CA2418463A1

CA2418463A1 - Safety hook

Info

Publication number: CA2418463A1
Application number: CA002418463A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jack Russell Kerr Jr.
Original assignee: Angelo Fan Brace Licensing LLC
Current assignee: Angelo Fan Brace Licensing LLC
Priority date: 2002-02-04
Filing date: 2003-02-04
Publication date: 2003-08-04
Also published as: US20030147749A1; US6619919B2

Abstract

A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate at the two support members are slid together. A belt is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart.

Description

15:190 (9419f13) PHlP~30423d111H$W
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Field of the Invention j0001] The invention relates to electrical fixtures, and especially to the overhead mounting of lighting fixtures, fans, and the like.
Background of the Inventilan [0Q02] ~eilizlg fans, pendant ceiling lamps, and the like are commonly mounted by screwing a mounting bracket or the like, attached to the fixture, to an eIectlical junction box set into the ceiling, which is in turn screwed to a coiling joust or other structural nternbex of flee building. However, even if the ceili~.g junction box is of a sort designed azzd approved for the xxlounting of fans and other heavy fixtu~ces, and the installation is competently installed, there as always a risk of a failure resulting in. the fan or light fixture .falling from the ceiling.
Especially in the case of a large, heavy fan or chandelier, this anay presEnt a risk of injury to persons ox damage to property underneath.
[0Q43] It is th,exefore sometimes considered des.xrable, and in some jurisdictions is required, to provide an alternative means of attaching the weight of the fixture to the ceiling, which bypasses the electrical box and the ceiling bracket attached to it. It h~xs previously been proposed to achieve this by means of a tether, typically a length of wire rope, attached to the fucture, and with a loop at one end that is placed over a hook set directly into the ceiling joist through the tap of the ceiling box. Thus, if the ceiling box or the bracket fails, or if the bracket is not properly attached to the ceiling box, the wire rape tethers the fixture to the ceiling. It is not necessary ~foz~ the wue rope to be taut in the installed configuration. Tndeed, it .is probably desirable that when the fixture is hangilag from the wire rope tether it drop far enough below its usual position for it to be conspicuous that tlbe fixture is not properly mounted.

153190 (9d~9-a3) PHtt~(x2341I1HHW

[0004.] However, it has been found in. practice that the Ioop an the tether sometimes slips off the hank while the fixture is being installed. The fact that the tether is or becomes slack when the fixture is placed in its installed position facilitates this tendency.
~u~rr~~ary of the JGnvention [OOOSJ It is an object of the invention to attach the tether to th:e ceiling in such a manner that it is Iess likely to became detached.
[0006) In one aspect, the invention provides a hook for attaching a tether to a ceW ng foist.
The hook consists essentially of a length of bent wire. The look defines a first loop adapted to lie flat against the inside of a ceiling box, or other O.at surface, and to be attached to a ceiling joist through the ceiling box by a screw, the head of which bears on the sides of she first loop. The hook defmES a second loop; adapted to extend downwards from the flat surface against which the .f-irst loop is screwed, and to hold the tether. One of the tree ends of the length of wire extends across the second loop, so as to permit tle loop of the tethez~ tv be attached to the hook but hinder it from disengaging. That free end i.s bent round the far side I5 of the sECOnd loop, in. such a way that if the look tends to deform under the weight of a fixture hanging from the second loop the free end will tend to tighten on the second loop, reducing the risk that t'he hook will unbend and release the tether.
[0007] 'fhe one free end may be adjacent to the part of the wire forming the first loop, and may be placed aCro55 the second loop, on the side of the second loop towards the first loop, with the tip azagled away from the first loop.
[0008] The one free end rnay be adjacent to the part of the wire forming the second loop, and may be wound loosely round the second loop, so that the tether can be lung onto the second loop by sliding it round the curve of the one free end.
[0009] In another aspect, the invention provides a ceiling-mounted electrical box. provided with a safety hook according tc~ the invention.
[OOlOj In a further aspect, the invention provides a ceiling~mountablc electrical device, and a rnaunting assembly for suspended electrical devices, such as ceiling mounted lights and fans.

IS31AQ (~d1~3-d3) PHIP1304234t11P113W
A lower support is attached to the device, and includefi a flexible tether with a looped end..
An upper support is attached to the ceiling, and includes a safety hook according to the invention attached to the ceiling. The lower support is attached to the upper support. The looped end of the tether is hooltEd onto the safety hook. If the lower Support becomes detached from the upper support, the safety hook and tether can still support the electrical device.
Brief Description of the Drawines [00X X) For purposes of ilJ.ustrating the invention, the drawings show forms in which the invention can be embodied. 'The invention is not, however, linuted to the precise forms I0 shown iu~ess such limitation is expressly made in a claim. In the drawings;
[0010 Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic exploded side view of one emi~odilxtent of a ceiling fan arzd its ceiling attachment, including olze form of safety hook aceordiz~g to the invention.
[0013] Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of the safety hook shown in Figure 1.
[Otll~] Figure 3 is a a-ear elevation view of the safety hook slxown in Figure 2.
[OOIS) Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the safety hook shown in Figure 2.
[0016] Figwce 5 is an enlarged side ele~uation view of a second embodiment of safety hook.
[0017] Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the safety hook shown in Figure 5.
[0018) Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of the safety hook shown in Figure 5.
Detailed Description, ~f the Dravvin~s [001,9] Deferring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, one .for>aa of mounting for a ceiling Fan 10 comprises an electrical ceiling box 12 attached by screws 14 to a joist 1C, and set flush with the surface of a ceiling I8. A mounting bracket 20 is attached by scrcvsrs 22 to internally-threaded posts 24., which are positioned within the ceiling box 12 and arc fixed to the inside of the br~~c by wel,dzng, riveting, or other means. The screws 22 pass through slots 153194 ('3419~43y PHIP13U42341111~ W
_ !~. _ 2r5 in the bracket 2p, allowing a single bracket 20 to lit a range of sizes and shapes of ceiling box l~. Yn the bottom of the bracket 20 is a supporting ring ~S, with a beveled bearing surface 30 and a substantial gap 32, occupying about a quarter of the circumference of the tang, in one side.
[0020] The Fan 10 is attached to a downshift 34, which has at its top ezzd a ball mount ifs.
The ba.i.l mount 36 is sized to .nest on the beveled surface 30 of the supporting ring 28. The diameter of the downshift 34 will pass through the gap 32 ir1 the supporting ring 28, but only if the ball mount 36 i.s .lifted off the beveled surface 30. A bar 38 passes diametrically across eke downshift 34, and at both ends extends through the wall of the downshift 34, and into notches in the ball mount 3G.
[0021] The ball mount 3~ and the beveled surface 30 act as a bearing allowing the downshift 34, arid thus the fan I0, to swing slightly, and to hang vez-tically even if the ceiling 18 is not perfectJ.y horizontal. The downshift 34 is prevented from. xevalvi~ng abort its axis by a hey 40 on tlhc beveled surface 30, which engages loosely ire a slot 42 in the ball mount 3G.
(0022 A bell or canopy 44 fits over and conceals the bracket 20 and the ball mount 36. The bell 40 would normally be slid onto the i3ownshaft 34 before the fan x0 is attached, or before the ball rrlount 36 is attached, and woWd thereafter be captive;. When the mounting is assembled, the bell 44 is placed snub against the ceiling I$ and is retained by screws 46 passing thmugh boles 4$ in the bell into hales 50 in the bracket 20.
[0023] ~fhen the mounting is :fully assembled, the weight of the fan l0 is transmitted by the downshift 34 to the bar 38, the ball mount 35, the bracket 20, the screws 22, the threaded posts 24, the electrical ceiling box 12, the screws 14, and thc,joist I6, in that order. A
structural failure, or a defective connection, anywhere along that chain may result in the fan falling from the ceiling. The bell 44 provides extra security for the 6aI1 mount 3b, and mounting ring 2$, but not for other parts of the chain. In any case, the bel.I
44 is not designed as a structural component, and may not lie stra;ag enough to bear the load if the ball. mount becomes sepirated from the mounting.ring.

153190 (9419-43) PHIP130a2;1a17~o-f p W
[0024] A tether 52 15 therefore provided. The tether 52 consists of a length of wire rope, with each end fornn.ed into a loop 54, 56 by crimped~sleeve clamps 58 or other convenient means.
The lower loop 54 of the tether 52 is captive an the bar 3$. Then the mounting is assembled, the upper loop 56 of the tether S2 is hung on a hook indicated gen.ex~ally by the reference numeral 50, which is attached directly to the joist.16 by a screw G2. Although the screw 62 is shown. in Figure 1 as passing through the base of the electrical box 12, it will be appreciated that the hook 60 may instead he positioned within a larger opening ir1 the box 12. For example, the electrical box 12 may be a mufti-purpose junction box, with easily-removed blanki»g plates for cable entryways in all five sides. The hook 6d may then be designed to fit into the circular space left if such a blattlcing plate in the base of the box is removed. 'Z'he hank 60 may then remain secure even if the box 12 is torn from the ceiling.
[0025] Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the safety hook 60 consists of a piece of wire 64 bent into a particular shape. The hook 60 has a first loop 6fi, intended to bE
secured to the joist l6 by the screw 62, and a second loop 6$, intended to hold the upper loop Sfi of the wire rope tether 52_ For simplicity, the safety hook 60 is described in terms of its orientation when the first loop 65 is flat against a horizontal ceiling and the second loop i.s at the front. It will be understood, however, that the safety hook 6015 not Ii.rrAited to that orientation,. The fsrst loop f 6 is defined by two straight, roughly parallel, sections ?0 and 72 about 5 znm {1/4") apart, joined at their rear ends by a semicircular section 74. The straight section '70 is about 25 mrn {l") long. The straight section 72 is only about 10 mm Iong, and .merges into a straight section 76, about 2Q min long, that angles down at abaue 10°. The fi~ont end of the straight section 76 thus projects slightly beyond the front end of the straight section 70, as best seen in Figure 2.
[0026] 1~rom the front end of the straight section ?0, a straight section 78, about 40 mm long, extends vertically downwards. The straight 5ect3on 78 leads.into a semicircular sectYOn 80, from the other end of which a straight section 82 about 20 nun Long extends vertically upwards. "fhe sections 78, 80, and 82 together forrx~ the second loop 68. The straight section 78 forms a bight portion joiming the fast and second Ioaps 66 and 68. The straight section 82 is on the same side of the straight section 7$ as the straight sections 72 az~.d 76 are of the straight section 70. rf the straight section S2 were extended, it would meet the straight seedon 153190 (9419-43) PHIP1304234111H13W
76 a few millilueters short of the far end of the latter. Instead, the straight section 82 ends in a short section 8~4 that is angled rearwards, towards the fu-st loop 66, and has a free en.d.
[0027] From the front end of the straight section ?G, a straight section 8fi;
about 25 mm long, extends roughly perpendicularly, downwards azrd angled a little backwards. A,s is best seen in Figure 3, the straight sections 76 andlar 86 are angled a little sideways, so that the bottom end of the straight section 86 is spaced a few millimeters sideways away from the secotld loop 6$, outside the straight section 82. From the bottom end o~F the straight section 86, a straight section $$ extends roughly horizontally across, and presses lightly against, the back ofvthe second loop 68. The straight section $8 ends in a short section 90, with a free end, extending forwards at the outside of the str~azght section 7$.
[0028] The diameters of the semicircular sections ?4 and $~! are selected to accommodate the screw G2 and the upper loop Sb of the tether 52, .respectively. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, they are each about 5 na_m in diameter. Although in Figure I the safety hook 6p is shown as being retained directly by the head of the screw 62, a washer rnay be placed under the head of the screw. The matching of the size of the fyrst loop f>6 to the size of the screw 62 is then less critical. The sharpness of the other bends is net believed to be ixuportant. Those skilled in the art will understand klow to select a suitable radius for a particular wire that will provide a clean bend without unduly straining the material.
[0029] Referring again to Fig. 1, the safety hook 60 is screwed to the joist 1b )ay a sezew 62 through the first loop 66, after the ceiling box 12 is installed but before the installation of the fan l0 commences. During instnllataon of the fan, the installer slips the upper loop SG of the tether 52 over the free end section $4 from the front of the safety hook 60 (the left side as seen in 1~igure 2). By pulling forward slightly, ~khe straight section $2 can be lifted away from the houzontal session 8$, allowing the upper loop 56 of the tether 52 to be slid down into the second loop 68 of the safety hook b0. The tether is then retained in the second loop 68, by the horizontal section 88 resting against the sections ?8 and 82 and closing the top of the loop 68_ [0030] If for any reason the fan 10 ceases to be supported by the bracket 20, it will drop until the tether 52 b~oxnes taut, supporting the bar 38 from the safety hoop 60. The load imposed.

153190 (9419-43) PHIP1304234Vh18W
on the safety hook 60 is then transtxtitted through the vertical section or bight portion 7$ and the horizontal seetioxt 70 to the screw 62. If the safety hook 60 tends to deform under the weight of the fan 10, it will deFonm by bending of the horizontal straight section 7Q. As zriay be seen fronx JFigure 2, this will result in tJae bight portion 7H and the second loop 6$ moving dowztwards and backwards, and pressing tztore firmly against the hozizontal sectioxx 8$ and the free end section 90. If the section 70 defozxxts far enough, the angle between the sections 82 and 84 will engage clxe horizontal sectxc~n $8. Thus, not only is the tether 52 retained against slipping of~F the safety hook 60 while the fan is being installed, i,t is actually retained more firmly xf it comes into use.
[0031] Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, tlae second form of safety hook, indicated generally by the reference numeral lflD, has a first loop 102 to receive the screvir 62 and a second loop 104 to receive the upper loop 56 of the tether 52: The safety hook 100 is smaller than the f~a~st safety hook 100, and is about 25 Fnm (1") in xts longest dimension, approximately the vertical direction in Figure 7.
1S [0432] At the middle of the safety hook 1p0 is a straight, roughly upz~ght, section or bight portion 105. At the top of the bight poxtion 106 is a section 108 bent appro~:i»aately into a circle to forte the first loop 102. The section 108 ends in a free end section 110 that is doubled back round the upper end of the straight section I06. The .free end section 110 is clinched tightly round the bight portion J.06, to form the circular section 108 into a 2fl substantially closed ring.
[0033 j At the bottom of the upright section 106 is a curved seetion 112 forming the second loop. The curved section 112 leads into a roughly horizontal. section 114 that crosses to one side of the upright section or bight portion x06; and doubles back into a free end sectzo>x 116 that crosses to the other side of the uptight section 106. The sections 114 and 116 are not 25 clinched tightly rotted the upright section lpf. Preferably, the gap t 1$
between the upright section 106 and each of the sections 114 and 116 is narrower than the thickness of the wire rope forming the tether 52, but is wider than half that thickness.

15~t~J0 (~14~19-43) PIi~L3(k123d~1lttl~W
_Q,_ [0034] In use, the hoof 100 is fastened ca the joist lfi by a screw 62 through the loop IO~, with the head of the screw, or a washer under the Ixead of the screw, bearing on the circular section 1~8. The upper loop 56 of the tether 52 is passed over the free end of the section I16, along the sections 116 and 11.4, and down unto the curved section I12 forming the second loop 104. Because of the dimensioning of the gaps I 1$, there is a sIi.ght snap actiaz~ as the tether loop 56 passes the upright section 106 on each of the sections 116 and 1 I4. However, even if the gaps I1$ are wide enough that no snap action occurs, the spiraling path fi-otn the bottom of the second loop 104 to the free end of the section I I 6 makes it very unlikely that the tether loop 56 could work its way Free from the hook 100 in normal use.
I0 [0035] 7f the fan carves to hang by the tether 5~ from the safety hoof I00, its weight is tz~ansmitted up the vertical section IO~S: If the safety hook 100 deforms under the weight, it will deform first by unrolling of the Loop 1I2 at the base of the upright section or bight portion 10G. As may be seen from figure 5, if that happens the angle between the sections l.14 and 116 will close onto the bight portion 10G, securing the l.vop 112 against ~°urtl~er deformation.
10036] The present invexa.tion ynay be embodied in. still further speci~,c forms without departing from the spiti.t or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than. to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A safety hook, comprising:
an elongate member defining a first loop, adapted to be fastened to a support, a second loop, adapted to receive a looped end of a tether, a bight portion joining the first and second loops, and first and second free ends continuing respectively from the first and second loops;
wherein the second free end is so disposed in the vicinity of another part of the elongate member as to permit a looped end of the tether to be passed over the second free end and onto the second loop, and as to hinder detachment of the looped end of tether from the second loop; and wherein one said free end is bent round the bight in such a manner that, if the safety hook deforms under tension between the fist and second loops, the bight and the said one free end engage sa as to tend to prevent opening of the second loop.

2. A safely hook according to claim 1, consisting essentially of said elongate member.

3. A safety hook according to claim 1, wherein said elongate member consists essentially of a length of bent wire.

4. A safety hook according to claim 1, wherein said one free end is the second free end, wherein the elongate member continues from the second loop to form a transverse portion extending across the bight, is doubled back to form the second free end extending across the bight on the opposite side of the bight from said transverse portion, said second free end and said transverse portion being spaced apart from said bight.

5. A safety hook according to claim 1, wherein said one free end is the first free end, and is positioned across the bight and across the elongate member between the second loop and the second free end.

6. A mounting assembly for attaching an appliance to a ceiling, the assembly comprising:
an electrical box attached to the ceiling; and a safety hook within the electrical box, comprising an elongate member defining a first loop, fastened to the ceiling, a second loop, adapted to receive a looped end of a tether, a bight portion joining the first and second loops, and first and second free ends continuing respectively from the first and second loops;
wherein the second free end is so disposed in the vicinity of another part of the elongate member as to permit a looped end of the tether to be gassed over the second free end and onto the second loop, and as to hinder detachment of the looped end of the tether from the second loop; and wherein one said free end is bent round the bight in such a manner that, if the safety hook deforms under tension between the first and second loops, the bight and the said one free end engage so as to tend to prevent opening of the second loop.

7. A mounting assembly according to claim 6, wherein said safety hook consists essentially of said elongate member.

8. A mounting assembly according to claim 6, wherein said elongate member consists essentially of a length of bent wire.

9. A mounting assembly according to claim 6, wherein said one free end is the second free end, wherein the elongate member continues from the second loop to form a transverse portion extending across the bight, is doubled back to form the second free end extending across the bight on the opposite side of the bight from said transverse portion, said second free end and said transverse portion being spaced apart from said bight.

10. A mounting assembly according to claim 6, wherein said one free end is the first free end, and is positioned across the bight and across the elongate member between the second loop and the second free end.

11. A mounting system for suspended electrical devices, comprising:
an upper support adapted to be attached to a ceiling;
a lower support adapted to be attached to and to support an electrical device, and adapted to be attached to and to be supported by said upper support member;
a flexible tether having a looped end extending from the lower support; and a safety hook, adapted to be attached to the ceiling and comprising an elongate member defining a first loop, adapted to be fastened to a support, a second loop, adapted to receive a looped end of a tether, a bight portion joining the first and second loops, and first and second free ends continuing respectively from the first and second loops;
wherein the second free end is so disposed in the vicinity of another part of the elongate member as to permit said looped end of the tether to be passed over the second free end and onto the second loop, and as to hinder detachment of said looped end of the tether from the second loop; and wherein one said free end is bent round the bight in such a manner that, if the safety hook deforms under tension between the first and second loops, the bight and said one free end engage so as to tend to prevent opening of the second loop.

12. A mounting system according to claim 11, wherein said safety hook consists essentially of said elongate member.

13. A mounting system according to claim 11, wherein said elongate member consists essentially of a length of bent wire.

14. A mounting system according to claim 11, wherein said one free end is the second free end, wherein the elongate member continues from the second loop to form a transverse portion extending across the bight, is doubled back to form the second free end extending across the bight an the opposite side of the bight from said transverse portion, said second free end and said transverse portion being spaced apart from said bight.

15. A mounting system according to claim 11, wherein said one free end is the first free end, and is positioned across the bight and across the elongate member between the second loop and the second free end.

16. A ceiling mountable electrical device, comprising:
an upper support adapted to be attached to a ceiling;
a lower support attached to the electrical device, and adapted to be attached to and to be supported by said upper support;
a flexible tether having a looped end extending from the lower support; and a safety hook, adapted to be attached to the ceiling and comprising an elongate member defining a first loop, adapted to be fastened to a support, a second loop, adapted to receive a looped end of a tether, a bight portion joining the first and second loops, and first and second free ends continuing respectively from the first and second loops;
wherein the second free end is so disposed in the vicinity of another part of the elongate member as to permit said looped end of the tether to be passed over the second free end and onto the second loop, and as to hinder detachment of said looped end of the tether from the second loop; and wherein one said free end is bent round the bight in such a manner that, if the safety hook deforms under tension between the first and second loops, the bight and said one free end engage so as to tend to prevent opening of the second loop.

17. A ceiling-mountable electrical device according to claim 16, wherein said safety hook consists essentially of said elongate member.

18. A ceiling-mountable electrical device according to claim 16, wherein said elongate member consists essentially of a length of bent wire.

19. A ceiling-mountable electrical device according to claim 16, wherein said one free end is the second free end, wherein the elongate member continues from the second loop to form a transverse portion extending across the bight, is doubled back to form the second free end extending across the bight on the opposite side of the bight from said transverse portion, said second free end and said transverse portion being spaced apart from said bight.

20. A ceiling-mountable electrical device according to claim 16, wherein said one free end is the first free end, and is positioned across the bight and across the elongate member between the second loop and the second free end.

21. A ceiling-mountable electrical device according to claim 16, which is selected from the group consisting of lights and fans.