Mounting mechanism

Abstract

This disclosure provides a mounting mechanism, further comprising a magnet that magnetically engages with a pin, the pin being configured to penetrate a structure such as a wall. The pin is surrounded by a spring that holds the magnet, the spring positioning and stabilizing the pin within a cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting mechanism is substantially located substantially within a cavity of an object, such as a shelf unit. In another embodiment, a spear pin is provided, comprising a threaded end and a winged end terminating at the opposite end.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fasteners, and more specifically, to an attachment mechanism used for an object to be attached to a surface. [Background Art]

[0002] Various attachment mechanisms for fixing objects such as frames and shelves have been devised to facilitate attachment to a surface such as a wall, cleaning, and removal from the surface. These mechanisms are preferably cost-effective, easy to install, easy to ship, and aesthetically appealing.

[0003] More specifically, inventions such as Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5 have been devised to position objects such as frames, shelves, anchors, or hook structures on a wall.

[0004] In particular, Patent Document 1 teaches a frame having an integral attachment portion for fixing the frame to a wall. Unfortunately, Patent Document 1 requires a large number of tools to attach the frame, and the integral attachment portion is fixed straight to the wall. By being directly fixed straight to the wall, the integral attachment portion is not set at an ideal angle, and as a result, the structural integrity of the attachment portion is impaired.

[0005] Other inventions teach captive pins protruding from the frame itself. Unfortunately, this type of product causes problems in transportation and packaging due to its irregular shape. Furthermore, when the frame is attached, the operator needs to remove the entire frame including the attachment system (e.g., captive pin) during cleaning, painting, or frame replacement. As a result, the wall may be damaged when the frame is removed or reattached. Furthermore, when the frame is reattached, the attachment system may be weakened or damaged.

[0006] Other inventions teach removable pins, but these are typically small nails with non-conical tips. Furthermore, removable pins are often not securely fastened and do not provide tactile or auditory feedback when properly assembled. This can make penetration into walls more difficult, reduce the load-bearing capacity of frames or shelves, and further confuse consumers by making it difficult to determine if an object is properly installed.

[0007] Therefore, an improved mounting mechanism is needed to overcome these shortcomings. More specifically, an improved mounting mechanism is needed that can be fixed to a wall without the use of any tools or other aids, can be packaged as small as possible and shipped flat without protruding pins, can be safely removed or replaced from the wall without damaging the wall or the object, and can be mounted flush with the wall surface. The improved mounting mechanism also provides tactile and auditory feedback indicating that the object is properly secured. Finally, the improved mounting mechanism should be very small and partially concealed within the cavity of the object, allowing very thin objects to be mounted flush with the surface without exposing the mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 2,729,815 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 4,618,430 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 5,267,718 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 8,572,873 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 8,974,166 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] This mounting mechanism allows the object to be mounted flush with its surface without exposing the mechanism, by being partially concealed within the cavity of the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a wall mounting structure comprising a first frame having at least one cavity, and a mounting mechanism disposed within the at least one cavity of the first frame for fixing the frame to a wall.

[0011] In another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a spear pin for securing an object to a wall, the spear pin comprising a connecting end and a winged end terminating at the tip, the winged end comprising two opposing wings located opposite the connecting end.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a mounting mechanism comprising a magnet and a pin that magnetically engages with the magnet, and is configured to be partially positioned within a cavity of an object for securing the object to a mounting surface.

[0013] The following figures illustrate various embodiments of the features of this disclosure. These figures are illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a shelf unit with three mounting mechanisms according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the shelf unit of Figure 1, excluding the two mounting mechanisms, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]Perspective view of the shelf unit of FIG. 2 in a state where the first frame is rotated with respect to the second frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the shelf unit of FIG. 1 showing the interconnection between the first frame and the second frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the mounting mechanism fixed in the cavity of the first frame of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] It is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting mechanism of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] It is an enlarged perspective view of the pin of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the mounting mechanism of FIG. 7 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the mounting mechanism of FIG. 7 fixed to an object according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view of a spear pin according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] It is a front cross-sectional view in a state where the spear pin of FIG. 10 is inserted into the wall according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. It will be understood that various modifications and / or changes can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications and / or changes are included within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, one embodiment of the present disclosure shows a shelf unit 10, which preferably comprises a first frame 15 and a second frame 20 connected to each other. The first frame 15 further comprises a first cavity 25 and a second cavity 27, and the second frame 20 further comprises a third cavity 30 and a fourth cavity 32. Although two cavities are shown for each frame 15 and 20, those skilled in the art will understand that, depending on the shape and size of the frame, there may be a single cavity or more than two cavities.

[0017] Each of the first frame 15 and the second frame 20 is provided with at least one mounting mechanism 60 for attaching the first frame 15 and the second frame 20 to a surface such as a wall. The mounting mechanism 60 is partially located within the cavities 25, 27, 30, and 32 of the first frame 15 and the second frame 20. In this preferred embodiment, the first frame 15 is a substantially rectangular member having a plane 35. The second frame 20, on the other hand, further comprises four segments 40, 42, 44, and 46, which are connected to each other by tongues (not shown) and grooves (not shown) to form a substantially rectangular boundary.

[0018] As most clearly shown in Figure 3, recesses 50 and 52 are further formed in the inner walls of segments 42 and 46 of the second frame 20, respectively. The first frame 15 further includes notches 56 and 58 located on both sides of the frame 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the recesses 50 and 52 are configured to receive the corresponding notches 56 and 58, interconnecting and locking the first frame 15 to the second frame 20. As specifically shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this locked configuration, the first frame 15 can place items such as picture frames, ornaments, decorative figurines, and small potted plants on its surface 35.

[0019] Referring to Figure 4, one embodiment of the present disclosure shows that the second frame 20 is interconnected and fixed to the first frame 15. Notches 56 and 58 of the first frame 15 are shown to be locked and hooked into corresponding recesses 50 and 52 of the second frame 20. The mounting mechanism 60 is also shown to be partially positioned within a cavity 32 of the second frame 20. The cavity 32 has a downward slope to give the mounting mechanism 60 a similar downward slope, thereby ensuring that the frame 20 is securely held on the surface.

[0020] Referring to Figures 5 and 6A, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting mechanism 60 further comprises a pin 65 that magnetically engages with a magnet 70. The mounting mechanism 60 also comprises a spring 75 that engages with the magnet 70, the spring 75 being wound around the lower half of the pin 65. In this embodiment, the mounting mechanism 60 is partially located within a cavity 25 of a first frame 15. As shown, the upper half of the pin 65 protrudes from the cavity 25. Because the cavity 25 is inclined downward, the mounting mechanism 60 is also inclined downward with respect to the ground. This downward angle is advantageous for facilitating the attachment of a shelf unit (not shown) to a mounting surface such as a wall. This downward angle also reduces the moment (i.e., torque) compared to a similar pin that is installed perpendicular to the mounting surface.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the spring 75 is positioned and secured within the cavity 25 by friction fitting. The purpose of the spring 75 is to engage with the magnet 70 in order to hold the magnet 70 within the lower end of the cavity 25. In another embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that the magnet can also be injection molded into the cavity 25 or secured within the cavity 25 by friction fitting, adhesive, etc. In such an embodiment, the spring 75 may be completely omitted from the mounting mechanism 60, in which case the mounting mechanism 60 consists of the pin 65 and the magnet 70. In this exemplary embodiment, the pin 65 can have a larger diameter to fit flush with the cavity 25, or the cavity 25 can be made smaller to fit flush with the smaller diameter pin 65.

[0022] In this embodiment, the magnet 70 and spring 75 hold the pin 65 in a predetermined position within the cavity 25, preventing the pin 65 from falling out. Before attaching the first frame 15 to the mounting surface, the pin 65 is inserted into the cavity 25 and the spring 75. The pin 65 is inserted toward the magnet 70 located at the lowest end of the cavity 25. Once the pin 65 is fully inserted, the magnet 70 magnetically engages with the pin 65, causing the pin 65 to contact the magnet 70, and the operator receives tactile and auditory feedback to recognize that the mounting mechanism 60 has been set.

[0023] When the first frame 15 is installed, the first frame 15 is pressed against the wall, thereby pushing the tip 80 of the pin 65 into the wall. The lower end 82 of the pin 65 remains in contact with the magnet 70 in a biased state. The magnet 70 has a large surface area to accommodate the lower end 82 of the pin 65 and to facilitate driving the pin 65 into the wall. The spring 75 has an elongated cylindrical shape to distribute the movement of the pin 65 when fixing the shelf unit (not shown) to the wall. In other words, during the installation process of driving the pin 65 into the wall, a radial force may act on the pin 65, causing it to be pushed laterally within the cavity 25. The purpose of the spring 75 is to reduce or eliminate this lateral and radial movement, thereby more reliably driving the pin 65 into the wall. In the alternative embodiment described above without the spring 75, the pin 65 would have a larger diameter so that the inner wall of the cavity 25 can reduce or eliminate the lateral movement of the pin 65 when it is installed on the mounting surface.

[0024] In this embodiment, the spring 75 is provided with chamfers (not shown) at both ends. The purpose of the chamfers (bevels or chumfers) is to facilitate insertion of the spring 75 into the cavity 25. Those skilled in the art will understand that the pin 65 is not permanently fixed within the mounting mechanism 60. The pin 65 is temporarily held in place within the mounting mechanism 60 by magnetic attraction of the magnet 70 and frictional engagement of the spring 75. Therefore, when the shelf unit (not shown) is installed and fixed to the wall, the retaining force of the pin 65 driven into the wall becomes stronger than the magnetic and frictional forces that held the pin 65 to the spring 75 and magnet 70, and as a result, the pin 65 is securely fixed within the wall. If it is necessary to remove the shelf unit (not shown), the pin 65 remains within the wall.

[0025] Referring to Figure 6B, a pin 65 is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that in this preferred embodiment, the pin 65 comprises a first cylindrical portion 82 and a second tapered portion 83 terminating at a tip 84. It is the first cylindrical portion 82 that allows the pin 65 to be properly positioned within the cavity of an object (not shown).

[0026] Referring further to Figures 1 and 4, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shelf unit 10 can be fixed to a wall using a mounting mechanism 60. In the first step, the shelf unit 10 and the mounting mechanism 60 are positioned in the appropriate orientation relative to the wall. When the pin 65 contacts the wall, the shelf unit 10, and by extension the mounting mechanism 60, is pressed against the wall, and the pin 65 of the mounting mechanism 60 penetrates the wall, continuing to press until the shelf unit 10 is flush with the wall. Once the mounting mechanism 60 is positioned in the cavity 32 at a downward angle with respect to the ground, the mounting mechanism 60 self-guides downward and appropriately into the wall. Once the shelf unit 10 is flush with the wall and thus completely fixed to the wall, the mounting mechanism 60 is completely hidden from view, which is an advantage of the present disclosure.

[0027] Referring to Figures 7, 8, and 9, one embodiment of the present disclosure shows a mounting mechanism 160 for fixing an object 115 to a wall. In this particular embodiment, the mounting mechanism 160 further comprises a plug 185, which is configured to be molded around a magnet 170. When the object 115 is mounted to the wall, the plug 185 is positioned and fixed within the cavity 117 of the object 115. Preferably, the front surface 187 of the plug 185 is flush with the corresponding surface 119 of the object 115 that is positioned against the wall. As shown, the magnet 170 is molded directly into the plug 185 or fixed in another manner.

[0028] Subsequently, the pin 165 is inserted into the opening 190 of the plug 185 and inserted until it engages with the magnet 170. When the pin 165 engages with the magnet 170, a portion of the pin 165 protrudes from the plug 185. The opening 190 is configured to receive the pin 165 flush with the wall, preventing unwanted lateral movement of the pin 165. When the object 115 is pushed against the wall, the pin 165 penetrates the wall and serves to fix the surface 119 of the object 115 flush with the wall.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will understand that, although a shelf unit comprising first and second frames is described, the mounting mechanism is applicable to any number of objects to which any number of mounting surfaces are fixed, although dry walls are preferred mounting surfaces. Preferably, the object only needs to have an angled cavity for receiving and fixing the mounting mechanism to the mounting surface. In another embodiment, the mounting mechanism is suitable for objects with a large height and width relative to their depth in order to minimize the cantilever and torque forces acting on the position of the mounting mechanism.

[0030] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, a spear pin 200 is shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The spear pin 200 has a threaded connecting end 210 and an opposite spear end 220 terminating at a spear point 230. The spear end 220 consists of two opposing wings 240, 245 separated by a ridge 250 provided on each side of the wings 240, 245. The ridge 250 increases the rigidity of the spear end 220 and prevents the spear end 220 from bending.

[0031] In one embodiment, the wings 240 and 245 have a tapered shape, being slightly thicker near the raised portion 250 and thinner near the lateral tips of the wings 240 and 245. Furthermore, the tapered shape provides rigidity to the spear end 220, preventing the wings 240 and 245 from breaking or being damaged when the spear pin 200 is screwed in by hand.

[0032] In one embodiment, the wings 240 and 245 may be curved, in which case, when the spear pin 200 is viewed along the cross-section XX, the wings 240 and 245 form a roughly S-shaped curve, with the spear point 230 located at the center of the "S". This arbitrary curved shape can increase rigidity and improve the operability when screwing the spear pin 200 in by hand.

[0033] In another embodiment, other curved shapes may be adopted along the cross-section XX, including, but not limited to, cases where each wing 240, 245 has a generally S-shaped curve, a rounded shape (e.g., sinusoidal), or an angular shape (e.g., zigzag or trapezoidal). Ultimately, the purpose of the curve or shape is to impart rigidity to the spear pin 200.

[0034] In one embodiment, when the spear pin 200 is screwed diagonally into the object 260, the trailing edge of the spear point 230 is angled away from the threaded end 210 to prevent the wings 240 and 245 from contacting the object 260. The lateral outer shape of the wings 240 and 245 is rounded to improve operability when screwing the pin in by hand. The threaded end 210 allows the pin 200 to be screwed into the object 260. Once the pin 200 is screwed into the object 260, the spear point 230 causes the pin 200 to penetrate the wall 270 and fix it to the wall 270. The presence of a spear end 220 on the pin 200 also makes it possible to distribute the load of the object 260 fixed to the threaded end 210.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will understand that in one embodiment a method for fixing an object to a structure is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of aligning a mounting mechanism with respect to the structure and pressing the object against the structure until the mounting mechanism penetrates the wall and the object is flush with the structure, wherein the mounting mechanism is positioned at a downward angle with respect to the ground.

[0036] Many modifications to the embodiments described herein, as well as other embodiments, will be obvious to those skilled in the art who have benefited from the teachings shown in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. These modifications and additional embodiments are understood to be included within the intended scope of this disclosure, and are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.

Claims

1. A wall-mounted structure, A first frame having at least one cavity, A wall-mounted structure comprising: a mounting mechanism disposed within the at least one cavity of the first frame for fixing the frame to a wall.

2. The wall mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a pin and a magnet for holding the pin in a predetermined position.

3. The wall mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a spring surrounding the pin having at least one chamfer.

4. The wall mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a plug.

5. The wall mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the pin further comprises a tapered lower end that terminates at its tip.

6. The wall-mounted structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cavities has a downward slope.

7. A spear pin for fixing an object to a wall, The connecting end and A spear pin comprising a wing-shaped end that terminates at the tip, the wing-shaped end having two opposing wings located on the opposite side of the connecting end.

8. The spear pin according to claim 7, wherein the two opposing wings are separated by a raised portion.

9. The spear pin according to claim 7, wherein the two opposing wings have a width that tapers from a thick width in the center of the spear pin to a thin width at the outer ends of the two opposing wings.

10. The spear pin according to claim 7, wherein the two opposing wings are curved such that the cross-section of the spear pin is S-shaped, round, or angular, thereby providing rigidity to the spear pin.

11. The spear pin according to claim 7, wherein the connecting end is threaded.

12. A mounting mechanism, Magnets and The system comprises a pin that magnetically engages with the aforementioned magnet, The mounting mechanism is configured to be partially positioned within the cavity of an object in order to fix the object to a mounting surface.

13. The mounting mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a spring that holds the magnet and surrounds the pin.

14. The mounting mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the spring further comprises a bevel or a chamfer.

15. The mounting mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a plug.

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