Flush Ring Spacer for Secure Electrical Receptacle Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical receptacles and switches become insecurely mounted when the wall opening enlarges due to wear, misuse, or construction changes, leading to potential grounding issues and the need for re-adjustment or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A flush ring spacer with a metallic spacer plate and adjustable apertures is used to securely mount electrical devices by interposing the yoke between the face plate and the spacer, ensuring firm attachment to the wall or surface without requiring re-adjustment, featuring slot-shaped and non-circular apertures for enhanced stability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the wall opening is made large enough to receive the electrical box device ring, then the device can be installed, but the projections and receptacle can pass through the opening making the device insecurely mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flush ring spacer as an intermediary component between the electrical device and the oversized wall opening. This metallic spacer ring with adjustable apertures fills the gap created by the oversized opening, providing a new mounting surface that prevents the device from passing through while maintaining proper electrical connection and flush mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The flush ring spacer incorporates adjustable apertures (slot-shaped and non-circular) that allow dynamic adaptation to different wall opening sizes and device positions. The adjustability enables the spacer to accommodate variations in opening dimensions while maintaining secure mounting, resolving the contradiction between opening size and mounting security.
2Reliability
If the wall opening is minimal to admit only the device, then the device mounts flush with the wall surface, but the opening cannot accommodate the electrical box device ring
Solution Approach 1:
The flush ring spacer serves as a mediator that allows the electrical box device ring to be installed in a larger opening while still achieving flush mounting. The spacer bridges the gap between the oversized opening and the device, enabling both proper device accommodation and flush installation appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into three distinct components: the electrical device, the flush ring spacer, and the face plate. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the spacer handles the oversized opening adaptation while the device and face plate maintain their original mounting characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If the opening is oversized during initial installation or due to wear, then the device can be installed, but the device becomes insecurely mounted and requires re-adjustment or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The flush ring spacer is installed preliminarily before the face plate, creating a stable intermediate mounting structure. This preliminary action establishes a secure foundation that prevents future mounting issues, eliminating the need for re-adjustment or replacement even when openings are oversized or wear occurs during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable apertures in the flush ring spacer provide dynamic adaptation capability, allowing the mounting system to accommodate wear and opening size changes over time without requiring device replacement. The adjustability maintains long-term mounting security while preserving initial installation ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A flush ring spacer, and method for using it, to adjustably support and firmly mount an electrical device, such as an electrical receptacle or switch, within a wall or other support surface. Using the present invention, electrical devices may be connected to 1,900 (4-square), gem or other electrical boxes, while remaining firmly flush to the wall or other surface. The electrical device will stay grounded and not move or push in (which can affect grounding), and the face plate will not crack and will no longer be used to support the electrical device.