Mechanisms for locking and removing flush mounted inserts
View Patent ↗A wall-mounted component can be flush-mounted into a wallboard by first installing a panel with a receiver bracket flush into a wallboard. Once the panel is installed, the component can be inserted into the receiver bracket at which point a locking mechanism automatically or manually engages to lock the component into the wall. The locking mechanism is concealed from view so that a casual observer does not see how the component is affixed to the wall, yet is accessible from the wall's exterior for routine service and maintenance, as well as reinstallation of updated components.
1. A system for servicing a device mounted in a wallboard, comprising;
a mounted device having a front side and at least one non-front side;
a panel having an opening;
a receiver disposed in the opening and defining an at least partially enclosed space extending from the panel;
a locking mechanism that removably couples the mounted device to the receiver such that the front side of the mounted device is flush with the panel and the at least one non-front side is hidden; and
wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first magnet and a first magnet attractor, one of which is disposed on the at least one non-front side of the mounted device and the other of which is disposed on an inner surface of the enclosed space and positioned to magnetically interact to provide a first attraction force.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the panel is molded around the receiver.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a cover.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises a sliding plate that covers the locking mechanism.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises the front side of the mounted device.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a second magnet attractor and a second magnet.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises an indent and a matching detent.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a sliding bolt and a matching recess.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pivoting latch and a matching latch lock.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a screw and a matching threaded hole.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism automatically locks as the device mounts to the receiver.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the key locks the locking mechanism.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the key exerts a force that pulls the device from the receiver to unlock the locking mechanism.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a magnetic attractor and the key exerts a magnetic force on the magnetic attractor to unlock the locking mechanism.