Adjustable Light Fixture Mounting Plate for Variable Hole Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light fixture mounting systems face challenges with varying hole sizes and diameters in sheet material, restricting the type of replacement fixtures that can be used, often requiring carpentry or electrical work to modify the holes and relocate wiring, leading to increased costs and limitations in fixture selection.
Innovation Solution
A mounting plate assembly with adjustable spring clamps that can be secured without tools, allowing for flexible mounting in holes of different sizes and diameters, enabling the use of various light fixtures by sliding displacement along guide rails and utilizing spring biasing for secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing light fixtures are replaced in holes of varying sizes, then the replacement fixture can be installed, but the hole size variations restrict the type of replacement fixture that can be used and require carpentry work to modify the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the mounting assembly to adapt to different hole diameters by compressing the spring to expand or contract the clamp arms, eliminating the need for fixed-size mounting holes
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly changes its physical parameters (clamping diameter) through the spring mechanism, enabling it to accommodate various hole sizes by adjusting the spring compression level, thereby transforming a static mounting system into one with variable dimensions
2Reliability
If carpentry work is performed to modify the hole or repair the sheeting material, then the hole can be sealed and a new one formed, but this creates a need to relocate the electrical wiring and increases installation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp mechanism automatically adjusts and secures itself to the mounting surface without requiring external tools or carpentry work, enabling the mounting assembly to self-adjust to different hole sizes and eliminate the need for additional modification work
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mounting assembly is designed to fit existing holes of varying sizes, then different light fixtures can be mounted, but the mounting assembly requires tool-free adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp acts as an intermediary mechanism between the mounting plate and the mounting surface, providing the adaptability function while keeping the overall mounting assembly relatively simple through this single intermediate component
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy installation and replacement of light fixtures in existing holes of varying sizes without the need for tools, allowing for flexible mounting options and reduced installation costs by accommodating different diameters and shapes, facilitating the use of LED or incandescent lamps with adjustable spring clamp structures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clamp structure which is retained by a spring biased force and wherein a spring clamp bracket can be easily displaced
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting plate assembly has a mounting plate for mounting a light fixture in holes of different diameters and wherein a guide rail assembly is secured to a rear face of the mounting plate on opposed sides of an aperture. Each guide rail assembly has a novel displaceable spring clamp structure having to a displaceable base coupled for sliding displacement along a guide rail assembly. Spring biasing elements are provided between the displaceable base and the guide rail assembly to urge a bottom face of the displaceable base against a flat top surface of a mounting base to which the guide rails are secured. A retention formation is provided in the bottom surface of the displaceable base for retention coupling with a selected one of space-apart engageable retainers immovably secured to the flat top surface of the mounting base and aligned with the retention formation to arrest the displaceable base at a desired location to position the spring clamp structures at a desired location with respect to the size of a hole formed in the sheet material and to which a light fixture is to be secured.