IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,702,446
Granted Patent B2
US 8,702,446 · App. 13/225,416 · Granted Apr 22, 2014

Devices for mounting electrical, audio, and video installations to walls and other flat surfaces

Inventor: Jair Gonzalez (New York, NY)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,702,446
App. No.
13/225,416
Granted
Apr 22, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Devices in the form of flush-mounting plates are disclosed which are adapted to connect, for example, one or more receptacles to an electrical box that is disposed inside of a wall. Such flush-mounting plates include a back side that is adapted to be connected to the electrical box through a set of screws disposed through corresponding apertures located in the flush-mounting plate and electrical box, and a front side that is adapted to be connected to the one or more receptacles and a cover plate having a planar exterior surface. The one or more receptacles are positioned between the flush-mounting plate and the cover plate, such that the cover plate, one or more receptacles, and flush-mounting plate are connected to the electrical box in a manner that the exterior surface of the cover plate is substantially flush with an outer wall that surrounds the electrical box.

Claims (18)

1. A flush-mounting plate that is adapted to interchangeably receive one or more receptacles, switches, or low-voltage devices, while being connected to an electrical box that is disposed inside of a wall, wherein the flush-mounting plate comprises:

(a) a back side that is adapted to be connected to the electrical box through a set of screws disposed through corresponding apertures located in the flush-mounting plate and electrical box;

(b) a front side that is adapted to be connected to the one or more receptacles and a cover plate having a planar exterior surface, whereby the one or more receptacles, switches, or low-voltage devices are positioned between the flush-mounting plate and the cover plate, wherein:

(i) the cover plate, one or more receptacles, switches, or low-voltage devices, and flush-mounting plate are connected to the electrical box, such that the exterior surface of the cover plate is substantially flush with an outer wall that surrounds the electrical box;

(ii) the cover plate is connected to the flush-mounting plate through a set of magnets or mechanical attachment means;

(iii) the flush-mountinq plate exhibits a square-shaped outer perimeter, wherein a wall connects the outer perimeter to a recessed area of the flush-mounting plate, with a top edge of the wall meeting an inner edge portion of the outer perimeter, wherein a top side and bottom side of the recessed area each comprise a mounting rim that is adapted to receive and be connected to the one or more receptacles, switches, or low-voltage devices; and

(iv) the outer perimeter of the flush-mounting plate is tapered, wherein a transition point between the outer perimeter and the outer wall is adapted to be covered with tape, plaster, paint, or a combination thereof.

2. The flush-mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein the recessed area of the flush-mounting plate comprises at least three apertures located in each of a top portion and a bottom portion thereof, wherein the at least three apertures are spaced an equal distance apart and are adapted to receive a set of screws that connect the one or more receptacles to the flush-mounting plate.

3. The flush-mounting plate of claim 2 , wherein each mounting rim comprises a series of cavities that are configured to provide clearance for screws.

4. The flush-mounting plate of claim 3 , wherein the flush-mounting plate is adapted to interchangeably receive and be connected to:

(a) a set of two receptacles having two apertures located in a top portion thereof and two apertures located in a bottom portion thereof, wherein (i) a screw is disposed through each of the apertures in the top portion of the set of two receptacles, and each such screw is further disposed into a corresponding left and right aperture located in the top portion of the flush-mounting plate and (ii) a screw is disposed through each of the apertures in the bottom portion of the set of two receptacles and each such screw is further disposed into a corresponding left and right aperture located in the bottom portion of the flush-mounting plate; or

(b) a single receptacle having a single aperture located in a top portion thereof and a single aperture located in a bottom portion thereof, wherein (i) a screw is disposed through the aperture located in the top portion of the single receptacle and further disposed into a center aperture located in the top portion of the flush-mounting plate, which is located between the left and right aperture of the top portion of the flush-mounting plate and (ii) a screw is disposed through the aperture located in the bottom portion of the single receptacle and further disposed into a center aperture located in the bottom portion of the flush-mounting plate, which is located between the left and right aperture of the bottom portion of the flush-mounting plate.

5. The flush-mounting plate of claim 4 , wherein the flush-mounting plate is adapted to interchangeably receive and be connected to the set of two receptacles or single receptacle while the flush-mounting plate is connected to the electrical box within the outer wall.

6. The flush-mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical means are selected from the group consisting of screws, tabs, pegs, snaps, and adhesives.

7. The flush-mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein when the cover plate, one or more receptacles, switches, or low-voltage devices, and flush-mounting plate are connected to the electrical box, the exterior surface of the cover plate does not protrude from, and is not recessed relative to, a plane of the outer wall by more than a distance of 3/32 of an inch.

8. The flush-mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein when the cover plate, one or more receptacles, switches, or low-voltage devices, and flush-mounting plate are connected to the electrical box, the exterior surface of the cover plate does not protrude from, and is not recessed relative to, a plane of the outer wall by more than a distance of 1/16 of an inch.

9. The flush-mounting plate of claim 7 , wherein the mechanical means are selected from the group consisting of screws, tabs, pegs, snaps, and adhesives.

10. The flush-mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein the electrical box that is disposed inside of the wall is a 1900 box.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2014
From: GONZALEZ, JAIR
To: FLATRIM LLC
Reel/Frame 034038/0925 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 12424530 · Apr 15, 2009
Related Publication 20120122338A1 · May 17, 2012