Abstract:
A faceplate assembly is disclosed. The faceplate assembly includes a cover and a backing plate. The cover has at least one hood positioned at an edge of the cover. The backing plate is connected to the cover. The hood creates an opening between the cover and the backing plate to enable cables to be routed therethrough. The backing plate also has an outer edge with a split to enable the backing plate to be installed over pre-installed cables.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/004,454, filed May 29, 2014, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pass through faceplate, and more particularly to a pass through faceplate that allows for the pre-installation of cables. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Faceplates with various modules installed directly in the faceplate are well known. Faceplates having a copper jack, fiber, or audio visual module installed directly into the faceplate with two separate cables installed to complete the overall channel are known. In some applications, however, it is preferred to simply pass a cable directly through a wall or a ceiling. 
     One example is a pass through faceplate that has an opening in the faceplate where the cabling goes directly through the opening instead of having a module in the faceplate that serves as a transition between the inside and outside of the wall. A problem with this solution is that during installation, each cable needs to be individually fed through the faceplate. If the cable assembly includes large connectors, the installation process can be tedious and costly. Another problem is, if all cables have already been routed and connected during installation, the cables would need to be disconnected in order to install the faceplate since the faceplate cannot be placed over the cables. A further problem is that if the end user needs to re-route the cables in a different direction, the faceplate would need to be uninstalled from the wall or ceiling before the cables could be redirected. 
     As a result, there is a need for an improved pass through faceplate that allows for the installation of the faceplate after cables have already been installed. There is also a need for a pass through faceplate allowing for redirection of cables and aesthetic appeal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a faceplate assembly. The faceplate assembly includes a cover and a backing plate connected to the cover. The cover includes at least one hood. The hood is positioned at an edge of the cover to create an opening between the cover and the backing plate for passing cables therethrough. The backing plate also has an outer edge with a split to enable the backing plate to be installed over pre-installed cables. 
     The present invention is also directed to a faceplate assembly with a cover plate a hood rotatably connected to the cover plate. The cover plate includes at least one opening for passing the cables therethrough and at least one latch positioned around the opening and extending from the cover plate. The hood has a ring that defines the circumference of the hood. The latch extending from the cover plate engages the ring of the hood and secures the hood to the cover plate. As a result, the hood is rotatable from 0 degrees to 360 degrees about a central axis of the cover plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention secured to a wall. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded front perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded rear perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention secured to a wall. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention secured to a wall. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention secured to a wall. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 8  with the cable hood rotated to direct cable assemblies in a horizontal orientation. 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective exploded view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective exploded view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 8  with the cable hood installed inwards. 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective exploded view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 14  with the dome hood rotated to direct a cable assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 17  with the hood rotated to direct a cable assembly. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 17  with the hood rotated to direct a cable assembly. 
         FIG. 20  is a rear perspective exploded view of the pass through faceplate of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a first embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. The communication system  120  includes a faceplate assembly  122  secured to a wall  128  via screws  126 . The faceplate assembly includes a faceplate cover  124 , a faceplate backing  125 , labels  127  and label covers  129 . The faceplate cover  124  includes a hood  132  that creates an opening  131  between the faceplate cover  124  and the faceplate backing  125 . The faceplate cover  124  also includes a plurality of latches  136  (see  FIG. 3 ). The latches  136  enable the faceplate cover  124  to be secured to the faceplate backing  125 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the faceplate backing  125  includes latch slots  134  at the top and bottom of the faceplate backing  125 . The slots  134  align with the latches  136  on the faceplate cover  124  (see  FIG. 3 ) The faceplate backing  125  includes a split  138  for enabling the installation of the faceplate backing  125  after cables have already been installed. The faceplate backing  125  also includes screw holes  140 , label slots  142  and screw retention slots  144 . The screws  126  align with the screw holes  140  in the faceplate backing  125 . The label slots  142  allow for installation of labels  127  and label covers  129 . The screw retention slots  144  secure the screws  126  during packaging. Since the hood  132  creates an opening  131  between the faceplate cover  124  and the faceplate backing  125 , the faceplate cover  124  can be installed after cables have already been installed. 
     A cable assembly  130  is illustrated extending through the opening  131  between the faceplate cover  124  and the faceplate backing  125 . The cable assembly  130  can include, but is not limited to, RJ45 cabling, audio visual cabling, fiber cabling and power cabling. Although  FIG. 1  only illustrates one cable assembly  130 , a plurality of cable assemblies  130  can pass through the opening  131  of the faceplate assembly  122 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a second embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. The communication system  146  includes a faceplate  148 , screws  126  to secure the faceplate  148  to a wall  128 , at least one cable assembly  130  and an outlet box (not illustrated). The faceplate  148  includes a hood  150  (see  FIG. 5 ) that creates an opening  152  between the faceplate  148  and the wall  128  which allows for the passing of cable assemblies  130  before or after installation of the faceplate  148 . If desired, the faceplate  148  may also include a label pocket (not illustrated) on the front of the faceplate  148  to house a label and label cover. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a third embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. The communication system  154  includes a faceplate  156 , screws  126  to secure the faceplate to the wall  128 , cable assemblies  130  and an outlet box (not illustrated). The faceplate  156  includes two hoods  158  that create openings  160  between the wall  128  and the faceplate  156  to allow for the passing of the cable assemblies  130  before or after installation of the faceplate  156 . If desired, the faceplate  156  may also include a label pocket (not illustrated) on the front of the faceplate  156  to house a label and label cover. 
       FIGS. 8-13  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. The communication system  220  includes a faceplate assembly  222 , screws  226 , wall  228 , at least one cable assembly  230  and an outlet box (not illustrated). The faceplate assembly  222  includes a faceplate cover  224  and a cable hood  225 . 
     A cable assembly  230  is illustrated extending through the opening of the faceplate cover  224 . The cable assembly  230  can include, but is not limited to, RJ45 cabling, audio visual cabling, fiber cabling and power cabling. Although  FIG. 8  only illustrates one cable assembly  230 , a plurality of cable assemblies  230  can pass through the cable hood  225  of the faceplate assembly  222 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the faceplate assembly  222  directing cable assembly  230  in a downwards or 180° orientation.  FIG. 9  illustrates the faceplate assembly  222  directing cable assembly  230  in a horizontal or 270° orientation. The faceplate assembly  222  is designed with the cable hood  225  capable of rotating to direct the cable assembly  230  in any direction from 0° to 360°. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an exploded view of the faceplate assembly  222 . The faceplate cover  224  includes screw holes for receiving screws  226  to secure the faceplate cover  224  to a wall  228 . The faceplate cover  224  also includes a center circular opening  233  for receiving the cable hood  225  and latches  232  (see  FIG. 11 ) extending from the rear of the faceplate cover  224 . The latches  232  are positioned around the circular opening  233 . 
     The cable hood  225  includes a ring  234  that defines the circumference of the cable hood  225 . The cable hood  225  is secured to the faceplate cover  224  via the latches  232  which align with and engage the ring  234  of the cable hood  225 . Once the cable hood  225  is secure, it is free to rotate from 0° to 360° about central axis  236  to direct a cable assembly  230  through the opening  233  in various orientations. The cable hood  225  also includes a platform  235  (see  FIG. 11 ) extending in a direction opposite the cable hood  225 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the faceplate assembly  222  attached to wall  228  with the cable hood  225  installed inwards.  FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of faceplate assembly  222  with the cable hood  225  positioned to be installed inwards. When the cable hood  225  is installed inwards, the cable hood  225  is hidden behind the faceplate cover  224 . The platform  235  keeps the cable hood  225  flush with the front of the faceplate cover  224 . The cable hood  225  is still capable of rotation from 0° to 360° about central axis  236  thereby enabling the cable assembly to be directed through the opening in various orientations. 
       FIGS. 14-16  illustrate a fifth embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. The communication system  246  includes a faceplate assembly  238 , screws  226 , ceiling  248  and at least one cable assembly  230 . The faceplate assembly  238  includes a faceplate cover  240  and a dome hood  242 . As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the faceplate cover  240  includes two holes for receiving screws  236  and a central circular opening  244 . The faceplate cover  240  also includes mounting holes  252  positioned along the diameter axis  243  that extends across the center of the circular opening  244 . The dome hood  242  includes two mounting posts  254  positioned opposite or 180° from each other. The mounting posts  254  of the dome hood  242  are positioned within the mounting holes  252  of the faceplate cover  240  to form the faceplate assembly  238 . The mounting posts  254  enable the dome hood  242  to rotate about the diameter axis  243  to direct the cable assemblies  230  in a desired orientation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the dome hood  242  rotates just enough to allow the cable assembly  230  to go through circular opening  244 . As discussed above, the cable assembly  230  can include, but is not limited to, RJ45 cabling, audio visual cabling, fiber cabling and power cabling. A plurality of cable assemblies  230  can also pass through the dome hood  242  of the faceplate assembly  238 . 
     Additionally, if desired, the faceplate cover  240  may be design with the mounting holes  252  and the diameter axis  243  rotated with respect to the central axis  236  to allow for any axis of rotation around the circular opening  244 . 
       FIGS. 17-20  illustrate a sixth embodiment of the pass through faceplate of the present invention. The communication system  256  includes a faceplate assembly  258 , screws  226 , ceiling  248  and at least one cable assembly  230 . The faceplate assembly  258  combines the aspects of faceplate assembly  222  and faceplate assembly  238  to allow for rotation about two different axes simultaneously. 
     The faceplate assembly  258  includes a faceplate cover  264 , a spinner  266  and a rotational hood  268 . The faceplate cover  264  includes two holes for receiving screws  226  to mount the faceplate cover  264  to the ceiling  248 , a center circular opening  260  and a plurality of latches  270  extending from the rear of the faceplate cover  264  (see  FIG. 20 ).  FIG. 20  illustrates the rear of the faceplate cover  264 , the spinner  266  and the rotational hood  268 . The spinner  266  includes mounting holes  272  positioned along diameter axis  243  across from each other. The rotational hood  268  includes mounting posts  274  positioned across from each other. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates the faceplate assembly  258  mounted to ceiling  248  and cable assembly  230  placed through the opening  260 .  FIG. 19  illustrates the faceplate assembly  258  mounted to ceiling  248  and cable assembly  230  placed through the opening  260 , with the spinner  266  rotated 90° to allow cable entry from a different orientation. 
     The spinner  266  rotates about central axis  236  and is contained by latches  270  on the faceplate cover  264 . The mounting holes  272  in the spinner  266  receive the mounting posts  274  extending from the rotational hood  268 . The rotational hood  268  can rotate from 0 to 360 about the diameter axis  243  once it is installed in the faceplate cover  264 . Additionally, the rotation of the spinner  266  about the central axis  236  rotates the diameter axis  243 , accordingly, to provide cable entry and exit from various directions. 
     The embodiments of the pass through faceplate of the present invention have a hooded opening that allows for the installation of the faceplate after cables have already been installed. The pass through faceplate of the present invention provides labeling options for communication purposes and hidden screw holes for improved aesthetics. The pass through faceplate of the present invention also has a hooded opening that can be rotated for redirection of the cable assemblies. Alternatively, the pass through faceplate has a hooded opening that may be flipped inwards to allow for a recessed hood design. 
     Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.