U.S. patent application number 11/692697 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for self adjusting mounting holes.
Invention is credited to John B. Engel.
Application Number | 20070228238 11/692697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38557405 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070228238 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Engel; John B. |
October 4, 2007 |
SELF ADJUSTING MOUNTING HOLES
Abstract
The present invention discloses an apparatus that allows for
variations in the alignment of a mounting surface with a device
housing. The invention comprises a keyhole mounting slot with a
slit formed adjacent to the keyhole. The slit formed is of
sufficient length to form a flexible finger that permits sufficient
variation in the relative alignment between the device mounting
structure and the mounting surface to accommodate imperfections in
the mounting surface and misalignment between the device and the
mounting surface.
Inventors: |
Engel; John B.; (Tigard,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL J. SUTTON, ESQ., BARRY G. MAGIDOFF, ESQ.;GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
200 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10166
US
|
Family ID: |
38557405 |
Appl. No.: |
11/692697 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60787025 |
Mar 29, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/222.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/123 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/222.41 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. A mounting structure for mounting a device to a mounting surface
comprising: a mounting structure having a plurality of shaped
openings oriented and shaped to receive and lock fasteners in
place; a slit formed within said mounting structure and adjacent to
said shaped opening, said slit extending to a degree sufficient to
form a flexible member movably attached to said mounting structure,
said flexible member comprising said shaped opening and wherein
said flexible member permits said shaped opening to move
independently of said mounting surface to permit said mounting
structure to be mounted on a non level surface without distorting
said mounting structure when said fasteners are installed in said
shaped openings.
2. The mounting structure according to claim 1 wherein said shaped
openings are keyhole-shaped.
3. The mounting structure according to claim 1 wherein said
fasteners comprise screws.
4. The mounting structure according to claim 1 wherein said
mounting structure fasteners are locked into place by moving the
keyhole relative to said fastener such that said fastener resides
within a linear extent of said keyhole-shaped openings.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to
35 U.S.C. 119(e) from a U.S. Provisional Application having
Application No. 60/787,025 filed Mar. 29, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electrical
connectors and enclosures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electrical devices such as receptacles, switches and light
fixtures are commonly surface mounted on walls and ceilings of
residences and commercial establishments. While various approaches
are utilized in the prior art as mounting options for these
devices, one common example is the keyhole type mount wherein a
slot in a device mounting surface is formed in the pattern of a
keyhole and adapted to receive a screw to thereby affix the device
to the desired mounting surface such as a wall or ceiling for
example. This approach can present some problems however such as
distortion in the device mounting structure due to improper
alignment of the device mounting structure with the surface to
which the device is to be attached. Uneven mounting surfaces such
as walls or ceilings can also make it impossible to achieve a flush
mount the desired device, thereby leaving unsightly and unwelcome
gaps between the mounted device and the mounting surface.
[0004] It is desirable, therefore, to have a mounting solution that
promotes flush mounting and does not cause the mounting structure
of a device to distort or leave gaps between the structure and the
mounting surface when the mounting structure is mounted on an
improperly aligned surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention is directed to a mounting solution that
solves the problem of distortion in a device mounting. An
embodiment of the invention comprises a movable levered keyhole
assembly that is integrated into the mounting structure of a device
designed to be mounted on a wall or ceiling. This is characterized
by a keyhole having a slit formed adjacent to the keyhole
structure. The slit permits the portion of the structure adjacent
to the keyhole to flex thereby allowing the flexible portion of the
mounting surface to move and conform to the contour of a mounting
surface without distorting the alignment of the device itself or
the mounting structure of the device. In this manner a device can
be mounted on a surface that is not perfectly level without causing
a gap between the mounting surface and the mounted device or
causing distortion to the mounting structure of the device.
[0006] The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred
embodiment of the present invention so that those skilled in the
art may better understand the detailed description that follows.
Additional features of the embodiment will be described hereinafter
that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled
in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the
disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for
designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same
purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do
nor depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its
broadest form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a mounting structure in
accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of a mounting structure in
accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a planar view of a portion of keyhole
mounting structure in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of a portion of a keyhole
mounting structure in accordance with the present invention;
and
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a device mounting
structure 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. While the structure shown is shaped and adapted for a
specific device (a sensor) it is presented here by way of example
only and to illustrate the relationship of the structure to keyhole
openings 102 that are in accordance with the embodiment and located
around the periphery of the structure. Similarly, FIG. 2 is a plan
view of the mounting structure 100 depicted in FIG. 1, showing
keyhole openings 102 that are in accordance with the
embodiment.
[0015] Turning now to FIG. 3, depicted therein is a portion of
device mounting structure 100. As depicted therein the device
mounting structure 100 has at least one keyhole mounting hole 102
formed within its structure. The keyhole structure 100 is shaped to
receive the head of a fastener such as a screw, within the larger
portion of the keyhole opening 102. The keyhole structure 100 can
then lock the device being mounted into place around the inserted
fastener by translating or rotating the mounting surface so that
the shaft of the fastener to which the device is being mounted,
engages the narrower neck portion of the keyhole opening 102. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the
mounting structure 100 adjacent to keyhole 102 is formed as a slit
101. The slit 101 forms a lever 103 that permits that portion of
the mounting surface adjacent to its length to flex in a lever
action around the keyhole.
[0016] The ability to render a portion of the area around the
keyhole mount flexible permits the mounting structure 100 of the
device to accommodate imperfections in or misalignment with the
surface to which the mounting structure is to be attached. In this
manner distortion of a substantial portion of the mounting
structure 100 that would normally occur is taken up by movement of
the lever 103. This feature of the embodiment is more clearly shown
in FIG. 4.
[0017] As is depicted therein, slit 101 delineates a lever 103 that
is flexible and pliable to an extent that it extend away from the
rest of the mounting structure 100 to compensate for, and
accommodate imperfections and misalignment between the surface to
which a device is to be mounted on and the device itself.
[0018] While the invention has been described in detail and with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *