Patent ID: 6016596
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: F21V,H02G,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for rapid and removable vibration-resistant mounting of an object within a receiving hole in a panel having an exposed surface and a hidden surface where convenient access to the panel is limited to the exposed surface of the panel, said apparatus comprising:a housing having a side wall, an end opening, an outside dimension slightly smaller than the diameter of the receiving hole into which insertion of said housing is intended, and a hollow interior of sufficient dimension and configuration for containing the object intended for mounting within the receiving hole;a flange attached to said housing around said end opening, said flange having an outside dimension greater than the diameter of the receiving hole into which insertion of said housing is intended;at least two self-recoiling flat springs, each of said self-recoiling flat springs having an infinite number of uncoiled extended states when subject to the application of tensioning forces, each of said self-recoiling flat springs having a fully extended length greater than the thickness of the panel into which insertion of said housing is intended, each of said self-recoiling flat springs having an unattached inwardly coiled end and an opposed outer end, each of said outer ends being securely fastened to said side wall of said housing near to said flange, said unattached inwardly coiled ends of said self-recoiling flat springs remaining outside of said housing and being biased to automatically recoil away from said housing after being placed into one of said uncoiled states, said self-recoiling flat springs also being attached to said housing in positions equally spaced apart from one another; andsaid apparatus further comprising fastening means configured for securely attaching said self-recoiling flat springs to said side walls during use so that when said self-recoiling flat springs are unrolled and inserted through said receiving hole in said panel and when said housing is also partially inserted into the same receiving hole, said self-recoiling flat springs automatically recoil and engage the hidden surface of the panel adjacent to the receiving hole to thereby cause said housing to be drawn through the receiving hole until said flange engages the exposed surface of the panel for rapid installation of said apparatus into the panel until such time as a tensioning force sufficient to unroll said self-recoiling flat springs is applied to said flange to cause removal of said housing from said panel.