WALL MOUTING PLATE

Abstract: A wall mounting plate assembly (2) simplifies installation while providing positive securement with a substrate such as a wall, ceiling, floor, duct work or like substrates (52) and is particularly suitable for low voltage electrical connection applications. A plug portion (10) is receivable within a port provided in a face plate (6) which includes a tubular extension (4). The tubular extension (4) acts as a guide for accomodating movement of the plug (10) from a nonsecuring position to an engaging or operative position. Preferably, a spring bias (24) is created as the plug (10) is forced into the face plate (6) which serves to draw the face plate towards wall engaging arms (18) which moved outwardly past the tubular extension (4) as the plug (10) is move to the engaging position. The assembly (2) allows more convenient porting of the wall or substrate and simplifies installation.

Description: WALL MOUNTING PLATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mounting plate assembly suitable for electrical connections, particularly electrical connections for low voltage applications. A host of different arrangements for effecting electrical connections are known as exemplified by t h e references cited in my co-penαing application, namely United States Patent 4,588,854 (Bailey et al) , Uniteα States Patent 3,366,729 (Pauza), United States Patent 4,043,629 (Brannen) , United States Patent 4,407,559 (Meyer), United States Patent 4,451,106 (Wiseheart et al;, United States Patent 4,717,358 (Chaunαy), ana Unitec States Patent 2,891,103 (Swengel). A number of these references relate to telephone or cable connections, as but two examples of low voltage type applications which do not require a complete metal enclosure or junction box at the connection. Typically, these low voltage type connections require appropriate drilling or cutting of plasterboard to allow the outlet to be secured in a wall and traditionally a square type aperture has been used. According to the present invention, a circular aperture is used such that a drill can be useα for effecting placement of the aperture in the drywall. In drilling of drywall and other substrates, often a raised edge occurs at the rear surface where the drill passes through the substrate. In the case of drywall, the back of the drywall often curls rather than being cut. When this occurs, it slightly increases the thickness of t h e drywall adjacent the aperture and also renders securement somewhat more difficult in that the precise thickness of the wallboard is not known. Other aαvantages of this type of system are described in my copending application Serial No. 152,819 filed February 5, 1988, tne entire contents of wnicn is incorporateα herein by reference. The present wall mounting assembly will oe described with respect to securement on a wail having a wallboard substrate, however, it does have applications for other mounting applications where the substrate is of a generally known thickness and can be suitably porteα. Such substrates include, but are not limited to metal sheeting, plywood or other wood substrates, concrete, tile, plaster, and drywall sheeting. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A mounting plate assembly for electrical connections, according to the present invention, comprises a face plate having associated therewith a tubular-like extension open through the face plate and extenαing in a generally perpendicular manner from a back surface of the face plate a predetermined depth, preferably at least about three-eighths of an inch. A plug portion is sizeα to be partially received within the tubular-like extension and is movable from a nonsecuriπg position to a wall engaging position. Control means is provided for controlling the plug portion between the noπsecuring position and the wall engaging position. The plug portion includes wall engaging means which are forcible through the tubular-like extension to a clear position where the wall engaging means move outwardly past the sides of the tubular-like extension to allow engagement with a rear surface of wall. The plug portion includes means for effecting an electrical connection and the control means controls the position of the plug, even when the wall engaging means move past the sides of the tubular-like extension. The depth of the tubular extension will vary with the particular substrate to which the mounting plate assembly is to be secured. According to an aspect of the invention, tne control means is a bias member which urges the piug portion towards the nonsecuring position. Thus, the plug portion is forced into the face plate against, tne oias means to a position where the wall engaging memoers move outwardly of the tubular-like extension whereafter movement of the plug under the influence of the bias means back towards the nonsecuring position causes the wall engaging means to engage the rear surface of tne wall at which time the bias tends to draw the face plate into tight engagement with the front face of the wall. According to a preferred aspect of the wail mounting plate assembly, the bias means is trapped between the plug portion and a stop surface on the tubular-like extension whereby movement of the plug into the tubular-like extension creates the bias force urging the plug out of the face plate. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the bias means includes a spring member which is integral with the plug portion. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the tubular-like extension includes ports intermediate the length thereof through which the wall engaging means extend when in said securing position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view snowing the mounting plate assembly about to be brought into securement with a wall member; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing the mounting assembly in securement with a wall with a portion of the wall removed; Figures 3 through 5 are horizontal sectional views through the mounting assembly about to be brought into securement with a wall; Figures 6 and 7 show the operation of the wall mounting plate to effect removal of the assembly from a wall; Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view tnrougn the mounting assembly showing tne operation of the leaf spiing member; ano Figure 9 is a side elevation of an alternate embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The mounting plate assembly 2 comprises a face plate 6 in combination with a plug portion 10 which is slidably receivable within the tubular extension 4 of tne face plate 6. The plug portion 10 is movable within the tubular extension 4 from a nonsecuring position, generally shown in Figures 1 and 3, to a securing position, generally shown in Figures 2 and 5. In order to have the plug moved to the securing position, it must first move past the securing position, as generally shown in Figure 4, whereupon under the influence of a bias, it is urgeα to the securing position of Figure 5. The tubular extension 4 extends generally perpendicular to the back surface of the face plate 6 ano includes therein stationary guides 28 and 29 which are receivable within guide slots 25 and 27 of the plug portion 10. Associateo with the leading edge of tne plug- portion 10 are wall engaging members 18 which are αisposeo at an angle extending rearwardly and outwardly of the front portion of the plug portion 10. These wall engaging members cooperate with ports 8 provided in the sioewaiis of the tubular extension 4 such that the wall engaging members initially pass through the tubular extension, past the thickness of the wall and once so disposed, move partially past the ports 8 at which time the arms tenα to snap outwardly through the ports, whereafter the arms are free to engage the rear surface of the wall as the plug is urged under a bias towards its initial position. The ports 8 also serve to limit any longituαinal deflection of the arms 18. The bias is created by a leaf spring 24 extending from the plug which undergoes deflection in tne manner generally shown in Figure 8 as the leaf spring 24 comes into contact with the forward face 31 of the stationary guide 28. The plug face 12 of tne plug portion iϋ in tnis case has been provided with a suitable port 14 for receiving the traditional receptacle of a telephone type connection. The wires for this connection can pass rearwardly through grooves or slots proviαeα in the plug portion to allow electrical connection to a electrical supply indicated as 30. For example, all wires coulα pass through grooves provideα in the bottom of the plug ana pass through the plug directly behinα port 14 for connection with a suitable receptacle which itself is received within a port provideα in the plug face 12. The embodiment shown specifically is shaped for a telephone type connection, however, other types of connections are also possible. This assembly can inclube a suitable receptacle with the wires suitably retaineb in the plug and having terminals for connecting with wires 30 as a finished unit. The tubular extension 4 is of a size to be in close proximity to the aperture of the circular hole 50 drilled through the wall 52 and it can be appreciateα from Figures 3 through 5 that the tubular extension will pass clear of the rear face of the wall 52, with ports 8 of the tubular extension also clear of the rear surface of the wall 52. By forcing the plug portion 10 into the tubular extension in the manner inαicateα in Figure 3, the wall engaging members 18 are biaseα inwarαiy towarαs the plug and due to the resilience of the material thereof, will spread through the ports 8 once the members have been inserted sufficiently to allow the members to clear the sides of the tubular extension. This relationsnip can generally be seen in Figure 4 where the leaf spring 24 has been brought into engagement with the stop face 31 ana is undergoing substantial deflection in creating a bias whicn urges the plug portion towards the position of Figure 3. It can be seen that the plug face 12 has cleareα tne front face of the face plate 6 in Figure 4, however, as the piug is allowed to return unαer the influence of the Dias created by tne leaf spring 24, the wall engaging me ϋers 18 will contact tne rear surface of the wall 52 ana create a bias urging the face plate 6 into contact with the front surface of the wall 52 with wall engaging members its engaging the rear surface. Thus, there is a resiαual bias in the leaf spring when the plug portion 10 is generally in the position shown in Figure 5. This bias serves to maintain a very snug engagement of the plug portion 10 in the tubular extension ana maintains the wall assembly in its proper position with the wall 52. The rear surface of the face plate has been provideα with a number of wall inserting projections 60 which are forceα into the front face of the wall 52. This serves to stop any rotation of the face plate 6 which woulα be possible αue to the generally circular port 50 and the tubular extension 4 received therein. In addition, the outer enαs 19 of tne wall engaging members 18 are curved to proviαe bite portions either side of each arm for bearing against the back surface of the wall. Removal of the wall mounting plate assembly 2 from the wall 52 is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In Figure 6, the plug portion 10 has been further inserteα within the tubular extension and the wall engaging arms 18 have been drawn within the confines of tne tuouiar extension due to the arms contacting the portion of the extension beyonb the ports 8. The leaf spring memoer 24 will nave undergone further deflection, as generally inαicateα in Figure 8, where the leaf spring indicated as 24c has cleared the stop face 31. Once the wall engaging memoers 8 have been returned within the confines of the tubular extension 4, both the plug portion ana the face plate 6 may be withdrawn from the wall as a unit, as generally indicated in Figure 7. The entire assembly is removed from the wall, whereafter the user can remove the plug from the tubular extension in preparation for reinstalling of the entire assembly. In some cases, aαditional spring force may be desireα and this can be oDtaineα Dy aααing an additional leaf spring immediately in front of the existing leaf spring ana aaapting the stop shouiαer to appropriately contact each leaf spring. Other arrangements for aαding additional spring force wouiα include changing materials, thickening the leaf spring, aπα using a metal coil spring, as but some examples. In Figure 9, a slightly αifferent emboαiment is shown, wherein the face plate ana plug have been maαe integral and no provision is provided for having the plug portion pass through a tubular extension as it is passing through the port in the wall. In this emboαiment, the face plate 6a is proviαeα with wall inserting project-ions 60, similar to the embodiment previously αescribeα, however, the plug portion is now αefined by support member 70 which positions a insert portion 72 at a spaceα distance from the face plate 6a. The insert portion 72 has wall engaging arms 18 which are forceα inwarαiy as they pass through the circular port 50 proviαeα in the wall member 52. The arms 18 will spring past the rear surface of the wall once they clear the port ana cause a spring type engagement with the back surface of the wall. These arms, as they spring outwardly, will serve to maintain the face plate in proper engagement with the front surface of the wall 52. As can be appreciateo, the face plate can be deflected somewhat inwarαiy to urge the wall engaging members 18 to pass the rear surface of the wall an spring outwaraly, and this inwarα αeflection of the face plate 6a will provide a spring bias to ensure positive engagement of the face plate 6a with the front surface of the wall 52. In contrast to the emboαiment of Figures 1 through 8, the embodiment of Figure 9 is indeed much simpler, however, it does not have all the aαvantages of the two piece wall assembly previously αescribeα. With respect to the embodiment of Figure 9, the electrical wires woulα again pass through or gain access to the face plate 6a to effect electrical connection eitner αirectly with a receptacle proviαeα in tne face plate 6a or tne face plate 6a may be porteα to receive a suitable electrical connection. The receptacle is preferably a low voltage, fast connection port such as telephone port, oi cable port, as but two examples. The structure as generally shown in the αrawings and described herein can be made entirely of a piastic material and each part, i.e. the face plate 6 aπα trie plug portion 10, can be maαe by injection moulαing. This arrangement only requires a generally circular hole to be appropriately located in a wall, whereafter the face piate with its tubular extension can be inserteα in the wail ana subsequently the plug portion 10 can be inserteα to c-reate a bias locking the plug portion 10 ana the face plate in an appropriate position on a wall. Other arrangements for creating the bias or spring bias for maintaining the engagement of the face plate and plug portion with a wall are possible. For example, the plug portion 10 coulα compress a captured coil spring member, however, such an arrangement increases the complexity by adding an additional part. Possibly other arrangements for incorporating the spring member directly in the plug portion are possible, however, the leaf spring is a particularly simple embodiment which has proven satisfactory. It is apparent in choosing the material of the plug portion that the particular αesign requirements must include a review of the characteristics of the leaf spring which preferably is of the same material as the plug. Although various preferreα emboαiments of tne present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appenαeα claims,

Claims: THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS: 1. A mounting plate assembly (2) for electrical connections comprising: a face plate (6) having associateα therewith a tubular-like extension (4) open through said face plate (6) and extending in a generally perpenαicuiar manner from a back surface of said face plate (6) a predetermineα depth, a plug portion (10) sizeα to be partially received within said tubular-like extension (4) ana move from a nonsecuring position to a substrate engaging position, and control means (24) for controlling movement of said plug portion between said nonsecuring position ana said wall engaging position, said plug portion (10) including substrate engaging means (18) which are forcible through saiα tubular-like extension (4) to a clear position where saiα substrate engaging means (18) move outwardly past the sides of said tubular-like extension (4) to engage a rear surface of a substrate (52), said plug portion (10) including means (14) for effecting an electrical connection, said control means (24) being operative to urge said plug portion (10) towards said nonsecuring position even when said substrate engaging means (18) nave moveα past the sides of said tubular-like extension to αraw saiα substrate engaging means (18) and said face plate (6) into engagement with a substrate (52) when locateα therein. 2. A mounting plate assembly (2) as ciaimeα in claim 1, wherein saiα control means (24) is a bias means which cooperates to proviαe a bias urging saiα plug portion (lϋ towards said nonsecuring position, which bias is createα as saiα plug portion (10) is moved within saiα tuoular extension (4) towarαs saiα substrate engaging position anc provides a bias drawing said substrate engaging means (18) and saiα face plate (10) towarαs one another when saiα substrate engaging means (18) have passeα saiα clear position. 3. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 2, wherein said bias means (24) is trapped between saiα plug portion (10) and a stop surface (31) on said tubular-like extension (4). 4. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 2, wherein said bias means (24) includes a spring member (24) integral with said plug portion (10). 5. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 2, wherein said tubular-like extension (4) includes ports (8) intermediate the length thereof through which saiα substrate engaging means (18) extend when in said securing position. 6. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimed in claim 5. wherein said tubular extension (4) beyonα said ports (8) include camming surfaces for engaging saiα substrate engaging means and causing the same to return within the confines of the tubular extension (4) by forcing saiα piug portion (10) further into said tubular extension. 7. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 2, wherein said tubular extension (4) is of an appropriate size to extend slightly beyonα tne rear surface of a sheet of drywall when the drywall is appropriately ported ana receives said substrate mounting plate. 8. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein saiα substrate engaging means (18) include at least two arms (18) extending outwardly ana rearwardly from said plug portion (10). 9. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein said substrate engaging means (18) include at least two arms (18) extenαing outwarαiy and rearwardly from said plug portion (10). 10. A mounting plate assembly (2) as ciai eα in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein saiα bias means (24) is a leaf spring member (24) disposed to project at an angle from the longitudinal axis of saiα plug portion (10) ana wnich undergoes deflection to create said bias as said plug is inserted in said tubular extension (4) of saiα face plate (6). 11. A mounting plate assembly (2) as ciaimeα In ciaim 1, 2 or 3, wherein saiα tubular extension (4) is sizeα to extend substantially beyond the interior surface of a sheet of drywall with a number of ports (8) initially opening through the siαes of saiα tubular extension slightly beyond the interior surface of the sheet of drywall when received therein. 12. A mounting plate assembly (2) as claimeα in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein saiα tubular extension (4) is of a depth of at least about 3/8 of an inch. 13. A mounting plate comprising a face plate member ( 69 ) and a rearwardly extending substrate engaging member (70, 72) having at an end remote saiα face plate two spreading arms (18) which diverge in direction as the arms (18) extend towards the face plate ( 69 ) , saiα face plate ( 69 ) having sufficient resiliency to deflect centrally when urged by thumb pressure to allow saiα arms (18) to clear a rear surface of a suostrate to which the mounting plate is being instalieα ana wnen releasea being in a position creating a bias urging engagement of the mounting plate with the substrate. 14. A mounting plate as claimec in claim 13, wnerεin said face plate ( 69 ) has an electrical connection port therein. 15. A mounting plate as claimed in claim 14, wnerein said electrical connection port is a low voltage, fast connection port. 16. A mounting plate as claimed in claim 15, wherein said electrical connection port is a telephone port.

Inventors: COX MICHAEL, COX, MICHAEL
Applicants: COX MICHAEL, JOHNSON SERVICE CO, COX, MICHAEL, JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY
Application year: 1990
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13, H02G3