HK1115773B - Evacuation appliance - Google Patents

Description

Evacuation appliance

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.60/655,078, filed on day 22, month 2, 2005.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to evacuation appliances and more particularly to improvements to evacuation appliances.

Background

Heretofore, various announcement and evacuation systems have been used in areas of commercial and residential buildings and in areas outside of these areas, for the purpose of drawing attention to people in these areas, such as warning of fire hazards or alerting them of a telephone call, or for a variety of other purposes. Many existing evacuation systems include a variety of devices that emit audible and/or visual alarms. Systems incorporating these devices typically include multiple devices connected by wires and to a common alarm source. However, if one of the devices fails or one of the devices fails to ground, it is difficult to easily determine which device failed.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus having the above-mentioned advantages and solving and/or improving the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention provides an evacuation appliance comprising: a mounting plate configured to be attached to a wall, the mounting plate having a terminal clamp. The evacuation appliance further includes a notification device having at least one notification member, the notification device being configured to be connected to the mounting plate to electrically connect the terminal clip to the at least one notification member to provide power to the at least one notification member. The mounting plate and the notification device include an accessible test system so that when the mounting plate and the notification device are connected, the notification device can use the accessible test system to make measurements to determine whether the notification device is properly receiving power from the terminal clip without having to separate the notification device and the mounting plate.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of testing an evacuation appliance, comprising: a mounting plate is provided that is configured to be attached to a wall, the mounting plate having a terminal clamp. The method further comprises the following steps: providing an advertising device having at least one advertising member; connecting the notification device to the mounting plate to electrically connect the terminal clip to at least one notification member to provide power to the at least one notification member. The method further includes testing the at least one notification member using an accessible testing system to determine whether the notification device is properly receiving power from the terminal clip without having to separate the notification device from the mounting plate.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a first perspective view of an evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a mounting plate and a terminal clip of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the mounting plate and terminal clip of the evacuation appliance, taken along line IV-IV of fig. 3, viewed in conjunction with the notification device of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Fig. 5A and 5B show a connection configuration of a plurality of evacuation appliances embodying the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a second perspective view of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention, and shows the illumination selector and the pin for the illumination selector.

Fig. 8 is a second perspective view of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention, showing the pin in the illumination selector.

Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a side view of an evacuation appliance with a frame (bezel) embodying the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an evacuation appliance having a frame embodying the present invention.

Fig. 12 shows a sound selection device of an evacuation appliance embodying the present invention.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Any possible use of the same reference numbers throughout the drawings indicates the same or like parts.

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Reference numeral 10 (fig. 1) generally designates an evacuation appliance of the present invention. The evacuation device 10 includes a mounting plate 12, the mounting plate 12 configured to be attached to a wall, the mounting plate 12 having a terminal clip 14. The evacuation device 10 further includes a notification device 16, the notification device 16 having at least one notification member 18. The notification device 16 is configured to be connected to the mounting plate 12 to electrically connect the terminal clip 14 to the at least one notification member 18 to provide power to the at least one notification member 18. The mounting plate 12 and the notification device 16 include an accessible testing system 19 so that when the mounting plate 12 and the notification device 16 are connected, the notification device 16 can use the accessible testing system to make measurements to determine whether the notification device 16 is properly receiving power from the terminal clip 14 without disconnecting the notification device 16 from the mounting plate 12. In the example shown, the test system 19 comprises at least one test node 20 for measuring the voltage across the advertising device 16.

In the example shown, the mounting plate 12 (fig. 2) includes a terminal clip (14) and is configured to connect the notification device 16 to the terminal clip 14. Mounting plate 12 is preferably made of metal, although other metals may be used. The mounting plate 12 includes a base 21, the base 21 having a central opening 23 and a terminal clip recess 24 for receiving the terminal clip 14. The terminal clip recess 24 is adjacent the central opening 23 and includes a pair of openings. As discussed in more detail below, the terminal clamp 14 is connected to the base 21 by inserting screws through the terminal clamp 14 and into the openings. However, it is contemplated that the terminal clip 14 may be connected to the base 21 in any manner, and it is even contemplated that the base 21 and the terminal clip 14 may be integral. The base 21 further includes an upper panel 28 above the central opening 23, a lower panel 30 below the central opening 23, an upper flange 32, and a lower flange 24. As discussed in more detail below, the upper panel 28, the lower panel 30, the upper flange 32, and the lower flange 34 are used to connect the notification device 16 to the mounting plate 12. Although two upper flanges 32 and two lower flanges 34 are shown, it is contemplated that any number of upper flanges 32 and lower flanges 34 (each including only one) may be used. The upper panel 28 and the lower panel 30 each include a plurality of wall attachment openings 36, the wall attachment openings 36 being configured to receive fasteners therein to attach the mounting plate 12 to a wall and/or an electrical box having connections for the evacuation appliance 10. In addition, the lower panel 30 includes device attachment openings 38, the device attachment openings 38 for receiving fasteners through the notification devices 16 and into the device attachment openings 38 to securely attach at least one notification device 16 to the mounting plate 12.

The terminal clip 14 (fig. 2 and 4) is shown engaging the notification device 16 to form an electrical connection between the wiring of the building and the notification device 16. The terminal clip 14 includes a building wire (wire) connection portion 40 and a notification device receiving portion 42. The notification device receiver 42 includes a lower periphery that conforms to the shape of the terminal clip 24 of the base 21 of the mounting plate 12. The notification device receiver 42 includes a pair of side flanges 44 having openings 46 aligned with pairs of openings in the mounting plate 12. The terminal clip 14 is attached to the mounting plate 12 by inserting a fastener through the opening 46 in the notification device receiving portion 42 of the terminal clip 14 and into the opening of the mounting plate 12. The building wiring connection 40 extends into the central opening 23 of the base 21 of the mounting plate 12 and includes five screw receivers 50 for connection with wiring from the building. Each screw receiver 50 is separated from an adjacent screw receiver by a wall 52. Each screw receiver 50 also includes a contact 54 for engaging a wire. The wires are securely connected to the contacts 54 by screwing the screws 56 down into the screw receivers 50 to clamp the wires between the screws 56 and the contacts 54. However, it is contemplated that the wires may be connected to the terminal clip 14 in any manner, or the terminal clip 14 and wires may be integral. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, five screw receivers 50 are denoted by S +, S-, H +, and H-and are configured to be connected to the wiring. The evacuation device 10 is thus wired to the control panel and other evacuation devices 10 in one of the configurations shown in fig. 5A and 5B (although other configurations are contemplated).

In the illustrated example, the notification device receiver 42 of the terminal clip 14 includes a slot 58 for receiving a portion of the circuit board 60 extending from the notification device 16 when the notification device 16 is connected to the terminal clip 14 and the mounting plate 12. The slot 58 includes five contacts 62 that are electrically connected to the five screw receivers 50. Thus, when the notification device 16 is connected to the terminal clip 14 and the mounting plate 12, the notification device 16 will have five connection members 51 with wire (five) passing through the contacts 62 in the (connection) slots 58 and the screw receivers 50. As shown in fig. 1, 2, 4, and 6, the side of the advertising device receiver 42 opposite the slot 58 includes five openings 64, each opening 64 having a test node 300 therein. The test nodes 300 are each connected to five connections, as described in more detail below.

The illustrated notification device 16 comprises at least one notification element 18 for notifying persons in the vicinity of the evacuation appliance 10 in the evacuation position. For example, the evacuation location may be a fire zone in a building. The at least one notification member 18 may include an audible notification, a visual notification, or a combination of audible and visual notifications. The notification device 16 includes a housing 66 having at least one notification member 18 therein. The housing 66 preferably includes a top wall 68, a bottom wall 70, a first side wall 72, a second side wall 74, and a front face 76. The front face 76 preferably includes a plurality of slots 78 for allowing an audible notification from the at least one notification member 18 that emits the audible notification to easily emanate from the notification device 16. The front face 76 also preferably includes a light 80 positioned behind a front transparent or translucent shield 82. The first side wall 72 includes a sliding member 84 for selecting the candela (candela) of the at least one notification member that emits light. The second side wall 74 includes the circuit board 60 and the sound selection device 86 extending therefrom.

In the illustrated example, the notification device 16 slides onto the mounting plate 12 to connect the notification device 16 to the mounting plate 12. The top wall 68 and the bottom wall 70 of the notification device 16 each include a pair of upwardly and downwardly extending connecting flanges 88, respectively. To connect the notification device 16 to the mounting plate 12, the notification device 16 is positioned on the base 21 of the mounting plate with the connection flange 88 to the left of the upper and lower flanges 32, 34 of the base 21. Subsequently, the notification device 16 is slid to the right, thereby moving the connecting flange 88 of the notification device 16 below the upper flange 32 and the lower flange of the base 21. The connecting flange 88 preferably includes a tab on the top thereof that is configured to abut the bottom of the upper and lower flanges 32, 34, thereby frictionally connecting the notification device 16 to the mounting plate 12. Further, when the notification device 16 is slid to the right, the circuit board 60 will slide into the slot 58 of the terminal clip 14. The circuit board 60 includes five tracks on its bottom surface to electrically connect the notification device 16 to the five connections discussed above. When the notification device 16 is fully connected to the mounting plate 12, fasteners may be inserted through the openings in the front face 76 of the notification device 16 and into the device openings 38 of the lower panel 30 of the base 21 of the mounting plate 12 to securely connect the notification device 16 to the mounting plate 12.

The illustrated at least one annunciating member 18 of the annunciation device 16 that emits an audible signal is preferably adjustable to select any one of a plurality of audible signals with the sound selection device 86 (fig. 12). In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the sound selection device 86 may also be used to select the announcement of sound or light, respectively. The sound selection device 86 preferably includes six switches, represented by switch 1, switch 2, switch 3, switch 4, switch 5, and switch 6, respectively, wherein each switch has an on position and an off position. In a preferred embodiment, the audible sound may be a chime, a chirping sound, a mechanical sound, or a 2400Hz tone. Further, the various options may have a high decibel or a low decibel. Moreover, the various options may be continuous or intermittent. Switch 1 and switch 2 are used to select either an audible announcement or a visual announcement. Switch 1 turns the audible annunciation on or off and switch 2 turns the visual annunciation on or off. In addition, the switch 6 is used to select a high decibel or a low decibel. The remaining switches are used to select audible sounds according to the following chart:

as can be seen from the above chart, there is preferably no continuous or intermittent choice because there is only one choice for the chirping.

In the illustrated example, the visual notification of the at least one notification member 18 of the notification device 16 includes the actuation of the light 80. Preferably, the lamp 80 is a flash lamp. Further, the lamp 80 preferably emits a selected one of 15, 30, 60, 75 and 110 candela. However, it is contemplated that the light may be continuous or may emit light of any intensity. The illustrated slide member 84 slides to select one of the desired strengths. The slide member 84 includes a strength written on the top thereof that is visible from the front of the notification device 16 without having to remove the notification device 16 from the mounting plate 12. The sliding member 84 slides to align the intensity values with the prongs 100 on the housing to select the intensity. The slide member 84 preferably includes a depressible tab 102 that must be depressed to allow the slide member 84 to slide. Depressible tab 102 includes a protrusion that fits into a recess on a slide member base 108, which slide member base 108 is located below slide member 84 and is disposed to one side of slide member 84. Therefore, depressible tab 102 must be depressed to move slide member 84.

The illustrated slide member 84 preferably includes an aperture 104, the aperture 104 configured to receive a pin 106 therein for locking the slide member 84 in a selected position. The slide member base 108, which is located below the slide member 84, preferably includes a plurality of apertures 110, the apertures 110 being configured to align with the holes 104 in the slide member 84. During use, the strength is selected using the slide member 84. Thereafter, the pin 106 is inserted into the hole 104 and into one of the apertures 110 to lock the slide member 84 in place. To change the intensity of the light 80, the pin 106 must first be removed from the hole 104 and associated aperture 110. This is accomplished by depressing the pin 106 through the hole 104 and associated aperture 110 and through the bottom of the slide member base 108. However, when the notification device 16 is connected to the mounting plate 12, the pin 106 will abut the top of the mounting plate 12. Thus, the pin 106 can only be removed for security purposes by first removing the notification device 16 from the mounting plate 12.

The illustrated evacuation device 10 can also include a frame 200 that snaps onto the mounting bracket 12 and the notification device 16. The frame 200 includes sidewalls 202 and a front opening 204. The notification device 16 is configured to extend through the front opening 204 when the frame 200 is connected to the mounting plate 12. Side wall 202 of frame 200 includes a plurality of tabs that snap under mounting plate 12 to connect frame 200 to mounting plate 12.

In the embodiment shown, the terminal clamp 14 comprises a test node 300 for testing the evacuation device 10. The test node 300 is configured to be contacted by a test lead 302 to ensure that all five connections are properly connected. The test lead 302 measures the voltage across the notification device 16. Since the test node 300 is exposed when the notification device 16 is connected to the mounting plate 12, the evacuation device 10 can be tested without having to remove the notification device 16 from the mounting plate 12. Thus, the evacuation device 10 can be tested after installation of the evacuation device 10 by simply removing the frame 200 or before attaching the frame 200 to the mounting plate 12. Furthermore, the evacuation devices 10 can be easily tested to determine which of the multiple devices is not functioning properly without having to separate the evacuation devices 10. Therefore, the evacuation device 10 can be easily tested in a non-invasive manner. Thus, because a hole or holes having a node or nodes 300 therein are provided there through which a test lead 302 can be used for testing, it is not necessary to remove the notification device 16 from the mounting plate 12, the lines connected to the evacuation appliance 10 and the signal source for signaling the evacuation appliance 10 in order to gain access to the terminal. In addition, one of the evacuation appliances 10 in the plurality of evacuation appliances may intentionally create a short circuit to detect the signal source that signals the evacuation appliance 10 to ensure that the signal source is operating properly. However, it is preferable to use the test node 300 during installation to prove that the installation is completely correct or to locate wiring problems.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a test node 300 that is accessible outside of the sidewalls of the frame 200, but is still hidden by a protective outer housing. Because there is no hole or access port on the exterior of the device, it can be used in situations where aesthetics are important. Also, it is contemplated that the printed circuit board is directly accessible via a hole in the housing of the notification device or a tab through the housing. Further, it is contemplated that the evacuation device 10 can have a system that can use signals to remotely test the evacuation device 10. For example, the evacuation device 10 is tested by sending a radio signal or a bluetooth signal to the evacuation device 10.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the principles of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such principles are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims (20)

1. An evacuation appliance comprising:

a mounting plate configured to be connected to a wall, the mounting plate having a terminal clip;

a notification device having at least one notification member, the notification device configured to be connected to the mounting plate to electrically connect the terminal clip to the at least one notification member to provide power to the at least one notification member;

the mounting plate and the notification device include an accessible testing system so that when the mounting plate and the notification device are connected, the notification device can use the accessible testing system to make measurements to determine whether the notification device is properly receiving power from the terminal clip without having to separate the notification device and the mounting plate.

2. The evacuation appliance of claim 1, wherein,

the at least one notification member provides a visual notification.

3. The evacuation appliance of claim 2, wherein,

the visual notification is provided by a flashlight.

4. The evacuation appliance of claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the at least one notification member provides an audible notification.

5. The evacuation appliance of claim 4, wherein,

the audible annunciation is provided by a speaker.

6. The evacuation appliance of claim 2, wherein,

the notification device includes a sliding member for selecting an illumination intensity of the visual notification.

7. The evacuation appliance of claim 7, wherein,

the slide member includes a locking member for locking the slide member in a selected position, the locking member being removable from the slide member only by removing the notification device from the mounting plate.

8. The evacuation appliance of claim 1, wherein,

the test system comprises at least one test node for measuring a voltage across the advertising device.

9. The evacuation appliance of claim 8, wherein,

the terminal clamp includes the at least one test node.

10. A method of testing an evacuation appliance, comprising:

providing a mounting plate configured to be attached to a wall, the mounting plate having a terminal clamp;

providing an advertising device having at least one advertising member;

connecting the notification device to the mounting plate to thereby electrically connect the terminal clip to the at least one notification member to provide power to the at least one notification member;

the at least one notification member is tested using an accessible testing system to determine whether the notification device properly receives power from the terminal clip without having to separate the notification device from the mounting plate.

11. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 10, wherein:

the at least one notification member provides a visual notification.

12. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 11, wherein:

the visual notification is provided by a flashlight.

13. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 10 or 11, wherein:

the at least one notification member provides an audible notification.

14. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 13, wherein:

the audible annunciation is provided by a speaker.

15. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 11, wherein:

the notification device includes a sliding member for selecting an illumination intensity of the visual notification.

16. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 15, wherein:

the slide member includes a locking member for locking the slide member in a selected position, the locking member being removable from the slide member only by removing the notification device from the mounting plate.

17. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 10, wherein:

the test system comprises at least one test node for measuring a voltage across the advertising device.

18. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 17, wherein:

the terminal clamp includes the at least one test node.

19. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 10, wherein:

testing includes the step of contacting the accessible test system with a test device.

20. The method of testing an evacuation appliance of claim 10, further comprising:

connecting a line to the terminal clip, the line supplying power to the notification device;

wherein testing of the at least one notification member is accomplished without separating the terminal clip from the line.