# US 9,520,252 B2 · Adaptable hazard detector mounting plate

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- Number: US 9,520,252 B2
- Document ID: US9520252B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/047,606
- Filed: 2013-10-07
- Published: 2015-04-09
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-07
- Assignees: Google Inc.
- Applicants: Nest Labs, Inc.
- Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman; John B. Filson; Fred Bould
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520252B2

## CPC

- H01H 11/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches (processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88)
- G08B 17/00: Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
- G08B 17/107: for detecting light-scattering due to smoke
- G08B 17/113: Constructional details
- G08B 19/00: Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
- G08B 19/005: {combined burglary and fire alarm systems}
- H01H 13/50: having a single operating member
- H04N 5/77: between a recording apparatus and a television camera
- G01N 21/53: within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
- G01N 21/6486: {Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells (G01N21/6428 takes precedence)}
- G08B 21/14: Toxic gas alarms (G08B21/16 takes precedence)
- Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener
- Y10T 29/49959: Nonresilient fastener
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

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

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mounting plate for coupling a hazard detector with a wall or ceiling of a structure, the mounting plate comprising:
a plate having a relatively thin and flat profile that allows the plate to be positioned against the wall or ceiling and secured relative thereto, the plate being coupleable to the hazard detector so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling such that the hazard detector appears to be positioned adjacent the wall or ceiling yet slightly offset therefrom; the plate comprising:
a centrally located opening through which one or more wires may be inserted so as to electrically couple the hazard detector to electrical wiring of the structure;
a first set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the first set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a first attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a first electrical box when the first electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the first attachment standard defining a first distance range of the first set of apertures relative to an axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the first set of apertures are slotted so as to allow the plate to be rotated by at least 15 degrees relative to the first electrical box when coupled therewith;
a second set of apertures arranged circumferentially around the centrally located opening, the second set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a second attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a second electrical box when the second electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the second attachment standard defining a second distance range of the second set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the second set of apertures are slotted so as to allow the plate to be rotated by at least 15 degrees relative to the second electrical box when coupled therewith; and
a plurality of hooked members that extend axially outward from an outward facing surface of the plate, the plurality of hooked members being configured to engage corresponding apertures positioned on or near an inward facing surface of the hazard device so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the plate and thereby removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

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

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mounting plate of claim 4, wherein:
the first distance range of the first attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 30 mm;
the second distance range of the second attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 35 mm;
the third distance range of the third attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 42 mm; and
the fourth distance range of the fourth attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 44 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

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

### Claim 7

A mounting plate for coupling a hazard detector with a wall or ceiling of a structure, the mounting plate comprising:
a plate having a relatively thin and flat profile that allows the plate to be positioned against the wall or ceiling and secured relative thereto, the plate being coupleable to the hazard detector so as to removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling, the plate comprising:
a centrally located opening through which one or more wires may be inserted;
a first set of apertures, the first set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a first attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a first electrical box when the first electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the first attachment standard defining a first radial distance of the first set of apertures relative to an axis of the centrally located aperture; and
a second set of apertures, the second set of apertures being dimensioned and arranged according to a second attachment standard to allow the plate to be coupled to a second electrical box when the second electrical box is attached to a wall or ceiling of the structure, the second attachment standard defining a second radial distance of the second set of apertures relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture, wherein the second radial distance is different than the first radial distance.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

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

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

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

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

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

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The mounting plate of claim 10, wherein:
the first distance range of the first attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 30 mm;
the second distance range of the second attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of about 35 mm;
the third distance range of the third attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 42 mm; and
the fourth distance range of the fourth attachment standard comprises a hole spacing relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture of approximately 44 mm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

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

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

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