Abstract:
The present invention concerns an apparatus for mounting an appliance to a support surface. The invention includes a first base and a second base. The first base includes a chamber and at least one keyway aperture. The second base is sized to substantially cover the chamber and the at least one keyway. Also include on the second base is at least one locking member. The locking member is positioned on the second base to releasably engage the keyway to interlock the bases together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for mounting appliances to a support surface. More specifically, the present invention relates to an appliance mounting apparatus that provides interlocking components that are easily assembled and which can accommodate a wide variety of appliances, especially flat screen monitors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus having a first base adapted to be secured to a support surface. The base includes an aperture sized to accommodate an electrical outlet. In addition, the base defines a storage cavity or chamber in which electrical components associated with the appliance may be securely housed. A second base, to which the appliance is secured, is adapted to interlock with the first base to securely mount the appliance to the support surface. The second base encloses the storage cavity for resistance to tampering and for safety concerns. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in several views, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment with portions removed to reveal various aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective illustrating how the bases of the present invention interlock. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a base which may be used with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment illustrating how one embodiment of the present invention may be mounted to wall studs. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternates or modifications in which insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention includes a first base  10  having a base wall  16  and opposing side walls  12 - 15  which are connected to base wall  16 . An aperture  20  is located in base  10 . Aperture  20  may be sized to encompass an electrical outlet such as duplex  22 . Side walls  12 - 15  and wall  16  are arranged to form a storage chamber  26  wherein at least one of the walls  12 - 15  may further function as a support surface for electrical components. 
     Base  10  also includes a plurality of opposingly located keyways  30 - 33 . The keyways may be located on concave sections  39  and  41  so as to form channels  34  and  36 . The channels provide clearance for locking pins or members which will be discussed below. Access to the channels may be restricted or blocked by sections  47 ,  49 ,  51  and  61  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. This enhances tamper-resistance and the security of the device. While the keyways are shown as being located outside and along opposing edges of storage chamber  26 , as shown in FIG. 1, the keyways may be positioned inside storage chamber  26  as well as shown in FIG.  3 . In this embodiment, the keyways are located on front walls  12 ′ and  14 ′ inwardly offset with respect to walls  12  and  14  Walls  12  and  12 ′ and  14  and  14 ′, respectively, form opposing inward facing channels  18  and  19 . In this way, chamber  26  provides the clearance for the locking members. Mounting holes  4 - 43  are also provided on base  10  which permit base  10  to be mounted to a support surface by threaded fasteners and the like. As shown in FIG. 6, mounting holes  40 - 43  and may be arranged to permit base  10  to be mounted to wall studs  200  and  201  which are typically 18 spaced inches apart. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the design of the keyway is such that it includes an opening  50  which is larger in size than slot portion  52 , which may form a slot. As explained below, this permits the locking members or pins to be retained within the keyway. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention also includes a second base  70  which may be substantially planar in configuration so as to retain a slim profile. Of course, other shapes may be used as well to form base  70 . In addition, locking members or pins  73 - 76  are disposed on base  70  in locations which permit the pins to align with keyways  30 - 33 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, each locking pin may include a head portion  88  which is smaller in size than the opening  50  of a keyway yet larger in size than opening  52 . A shank  89  connects head portion  88  to base  70 . Shank portion  89  is sized to be smaller in size than opening  52  so as to permit the shank portion to move within the slot. Mounting holes  80 - 83  may also be included on base  70  to assist in mounting an appliance to the base. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, extensions  90  and  92  may also be provided on base  70 . The extensions are positioned and sized to block or restrict access to the end of each channel which does not include either section  47  or  49 . Alternately, as shown in FIG. 3, lip  109  may be used as well. 
     In use, base  10  is first mounted to a support surface in any number of ways known to those of skill in the art. If an electrical existing outlet is to be used with the appliance, the outlet would be positioned within cavity  16 . Any electrical components that may be used with the appliance may be stored in chamber  26  and, if desired, placed upon or mounted to one of the sidewalls. 
     The appliance  100  is then mounted to base  70  in any number of ways known to those of skill in the art. Once mounted to, base  70 , base  70  is positioned so that the locking members are inserted through the keyways and the base is then lowered until the shank of the locking member bottoms out in the slotted portion of the keyway. The head portion of the locking member, since it is larger in size than the slot, holds base  70  securely in place. A lock  120  may then be used to secure the system by threading fastener  122  through opening  124  in base  10  until the fastener fully engages internally threaded bore  26  in base  70 . In addition, base  70  is sized so as to cover chamber  26  and the keyways. In addition, a substantially continuous rim  130  is formed around the device by the sidewalls, and extensions  90  and  92  and sections  47  and  49 . The rim  130  substantially enclosed chamber  26  and the channels. Alternatively, lip  109  and side walls  12 ,  14  and  15  may be used to form a substantially continuous rim  130  as well as shown in FIG.  3 . This, as stated above, improves the tamper resistance of the device. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that changes and other modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Various features of the present invention are set forth in the following claims.