Abstract:
A hardware retainer detachably mounted on faceplate and selectively locked to a fixed body behind the faceplate includes a tray, at least two brackets and a faceplate box. The brackets are detachably mounted on the tray. The faceplate box is detachably mounted on the faceplate and is formed with a plurality of wire passages. The tray is detachably mounted on the faceplate box allowing for objects of varying dimensions to be installed on the faceplate.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The instant disclosure relates to a hardware retainer mounted on a faceplate; in particular, to a hardware retainer which allows placement of articles thereon for space saving. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Multiple media transmission interfaces are currently available. RJ45, VGA to the recent DVI and HDMI are readily available. The transmission cable of the RJ45 is relatively thin and usually embedded within the building wall. Similarly, VGA cables can also be embedded within the building wall. 
         [0005]    The fixedly embedded electrical conduits provide limited plug/receptacle combinations. However, different media devices employ different cable connectors. The connector for flat screen, television, projector or printer may vary. In a large cooperation, many recording devices connect to the same computer server and signals go through specialized transmission cables to various display units. Therefore a great variety of convertors emerges on the market to satisfy different coupling. 
         [0006]    Conventional convertors lead the plug (e.g. RJ45) out of the electrical box through the faceplate. The plug is inserted to an inlet of the convertor. The signals travel through the convertor routing and are transformed into desired signal format (e.g. HDMI, DVI). The convertor then transmits the compatible signals to the display unit via cables. The signal transmission is successfully achieved by the convertor but the wires are not well organized or aesthetic. 
         [0007]    To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a hardware retainer detachably mounted on a faceplate to save space and couple to different electrical boxes. 
         [0009]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure, the hardware retainer includes a tray, at least two brackets and a faceplate box. The brackets are detachably mounted on the tray. The faceplate box is detachably mounted on the faceplate and is formed with a plurality of wire passages. The tray is detachably mounted on the faceplate box. 
         [0010]    The instant disclosure has the benefit of adjustable brackets which allows for coupling to different hardware components. The hardware retainer also helps to save space and organize the wires. 
         [0011]    In order to further understand the instant disclosure, the following embodiments are provided along with illustrations to facilitate the appreciation of the instant disclosure; however, the appended drawings are merely provided for reference and illustration, without any intention to be used for limiting the scope of the instant disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a retainer mounted on faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first exploded view of a retainer mounted on an American faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second exploded view of a retainer mounted on an American faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a third exploded view of a retainer mounted on an American faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a fourth exploded view of a retainer mounted on an American faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a first exploded view of a retainer mounted on a European faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second exploded view of a retainer mounted on a European faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a third exploded view of a retainer mounted on a European faceplate in accordance with an embodiment of the instant disclosure; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic view of a retainer mounted on a faceplate by magnet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The aforementioned illustrations and following detailed descriptions are exemplary for the purpose of further explaining the scope of the instant disclosure. Other objectives and advantages related to the instant disclosure will be illustrated in the subsequent descriptions and appended drawings. 
         [0022]    Attention is now invited to  FIGS. 1˜2  showing a first embodiment of the instant disclosure. The instant disclosure provides a retainer detachably mounted on a faceplate. The retainer includes a tray  1 , at least two brackets  2  and a decora bracket  3  having a plurality of wire passages  30 . The decora bracket  3  is detachably coupled to a faceplate  4  and the tray  1  is detachably mounted on the decora bracket  3 . The two brackets  2  are detachably fastened to the tray  1 . The decora bracket  3  can be sandwiched between a fixed body  5  and the faceplate  4 . In other words, the electrical box cover  4 , decora bracket  3  and fixed body  5  are fastened collectively in succession. The fixed body  5  and may be a wall or an electrical box. Each fixed body  5  can allow passage for at least one signaling wire  50  to go through. The tray  1  and the brackets  2  couple to the decora bracket  3  from an opening of the faceplate  4  therefore opposing the fixed body  5 . The signaling wire  50  goes through one of the wire passages  30  then the faceplate  4  and connects to the convertor  6  which is retained by the tray  1  and brackets  2 . 
         [0023]    The tray  1  can be a substantially square metallic slab. At least two pairs of first apertures  11  are formed on the parallel edges of the tray  1 . The centre region of the tray  1  has a plurality of second apertures  12 . The second apertures  12  can be divided into two groups; each group has four apertures. The first group of the second apertures  12  defines a first rectangle while the second group of the second apertures  12  also defines a second rectangle with the same dimension as the first rectangle. Furthermore, the first and second rectangles perpendicularly overlap each other. The intersections of the rectangular diagonals fall at the centre of the tray  1 . Additionally, the tray  1  is formed with thirteenth apertures  14  at four corners respectively. The thirteenth apertures  14  correspond to the layout of VISA holes behind a television so as to allow coupling. The tray  1  further includes a bump  13  to prevent falling of the convertor  6  when using magnetic attachment. 
         [0024]    The two brackets  2 , generally in L-shape, can be metallic plates and each thereof has at least two slots  21  which are parallel to each other while aligned perpendicular to a flange. When screws secure the brackets  2  atop the tray  1 , the flanges  22  of the brackets  2  clamp an object from both sides. The slots  21  correspond to the first apertures  11  of the tray  1 . The engagement between the bracket  2  and the tray  1  is coupled by a plurality of first screws A. Moreover, the elongated narrow slots  21  permit engagement at various positions along the track. In other words, the tray  1  and brackets  2  can retain devices (e.g. a convertor) with various sizes because the brackets  2  are adjustable. 
         [0025]    In the instant embodiment, the fixed body  5  is an electrical box  51  satisfying the American electrical standard. The faceplate  4  and the decora bracket  3  are embodied by a faceplate  41  and a decora bracket  31  meeting the American electrical standard. The American standard faceplate  41  has a first opening  40  at the central region. The American standard decora bracket  31  resembles a rectangular metal box with a sideway/lateral opening and the widthwise sides extend to form tabs  312 . When the electrical box  51 , decora bracket  31  and faceplate  41  are engaged by screws, the decora bracket  31  fittingly projects through the first opening  40  while the electrical box  51 , tabs  312  and faceplate  41  flush against each other in succession. The decora bracket  31  couples to the tray  1  by the projection portion which protrudes from the first opening  41 . The decora bracket  31  is formed with four third apertures  311  conforming to the second apertures  12 . Specifically, the third apertures  311  may correspond to the first or second group of the second apertures  12 . Thus the tray  1  may have different orientations due to the alignment between the second and third apertures  12 ,  311 . 
         [0026]    Each of the tabs  312  is formed with a fourth aperture  313 , a fifth aperture  314  and at least two seventh apertures  315 . The fifth and seventh apertures  314 ,  315  are arranged substantially linearly in series. More specifically, the seventh apertures  315  are located symmetrically on either side of the fifth aperture  314 . The fourth aperture  313  is located adjacent to the fifth aperture yet closer to the projection portion of the decora bracket  31 . The faceplate  41  is formed with a pair of sixth apertures  411  on shorter sides thereof and the electrical box  51  is formed with a corresponding pair of fastening holes  511 . Under assembling, the pair of sixth apertures  411 , fourth apertures  313  and fastening holes  511  are aligned to receive fastening members. The decora bracket  31 , faceplate  41  and electrical box  51  are collectively coupled by a plurality of third screws C via the aforementioned apertures. 
         [0027]    Attention is now invited to  FIG. 3  showing a second embodiment of the instant disclosure. In the second embodiment, the sixth apertures  411  of the faceplate  41  correspond to the fifth apertures  314  of the tab  312 . Therefore the fourth apertures  313  and first fastening hole  511  of the electrical box  51  are in alignment yet not the sixth apertures  411 . Two fourth screws D are used to fasten the decora bracket  31  and faceplate  41  via the sixth apertures  411  and fifth apertures  314 . On the other hand, the electrical box  51  and the American decora bracket  31  are engaged by the third screws C via the first fastening hole  511  and fourth apertures  313 . 
         [0028]    Attention is now invited to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  showing a third embodiment of the instant disclosure. The retainer can be mounted on the electrical box or wall. In the instant embodiment, the fixed body  5  is a wooden wall  52  without any apertures. The decora bracket  31  engages with the wooden wall  52  by a plurality of fifth screws E via the seventh apertures  315  of the tab  312 . Moreover, the fourth and fifth apertures  313 ,  314  provide different options for securing the decora bracket  31  at the sixth apertures  411  on the faceplate  41  (referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). 
         [0029]    Attention is now invited to  FIG. 5  showing a fourth embodiment of the instant disclosure. The difference among the aforementioned and fourth embodiments arises from the faceplate box  32 , faceplate  42  and electrical box  53  which collectively satisfy European electrical standard. The faceplate box  32  is further divided into a main body  321  having a second opening  327  and a securing plate  322  having a third opening  328 . The main body  321  and the securing plate  322  are metallic plates in accordance with the faceplate  42  in shape and size. The first opening  40  of the faceplate  42  permits access of the main body  321  coupling to the electrical box  53 . The signaling cable  50  goes through the first, second openings  40 ,  327  and then the wire passage  30  to reach the convertor  6 . 
         [0030]    Similar to the faceplate box  31 , the main body  321  is formed with four eighth apertures  323  conforming to the second apertures  12  of the tray  1 . The tray  1  is allowed for two orientations by different alignments between the eighth apertures  323  and second apertures  12 . 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the faceplate box  32  is formed with four ninth apertures  324  disposed at the four corners of the second opening  327  respectively. In addition, another group of four ninth apertures  324  is separately disposed along the edge of the main body  321 . Likewise, the securing plate  322  also has four tenth apertures  325  at four corners of the second opening  328  and another set of four tenth apertures  325  respectively disposed along the edge of the securing plate  322 . Each of the ninth apertures  324  corresponds to one of the tenth apertures  325 . Additionally, each corner of the securing plate  322  is formed with an eleventh aperture  326  respectively. In the instant embodiment, the electrical box  53  is formed with a plurality of second fastening holes  531  which also corresponds to one group of the ninth apertures  324  and engaged by fasteners. 
         [0032]    Attention is now invited to  FIG. 6  showing a fifth embodiment of the instant disclosure. If the electrical box  53  does not have any fastening apertures for the faceplate box  32 , the faceplate  42  serves the job of retaining the faceplate box  32 . More specifically, fasteners go through the ninth apertures  324  as well as corresponding tenth apertures  325  and the faceplate  42  is sandwiched between the main body  321  and securing plate  322 . The securing plate  322  is sandwiched between the faceplate  42  and the electrical box  53 . That is to say the supporting of the electrical box  32  is provided by the faceplate  42  instead of the electrical box  53 . 
         [0033]    Attention is now invited to  FIG. 7  showing a sixth embodiment of the instant disclosure. Each corner of the faceplate  42  is formed with a twelfth aperture  421 . The electrical box  53  is formed with third securing holes  532  corresponding to each of the twelfth apertures  421 . The twelfth apertures  421  are aligned with the eleventh apertures  326  of the securing plate  322 . Upon assembling, the electrical box  53 , faceplate  42  and securing plate  322  are collectively coupled by fasteners via the conforming eleventh, twelfth apertures  326 ,  421  and third fastening holes  532 . The main body  321  and securing plate  322  are coupled by fasteners via the ninth apertures  324  and the tenth apertures  325 . 
         [0034]    Attention is now invited to  FIG. 8  showing a seventh embodiment of the instant disclosure. The rectangular convertor  6  has four magnet fastening portions  61  locating at the four corners respectively and four corresponding magnets  62 . The magnets  62  are fastened to the magnet fastening portions  61  by fasteners. Each of the magnet fastening portions  61  has a circular rib  63  to facilitate positioning of the magnets  62 . In the instant embodiment, the convertor  6  couples to the tray  1  by magnets  62  so the brackets  2  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) are not needed in this case. In other words, the convertor  6  is retained primarily by magnetic force between the metallic tray  1  and magnets  62 . The bump  13  further prevents the convertor  6  from sliding off the tray  1 . 
         [0035]    In summary, the tray, brackets and the faceplate box retains hardware over the faceplate. The hardware can be a convertor so the retainer helps to organize the wires and provides stable attachment. The elongated and narrow slots allow the position of brackets being adjustable to suit the dimension of the hardware. In addition, the tray and faceplate box are formed with a plurality of apertures therefore permitting universal electrical box matching including the American and European electrical standards. The plurality of apertures also provides more options of different tray orientations over the faceplate box. 
         [0036]    The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.