Abstract:
An audio visual alarm device that can adapt to a familial look is provided. The audio visual alarm device can include an alarm housing having a footprint of a first shape, and a cover housing having a footprint of a second shape. The alarm housing can include circuitry for operating the audio visual alarm device, and the second shape can be different from the first shape. The cover housing can be configured to accommodate the alarm housing and affix to the alarm housing to give the alarm housing an appearance corresponding to the second shape. At least one portion of the alarm housing can protrude through the cover housing.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to audio visual alarm housings. More particularly, the present invention relates to audio visual alarm housings that can adapt to a familial look of other alarm housings. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Known audio visual alarms can be carried by different types of housings. For example, audio visual alarms can be carried by a square housing or a circular housing. 
         [0003]    The different types of housings for audio visual alarms can be mounted on various surfaces. For example, audio visual alarm housings can be mounted on a wall or a ceiling. Often, audio visual alarms with square housings will be mounted on a wall, while audio visual alarms with circular housings will be mounted on a ceiling. 
         [0004]    It may be desirable for all audio visual alarm housings in a given environment to have a similar familial appearance. That is, it may be desirable for all alarm housings in a given environment to have either a square or circular appearance. However, it is not desirable to redesign circuitry of existing alarm housings to achieve a familial appearance. 
         [0005]    There is thus a continuing, ongoing need for audio visual alarm housings that can adapt to a familial look of other alarm housings. Preferably, the audio visual alarm housings need not be redesigned to adapt to the familial look. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an audio visual alarm housing adapted to a familial look in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of an audio visual alarm housing hooking onto a mounting plate in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a circular housing snapping onto a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a circular housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a back view of a circular housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a circular housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a circular housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a circular housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a back view of a circular housing snapped onto a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a side cross-sectional view of a square audio visual alarm housing hooked onto a mounting plate in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a side cross-sectional view of a circular housing snapped onto a square audio visual alarm housing in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments. 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the present invention audio visual alarm housings that can adapt to a familial look of other alarm housings. Preferably, the audio visual alarm housings need not be redesigned to adapt to the familial look. 
         [0023]    The audio visual alarm housings described herein will be described with reference to a square audio visual housing on a mounting plate and a circular cover housing for affixing to the square alarm housing. However, it is to be understood that any and all shapes of audio visual alarm housings on a mounting plate come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, it is to be understood that any and all shapes of cover housings for affixing to an alarm housing come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0024]    For example, the audio visual alarm housing on a mounting plate can be rectangular, ovular, or circular. Further, the cover housing for affixing to the alarm housing could be, ovular, square, or rectangular, for example. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an audio visual alarm housing adapted to a familial look  100  in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a circular housing  20  is affixed a square audio visual alarm housing  10  to adapt the square alarm housing  10  to a familial look of circular housings. Affixing the circular housing  20  to the square alarm housing  10  does not require that the square alarm housing  10  be redesigned. Thus, the internal circuitry of the square alarm housing  10  can be designed and situated as would be typical in known alarm housings. 
         [0026]    A mounting plate as would be known in the art can be attached to a wall or a ceiling, for example. Then, the square alarm housing  10  can be affixed to the mounting plate by any affixing mechanism as would be known in the art. For example, the square alarm housing  10  can be hooked or screwed to the mounting plate.  FIG. 2A  is a side view of an audio visual alarm housing  10  hooking onto a mounting plate  40  in accordance with the present invention. The alarm housing  10  can be slid relative to the mounting plate  40  to engage corresponding hooks and eyes of the alarm housing and mounting plate. 
         [0027]    Once the square alarm housing  10  is affixed to the mounting plate  40 , the circular housing  20  can be affixed to the square alarm housing  10 . In some embodiments, the circular housing  20  can be snapped onto the square alarm housing  10 .  FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a circular housing  20  snapping onto a square audio visual alarm housing  10  in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0028]    As seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2B , the circular housing  20  is shaped so that at least a portion of the square alarm housing  10  protrudes through and/or is visible through the circular housing  20 . In embodiments of the present invention, at least audio indicators  12  and/or visual indicators  14  of the square alarm housing  10  protrude through the circular housing  20 . 
         [0029]    In embodiments of the present invention, and as seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2B , at least one mounting screw  30  or any other affixing mechanism as would be known by those in the art can be used to further secure the circular housing  20  in place relative to the square alarm housing  10 . The mounting screw  30  can pass through apertures in the circular housing  20  and the square alarm housing  10  and anchor in the mounting plate (not shown). 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3-6  are front elevational, side, bottom, and top views, respectively, of a square audio visual alarm housing  10  in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIGS. 3-6 , the alarm housing  10  has a square footprint and includes audio indicators  12  and visual indicators  14 . In embodiments of the present invention, the audio indicators  12  include speakers for emitting sound generated by internal circuitry, and the visual indicators  14  include a flashing light that is activated by internal circuitry. The alarm housing  10  also includes an aperture or receptacle  32  for receiving a mounting screw or other affixing mechanism. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 7-11  are front elevational, back, side, bottom, and top views of a circular housing  20  in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIGS. 7-11 , the circular housing  20  has a circular footprint and is shaped so that at least a portion of an associated square alarm housing  10  protrudes through and/or is visible through the circular housing  20 . The circular housing  20  also includes an aperture or receptacle  31  for receiving a mounting screw or other affixing mechanism. 
         [0032]    In embodiments of the present invention, the circular housing includes a flat top portion  22  and an angled side skirt portion  24 . The top portion  22  has a circular footprint with a diameter D 1 . A top end of the angled skirt portion  24  has a circular footprint with a diameter D 1 , and a bottom end of the angled skirt portion  24  has a circular footprint with a diameter D 2 . In embodiments of the present invention, D 2 &gt;D 1 . 
         [0033]    The top portion  22  has an area that is large enough to accommodate an associated square alarm housing  10 . The top portion  22  also includes an aperture  26  through which at least a portion of an associated square housing  10  can protrude. In embodiments of the present invention, the top portion  20  also includes an audio indicator  28  for allowing noise emitted from associated alarm to pass therethrough. 
         [0034]    As seen in  FIG. 8 , the circular housing  20  can include snaps  25   a  and  25   b  for snapping the circular housing  20  onto an associated square alarm housing. The snaps  25   a  and  25   b  can include protrusions extending from at least a portion of the back of the circular housing  20 . In embodiments of the present invention, the circular housing  20  can include one snap or a plurality of snaps. 
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a back view of a circular housing  20  snapped onto a square audio visual alarm  10  housing in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 12 , the circular housing  20  is large enough to accommodate the associated square alarm housing  10 . The square alarm housing  10  includes hooks  15   a  and  15   b  for affixing to a mounting plate  40 , and the circular housing  20  includes snaps  25   a  and  25   b  for snapping to the square alarm housing  10 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 13  is a side cross-sectional view of a square audio visual alarm housing  10  hooked onto a mounting plate  40  in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 13 , the square alarm housing  10  can include at least one hook  15   a , which can include a protrusion extending from at least a portion of the back of the square alarm housing  10 . The hook  15   a  can engage with a corresponding groove or eye of the mounting plate  40  to secure the square alarm housing  10  to the mounting plate  40 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 14  is a side cross-sectional view of a circular housing  20  snapped onto a square audio visual alarm housing  10  in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 14 , the circular housing  20  can include at least one snap  25   a , which can include a protrusion extending from the back of the circular housing  10 . The snap  25   a  can engage with a corresponding recess, groove, receptacle, or edge of the square alarm housing  10  for securing the circular housing  20  to the square alarm housing  10 . 
         [0038]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.