Wall box mounting apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting a device in a wall box is provided that includes a base plate formed by a substantially flat front portion and a plurality of side portions extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion, and at least one magnet. The front portion is connected to a device. The base plate is configured to be substantially inserted into a magnetically engageable wall box arranged on a wall. Each magnet is connected to one of the plurality of side portions. At least one magnet is operably configured to magnetically engage an interior wall of the magnetically engageable wall box.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention is related in general to the field of wall box mountings. More particularly, the invention is related to magnetic and / or friction wall box mountings of devices.[0003]2. Discussion of the Background[0004]A wall box is typically mounted on a wood beam during the construction of a home or office and is usually used to house a light switch and its associated wires and / or circuitry. Wall boxes today generally suffer from various disadvantages related to mounting. For instance, problems can arise if the wall box is skewed in any way after it has been mounted. In such a situation, the resulting light switch, light switch plate, or other device positioned in the wall box will appear to be similarly skewed resulting in an unaesthetic appearance. Additionally, if the depth of the wall box mounting in the wall is too deep, the supplied screws may be too short to affix the light switch, light switch plate, or other d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an apparatus for mounting a device in a wall box that includes a base plate and at least one magnet. The base plate is designed to be inserted into a magnetically engageable wall box on a wall, and the magnet is connected to the base plate. The magnet is operable to magnetically engage the interior wall of the wall box, allowing for secure mounting of the device. The technical effects of this invention include easy and secure mounting of devices in wall boxes without the need for additional hardware or tools."

Problems solved by technology

Wall boxes today generally suffer from various disadvantages related to mounting.

For instance, problems can arise if the wall box is skewed in any way after it has been mounted.

In such a situation, the resulting light switch, light switch plate, or other device positioned in the wall box will appear to be similarly skewed resulting in an unaesthetic appearance.

Additionally, if the depth of the wall box mounting in the wall is too deep, the supplied screws may be too short to affix the light switch, light switch plate, or other device to the wall box.

Further, if the mounted wall box is not parallel to the wall's surface, the mounting screws can become cross threaded, because the screw is not received perpendicularly in a receiving nut or tapped hole, leading to eventual failure of the mounting system.

Problems may also arise in situations where a device, including, without limitation, an infrared receiver or an infrared plate, is positioned in a skewed manner in the wall box.

For example, the performance of the device can be affected if any equipment in communication with the device cannot adequately communicate because the device is not mounted properly.

Thus, as noted above, there currently exists numerous deficiencies in wall box mountings that are known in the prior art.

Images