Housing for flush-mounted sockets

Abstract

Housing for flush-mounted installation devices, characterized in that o a body (1) is dimensioned such that it can accommodate one or more flush-mounted installation devices in an interior space, o the body (1) together with the installed concealed installation devices forms a closed outer surface which enables simple splash protection, and o the body (1) is provided with two tabs (2), each of which has at least one mounting hole (2a) for mounting on a surface.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for flush-mounted installation devices, in particular for sockets, switches, dimmers, USB power supplies or similar electrical components that are usually installed in flush-mounted boxes. State of the art

[0002] The market for installation devices is characterized by a multitude of high-quality flush-mounted solutions. However, when in-wall installation is not possible in certain application areas – for example, in caravans, construction containers, furniture, exhibition and retail fittings, or other temporary or mobile facilities and structures – users often have only a very limited selection of suitable installation devices. Common surface-mounted installations or alternative devices often fail to meet the high aesthetic or functional requirements of modern applications. This creates a gap in the market for solutions that offer the convenience and appearance of flush-mounted installations, yet can be flexibly mounted on any surface. Object of the invention

[0003] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a housing for flush-mounted installation devices that allows easy attachment to any surface in any orientation and minimizes the installation work during assembly and connection to the power grid. This should preserve important advantages of classic flush-mounted installations, such as splash protection and appealing aesthetics, without compromising on functionality or design. General description of the invention

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention proposes a housing for flush-mounted installation devices, which according to claim 1 has, among other things, the following main features: • A body (1) with an interior designed for one or more flush-mounted installation devices, which, together with the cover of the flush-mounted installation devices, forms a closed outer surface. This provides simple splash and dust protection. • Two tabs (2), each of which has at least one fixing hole (2a) for mounting on a surface.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims: 1. Clamping supports (5) in the interior (claims 2 and 3) enable secure fixing or screwing of flush-mounted installation devices in a horizontal or vertical orientation. 2. A sufficient distance of the fastening hole (2a) from the tab (2) to the body (1) (claim 4) allows, for example, the use of a rivet gun, which considerably speeds up assembly and also enables assembly in narrow or hard-to-reach areas. 3. In a preferred embodiment, the body (1) is constructed in two parts and has a removable cover (3) (claim 5). This cover allows improved access to the interior of the housing, for example, when wiring the installation devices during initial assembly. 4. For the purpose of expansion, the described housing can be coupled with further housings (claim 6), so that several adjacent mounting positions for different flush-mounted installation devices (e.g. sockets and switches) can be created. 5. At least one bore (4) is provided on the outer surfaces arranged perpendicular to the mounting surface (claim 7). This bore can be designed as a through-hole or a pilot hole. The pilot hole allows for quick and safe drilling during assembly, while the passage is used to route an electrical supply line through the housing. 6. If several non-through holes (4) are present, one of these pilot holes can be drilled out to create the simplest and quickest connection to the electrical supply line. This maintains the integrity of the housing and does not compromise splash and dust protection (claim 8). 7. Behind at least one of these holes (4), the interior can be recessed with a pocket (6) (claim 9), so that a lock nut from an electrical connector or strain relief can be securely accommodated there. This further simplifies and accelerates assembly. 8. Finally, claim 10 specifies a preferred embodiment with regard to the material, according to which the housing can be made of a water- or weather-resistant or a flame-retardant material in order to meet additional safety requirements. Brief explanation of the figures • Fig. 1: Perspective view of a housing according to the invention, • Fig. 2: Top view of the housing after Fig. 1, • Fig. 3: Sectional view at the level of the pocket (6) in the interior of the housing after Fig. 1, Example

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the housing is made of a robust, weather-resistant plastic characterized by high UV, water, and temperature resistance. The body (1) can be cuboid-shaped with a cover (3). This two-part design simplifies production and enables more ergonomic wiring of the installation devices. Clamp supports (5) are located inside the body (1) and are arranged radially around the receptacle for a flush-mounted installation device. This allows a conventional flush-mounted installation device that operates with spring or screw terminals to be securely held in a horizontal or vertical orientation.

[0007] Furthermore, the clamp supports (5) optionally feature a screw receptacle (4a), which allows the metal collar of flush-mounted installation devices to be screwed to the housing (e.g., with thermoplastic screws). This is particularly advantageous if the flush-mounted installation device does not have its own spring or screw terminals, as is often the case with flush-mounted USB power supplies.

[0008] If several devices are required - for example two sockets and a switch - the housings can be connected to each other laterally using simple coupling mechanisms (plug-in or snap-in connection).

[0009] If a cable or electrical line is to be inserted from the side, a non-through hole (4) can be drilled on the corresponding outer surface. Behind this hole is a pocket (6) into which a lock nut can be inserted without twisting, facilitating the installation of a strain relief or connector. Advantages of the invention 1. Versatile and quick installation: The tabs (2) with mounting hole (2a) and their sufficient distance from the body (1) allow different fastening methods (e.g. screws, rivets), offer enough space for tools such as cordless screwdrivers or rivet guns and significantly reduce installation time. 2. Flexible alignment: The clamp supports (5) allow the installation devices to be inserted in a horizontal or vertical position, so that almost any installation situation can be realized. 3. Expandability: The ability to connect multiple enclosures sideways allows for significantly increased capacity for various flush-mounted installation devices. 4. Secure cable entry and strain relief: The (pre-)drilled holes (4) and the integrated pocket (6) facilitate the insertion of an electrical cable and enable reliable fastening of an electrical connector or a standard-compliant strain relief. 5. High-quality protection: The sealed outer surface provides effective protection against splashes and dust. The housing material can also be water- or weather-resistant, or flame-retardant, thus meeting the respective safety requirements.

Claims

[1] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices, characterized by , that o a body (1) is dimensioned so that it can accommodate one or more flush-mounted installation devices in an interior space, o the body (1) together with the flush-mounted installation devices forms a closed outer surface, which enables simple splash protection, and o the body (1) is provided with two tabs (2), each of these tabs having at least one fastening hole (2a) for mounting on a surface. [2] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 1, further comprising that the interior is equipped for each accommodateable flush-mounted installation device with four clamping supports (5) which are configured such that a flush-mounted installation device with radial clamp fastening can be fixed to two opposite clamping supports in a horizontal or vertical orientation in a movement-proof manner. [3] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 2, further comprising that each clamp support (5) has at least one receptacle for a screw (5a) which is configured such that a flush-mounted installation device can be screwed in a movement-proof manner in a horizontal or vertical orientation. [4] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 3, further comprising that the fastening hole (2a) of the tab (2) has a sufficient distance from the body (1) to enable assembly by rivet gun. [5] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 4, further comprising that the body (1) is designed in two parts and has a removable cover (3) which allows better access to the interior of the housing. [6] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 5, further comprising that the housing is coupleable with further housings in order to increase the capacity for flush-mounted installation devices. [7] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 5, further comprising that at least on an outer surface of the body (1) arranged perpendicular to the mounting surface, a bore (4) is formed through which an electrical supply line can be placed into the housing. [8] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 7, further comprising that at least two outer surfaces of the body (1) arranged perpendicular to the mounting surface each have at least one non-through hole (4) which facilitates a variable-location setting of a through opening for an electrical supply line. [9] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 7, further comprising that the interior space behind at least one bore (4) is recessed with a pocket (6) to allow the reception of a lock nut for strain relief or an electrical connector for easy assembly. [10] Housing for flush-mounted installation devices according to claim 5, further comprising that the housing is made of a water-, weather-resistant or flame-retardant material.

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