Adaptable hazard detector mounting plate

• US 9,520,252 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2013
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Mittleman, Adam D., Filson, John B., Bould, Fred
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Paul D
• Application Number:
  US14/047,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20150096170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 297/15, 297/17, 297/18, 297/29, 297/39, 297/57, 297/62
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/53 within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/107 for detecting light-scattering due to smoke
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/50 having a single operating member
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a mounting plate for coupling a hazard detector with a wall or ceiling of a structure is provided. The mounting plate includes a plate that is positionable against the wall or ceiling to removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling. The mounting plate also includes a centrally located opening, a first set of apertures arranged around the centrally located opening, and a second set of apertures arranged around the centrally located opening. The first set of apertures are dimensioned and arranged according to a first attachment standard that defines a first distance range relative to an axis of the centrally located aperture and the second set of apertures are dimensioned and arranged according to a second attachment standard that defines a second distance range relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture.

Claims

1. A mounting plate for coupling a hazard detector with a wall or ceiling of a structure, the mounting plate comprising:

a plate having a relatively thin and flat profile that allows the plate to be positioned against the wall or ceiling and secured relative thereto, the plate being coupleable to the hazard detector so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling such that the hazard detector appears to be positioned adjacent the wall or ceiling yet slightly offset therefrom;

the plate comprising;

a centrally located opening through which one or more wires may be inserted so as to electrically couple the hazard detector to electrical wiring of the structure;

a first set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the first set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a first attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a first electrical box when the first electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the first attachment standard defining a first distance range of the first set of apertures relative to an axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the first set of apertures are slotted so as to allow the plate to be rotated by at least 15 degrees relative to the first electrical box when coupled therewith;

a second set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the second set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a second attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a second electrical box when the second electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the second attachment standard defining a second distance range of the second set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the second set of apertures are slotted so as to allow the plate to be rotated by at least 15 degrees relative to the second electrical box when coupled therewith; and

a plurality of hooked members that extend axially outward from an outward facing surface of the plate, the plurality of hooked members being configured to engage corresponding apertures positioned on or near an inward facing surface of the hazard device so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the plate and thereby removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling.

2. The mounting plate of claim 1, wherein the first attachment standard is an attachment standard of a first country and the second attachment standard is an attachment standard of a second country different than the first country.

3. The mounting plate of claim 1, further comprising a third set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the third set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a third attachment standard of a third electrical box so as to allow the plate to be coupled to the third electrical box when the third electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the third attachment standard defining a third distance range of the third set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the third set of apertures are slotted so as to allow the plate to be rotated by at least 15 degrees relative to the third electrical box when coupled therewith.

4. The mounting plate of claim 3, further comprising a fourth set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the fourth set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a fourth attachment standard of a fourth electrical box so as to allow the plate to be coupled to the fourth electrical box when the fourth electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the fourth attachment standard defining a fourth distance range of the fourth set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the fourth set of apertures are slotted so as to allow the plate to be rotated by at least 15 degrees relative to the fourth electrical box when coupled therewith.

5. The mounting plate of claim 4, wherein:

the first distance range of the first attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 30 mm;

the second distance range of the second attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 35 mm;

the third distance range of the third attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 42 mm; and

the fourth distance range of the fourth attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 44 mm.

6. The mounting plate of claim 4, further comprising a fifth set of apertures positioned near opposing corners of the plate, the fifth set of apertures allowing the plate to be coupled to the wall or ceiling of the structure without attaching the plate to an electrical box.

7. A mounting plate for coupling a hazard detector with a wall or ceiling of a structure, the mounting plate comprising:

a plate having a relatively thin and flat profile that allows the plate to be positioned against the wall or ceiling and secured relative thereto, the plate being coupleable to the hazard detector so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling, the plate comprising;

a centrally located opening through which one or more wires may be inserted;

a first set of apertures, the first set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a first attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a first electrical box when the first electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the first attachment standard defining a first radial distance of the first set of apertures relative to an axis of the centrally located aperture; and

a second set of apertures, the second set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a second attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a second electrical box when the second electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the second attachment standard defining a second radial distance of the second set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the second radial distance is different than the first radial distance.

8. The mounting plate of claim 7, wherein the first attachment standard is an attachment standard of a first country and the second attachment standard is an attachment standard of a second country different than the first country.

9. The mounting plate of claim 7, further comprising a third set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the third set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a third attachment standard of a third electrical box so as to allow the plate to be coupled to the third electrical box when the third electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the third attachment standard defining a third distance range of the third set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture.

10. The mounting plate of claim 9, further comprising a fourth set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the fourth set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a fourth attachment standard of a fourth electrical box so as to allow the plate to be coupled to the fourth electrical box when the fourth electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the fourth attachment standard defining a fourth distance range of the fourth set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture.

11. The mounting plate of claim 10, wherein:

the first distance range of the first attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 30 mm;

the second distance range of the second attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 35 mm;

the third distance range of the third attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 42 mm; and

the fourth distance range of the fourth attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 44 mm.

12. The mounting plate of claim 10, further comprising a fifth set of apertures positioned near opposing corners of the plate, the fifth set of apertures allowing the plate to be coupled to the wall or ceiling of the structure without attaching the plate to an electrical box.

13. The mounting plate of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of hooked members that extend axially outward from an outward facing surface of the plate, the plurality of hooked members being configured to engage corresponding apertures positioned on or near an inward facing surface of the hazard device so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the plate and thereby removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling.