Abstract:
A low voltage mounting device for installing low voltage components on a wall or ceiling. The low voltage mounting device includes a round frame member and a plurality of wings that are rotatable with respect to the frame member. The rotatable wings are fixed on the end of fasteners that extend through the frame member and are rotatable with respect thereto. An outward extending flange on the frame member enables flush mounting to the wall or ceiling surface. A low voltage component may be mounted directly to the frame member. The low voltage mounting device enables direct installation to the drywall and does not require mounting to a stud or other frame member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to mounting devices for low voltage components and specifically to a low voltage mounting device that connects directly to the drywall on an interior wall. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Several approaches exist for connecting low voltage components such as coax cable, fiber optic cable, communications cables, or similar low voltage and wire in new construction. Typically, a metal or plastic box is secured to the framework of a building during the roughing-out phase of construction with the drywall or other finishing wall material later applied over the box. The metal or plastic box is typically secured to the framework or studs of the building with fasteners such as nails or screws driven securely into the studs. While such an arrangement can provide a satisfactory mount for low voltage devices during the rough-out phase of construction, when the studs are unobstructed and accessible, it is not a valid method for mounting a low voltage component to a finished wall. 
   When mounting a low voltage mounting device to a finished wall, the installer must typically locate a stud and cut a hole in the drywall in the desired location. Since many low voltage mounting devices include captive fasteners, making a hole in the wall to accommodate the low voltage device typically requires the installer to create a hole large enough to provide access to the captive fasteners. Creating the hole for the low voltage mounting device however usually creates an oversize hole, which frequently forces the installer to repair the wall in the vicinity of the mounting device. Installing prior art low voltage mounting devices on finished walls is therefore inefficient and forces undesirable repair time. 
   What is needed therefore is a low voltage mounting device that can be easily and quickly installed on a finished wall. The low voltage mounting device should also be of simple design, easy to operate, and capable of being manufactured at low cost. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   The present invention provides a low voltage mounting device that can be installed easily and quickly on a wall or ceiling. All that is necessary for the mounting of the low voltage device is a simple hole saw and a screwdriver. Unlike prior art mounting devices that must be secured directly to the framework of a building, the low voltage mounting device of the present invention can be mounted in any desirable location and does not require mounting directly to the framing. Rotatable wings on the low voltage mounting device of the present invention enable rapid and precise mounting of low voltage components with a minimum amount of effort by the installer. 
   These and other advantages will be understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with reference to the attached drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a low voltage mounting device for installing low voltage components on a wall or ceiling. The low voltage mounting device includes a round frame member and a plurality of wings that are rotatable with respect to the frame member. The rotatable wings are fixed on the end of fasteners that extend through the frame member and are rotatable with respect thereto. An outward extending flange on the frame member enables flush mounting to the wall or ceiling surface. A low voltage component may be mounted directly to the frame member. The low voltage mounting device enables direct installation to the drywall and does not require mounting to a stud or other frame member. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a low voltage mounting device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the frame member portion of the low voltage mounting device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the frame member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the frame member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the frame member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the frame member from a different perspective that that of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the frame member taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a detail view of a leg portion of the frame member of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view of the leg portion of the frame member taken from line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the leg portion of the frame member taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 11  is a detail view of a wing portion of the low voltage mounting device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the wing of  FIG. 11  with a portion broken away. 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of the wing of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of a low voltage mounting device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of the low voltage mounting device of  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the low voltage mounting device of the present invention in alignment with a hole in a wall in which it is to be inserted. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the low voltage mounting device of  FIG. 16  after being inserted flush with the wall and with the wings rotated outward of the frame member. 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of a low voltage mounting device according to the present invention with the wings rotated outward and positioned behind the wall. 
       FIG. 19  is a side view of a low voltage mounting device of  FIG. 18  after the wings have been secured tightly against the wall. 
   

   INDEX TO REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
   
       
       
         
             20  low voltage mounting device 
             22  frame member 
             24  outer surface of frame member 
             26  inner surface of frame member 
             28  rotatable wing 
             30  boss 
             32  inner bore in boss 
             34  outer bore in boss 
             36  aperture 
             38  recessed area on outer surface of frame member 
             40  opening 
             42  inward extending flange 
             44  leg member 
             45  recessed area on inner surface of frame member 
             46  slot in inward extending flange 
             48  outer surface of leg 
             50  outward extending flange 
             52  rear surface of outward extending flange 
             54  shelf 
             56  support member or brace portion 
             57  arcuate outer surface of brace portion 
             58  distal end of leg 
             60  main leg portion 
             64  lateral axis across frame member 
             72  proximal end of wing 
             74  distal end of wing 
             76  foot 
             78  tab 
             80  flat face 
             82  bore in wing 
             84  adjustable fastener 
             86  fastening arrangement 
             88  outer periphery of frame member 
             90  hole 
             92  drywall 
             94  wall 
             96  cover plate 
             98  cover fastener 
             100  holes in cover plate 
             102  inner periphery of inward extending flange 
           Θ 1  angle through which wings are rotated 
           D 1  outer diameter of frame member 
           D 2  outer diameter of inward extending flange 
         
       
     
  
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to  FIG. 1  there is shown a preferred embodiment of a low voltage mounting device  20  according to the present invention. The low voltage mounting device  20  includes a generally circular one-piece frame member  22  with an outer surface  24  and an inner surface  26  and a plurality of rotatable wings  28  adjustable from the outer surface  24  of the frame member  22 . 
   Referring to the top view of the outer surface  24  of the frame member  22  in  FIG. 2 , the frame member  22  includes bosses  30  including inner bores  32  and outer bores  34  therein. The frame member  22  further includes apertures  36  with recessed areas  38  surrounding the apertures  36 . Openings  40  are provided surrounding one of the recessed areas  38 . 
   With reference to the view of the inner surface  26  of the frame member  22  in  FIG. 3 , the frame member  22  includes an inward extending flange  42  and three leg members  44  extending from the inner surface  26 . Located next to each leg  44  and surrounding aperture  36  are recessed areas  45  and slots  46  extending through the inward extending flange  42 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the legs  44  include outer surfaces  48  that are flush with the inward extending flange  42 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the frame member  22  also includes an outward extending flange  50  having a rear surface  52 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the frame member  22  includes a shelf  54  bridging between each boss  30  and the adjacent leg  44  thereby strengthening and supporting the leg  44  and boss  30 . A support member or brace portion  56  is provided surrounding the remaining leg  44  and extending from the inward extending flange  42  to brace the remaining leg member  44  with respect to the frame member  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the main portion of leg  44  is substantially planar and the outer surface of brace portion  56  is flush with the outer surface of the inward extending flange  42 . The brace portion  56  of each leg  44  is an integral extension of the inward extending flange  42 . The brace portion  56  further includes an arcuate outer surface  57  that is even or flush with the outer surface of the inward extending flange  42 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the legs  44  of the frame member  22  include distal ends  58 , a main leg portion  60  and a brace portion  56  extending from the inward extending flange  42 . As shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 7 , the bores  32  and  34  within bosses  30  are located 180 degrees apart along lateral axis  64 . The recessed areas  38  surrounding apertures  36  are also shown. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 8-10  the leg members  44  each include a main leg portion  60 , a brace portion  56  and a distal end  58 . Slot  46  is provided extending through the inward extending flange  42  adjacent each leg  44 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the main leg portion  60  and brace portion  56  form a leg  44  that includes a substantially L-shaped cross-section. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , each rotatable wing  28  includes a proximal end  72 , a distal end  74 , and a foot  76  at the distal end  74 . Each wing  28  further includes a tab  78  extending laterally between the two ends  72  and  74  and a flat face  80  on the outward facing side of the foot  76 . A bore  82  is provided at the proximal end  72  of each wing  28 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the low voltage mounting device  20  includes adjustable fasteners  84  extending through apertures  36  in frame member  22 . A rotatable wing  28  is secured tightly to the end of each adjustable fastener  84 . The adjustable fastener  84  with attached wing  28  comprise a fastening arrangement  86  for securing the low voltage mounting device  20  to the drywall (not shown) in a building. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the rotatable wings  28  can each be rotated counterclockwise through an angle θ 1  of approximately 220° to position the wings  28  interior of the outer periphery  88  of the frame member  22 . The wings  28  are positioned inward, as shown in phantom lines, to prepare the low voltage mounting device  20  for insertion in a hole (not shown) in a wall. The legs  44  act as stops to limit the angle the wings  28  can be rotated. 
   Reference is made to  FIG. 16  for an understanding of the operation of the low voltage mounting device  20  of the present invention.  FIG. 15  depicts a low voltage mounting device  20  with the rotatable wings  28  rotated counterclockwise to their full extent to place them within the outer periphery  88  of the frame member  22 . A hole  90  is then made in the drywall  92  to accommodate the legs  44  and inward extending flange  42  of the low voltage mounting device  20 . In an especially preferred embodiment of the low voltage mounting device  20 , the outer diameter D 1  of the frame member is preferably between 4.2 and 4.5 inches in diameter and the outer diameter D 2  of the inward extending flange  42  is preferably between 3.85 and 3.90 inches (see  FIG. 4 ). Therefore, for the example described herein, a conventional 4-inch diameter hole saw (not shown) would be used to create a hole  90  in the drywall  92  as shown in  FIG. 16 . The frame member  22  and inward extending flange  42  could of course be produced in other sizes in which case an appropriately sized hole saw would be used to create a hole in the drywall for the low voltage mounting device  20 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the low voltage mounting device  20  is inserted into the hole  90  until the outward extending flange  50  is flush against the wall  94  surface. A cover plate  96 , which is specific to the low voltage component (not shown) that is installed in the low voltage mounting device  20  and is typically provided with the low voltage component, is shown in alignment to be secured to the low voltage mounting device  20  with cover fasteners  98  through holes  100  in the cover plate  96 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 17 , after the outward extending flange  50  is flush with the wall  94  surface, the adjustable fasteners  84  are turned clockwise thereby turning the rotatable wings  28  clockwise until the tabs  78  on each wing  28  come to a stop on the corresponding leg  44 . With the wings  28  rotated to their full extent clockwise, they are positioned beyond the outer periphery  88  of the frame member  22  and behind the drywall  92 . Continued tightening of the fastening arrangement  86 , which includes tightening of each adjustable fastener  84 , draws each wing  28  toward the drywall  92 . Full tightening of the adjustable fasteners  84  draws the flat face  80  of each wing  28  against the drywall  92  and secures the low voltage mounting device  20  to the wall by sandwiching the drywall  92  between the wings  28  and the outward extending flange  50  of the frame member  22 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19  there is shown a sectional view of a wall and the low voltage mounting device  20  of the present invention with the fastening arrangement  86  before being tightened (see  FIG. 18 ) and after being tightened (see  FIG. 19 ). In  FIG. 18 , the rotatable wings  28  have been rotated clockwise to their outward-extended positions where they are situated behind the drywall  92 . Turning the adjustable fasteners  84  clockwise will cause each wing  28  to advance toward the rear surface  52  of outward extending flange  50 . In  FIG. 19 , the rotatable wings  28  have been tightened until the flat face  80  on each wing  28  is drawn tight against the drywall  92  thereby securing the low voltage mounting device  20  to the wall  94 . The drywall is sandwiched between the flat face  80  of each wing  28  and the rear surface  52  of the outward extending flange  50 . The low voltage mounting device  20  is therefore clamped to the wall  94  by the vise action of the wings  28  and the frame member  22  on each side of the drywall  92 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , the frame member  22  may be constructed of metal or plastic but is most preferably molded in one piece of plastic. Each of the rotatable wings  28  may also be constructed of metal or plastic but most preferably are molded in one piece of plastic. Preferred plastic material for molding the frame member and the wings include polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride, polystryrene, and acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the adjustable fasteners  84  are preferably constructed of metal and most preferably are at least 1.5 inches in length. The adjustable fasteners are inward of the inner periphery  102  of the inward extending flange  42 . The bosses  30  extend from the inner periphery  102  of the inward extending flange  42 . 
   Although the description above contains many specific descriptions, materials, and dimensions, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.