Snap-In Mounting Rails for Fastener-Free Device Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing demarcation enclosures require screws and other fasteners for mounting communication devices, which complicates the mounting process and increases time and cost.

Innovation Solution

A demarcation enclosure with a quick snap-in feature that eliminates the need for tools, using a mounting base with snap-in retention and rails or slots to securely hold devices, allowing for flexible positioning and easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws and fasteners are used for mounting devices, then secure retention is achieved, but mounting complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice retentionVSAvoidmounting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes screws and fasteners from the mounting process entirely, extracting the problematic elements that caused complexity while maintaining secure device retention through the snap-in mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fastening system with a snap-in mechanical system using resilient arms and lugs, achieving the same retention function with simpler operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If screws and fasteners are used for mounting devices, then secure retention is achieved, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice retentionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The snap-in mechanism is designed to be self-retaining without requiring additional fasteners or tools, allowing the device to secure itself through the resilient arms and lugs interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the time-consuming screw fastening process with a quick snap-in mechanical system that achieves secure retention in a single motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard mounting bases are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but device positioning flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting base fabricationVSAvoiddevice positioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting base with resilient arms and lugs is designed to accommodate various device types and positions, providing universal compatibility while maintaining simple manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient arms provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the mounting mechanism to adapt to different device positions and orientations while maintaining secure retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20090314907A1Methods and apparatus for mounting devices

Publication Date: 2009.12.24 TIMES FIBER COMMUNICATIONS INC

AI summary

A device mounting apparatus includes a mounting base portion having a plurality of opposing pairs of rails. The mounting base portion is adapted for mounting on a support structure. The apparatus further includes a mounting tab affixed to a device for snap in mounting between a pair of rails, whereby the device is captively retained on the mounting base portion, and can be disengaged therefrom by snapping the mounting tabs out of the associated pairs of rails.