter cover is secured to the ceiling plasterboard by fixing pins or fixing straps, to hold the cover in place over the light fitting.
The present invention sets out to provide a cover that does not require separate securing means to the cover in position over the light fitting.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a fire resistant cover for an electrical fitting to be recessed into a supporting structure, the cover comprising a hood including a top supported by one or more upstanding side walls and a continuous base portion attached to, or integrally formed with, the lower margin of the side walls of the hood and extending inwardly to the periphery of the recess of the supporting structure.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fire resistant cover for an electrical fitting to be recessed into a supporting structure, the cover comprising a hood including a top supported by one or more upstanding side walls and a continuous base portion attached to, or integrally formed with, the lower margin of the side walls of the hood and extending inwardly to the periphery of the recess of the supporting structure, in use, the base being held against the support structure by retaining means of the electrical fitting.
Preferably, the base portion extends beyond the periphery of the recess.
Preferably the base portion is substantially annular.
Preferably still the base portion also extends outwardly from the lower margin of the side walls of the hood.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which;
Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a cover constructed in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a side cross-section view of the cover in use, installed over a light fitting.
The cover 2 illustrated in Figure 1 is designed to fit over a light fitting 4 that is recessed within a ceiling 6. The light fitting 4 is held within the recess 8 by clips 10.
The cover 2 may be of the type described in Applicant's earlier patents, for example EP0805903B1 which is incorporated herein by reference.
The cover 2 is generally circular in cross-section and has a top 12 and at least one upstanding side wall 14. The side wall 14 has a recess 16 through which electrical wires 18 of the light fitting 4 can extend. The recess may, alternatively be located in the top 12 of the cover 2.
The cover 2 has a base 20 which extends primarily inwardly from the lower margin of the side wall 14. The base 20 may be attached (for example, stitched) to the lower margin of the side wall 14 or, alternatively, may be formed integral with the side wall 14.
The base 20 may also extend outwardly from the lower margin of the side wall 14.
The width of the base 20 is such that it extends inwardly to reach the outer periphery of the recess 8. The base may extend beyond, for example, around 5 mm beyond, outer periphery of the recess 8.
In use, the clips 10 of the light fitting 4, which hold the light fitting 4 in place within the recess 8 of the ceiling 6, also retain the base 20 of the cover 2 against the ceiling plasterboard. This secures the overall cover 2 against the ceiling 6, over the light fitting 4.
At least one support pin, or other fastening means (not shown) may be provided to further secure the base 20 of the cover 2 to the ceiling plasterboard.
The above described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.