IES20080339A2 - A box for housing an electrical circuit for controlling an emergency light fitting and a method for entering the box into a ceiling void - Google Patents

Abstract

A box (1) for housing electrical components for providing an emergency power supply to an emergency light fitting (2) which is suitable for locating in a void (7) between a false ceiling (5) and an actual ceiling (8). The box (1) comprises a first part (11) and a second part (12) hingeable together from an open state to a closed state defining a hollow interior region (14) for housing the electrical components. The first part (11) comprises a base (12) and first side and end walls (21, 22), while the second part (12) comprises a top wall (25) and second side and end walls (26, 27). The top wall (25) is formed by a first top wall portion (29) and a second top wall portion (30) which define respective leading and trailing portions (47,48) of the housing (10). The leading portion (47) extends for approximately 35 percent of the overall length of the housing (10) and is of depth between the first top wall portion (29) and the base (20) of approximately 70 percent of the depth of the trailing portion (48). This facilitates entering the box (1) through a light fitting opening (4) into a void (7) above a false ceiling (5). <Figures 1 & 13>.

Description

“A box for housing an electrical circuit for controlling an emergency light fitting and a method for entering the box into a ceiling void” The present invention relates to a box for housing an electrical circuit having 5 electrical components for controlling an emergency light fitting, and the invention also relates to a method for entering the box into a void above a ceiling through an opening formed in the ceiling to accommodate an emergency light fitting therein.

Buildings, for example, office buildings and the like are commonly provided with false ι o ceilings whereby a void is created between the false ceiling and the actual ceiling.

The spacing between the false ceiling and the actual ceiling, in general, is relatively small, and could be as small as 150mm, and typically, would not be more than 300mm. In general, emergency light fittings are located in openings formed in the false ceiling with the emergency light fitting substantially flush with the false ceiling.

Such emergency light fittings require an electrical circuit comprising appropriate electrical and electronic components for powering and operating the light fitting in the event of an emergency. In general, such electrical circuits include a rechargeable battery, which is maintained in a charged state by a mains electricity supply. A choke and an inverter are also provided in the electrical circuit for facilitating charging of the battery and supplying emergency electrical power to the light fitting, in order to power the light fitting in the event of an emergency which results in a power failure. Such electrical circuits and components will be well known to those skilled in the art. In general, the electrical circuit and components are housed in a box separate to the light fitting, and the box generally is located within the void above the ceiling. However, such boxes tend to be relatively cumbersome, and in general it is necessary to forming a separate opening in the false ceiling for accommodating the box into the void. The opening so formed must then be closed. This may require refitting of a new panel in the false ceiling, which may not blend in aesthetically with the older panels, and in certain cases may require plastering of the false ceiling.

This is undesirable, and there is therefore a need for a box for housing an electrical circuit having electrical components for controlling an emergency light fitting which ISo 80 3 39 addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a box, and the invention is also directed towards providing a method for entering the box into a void above a ceiling through an opening formed in the ceiling to accommodate an emergency light fitting, and for placing the box in the void.

According to the invention there is provided a box for housing an electrical circuit having electrical components for controlling an emergency light fitting, the box io comprising a two-part housing having a first part and a second part secured together to form a hollow interior region within which the electrical circuit comprising the electrical components is housed, an inlet port to the hollow interior region for accommodating an electrical power supply to the electrical circuit in the box, and an outlet port from the hollow interior region for accommodating an emergency electrical power supply from the electrical circuit in the box to the emergency light fitting, the housing being of elongated configuration extending between a leading end and a trailing end and being of stepped longitudinal cross-section with a leading portion of the housing extending from the leading end towards the trailing end thereof for at least 20% of the length of the housing and being of depth not more than 85% of the depth of the rest of the housing, and defining a stepped face forming a step extending transversely thereacross.

Preferably, the depth of the leading portion of the housing is not more than 75% of the depth of the rest of the housing. Advantageously, the depth of the leading portion of the housing is not more than 70% of the depth of the rest of the housing.

Preferably, the leading portion of the housing extends from the leading end towards the trailing end thereof for at least 30% of the length of the housing.

Advantageously, the leading portion of the housing extends from the leading end towards the trailing end thereof for at least 35% of the length of the housing.

In one embodiment of the invention the first and second parts of the housing are hingedly connected and are hingeable between an open state for accommodating ΙΕΟ 803 39 access to the hollow interior region, and a closed state defining the hollow interior region. Preferably, the first and second parts of the housing are securable together by a securing means comprising at least one pair of interengageable complementary formations, one of the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair being formed on the first part of the housing, and the other of the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair being formed on the second part of the housing. Advantageously, one of the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair comprises a resilient clasp element, and the other interengageable complementary formation of the at least one pair comprises a receiver for receiving the clasp. Ideally, the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair are engageable with a snap-fit action.

In another embodiment of the invention the first part of the housing comprises a base, a pair of spaced apart first side walls extending upwardly from the base, and a pair of spaced apart first end walls extending upwardly from the base and joining the first side walls at respective opposite ends thereof.

In a further embodiment of the invention the second part of the housing comprises a top wall, a pair of spaced apart second side walls extending downwardly from the top wall, and at least one second end wall extending downwardly from the top wall joining the second side walls at the trailing end thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the top wall is formed by a first top wall portion defining a first plane, and a second top wall portion defining a second plane spaced apart from the first plane, and the second side walls extend at least the length of the second top wall portion. Advantageously, the first top wall portion defines with the base of the first part of the housing the depth of the leading portion of the housing, and the second top wall portion defines with the base of the first part of the housing the depth of the rest of the housing. Preferably, the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing defines with the base of the first part of the housing and with the adjacent first end wall of the first part of the housing and with adjacent portions of the first side walls of the first part of the housing the leading ΙΕθ 803 39 portion of the housing.

Preferably, the second top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing defines with the base of the first part of the housing the adjacent first and second end walls of the first and second parts, respectively, of the housing and adjacent parts of the first and second side walls of the first and second parts, respectively, of the housing a trailing portion of the housing. Advantageously, a second end wall extends downwardly from the top wall of the second part of the housing adjacent the leading end thereof joining the second side walls thereof, and ί o the second top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing defines with the base of the first part of the housing and the adjacent parts of the first and second side walls and the adjacent first and second side walls the leading portion of the housing.

Ideally, the first and second planes defined by the first and second top wall portions of the top wall of the second part of the housing extend parallel to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention an intermediate wall extending between the second side walls of the second part of the housing extends between the first top wall portion and the second top wall portion for joining the first and second top wall portions. Preferably, the intermediate wall extends from the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing at an angle in the range of 100° to 160°. Advantageously, the intermediate wall extends from the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing at an angle in the range of 115° to 1 45°. Ideally, the intermediate wall extends from the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing at an angle in the order of 130°.

In one embodiment of the invention a first venting means is provided in the intermediate wall for facilitating air circulation through the hollow interior region of the housing. Preferably, a second venting means is located in one of the first and second side and end walls for facilitating air circulation through the housing.

Advantageously, the second venting means is located in the second end wall adjacent the trailing end of the housing. . · Π ΙΕΟ 803 39 In one embodiment of the invention a first anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for anchoring a battery in the hollow interior region of the housing. Preferably, the first anchor means comprises a battery engaging seat and a first resilient clip co-operable with the battery engaging seat for releasably retaining the battery between the battery engaging seat and the first clip. Advantageously, at least two spaced apart first anchor means are provided in the first part of the housing.

In one embodiment of the invention a second anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for releasably retaining one of the components provided by an electrical inverter in the hollow interior region of the housing. Preferably, the second anchor means comprises a pair of spaced apart second resilient clips for releasably engaging the inverter at respective opposite ends thereof. Advantageously, a first fastener accommodating opening is provided in the first part of the housing for accommodating a first fastener element therethrough for releasably and securely engaging one end of the inverter.

In another embodiment of the invention a third anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for releasably retaining a terminal block in the hollow interior region of the housing. Preferably, the third anchor means comprises a pair of spaced apart resilient third clips co-operable with each other for engaging a portion of the terminal block therebetween.

In another embodiment of the invention a fourth anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for releasably retaining a fuse holder in the hollow interior region. Preferably, the fourth anchor means comprises a pair of resilient fourth clips cooperable with each other for releasably engaging the fuse holder.

In a further embodiment of the invention a fifth anchor means is provided in the second part of the housing for releasably retaining one of the components provided by an electrical choke in the hollow interior region. Preferably, the fifth anchor means comprises a comer engaging element for engaging a corner of the choke, ΙΕΟ 80 3 and a second fastener accommodating opening extending through the second part of the housing for accommodating a second fastener for releasably engaging the choke at an end opposite to the end engaged by the corner engaging clip. Advantageously, at least two second fastener accommodating openings are provided in the second part of the housing for co-operating with the corner engaging clip for engaging chokes of respective different sizes. Ideally, the second fastener element is a resilient fastener.

In one embodiment of the invention at least one pair of hinge elements is provided for hingedly coupling the first and second parts of the housing together, one of the hinge elements of the pair extending from one of the first side walls of the first part of the housing, and the other of the hinge elements of the pair extending from the second side wall of the second part of the housing adjacent the first side wall from which the other of the hinge elements of the pair extends. Preferably, two pairs of complementary hinge elements are provided spaced apart from each other, and defining a common hinge axis about which the first and second parts of the housing are hingeable. Advantageously, the interengageable complementary formations of each pair for releasably securing the first and second parts of the housing together are located on the respective first and second side walls of the first and second parts of the housing opposite to the first and second side walls from which the hinge elements extend.

In one embodiment of the invention the two-part housing is of a plastics material. Preferably, the first and second parts of the two-part housing are of injection moulded plastics material. In another embodiment of the invention the box comprises a battery, a choke, an inverter, a terminal block and a fuse holder located within the hollow interior region.

The invention also provides a method for entering the box according to the invention into a void above a ceiling through an emergency light opening formed in the ceiling for accommodating an emergency light fitting therein, the method comprising entering the box through the emergency light opening with the leading portion of the housing initially entering through the emergency light opening and with the two-part ΙΕΟ 80 3 39 housing at an angle to the horizontal with the stepped face of the housing facing downwardly until the leading portion of the housing is within the void, and urging the remainder of the housing upwardly through the emergency light opening into the ceiling void, and manoeuvring the housing within the ceiling void, until the housing is in a desired location.

Preferably, wires of an electrical power supply located in the ceiling void are coupled to the electrical circuit in the hollow interior region of the housing prior to the housing being entered through the light accommodating opening. Advantageously, wires from the emergency light fitting to be controlled by the electrical circuit in the box are coupled to the electrical circuit prior to entering the housing through the emergency light opening.

Preferably, the emergency light fitting is located and secured in the emergency light opening after the box has been located in the desired location in the ceiling void.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box according to the invention for housing an electrical circuit having electrical components for controlling the operation and for providing emergency electrical power to an emergency light fitting, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 1 illustrated in a different state, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the box of Fig. 1 illustrated in the state of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the box of Fig. 1 illustrated in the state of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the box of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the portion of Fig. 5 of the box of Fig. 1, ΙΕΟ 80 3 39 Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 5 of the box of Fig. 1 on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 5 of the box of Fig. 1 on the line VIIl-VIII of Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of a detail of the portion of Fig. 5 of the box of Fig. 1, Fig. 10 is a top plan view of another portion of the box of Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 10 of the box of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 10 of the box of Fig. 1 on the line XII-XII of Fig. 10, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 1 illustrated in use, Fig. 14 is another perspective view of the box of Fig. 1 also illustrated in use, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a detail of the box of Fig. 1, and Fig. 16 is a partly transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the detail of Fig. 15 of the box of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a box according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for housing an electrical circuit having electrical components, which are described below, for controlling the operation and for providing emergency electrical power to an emergency light fitting 2 which is located in a light fitting opening 4 formed in a false ceiling 5 above which a void 7 is formed with an actual ceiling 8. The box 1 is particularly suitable for placing in the void 7 above the false ceiling 5 and for entering into the void 7 through the ISO 803 39 light fitting opening 4 even where the spacing between the false ceiling 5 and the actual ceiling 8 is relatively small, and even as small as 150mm and where the light fitting opening 4 is also relatively small.

The box 1 is formed by a two-part housing 10 having a first part 11 and a second part 12, both of plastics material, and both formed by injection moulding. The first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 are hingedly coupled together and are hingeable between an open state illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 and a closed state illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 where the first and second parts 11 and 12 define a io hollow interior region 14 for accommodating the electrical circuit and components.

The housing 10 is of elongated configuration extending between a leading end 15 and a trailing end 16, and is of stepped longitudinal cross-section having a stepped face 18 with a step 19 extending transversely across the stepped face 18 intermediate the leading end 15 and the trailing end 16 of the housing 10 for facilitating entry of the box 1 into the void 7 above the false ceiling 5 through the light fitting accommodating opening 4 as will be described below.

The first part 11 of the housing 10 comprises a base 20, a pair of spaced apart first side walls 21 extending upwardly from the base 20 between the leading end 15 and the trailing end 16 of the housing 10, and a pair of spaced apart first end walls 22 extending upwardly from the base 20 and joining the first side walls 21 at the respective leading and trailing ends 15 and 16.

The second part 12 of the housing 10 comprises a top wall 25 and a pair of spaced apart second side walls 26 extending downwardly from the top wall 25 between the leading end 15 and the trailing end 16 of the housing 10, and a pair of spaced apart second end walls 27 extending downwardly from the top wall 25 and joining the second side walls 26 at the respective leading and trailing ends 15 and 16. The top wall 25 is formed by a first top wall portion 29 which extends longitudinally along the housing 10 from the leading end 25, and terminates intermediate the leading end 15 and the trailing end 16. A second top wall portion 30 of the top wall 25 extends longitudinally along the housing 10 from the trailing end 16 and terminates at a ΙΕΟ 80 3 39 position relatively close to the position at which the first top wall portion 29 terminates. The first top wall portion 29 defines a first plane and the second top wall portion 30 defines a second plane which is spaced apart from and parallel to the first plane defined by the first top wall portion 29 to provide the stepped configuration of the housing 10. An intermediate wall 32 extending between the second side walls 26 of the second housing 12 joins the first and second top wall portions 29 and 30, thus forming the step 19 in the stepped face 18 between the first top wall 29 and the second top wall 30. The intermediate wall 32 extends from the first top wall 29 at an angle a of approximately 130°.

The second side and end walls 26 and 27 abut the first side and end walls 21 and 22 when the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 are in the closed state and define with the base 20 and the top wall 25 the hollow interior region 10. A pair of hinges 35 are provided spaced apart on adjacent first and second side walls 21 and 26 of the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 for facilitating hinging of the first and second parts 11 and 12 between the open and closed states. Each hinge 25 comprises a pair of hinge elements 36 and 37 which are integrally injection moulded with adjacent ones of the first and second side walls 21 and 26, respectively. Pivot pin accommodating bores 38 are formed in the respective hinge elements 36 and 37 for engaging a corresponding pivot pin 39 for facilitating hinging of the hinge elements 36 and 37 relatively to each other and in turn the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10. The pivot pins 39 of the respective hinges 35 define a common longitudinally extending pivot axis about which the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 are pivotal.

A securing means for releasably securing the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 in the closed state is provided by two pairs of interengageable complementary formations, one of which formations of each pair is formed by a resilient clasp 42 which extends from one of the second side walls 26 of the second part 12. The other of the interengageable complementary formations is formed by a receiver opening 43 formed in the corresponding adjacent one of the first side walls 21 in the first part 11. Each clasp 42 terminates in a lug 45 which is resiliently engageable with the corresponding receiver opening 43 in the corresponding first ΙΕΟ 80339 side wall 21, and engages the corresponding receiver opening 43 with a releasable snap-fit action.

When the housing 10 is secured in the closed state with the clasps 42 engaging the corresponding receiver openings 43, the housing 10 defines a leading portion 47, which is formed by the first top wall portion 29, the first and second end walls 22 and 27, respectively, at the leading end 15 of the housing 10 and a portion of the base 20 and the first and second side walls 21 and 26 which extend from the first and second end walls 22 and 27 at the leading end 15 of the housing 10 to the intermediate wall 32. Additionally, the housing 10 when secured in the closed state by the clasps 42 engaging the receiver opening 43 forms a trailing portion 48 which is defined by the second top wall portion 30 of the top wall 25, the first and second end walls 22 and 27, respectively, at the trailing end 16 of the housing 10 and the base 20 and portions of the first and second side walls 21 and 26, respectively, which extend from the trailing end 16 of the housing 10 to the intermediate wall 32.

The length I of the leading portion 47 from the leading end 15 of the housing 10 to the intermediate wall 32 in this embodiment of the invention is approximately 35% of the overall length L of the housing 10. The depth d of the leading portion 47 of the housing 10 between the first top wall portion 29 and the base 20 is less than the depth D of the trailing portion 48 between the second top wall portion 30 and the base 20, and in this embodiment of the invention the depth d of the leading portion 47 is approximately 70% of the depth D of the trailing portion 48. The provision of the leading portion 47 to be of depth d of approximately 70% of the depth D of the trailing portion 48, and also by providing the leading portion 47 to be of length / of approximately 35% of the overall length L of the housing 10, facilitates entering of the box 1 through the light fitting opening 4 into the void 7 above the false ceiling 5 as will be described below. In this embodiment of the invention the overall length L of the housing 10 is 275mm, the width w of the housing 10 is 124mm, and the depth D of the trailing portion 48 of the housing 10 is 75mm.

The electrical components of the electrical circuit which are housed in the hollow interior region 14 of the housing 10 comprises a pair of rechargeable batteries 50, an ΙΕθ 80339 inverter 51 and a choke 52. A terminal block 53 is provided for coupling to wires 54 of a mains electricity supply, and a fuse holder 55 is provided for holding fuses (not shown) through which mains electricity is supplied to the components of the electrical circuit in the housing 10. Although not illustrated, the components of the electrical circuit are appropriately connected to form the electrical circuit. The connecting of such components will be well known to those skilled in the art.

A first anchor means for releasably securing the batteries 50 in the hollow interior region 14 of the housing 10 comprises battery engaging seats 58 integrally injection moulded with the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10, and resilient first clip 59 also integrally injection moulded with the base 20. The first clips 59 co-operate with the battery engaging seats 58 for releasably securing the batteries to the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10.

A second anchor means for releasably securing the inverter 51 in the hollow interior region 14 of the housing 10 comprises two pairs of resilient second clips 60 which are integrally formed with the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10 for releasably engaging respective opposite ends 61 of the inverter 51. The second clips 60 terminate in their distal ends in lugs 62 for engaging the inverter 51 at the respective opposite ends thereof for in turn releasably securing the inverter 51 to the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10. Additionally, the second anchor means comprises a pair of first fastener accommodating openings 63, which extend through the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10, for accommodating respective resilient fastener elements, not shown, but described with reference to the choke 52 below, for also releasably securing the inverter 51 to the base 20 in the event of the second clips 60 being unsuitable for releasably securing the inverter 51 to the base 20.

Third anchor means for releasably securing the terminal block 53 to the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart resilient third clips 65 which extend upwardly from and are integrally injection moulded with the base 20 for releasably engaging the terminal block 53. The third clips 65 terminate at their distal ends in lugs 66 which releasably engage the terminal block 53 for ΙΕΟ 80 3 39 releasably securing the terminal block 53 to the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10.

A fourth anchor means for releasably securing the fuse holder 55 to the base 20 of the first housing 11 comprises a pair of resilient fourth clips 68 which extend upwardly from the base 20 and terminate in corresponding lugs 69 for releasably engaging the fuse holder 55. The fourth clips 68 are integrally injection moulded with the base 20. io Fifth anchor means for releasably securing the choke 52 to the second top wall portion 30 of the top wall 25 of the second part 12 of the housing 10 comprises a corner engaging clip 70 for engaging one corner of the choke 52, and a second fastener accommodating opening 71 extending through the second top wall portion 30 for accommodating a resilient fastener element 73 for releasably securing the choke 52 to the second top wall portion 30 of the second part 12. In this embodiment of the invention three second fastener accommodating openings 71 are provided for accommodating the fastener element 73 depending on the size of the choke 52. The fastener element 73 comprises a pin 74 extending from a head 78, and a collet type element 75 having a bore extending therethrough for accommodating the pin 74 therethrough. The collet type element 75 is engageable in a slot 76 of the choke 52, and one or more washers 77 are provided on the collet type element 75, so that when the pin 74 is urged through the collet type element 75, portions 79 of the collet type element 75 are splayed outwardly, thereby retaining the washers 72 abutting the choke 52 and in turn retaining the choke 52 secured against the second top wall portion 30 of the second part 12 of the housing 10. The second fastener accommodating openings 71 are located relative to the corner engaging clip 70 for accommodating different sizes of choke 52.

A cable accommodating inlet port 80 is formed in the first end wall 22 of the first part 11 adjacent the leading end 15 of the housing 10 for accommodating the cable 54 which provides mains electricity to the components of the box 1. A cable accommodating outlet port 82 is located in the first end wall 22 of the first part 11 of the housing 10 adjacent the trailing end 16 of the housing 10 for accommodating iEO 803 39 cables (not shown) from the appropriate components of the electrical circuit to the emergency light fitting 2 for powering thereof in the event of an emergency. In this embodiment of the invention a flexible conduit 84 is secured in the outlet port 82 and in a corresponding inlet port (not shown) to the light fitting 2 for accommodating cables (not shown) from the electrical circuit to the emergency light fitting 2.

First and second venting means are provided for facilitating air circulation through the hollow interior region 14 of the housing 10 for maintaining the components therein relatively cool. The first venting means comprises a first vent formed by a plurality of spaced apart first vent slots 86 formed in the intermediate wall 32, and the second venting means is provided by a second vent formed by a plurality of spaced apart second vent slots 88 formed in the second end wall 27 of the second part 12 of the housing 10 adjacent the trailing end 16 thereof.

Fixing brackets 89 extending from the first end walls 22 adjacent the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10 are provided for fixing the box 1 to the false ceiling 5.

In use, with the batteries 50, the inverter 51, the choke 52, the terminal block 53 and the fuse holder 55 secured in the housing 10 and appropriately electrically connected, the box 1 is ready for use. With the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 hinged into the open state, the emergency light fitting 2 is electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the box 1 by the cable (not shown) through the flexible conduit 84. The box 1 with the emergency light fitting 2 coupled thereto is then offered up to the false ceiling 5 adjacent the light fitting opening 4, and the mains electricity cable 54 is urged from the void 7 through the light fitting opening 4 and is entered through the inlet port 80 of the box 1 and connected to the terminal block 53. With the box 1 electrically connected to the light fitting 2 and to the mains electricity cable 54, the first and second parts 11 and 12 of the housing 10 are hinged into the closed state, which are releasably secured together by the clasps 42 releasably engaging the receiver openings 43 with a snap-fit action. The box 1 is ready for entering into the void 7 between the false ceiling 5 and the actual ceiling 8 through the light fitting opening 4. The box 1 is oriented so that the box 1 is angled at an angle of approximately 45° to the horizontal with the stepped face 18 facing in t Κθ 803 a generally downwardly direction, and the leading end 15 adjacent the light fitting opening 4 as illustrated in Fig. 13. The box 1 is then urged through the light fitting opening 2 into the void 7 angled as illustrated in Fig. 13 until the leading portion 47 of the box 1 is entirely within the void 7 and the intermediate wall 52 is adjacent the periphery ofthe light fitting opening 4. At that stage, in general, it should be possible to urge the trailing portion 48 of the box 1 upward in a generally upwardly direction through the light fitting opening 2 into the void 7. Once the box in its entirety is in the void 7, the box 1 is then inverted and manoeuvred into the desired position with the base 20 of the first part 11 of the housing 10 supported on the false ceiling 5.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is achieved by providing the leading portion 47 of the housing 10 to be of a depth d defined between the first top wall portion 29 and the base 20 of approximately 70% of the depth D of the trailing portion 48, and also by providing the length I of the leading portion 47 to be approximately 35% of the overall length L of the housing 10. By providing the leading portion 47 to be of depth less than that of the trailing portion 48, the leading portion 47 when angled can be urged into a void of significantly lesser depth than could be achieved if the depth ofthe leading portion 47 were similar to that of the trailing portion. Thus, the box according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a void 7 which is formed by a relatively small spacing between a false ceiling and an actual ceiling.

While the box 1 has been described as being of a plastics material, the box 1 may be of any other suitable material, and needless to say, where the box 1 is of a plastics material, it may be formed by any other means besides injection moulding.

It will also be appreciated that while the box 1 has been illustrated as comprising two batteries, the box 1 may comprise any number of batteries, and an appropriate number of first anchor means would be provided.

Needless to say, anchor means other than the anchor means ofthe first, second, third, fourth and fifth anchor means may be provided. ΙΕΟ 803 J9 It is also envisaged that the box may be of other shape and configuration, provided that the box is provided with a leading portion and a trailing portion configured so that the leading portion extends for a length I at least 25% of the overall length L of the housing, and that the depth of the leading portion is not more than 80% of the depth of the trailing portion.

Needless to say, while the housing has been described as being of specific size and dimensions, the housing may be of other suitable sizes and dimensions.

Claims (50)

Claims

1. A box for housing an electrical circuit having electrical components for controlling an emergency light fitting, the box comprising a two-part housing having a first part and a second part secured together to form a hollow interior region within which the electrical circuit comprising the electrical components is housed, an inlet port to the hollow interior region for accommodating an electrical power supply to the electrical circuit in the box, and an outlet port from the hollow interior region for accommodating an emergency electrical power supply from the electrical circuit in the box to the emergency light fitting, the housing being of elongated configuration extending between a leading end and a trailing end and being of stepped longitudinal cross-section with a leading portion of the housing extending from the leading end towards the trailing end thereof for at least 20% of the length of the housing and being of depth not more than 85% of the depth of the rest of the housing, and defining a stepped face forming a step extending transversely thereacross.

2. A box as claimed in Claim 1 in which the depth of the leading portion of the housing is not more than 75% of the depth of the rest of the housing.

3. A box as claimed in Claim 2 in which the depth of the leading portion of the housing is not more than 70% of the depth of the rest of the housing.

4. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the leading portion of the housing extends from the leading end towards the trailing end thereof for at least 30% of the length of the housing.

5. A box as claimed in Claim 4 in which the leading portion of the housing extends from the leading end towards the trailing end thereof for at least 35% of the length of the housing.

6. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first and second parts of the housing are hingedly connected and are hingeable between an open state for accommodating access to the hollow interior region, and a closed state defining the fEO 80 3 39 hollow interior region.

7. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first and second parts of the housing are securable together by a securing means comprising at least one 5 pair of interengageable complementary formations, one of the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair being formed on the first part of the housing, and the other of the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair being formed on the second part of the housing. io

8. A box as claimed in Claim 7 in which one of the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair comprises a resilient clasp element, and the other interengageable complementary formation of the at least one pair comprises a receiver for receiving the clasp. 15

9. A box as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the interengageable complementary formations of the at least one pair are engageable with a snap-fit action.

10. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first part of the housing 20 comprises a base, a pair of spaced apart first side walls extending upwardly from the base, and a pair of spaced apart first end walls extending upwardly from the base and joining the first side walls at respective opposite ends thereof.

11. A box as claimed in Claim 10 in which the second part of the housing 25 comprises a top wall, a pair of spaced apart second side walls extending downwardly from the top wall, and at least one second end wall extending downwardly from the top wall joining the second side walls at the trailing end thereof.

12. A box as claimed in Claim 11 in which the top wall is formed by a first top wall 30 portion defining a first plane, and a second top wall portion defining a second plane spaced apart from the first plane, and the second side walls extend at least the length of the second top wall portion. κθ 80339

13. A box as claimed in Claim 12 in which the first top wall portion defines with the base of the first part of the housing the depth of the leading portion of the housing, and the second top wall portion defines with the base of the first part of the housing the depth of the rest of the housing.

14. A box as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing defines with the base of the first part of the housing and with the adjacent first end wall of the first part of the housing and with adjacent portions of the first side walls of the first part of the housing the leading portion of the housing.

15. A box as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 14 in which the second top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing defines with the base of the first part of the housing the adjacent first and second end walls of the first and second parts, respectively, of the housing and adjacent parts of the first and second side walls of the first and second parts, respectively, of the housing a trailing portion of the housing.

16. A box as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15 in which a second end wall extends downwardly from the top wall of the second part of the housing adjacent the leading end thereof joining the second side walls thereof, and the second top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing defines with the base of the first part of the housing and the adjacent parts of the first and second side walls and the adjacent first and second side walls the leading portion of the housing.

17. A box as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 16 in which the first and second planes defined by the first and second top wall portions of the top wall of the second part of the housing extend parallel to each other.

18. A box as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 17 in which an intermediate wall extending between the second side walls of the second part of the housing extends between the first top wall portion and the second top wall portion for joining the first and second top wall portions. /Εθ 80339

19. A box as claimed in Claim 18 in which the intermediate wall extends from the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing at an angle in the range of 100° to 160°.

20. A box as claimed in Claim 19 in which the intermediate wall extends from the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing at an angle in the range of 115° to 145°. io

21. A box as claimed in Claim 20 in which the intermediate wall extends from the first top wall portion of the top wall of the second part of the housing at an angle in the order of 130°.

22. A box as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 21 in which a first venting means is 15 provided in the intermediate wall for facilitating air circulation through the hollow interior region of the housing.

23. A box as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 22 in which a second venting means is located in one of the first and second side and end walls for facilitating air 20 circulation through the housing.

24. A box as claimed in Claim 23 in which the second venting means is located in the second end wall adjacent the trailing end of the housing.

25. 25. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a first anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for anchoring a battery in the hollow interior region of the housing.

26. A box as claimed in Claim 25 in which the first anchor means comprises a 30 battery engaging seat and a first resilient clip co-operable with the battery engaging seat for releasably retaining the battery between the battery engaging seat and the first clip.

27. A box as claimed in Claim 25 or 26 in which at least two spaced apart first anchor means are provided in the first part of the housing.

28. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a second anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for releasably retaining one of the components provided by an electrical inverter in the hollow interior region of the housing.

29. A box as claimed in Claim 28 in which the second anchor means comprises a pair of spaced apart second resilient clips for releasably engaging the inverter at respective opposite ends thereof.

30. A box as claimed in Claim 28 or 29 in which a first fastener accommodating opening is provided in the first part of the housing for accommodating a first fastener element therethrough for releasably and securely engaging one end of the inverter.

31. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a third anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for releasably retaining a terminal block in the hollow interior region of the housing.

32. A box as claimed in Claim 31 in which the third anchor means comprises a pair of spaced apart resilient third clips co-operable with each other for engaging a portion of the terminal block therebetween.

33. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a fourth anchor means is provided in the first part of the housing for releasably retaining a fuse holder in the hollow interior region.

34. A box as claimed in Claim 33 in which the fourth anchor means comprises a pair of resilient fourth clips co-operable with each other for releasably engaging the fuse holder.

35. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which a fifth anchor means is *0 803 provided in the second part of the housing for releasably retaining one of the components provided by an electrical choke in the hollow interior region.

36. A box as claimed in Claim 35 in which the fifth anchor means comprises a corner engaging element for engaging a corner of the choke, and a second fastener accommodating opening extending through the second part of the housing for accommodating a second fastener for releasably engaging the choke at an end opposite to the end engaged by the corner engaging clip.

37. A box as claimed in Claim 36 in which at least two second fastener accommodating openings are provided in the second part of the housing for cooperating with the corner engaging clip for engaging chokes of respective different sizes.

38. A box as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 in which the second fastener element is a resilient fastener.

39. A box as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 38 in which at least one pair of hinge elements is provided for hingedly coupling the first and second parts of the housing together, one of the hinge elements of the pair extending from one of the first side walls of the first part of the housing, and the other of the hinge elements of the pair extending from the second side wall of the second part of the housing adjacent the first side wall from which the other of the hinge elements of the pair extends.

40. A box as claimed in Claim 39 in which two pairs of complementary hinge elements are provided spaced apart from each other, and defining a common hinge axis about which the first and second parts of the housing are hingeable.

41. A box as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 40 in which the interengageable complementary formations of each pair for releasably securing the first and second parts of the housing together are located on the respective first and second side walls of the first and second parts of the housing opposite to the first and second side walls from which the hinge elements extend. ΙΕο 80 3 39

42. A box as claimed in any preceding claim in which the two-part housing is of a plastics material.

43. A box as claimed in Claim 42 in which the first and second parts of the twopart housing are of injection moulded plastics material.

44. A box as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a battery, a choke, an inverter, a terminal block and a fuse holder located within the hollow interior region.

45. A box for housing an electrical circuit having electrical components for controlling an emergency light fitting, the box being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

46. A method for entering the box as claimed in any preceding claim into a void above a ceiling through an emergency light opening formed in the ceiling for accommodating an emergency light fitting therein, the method comprising entering the box through the emergency light opening with the leading portion of the housing initially entering through the emergency light opening and with the two-part housing at an angle to the horizontal with the stepped face of the housing facing downwardly until the leading portion of the housing is within the void, and urging the remainder of the housing upwardly through the emergency light opening into the ceiling void, and manoeuvring the housing within the ceiling void, until the housing is in a desired location.

47. A method as claimed in Claim 46 in which wires of an electrical power supply located in the ceiling void are coupled to the electrical circuit in the hollow interior region of the housing prior to the housing being entered through the light accommodating opening.

48. A method as claimed in Claim 46 or 47 in which wires from the emergency light fitting to be controlled by the electrical circuit in the box are coupled to the electrical circuit prior to entering the housing through the emergency light opening. '4 , ; · .? '· 5 ΙΕθ 80339

49. A method as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 48 in which the emergency light fitting is located and secured in the emergency light opening after the box has been located in the desired location in the ceiling void.

50. A method for entering the box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 45 into a void above a ceiling through an emergency light opening formed in the ceiling for accommodating an emergency light fitting therein, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.