Abstract:
An apparatus for permitting both base and flush mounting a device to a surface is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a case housing a device and a frame. The frame is configured to attach to the case in both a base mounting and flush mounting configuration.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates to an apparatus housing an electrical device.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Electronic monitoring devices that incorporate visual and/or audible status and alert functions are commonly mounted to a surface. The devices typically include an electronic circuit board surrounded by a protective case. The primary purpose of the case is to provide structural support and protection for the circuit board. Furthermore the case supplies a means for mounting the device to the surface. The devices are usually mounted either flush to the surface, referred to as “flush mount”, or they are mounted above the surface, referred to as “base mount.” 
           [0003]    The base mount configuration allows the entire package to be added at any time anywhere there is space available. The disadvantage of a base mount configuration is the entire case is exposed making for a less visually appealing package. Flush mounting is much more visually appealing as it hides the majority of the case. The disadvantage of the flush mount configuration is that it must be planned for in advance and it requires much more effort to complete the installation. Flush mounting may be preferred for new control applications while retrofit applications will favor base mount designs. Where it may be required to be base or flush mounted, usually two separate enclosures are needed. It is the intent of this invention to use the same set of components for either base or flush mount configurations.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for permitting both base and flush mounting a device to a surface.  
           [0005]    In accordance with the invention, the apparatus comprises a case housing a device, and a frame. The frame is configured to attach to the case in both a base mounting and flush mounting configuration.  
           [0006]    It is contemplated that a plurality of cooperative snaps secure the frame to the case.  
           [0007]    It is further contemplated that the device has a visual display and the case includes an aperture for exposing the visual display. It is contemplated that the device is a monitoring device or a control device.  
           [0008]    It is contemplated that the apparatus comprises hooks to retain the device in the housing.  
           [0009]    It is further the object of the invention to provide a method of mounting an apparatus to a surface. The method comprises providing a case to house a device and a frame for permitting mounting the case to a surface in both a base mounting configuration and a flush mounting configuration. The frame is interfaced to the case in either a base mounting configuration or flush mounting configuration. The frame is then mounted to the surface in the respective base or flush mounting configuration. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top portion of the case of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 a  is a perspective view of a device for placement in the device;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of an underside portion of the case of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention in a flush mounting configuration;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the present invention in a flush mounting configuration;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention in a base mounting configuration; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an illustration of the present invention in a base mounting configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top portion of a case  12  of the present invention. The case  12  provides a housing for an electronic device  13  such as a control or monitoring device, as shown in FIG. 1 a.  The device  13  has input/output devices  19 , such as LED&#39;s. The device  13  is mounted in the case  12 , and then encapsulated in conventional potting material, positioned so that the input/output devices  19  align with apertures  15 .  
         [0020]    The case  12  protects and structurally supports the device  13  and potting material to seal the assembly. The case  12  includes a first side  14  and an opposed second side  16 . The first side  14  of the case  12  includes a plurality of exterior apertures  15  for input/output devices  19  of the device  13 . The case  12  further includes a plurality of case interference snaps  18 ,  20  designed to secure the case  12  to a frame  22 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the case  12 . The case  12  includes hooks  17  on the inside of the case  12  to retain the device  13  in position before potting. The potting can be any insulated material for encapsulating the circuit elements. The exterior apertures  15  are sealed prior to potting the device.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame  22 . The frame  22  attaches to the case  12  to a surface  27 , such as a control panel. The frame  22  includes an outwardly extending lip  25 . The lip  25  includes a top side lip  21  and a bottom side lip  23 . The frame  22  has opposed projecting flanges  24  and a frame aperture  26  inward of the flanges  24 . The flanges  24  extend substantially about the aperture  26 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention in a flush mounting configuration and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the present invention in a base mounting configuration. The frame  22  includes a plurality of recesses  28  for receiving the case interference snaps  18 ,  20  of the case  12 . The case interference snaps  18 ,  20  are placed in the appropriate positions on the case  12  and are received in a mating location on the frame  22 . The case interference snaps  18 ,  20  along with the mating flanges  24  on the frame  22  permit for a flush mounting and base mounting configuration. The hooks  17  on the inside of the case  12  retain the device  13  in position before potting. The frame further includes a plurality of fastening apertures  30  for receiving a respective plurality of fasteners for securing the apparatus to a surface  27 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the present invention in a flush mounting configuration  32 . The frame  22  is affixed to the case  12  wherein the first side  14  of the case  12  protrudes through the frame aperture  26 . The flanges  24  of the frame  22  extend circumferentially about the case  12  wherein the recesses  28  of the flanges  24  are mated with the case interference snaps  18 . The flush mounting configuration  32  permits the body of the case  12  to be below the surface  27  in a cutout in the flush surface  27 . This requires that only the first side  14  of the case  12  displaying the monitoring functions through the exterior apertures  15  and the top side lip  21  of the frame be exposed in front of the flush surface  27 . The flush mounting configuration assembly  32  is secured to the surface  27  by use of a fastener  33  extending through the fastening aperture  30  of the frame  22 . A non-exhaustive list of fasteners include screws, push nuts, spring clips, and nails.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is an illustration of the present invention in a base mounting configuration  34 . The frame  22  is affixed to the case  12  wherein the flanges  24  extend into the second side  16  of the case  12 . The flanges  24  of the frame  22  extend circumferentially about the case  12  wherein the recesses  28  of the flanges  24  are mated with the case interference snaps  20 . The base mounting configuration  34  permits the assembly to be mounted above the surface  27 . This requires that only the first side  14  of the case  12  displaying the monitoring functions through the exterior apertures  15  and the bottom side lip  23  of the frame  22  be exposed above the base mounting surface  27 . The base mounting configuration assembly  34  is secured to the surface  27  by use of a fastener  33  extending through the fastening aperture  30  of the frame  22 .  
         [0026]    While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.