Abstract:
A mechanical flushmount device for mounting to a panel, includes an enclosure for holding the component to be mounted, a flange at one end of the enclosure extending outward from the enclosure, at least one securing arm rotable from a closed position within the lateral extent of the flange to an open position at least partially beyond the lateral extent of the flange, and at least one actuator operable to rotate the at least one securing arm, said actuator being operable from a side of the flange opposite the securing arm.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to the field of security devices and of construction materials and methods, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for mounting system components nearly flush to the surface of a wall, floor, or ceiling.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     In the installation of security systems, and in construction in general, it is often desirable to mount sensors or other system components to be flush or nearly flush with the surface into which they are mounted. More specifically, security system components including sensors designed to detect heat, motion, sound, light, water, or the like, or input keypads, key cylinders or the like, are preferably mounted flush to a wall, ceiling, or other surface, in order to be inconspicuous and/or unobtrusive. Generally, those surfaces are walls comprised of wallboard and studs, or ceilings, specifically false or so-called ‘drop’ ceilings. Either surface proves challenging to provide a secure mount for the system components.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, it is common to use one of two methods for installing system components flush with either a wall or ceiling. One is the installation of a single or double-gang electrical box behind the wall or ceiling surface, mounted to a stud or rafter behind the wall or ceiling, respectively. The system component is then secured within the electrical box. This method is time-consuming and increases installation costs accordingly. An alternative method is to mount the device with a friction fit into the panel of the wall or ceiling. While being generally quicker and more efficient, this method provides a less secure mount.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a mechanical flushmount for devices that is both secure and installs quickly and easily. In order to overcome the foregoing and other weaknesses and deficiencies in the prior art, provided by the present invention are a method and apparatus for the mechanical mounting of devices flush with a surface to which they are mounted.  
         [0007]     According to the present invention, provided is a mechanical flushmount device for mounting to a panel, the device comprising an enclosure for holding the component to be mounted, a flange at one end of the enclosure extending outward from the enclosure, at least one securing arm rotable from a closed position within the lateral extent of the flange to an open position at least partially beyond the lateral extent of the flange, and at least one actuator operable to rotate the at least one securing arm, said actuator being operable from a side of the flange opposite the securing arm.  
         [0008]     In certain embodiments of the present invention one or more of the following can be provided: a stop limiting the rotation of the securing arm; the securing arm, in a closed position, generally conforming to the shape of the enclosure; the securing arm being flexible, arcuate, and/or varying in thickness in a plane perpendicular to its rotation.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     These and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent with reference to the following specification and accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like structures across the several views, and wherein:  
         [0010]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a rear view of a flushmount device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in closed and maximum opened positions, respectively;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a front view of a flushmount device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in closed and maximum opened positions, respectively;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a lateral cross-section view of a flushmount device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an opened position; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a lateral cross-section view of a flushmount device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention in an opened position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , shown is a rear view of a flushmount device, generally  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in closed and opened positions, respectively. Flushmount device  10  comprises an enclosure  12 , in which or to which a system component would be held or secured, respectively. In this embodiment, the enclosure  12  is cylindrical, though other shapes, including but not limited to triangular, square or rectangular or other prismatic shapes, or irregular shapes, are suitable as well.  
         [0015]     Connected with the enclosure  12  at one end thereof is a flange  14  that extends outward from the enclosure  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, the flange  14  is similar in shape to the enclosure, but this need not be the case. The flange covers the opening  24  (see  FIG. 3 ) in a panel  22  (see  FIG. 3 ) supporting the flushmount device  10 . Connected with the enclosure  12  are one or more securing arms  16 , two in the exemplary embodiment. Each securing arm  16  has a proximal end  18  and a distal end  20 . The proximal end of each securing arm  16  is connected to the enclosure  12  in a manner such that the securing arm is able to rotate from a closed position, illustrated in  FIG. 1A , to an open position, illustrated in  FIG. 1B . A closed position is defined by the securing arm  16  being rotated to a position adjacent the enclosure  12 . An open position is defined by the securing arm  16  being rotated to a position outward from the enclosure  12 .  
         [0016]     In the exemplary embodiment, the securing arms  16  are generally curved, as viewed in FIGS.  1 A-B,  2 A-B, to match or approximate the shape of the enclosure  12 . In this configuration, the flushmount device  10  requires a smaller opening  24  in panel  22  than, for example, if securing arms  16  were straight and enclosure  12  curved. Located on the flushmount device  10  is at least one stop  26 , two in the illustrated embodiment, one corresponding to each securing arm  16 , adjacent a respective securing arm  16 . The stop  26  limits the rotation of securing arm  16  to a maximum opened position, illustrated in  FIGS. 1B, 2B .  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A, 2B , illustrated in front view is a flushmount device  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in closed and maximum opened positions, respectively. Shown on the face of the flushmount device  10  are pins  28 , one associated with each securing arm  16 , each being operatively connected to a respective securing arm  16 . The pins  28  have a surface feature  30 , for example a Phillips head slot. In other embodiments, a flat-head slot, a raised or depressed hexagonal or other polygonal structure, TORX feature, or the like as known in the art, can be substituted. Alternately or additionally, an integral or separable lever can be provided to actuate the pin  28 .  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated in side view is a flushmount device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an opened position. Any of a variety of sensors of system components, generally  40 , can be mounted in or to the enclosure  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, the enclosure  12  includes a resilient tab  42  to retain the component. Wiring  36  can be seen exiting from the component  40 . Alternately, the component and enclosure  12  can be provided with cooperating tab and slot systems to retain the component, or the component can be friction fit within enclosure  12 , or other suitable mounting arrangement.  
         [0019]     The operation of the flushmount device will now be explained in additional detail. In the illustrated embodiment, pin  28  has a threaded exterior  32 , and passes through a complementary threaded hole  34  in a respective securing arm  16 . In this embodiment, the securing arm  16  is free to rotate with the pin  28 , to the extents permitted between the stop  26  and the enclosure  12 . When rotating from an open to a closed position, securing arm swings from adjacent the enclosure  12  to contact the stop  26 . Further rotation of the pin  28  draws the securing arm  16  closer to the flange  14 , grasping the panel  22  between the flange and the securing arm  16 .  
         [0020]     In alternate embodiments, pin  28  and securing arm  16  are fixed to one another, with or without screw thread. The securing arm is positioned to engage a panel of predetermined thickness. Alternately in either embodiment, the securing arm  16  may be flexible to account for panels of varying thickness. They may be curved as viewed from the side, as in  FIG. 3 , to promote flexure, either concave relative to the panel  22 , as shown, or convex.  
         [0021]     In yet another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , securing arm  16 A may be tapered from a thick portion at a proximal end  18 A to a thin portion at a distal end  20 A, in order to provide an increased amount of clearance space  44  between the securing arm  16  and flange  14  at a distal end  20 . Accordingly in such an embodiment, the securing arm  16  would engage a thicker panel  22  with less rotation of the pin  28  than for a correspondingly thinner panel. The precise amount of rotation necessary would vary, allowing an embodiment of the flushmount device  10  including this feature to adapt to different applications and panels of varying thickness.  
         [0022]     The present invention has been described herein with reference to certain exemplary and/or preferred embodiments. Certain alterations or modification may be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the present disclosure, without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative, and not limiting, on the scope of the present invention, which is defined with reference to the appended claims.