System for mounting on a surface

Abstract

A system intended for mounting on a surface, comprising a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the surface, a plastic clip having a base and a connecting portion. The mounting bracket is provided with an opening into which the base of the plastic clip can be inserted in a snap fit, the connecting portion of the plastic clip being configured for snap fit engagement with an object. The base comprises two leg portions, each leg portion comprising a guide surface configured to engage the mounting bracket in response to the base being inserted into the opening, and an L-shaped corner section configured to face an edge portion of the opening when the base is received by the opening. The leg portions are configured to deflect in response to the guide surfaces engaging the mounting bracket. The L-shaped corner section of each leg portion is configured to engage a respective edge portion of the opening in response to the base being removed from the opening, such that the leg portions pivot about an axis defined by the L-shaped corner section, and as the leg portions pivot, they enter into an abutting condition with one another, thereby resisting further removal of the base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system intended for mounting on a surface, the system comprising a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the surface. Background Technology

[0002] Systems designed to be mounted on a surface typically include mounting brackets configured for attachment to the surface. Additional objects for the system can then be releasably attached to the mounting brackets, such as by means of snap-fit ​​mounting.

[0003] The system could be, for example, a surveillance camera system in which camera units and objects in the form of dome windows are attached to and supported by mounting brackets.

[0004] Mounting brackets are typically made of sturdy and durable materials (such as metal), which may not be suitable for snap-fit ​​installation. Therefore, mounting brackets may be provided with plastic clamps that allow one or more objects to be snap-fitted onto the mounting bracket.

[0005] It has been proven difficult to provide a system that ensures reliable and releasable attachment of objects to mounting brackets while being easy to assemble. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above description, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved plastic clamp for attaching an object to a mounting bracket.

[0007] Another objective is to provide a plastic clamp that is easy to install onto a mounting bracket and can reliably and releasably attach an object to the mounting bracket.

[0008] Another objective is to provide an improved system for mounting on a surface, which includes a mounting bracket and a plastic clamp.

[0009] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, and others as will be apparent from the following description, a system having the following features is provided according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0010] More specifically, according to the present invention, a system intended for mounting on a surface is provided, the system comprising: a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the surface; a plastic clamp having a base and a connecting portion, wherein the mounting bracket is provided with an opening, the base of the plastic clamp being insertable into the opening in a snap-fit ​​manner to mount the plastic clamp to the mounting bracket, wherein the connecting portion of the plastic clamp is configured for snap-fit ​​engagement with an object attachable to the mounting bracket, wherein the base of the plastic clamp includes two legs, each leg including a guide surface and an L-shaped corner section, the guide surface being configured to engage the mounting bracket in response to insertion of the base of the plastic clamp into the opening, the L-shaped corner section being configured to engage the mounting bracket. The base of the plastic clamp is positioned facing the edge of the opening when it is received by the opening in a snap-fit ​​engagement, wherein the legs are configured to deflect in response to engagement of the mounting bracket with the guide surface, allowing the base to be inserted into the opening, wherein the L-shaped corner section of each leg is configured to engage the corresponding edge of the opening in response to removal of the base from the opening in the mounted state of the plastic clamp, such that the legs pivot about an axis defined by the L-shaped corner section under elastic deformation of the legs, and wherein when the legs pivot about the corresponding axis under elastic deformation, the legs are configured to enter a state of abutment against each other, thereby limiting further pivoting and resisting further removal of the base.

[0011] Therefore, an improved system designed for mounting on a surface is provided. The system includes a mounting bracket and a plastic clamp that can be mounted to the mounting bracket and is configured to snap-fit ​​an object to the mounting bracket. Thus, the mounting bracket can be made of a robust and durable material (such as metal), while the plastic clamp can be made of a plastic material, allowing the object to reliably snap-fit ​​and attach to the mounting bracket.

[0012] The plastic clamp includes a base with two legs, each leg having a guide surface configured to engage a mounting bracket such that when the base of the plastic clamp is inserted into an opening provided in the mounting bracket, the legs deflect, thereby receiving the base into the opening with a snap-fit ​​engagement. This ensures easy assembly of the system.

[0013] Each leg of the plastic clamp may further include an L-shaped corner section configured to face the edge of the opening when the base of the plastic clamp has been received by the opening in a snap-fit ​​engagement. The L-shaped corner section is configured to engage the edge of the opening in response to removal of the base from the opening in the mounted state of the plastic clamp, such that the legs pivot about an axis defined by the L-shaped corner section under elastic deformation of the legs. As the legs pivot about their respective axes under elastic deformation, they are configured to abut each other, thus limiting further pivoting and resisting further removal of the base. Therefore, by controlling the elastic deformation of the legs to keep them abutting each other, it is ensured that the plastic clamp cannot be easily pulled out of the opening of the mounting bracket. Thus, the system ensures that the plastic clamp does not accidentally detach from the mounting bracket.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each leg of the base may include an elongated body having: a first portion extending from the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the plastic clamp; a second portion forming the guide surface, adjacent to and extending at an acute angle to the first portion to form a bend at the front end of the leg; and a third portion forming the L-shaped corner segment and adjacent to the second portion. This configuration allows for efficient material utilization when manufacturing the plastic clamp.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the long body of each leg may have a reinforced transition section between the first and second portions. Therefore, the elastic deformation of the legs at the base can be further controlled to ensure that the legs reliably abut each other in response to the base being removed from the opening.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the base can have a base width W1 in an unaffected state, wherein the opening has an opening width W2, and wherein the base width W1 in the unaffected state is greater than the opening width W2. Furthermore, the base can have a base width W3 in an affected state, in which the legs deflect toward each other in response to the base of the plastic clamp being inserted into the opening, wherein the opening has an opening width W2, and wherein the base width W3 in the affected state corresponds to the opening width W2. Therefore, the plastic clamp can be snap-fitted onto the mounting bracket.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the system may include an additional plastic clamp, wherein the mounting bracket is provided with an additional opening, and the base of the additional plastic clamp can be snapped into the opening to mount the additional plastic clamp to the mounting bracket. Providing two plastic clamps facilitates snap-fit ​​attachment of an object to the mounting bracket. The plastic clamp and the additional plastic clamp can be arranged opposite each other on the mounting bracket when mounted to the mounting bracket.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the opening of the mounting bracket can be provided in its peripheral portion. Therefore, the plastic clamp can be easily accessed to attach and remove objects from the mounting bracket.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the system may include an object that can be attached to a mounting bracket by engaging with a snap-fit ​​plastic clamp in an installed state. This object may be a camera unit.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the mounting bracket may be made of metal.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the connecting portion of the plastic clamp may be provided with a tab protruding from the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the plastic clamp. This tab can be used to detach an object attached to a mounting bracket by engaging with the plastic clamp in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0022] Generally, all terms used in the claims will be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless otherwise expressly defined herein. All references to “a / the [element, device, component, apparatus, step, etc.]” ​​should be explicitly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, apparatus, step, etc., unless otherwise expressly stated. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless expressly stated. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments, wherein the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, in the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a system designed to be mounted on a surface.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a perspective view illustrating, in exploded form, an object in the form of a mounting bracket and a camera unit of a system intended for mounting on a surface.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a plastic clamp used to attach an object to a mounting bracket.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the plastic clamps mounted on the mounting bracket.

[0028] Figure 5a , Figure 5b This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the snap-fit ​​installation of the plastic clamp to the mounting bracket.

[0029] Figure 6 This is an example Figure 4The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the plastic clamp being removed from the mounting bracket.

[0030] Figure 7a , Figure 7b This is an example Figure 4 The image shows a perspective view of the plastic clamp being removed from the mounting bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for exhaustive and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 The illustration illustrates a system 1 designed for mounting on a surface. In the illustrated embodiment, system 1 is a camera device designed for mounting on a surface such as a ceiling. The system can be configured for outdoor or indoor applications.

[0033] exist Figure 2 middle, Figure 1 Some components of System 1 shown are illustrated in an exploded view. These components include a mounting bracket 10, a plastic clamp 30, and an object 20 in the form of a camera unit.

[0034] Mounting bracket 10 is configured to be attached to a surface and may be provided, for example, with screw holes 11, so that mounting bracket 10 can be attached to the surface by means of screws.

[0035] Mounting bracket 10 can be made of metal or plastic. Metal is the preferred material for mounting brackets in systems used for outdoor applications.

[0036] The mounting bracket 10 is further provided with an opening 12 into which a plastic clamp 30 can be inserted to mount the plastic clamp 30 to the mounting bracket 10. The opening 12 may be provided in the peripheral portion 13 of the mounting bracket 10.

[0037] The object 20 can be attached to the mounting bracket 10 by engaging with the plastic clamp 30 which is in the installation state.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bracket 10 is provided with an additional opening 12 configured to receive an additional plastic clamp 30. The additional opening 12 may be provided in the peripheral portion 13 of the mounting bracket.

[0039] The plastic clamp 30 and the additional plastic clamp 30 are arranged opposite to each other on the mounting bracket 10 when they are installed onto the mounting bracket 10.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the object 20 in the form of a camera unit can also be attached to the mounting bracket 10 by engaging with the snap-fit ​​of the additional plastic clamp 30.

[0041] It should be understood that system 1 may include additional plastic clamps that are mounted to mounting bracket 10 and configured to engage with object 20 in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0042] It should also be understood that an object 20 can be attached to the mounting bracket 10 using only a single plastic clamp. For example, a portion of the object 20 can be secured to the mounting bracket at the peripheral portion opposite the plastic clamp, and then the object can be pushed upwards so that the plastic clamp engages with the object in a snap-fit ​​manner to attach the object to the mounting bracket.

[0043] System 1 may include an attachment object that can be attached to the mounting bracket 10 by means of a snap-fit ​​engagement with one or more plastic clamps mounted to the mounting bracket. Such an attachment object may be, for example, a dome window.

[0044] For reference now Figure 3 The image shows a plastic clamp 30 for use in a system as disclosed above.

[0045] The plastic clamp 30 includes a base 31 and a connecting part 32.

[0046] The base 31 can be inserted into the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10 for mounting the plastic clamp 30 to the mounting bracket 10.

[0047] The connecting portion 32 is configured to engage with an object 20 that can be attached to the mounting bracket 10 via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. More specifically, the connecting portion 32 includes a web 33 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the plastic clamp 30. The web 33 is provided with an upper projecting ridge 34. When the object 20 is attached to the mounting bracket 10, the upper projecting ridge 34 is configured to engage the object, such that the connecting portion 32 is deflected to allow the object 20 to be snap-fit ​​mounted.

[0048] The connecting portion 32 further includes a tab 35 projecting from the connecting portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L of the plastic clamp 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab 35 is arranged on the top of the web 33. The tab 35 can be used to remove the object 20 from the mounting bracket 10. More specifically, the tab 35 can be manipulated to deflect the connecting portion 32 of the plastic clamp 30, thereby enabling the removal of the object 20.

[0049] The base 31 includes two legs 36, each leg 36 including a guide surface 37 and an L-shaped corner section 38. More specifically, each leg 36 includes a long body having: a first portion 39 extending from the connecting portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L of the plastic clamp 30; a second portion 40 forming the guide surface 37, adjacent to and extending at an acute angle to the first portion 39, for forming a bend 41 at the front end of the leg 36; and a third portion 42 forming the L-shaped corner section 38 and adjacent to the second portion 40.

[0050] The long body of each leg 36 may have a reinforced transition section 43 between the first part 39 and the second part 40 (i.e. in the bend 41 at the front end of the leg 36).

[0051] Each guide surface 37 provided in the second portion 40 of each leg 36 is configured to engage the mounting bracket 10 in response to the insertion of the base 31 of the plastic clamp 30 into the opening 12 provided in the mounting bracket 10, such that the leg 36 is deflected to allow the plastic clamp 30 to snap-fit ​​into the mounting bracket 10.

[0052] Each L-shaped corner segment 38, formed by the third portion 42 of each leg 36, is configured to face the corresponding edge portion of the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10 when the plastic clamp 30 is installed onto the mounting bracket 10.

[0053] For reference now Figure 4 In the example shown, a plastic clamp 30 is attached to the mounting bracket 10 by a snap-fit ​​mechanism. More specifically, the plastic clamp 30 is attached by inserting its base 31 into the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10, which... Figure 5a , Figure 5b More details will be disclosed in the future.

[0054] exist Figure 5a In the figure, the base 31 of the plastic clamp 30 is partially inserted into the opening 12, wherein the guide surface 37 of each leg 36 has engaged with the mounting bracket 10, such that the legs 36 are deflected toward each other. As can be seen from the figure, in the affected state of the legs 36 being deflected toward each other, the base 31 has a base width W3, which corresponds to the opening width W2 of the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10.

[0055] exist Figure 5b In the middle, the base 31 has been fully inserted into the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10, and the leg 36 has been allowed to be in its original position (i.e., deflected back to its original position), so that the plastic clamp 30 is snapped into the mounting bracket 10.

[0056] In the installed state of the plastic clamp 30, the base 31 has a base width W1 corresponding to the unaffected state, which is greater than the opening width W2 of the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10.

[0057] With the plastic clamp 30 installed, the L-shaped corner sections 38 of each leg 36 of the base 31 are configured to face the corresponding edge portion 14 of the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10.

[0058] The plastic clamp 30 is configured to prevent accidental separation from the mounting bracket 10. More specifically, the plastic clamp 30 is configured to prevent the base 31 from being completely removed from the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10 in response to a pulling force applied to the plastic clamp 30, now referring to... Figure 6 This needs to be discussed.

[0059] As described above, each leg 36 includes an L-shaped corner section 38 that faces the corresponding edge portion 14 of the opening 12 in the installed state of the plastic clamp 30. When a pulling force P is applied to the plastic clamp 30 in an attempt to remove the plastic clamp 30 from the opening 12, the L-shaped corner section 38 engages the corresponding edge portion 14, causing the leg 36 to pivot about a corresponding axis defined by each L-shaped corner section 38 under elastic deformation of the leg 36. As the leg 36 pivots about the corresponding axis under elastic deformation, the legs 36 are configured to enter a state of abutment against each other, thereby limiting further pivoting and resisting further removal of the base 31. The reinforced transition section 43 of each leg 36 facilitates the controlled deformation of the leg 36, thereby achieving the state of abutment against each other in a desired manner.

[0060] Therefore, the legs 36 of the base 31 are configured to undergo controlled elastic deformation in response to the application of a force P for removing the plastic clamp 30 from the opening 12 of the mounting bracket 10, causing the legs 36 to come into abutment against each other, thereby resisting further removal. This prevents the plastic clamp 30 from accidentally separating from the mounting bracket 10. The force P applied for removing the plastic clamp 30 can be applied directly to the plastic clamp 30, or indirectly, for example, by applying a pulling force to an object attached to the mounting bracket.

[0061] It should be understood that, such as Figure 7a , Figure 7b As illustrated, the plastic clamp 30 can be intentionally removed from the mounting bracket 10 by pressing the legs 36 toward each other and then pushing the base 31 out of the opening 12.

[0062] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, various modifications and variations are conceived within the scope of the invention as specifically defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system intended for mounting on a surface, the system comprising: Mounting brackets are configured for attachment to the surface. Plastic clamp, having a base and a connecting part, The mounting bracket is provided with an opening, and the base of the plastic clamp can be inserted into the opening in a snap-fit ​​manner to mount the plastic clamp onto the mounting bracket. The connecting portion of the plastic clamp is configured to engage with an object that can be attached to the mounting bracket. The base of the plastic clamp includes two legs. Each leg includes a guide surface and an L-shaped corner section. The guide surface is configured to engage the mounting bracket in response to the base of the plastic clamp being inserted into the opening, and the L-shaped corner section is configured to face the edge portion of the opening when the base of the plastic clamp has been received by the opening in a snap-fit ​​engagement. Each leg of the base includes a long body having a first portion extending from the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic clamp; The second part forms the guide surface, which is adjacent to the first part and extends at an acute angle to the first part to form a bend at the front end of the leg. And the third part, forming the L-shaped corner section and adjacent to the second part, The legs are configured to deflect in response to engagement of the guide surface with the mounting bracket, allowing the base to be inserted into the opening. The L-shaped corner section of each leg is configured to engage a corresponding edge portion of the opening in response to the base being removed from the opening while the plastic clamp is in the mounted state, such that the leg pivots about an axis defined by the L-shaped corner section under elastic deformation of the leg. When the legs pivot about the corresponding axis under elastic deformation, the legs are configured to enter a state of abutment against each other, thereby restricting further pivoting and resisting further removal of the base.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the long body of each leg has a reinforced transition section between the first portion and the second portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base has a base width (W1) in the unaffected state, and wherein the opening has an opening width (W2), wherein the base width (W1) in the unaffected state is greater than the opening width (W2).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the base has a base width (W3) in the affected state, wherein the legs deflect toward each other in response to the base of the plastic clamp being inserted into the opening, and wherein the opening has an opening width (W2), wherein the base width (W3) in the affected state corresponds to the opening width (W2).

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an additional plastic clamp, wherein the mounting bracket is provided with an additional opening, the base of the additional plastic clamp being insertable into the additional opening in a snap-fit ​​manner to mount the additional plastic clamp to the mounting bracket.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the plastic clamp and the additional plastic clamp are arranged opposite to each other on the mounting bracket when mounted to the mounting bracket.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening of the mounting bracket is provided in the peripheral portion of the mounting bracket.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an object that can be attached to the mounting bracket by engaging with a snap-fit ​​of the plastic clamp in an installed state.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the object is a camera unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is made of a metal material.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of the plastic clamp is provided with a tab protruding from the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic clamp.

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