WO2000022588A1

WO2000022588A1 - Improvements in and relating to electrical accessories

Info

Publication number: WO2000022588A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/003435
Authority: WO
Inventors: David James Pilkington
Original assignee: Acbond Limited
Priority date: 1998-10-15
Filing date: 1999-10-15
Publication date: 2000-04-20
Also published as: AU6351699A; WO2000022588B1

Abstract

An electrical accessory having at least two functions selected from a ceiling rose (26) for providing means by which a mains light fitting is suspended from a ceiling, an emergency light (34), a gas detector (32), a smoke detector (30), a heat detector (40), an intruder detector (44) and audio/visual recording means, such a camera surveillance (42). The various detectors and emergency light are preferably associated with a ceiling rose that is at least partially translucent.

Description

Title: Improvements in and relating to electrical accessories

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to electrical accessories, and more particularly to electrical accessories for lighting purposes, and especially ceiling mounted accessories.

Emergency lighting which becomes activated when there is a power failure is generally known in the art, for example, being in the form of fluorescent tubes which are battery operated and are switched on when there is a power cut. Such lighting is very important in public buildings, such as hospitals and offices to ensure that occupants are not left in total darkness.

Emergency lighting is not normally present in a person's home due to the fact that the appearance of such lights is not aesthetically pleasing. Nowadays, a large amount of money is invested in decorating the home and the presence of emergency lighting would spoil the appearance of such interior decorations. Thus, although emergency lighting is available and theoretically could be fitted in domestic housing, it is rare that a person actually chooses to do so. However, it is highly advisable to have such lighting in order to prevent accidents occurring when a power cut occurs, for example, due to walking down stairs in darkness or through fires occurring as a result of candles being lit in the dark.

Similarly, it is understood that there is benefit in installing smoke detectors or other gas detectors say for detecting the presence of carbon monoxide gas. However, the preferred location for such detectors is on the ceiling at or close to the centre of a room and the aesthetic effects are a deterrent to their adoption. Furthermore, there is benefit in installing an intruder detector and/or surveillance cameras.

One common type of light fitting which is in use, especially in domestic situations, but also in other applications, is the so called "pendant" light fitting which hangs down from a ceiling. The light fitting is secured to the ceiling by way of a ceiling rose which is secured to the ceiling and which has provisions for wiring up of the light fitting. For relatively lightweight fittings the electric flex of the light fitting may serve as the sole means of securing the light fitting to the ceiling rose. For heavier fittings one or more chains or other anchor means may be used to connect the light fitting to the ceiling rose, appropriate attachment means being provided on the ceiling rose as the case may be.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical lighting accessory, particularly, but not exclusively for domestic use, and which has two or more functions.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides an electrical accessory comprising a ceiling rose part and an emergency lighting unit in association with one another.

The ceiling rose part provides the means by which a mains Ught fitting is suspended from a ceiling, including the necessary electrical terminals for connecting same to the mains wiring. The emergency lighting unit provides a light source which is illuminated in the event of failure of the mains supply to the aforesaid mains light fitting. Most usually the emergency light source is battery operated. Preferably means is incorporated for charging the battery for the emergency lighting source from the mains supply. The battery is preferably incorporated into a housing of the accessory. As an alternative it may be connected thereto by a flying lead and positioned above the ceiling. In a yet further alternative, a plurality of the accessories are wired back to a common battery unit.

The electrical accessory may also incorporate other detection means. The location of a ceiling rose would also provide a convenient location for a smoke detector, heat detector and/or a gas detector. Thus another aspect of the invention provides an electrical accessory which has two or more functions selected from a ceiling rose (providing a wire in connection for a pendant light), an emergency light, a gas detector (be it carbon monoxide or any other gas), and a smoke and/or heat detector. In addition, an intruder detector and/or audio/visual recording means, such as camera surveillance may be included within the accessory. More particularly, the accessory is adapted for mounting to a ceiling.

It is envisaged that where a plurality of such accessories are provided in a building each is wired to a central control unit. The control unit may be used to activate other accessories in the event that one or more of the accessories are activated.

The accessory preferably comprises a purpose made integrated unit. The unit comprises a housing having a cover part for illumination means, at least part of which cover may be translucent, and a base.

The base is adapted for securing to a ceiling and has means for releasably securing the cover thereto. Preferably the above mentioned electrical terminals are mounted to the base to be accessible when the base is secured in place. The base has aperturing provisions by which mains wiring emerging from the ceiling can be passed therethrough for connection to the electrical terminals.

The housing is adapted to fit over the base part and has a central aperture through which wiring from the suspended light fitting passes. Where required one or more lugs or hooks or the like may be provided on a cover or base part of the ceiling rose to receive anchor elements (for example one or more chains) depending from the light fitting. More preferably at least an outer peripheral part of the housing is translucent.

The emergency light source may comprise a plurality of discrete lamp units positioned about the unit. The discrete light units may be filament lamps or white light emitting diodes. The LED's may be surface mounted in any desired pattern be they on a downwardly facing surface or around the peripheral side of the housing. Preferably, the emergency hght source is in the form of a tube which is either circular or at least part circular for placing around the periphery of the ceiling rose part.

The housing may be attachable to or integral with the ceiling rose part. Preferably, the housing is circular in configuration and is connected with a base of the ceiling rose part.

The housing is preferably made of a plastics material and is preferably provided with a finish which allows light to pass through the cover but does not allow the contents thereof to be visible. For example it may have a vapour finish to provide a stippled effect.

The accessory is intended as a direct replacement for existing ceiling roses. It is envisaged that the base will be at least as large as the current loop-in type ceiling roses. In an alternative embodiment at least one of the parts of the existing loop-in ceiling roses may be utilised. For example a cover may be provided which is designed to fit onto an existing ceiling rose base and which incorporates the necessary translucent part and is large enough to accommodate the emergency light source and any associated sensing provisions to trigger operation. In yet another embodiment the emergency lighting unit is configured as an annular housing which is dimensioned to fit around the periphery of an existing ceiling rose which is accommodated within its central core. The cover is translucent and annular. In yet further embodiments the housing has an annular base for fixing to the ceiling concentrically with the base of an existing ceiling rose and its cover part extends to cover same and extends over the base of the ceiling rose and incorporates aperturing for the suspended wiring connection to the mains lighting unit.

The accessory may be made of any suitable material. A plastics material is preferred and may be colour finished as desired.

A light emitting diode is preferably connected to the battery of the emergency light and its illumination (be it steady or intermittent) serves to indicate that the battery is still charged. It may be attached to the outer surface of the accessory or disposed within the translucent cover. Preferably, a rechargeable battery is used in the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional pendant-type light fitting for the home;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3a is a plan view of the accessory shown in Figure 2;

Figure 3b is a cross-section of the accessory shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an electrical accessory according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 a is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of

multi-function electrical accessory according to the invention;

Figure 5b is a plan view of the accessory shown in Figure 5a; and

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate interconnection of multiple electrical accessories according to the present invention to a central control panel.

Conventional emergency lights are well known for use in offices, hospitals and the such like. The emergency light is generally in the form of a long cylindrical fluorescent tube which is contained in a housing at least part of which is translucent. The housing may incoφorate just the emergency light source or also incoφorate the normal mains powered electric light source. If a power failure is experienced in the building, the battery-operated emergency light is automatically activated as a result of the loss of mains power, thereby ensuring that some light remains in the building. However, the fighting is not decorative and hence, not generally considered acceptable for use in the home.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a standard "pendant-type" light fitting which may be used in the home. The light fitting is wired to a ceiling rose 4 in the form of a circular base to which attaches a small shallow cylindrical cover. The base of the rose is secured to a ceiling 6 of a room and incoφorates a terminal block to which mains electrical wiring connects. The closed end of the ceiling rose has an aperture to allow wiring 8 to be threaded therethrough, one end of which is wired into the appropriate terminals of the terminal block and the other end terminates in the necessary electrical connections for attachment of a light bulb. A lampshade 10 of any desired design may be fitted over the lightbulb to provide a light fitting which is aesthetically pleasing and has minimal wiring visible, the mains wires and hole in the ceiling being covered by the ceiling

rose.

Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment of electrical accessory according to the present invention. The accessory comprises an emergency lighting unit in combination with a part which functions as a ceiling rose. In the illustrated embodiment the light source is in the form of a tube 14a which is at least part circular to fit around the ceiling rose part 16 to form a combined ceiling rose and emergency light unit. The unit can be used with the majority of hght fittings in a home, particularly the pendant and chandelier type light fittings which allow a light bulb to hang from the ceiling and have a lampshade attached thereto. The ceiling rose part accommodates the terminal blocks for the mains wiring connections for the light fitting in question. The tube which surrounds the periphery of the rose is provided with a translucent cover 18 which is attached to the base of the ceiling rose and in the illustration comprises a frusto-conical portion. The housing may be made of a plastics material and preferably it is part translucent to prevent the interior of the light fitting being seen from the outside but allowing light to pass through the material from the tube. For example it may be provided with a vapour finish to give a stippled effect. The central part of the unit may be provided in a white plastics material, or any other suitable colour or material to match the decor of the room.

The emergency light is powered by a small battery 20, in a similar manner to a domestic fire alarm, which is contained within the ceiling rose. Alternatively the battery may be contained in the ceiling space and connected to the emergency light by means of a flying lead. The battery may be rechargeable to allow a single battery to be used for a number of years. The accessory may also be provided with a light emitting diode which is connected to the battery and which is visible externally of the housing to indicate whether the battery is being charged or that it is charged, such that the emergency light would operate should a power failure occur. Circuitry comprising sensing means is incoφorated into the unit to trigger activation of the emergency light when the mains supply to the light fitting is interrupted. To this end the sensing means is connected to the mains wiring connections. The circuitry conveniently incoφorates means for charging the battery.

Other configurations of a ceiling rose and emergency lighting unit are possible. For example the light source and housing therefor may be disposed on top of the ceiling rose part. The aperturing for the wiring connection to the suspended light unit may conveniently pass centrally through the housing of the light unit. The emergency hght source may be for example, in the form of which light emitting diodes 14b, as shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Figures 5 a and 5b illustrate a multi-functional electrical accessory comprising a housing 26 adapted for mounting to a ceiling. In the illustrated embodiment the housing incoφorates terminal 28 for wiring in a pendent lamp, a smoke detector 30, for detecting the presence of smoke in the vicinity thereof, a carbon monoxide gas detector 32, for detecting the presence of carbon monoxide in the vicinity thereof, a heat detector 40 and an emergency light unit 34 for emitting a useful light output in emergency situations, for example when the mains supply to the wire in pendent light fails. Additionally, an intruder detector 44 and surveillance camera 42 are incoφorated into the housing of the accessory. The accessory incoφorates a battery 36 for powering the emergency light unit, and the aforementioned detectors. Thus the illustrated embodiment has six functions. It will be understood that the invention proposes that the accessories have two or more functions, i.e. it does not have to have all of the mentioned functions. For example, it is to be appreciated that in certain circumstances it may be preferable to include a heat detector within the housing instead of the smoke detector, such as when the accessory is to be mounted to a kitchen ceiling.

Circuitry (not illustrated) is incoφorated to control operation of the emergency light unit, the various detectors and also the intruder and surveillance cameras, but this is not described in further detail as the requirements are well known and any convenient known circuitry may be utilised.

The housing will incoφorate appropriate aperturing 38 to admit smoke/gas to the detectors, and will have any convenient form of illumination means for the emergency lighting unit. Any of the previously described alternatives may be utilised. As illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, a plurality of accessories 64 may be provided throughout the various rooms of a building such as the attic 50, bedrooms 52, landing 54, living room 56, hall 58 and garage 60 and be wired to a central control panel 62, especially in the case of smoke and/or gas detection, in order that any detected emergency is relayed to the other accessories.

The incoφoration of security devices, such as intruder detector and camera surveillance, into the accessory of the present invention which is connected back to the main control panel offers the complete home safety package. The control panel 62 may have communications to ambulance, hospital, police or fire services whereby detection of particular hazard automatically raises the alarm with the appropriate service(s) required. Preferably, a local audible or visible alarm is also switched on when one of the detectors is activated.

The interconnection between the control panel and detectors may be wire free (radio technology), fibre optic, or via existing household wiring (i.e., communication via mains wiring).

The electrical accessory may be fitted in place of all types of ceiling rose fittings and is suitable for use with any type of lightshades. The housing for the emergency light may be formed integrally with a ceiling rose or may be attached to an existing ceiling rose fitting. Because the unit is compact and largely unobtrusive, the decor of the house is not compromised in any way and the provision of the emergency light increases the safety of the home. The device also makes use of electrical connections which are already present in the home thereby enabling cheap installation of an emergency light.

Claims

1. An electrical accessory having two or more functions selected from a ceiling rose, an emergency light, a gas detector, a smoke detector, a heat detector, an intruder detector and audio and or visual recording means.

2. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the accessory is adapted for mounting to a ceiling.

3. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the visual recording means is in the form of a camera.

4. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the accessory has at least a ceiling rose and an emergency light in association with one another.

5. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 5, wherein the accessory is an integrated unit comprising a housing having a cover part for illumination means and a base.

6. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least a part of the cover is translucent.

7. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the base is adapted for securing to a ceiling and has means for releasably securing the cover thereto.

8. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the base has electrical terminals mounted thereto for connecting to the emergency light, detectors or audio/visual recording means associated with the housing.

9. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base is provided with apertures for passage of mains wiring emerging from the ceiling for connection to the electrical terminals.

10. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the housing is adapted to fit over the base part and has a central aperture through which wiring from a suspended light fitting passes.

11. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11 , wherein the emergency light comprises a plurality of discrete lamp units positioned about the unit.

12. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the discrete lamp units are filament lamps or white light emitting diodes.

13. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the emergency light is in the form of a circular or partially circular tube for placing around the periphery, or a part thereof, of the ceiling rose.

14. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the housing is attachable to the ceiling rose.

15. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the housing is integral with the ceiling rose.

16. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein the housing is circular and is connected with a base of the ceiling rose.

17. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 16, wherein the housing is provided with a finish which allows light to pass through the cover but does not allow the contents thereof to be visible.

18. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least the emergency light is battery operated.

19. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 18, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

20. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the battery is provided with a light emitting diode for indicating that the battery is charged.

21. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein means is incoφorated in the accessory for charging the battery from a mains supply.

22. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 , wherein the battery is incoφorated into a housing of the accessory.

23. An electrical accessory as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 , wherein the battery is remote from the accessory, being connected thereto by a flying lead.

24. An electrical accessory as claimed in claim 23, wherein a plurality of accessories are wired back to a common battery unit.

25. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of accessories are provided in a building, each accessory being wired to a central control unit.

26. An accessory as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control unit activates other accessories in the event that one or more of the accessories are activated.