Low-Profile Twist-Lock Back Plate Assembly for Secure Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home hardware back plate assemblies require complex tool designs with multiple moving parts, leading to tool wear and potential reduced tool life, and often have large profiles that occupy additional shelf space in retail environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of twist-lock, slide-lock, and wedge-lock back plate assemblies that feature simplified designs with a base and attachment systems, including mount apertures, grooves, ledges, and flexible tabs, which allow for secure mounting and decorative cover concealment, reducing the need for complex tools and minimizing profile size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex tool designs with several moving parts are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but tool wear increases and tool life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a base plate for mounting, an attachment component with lock features, and a connector member. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex moving parts while achieving secure mounting through simple insertion and locking actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts from traditional complex tool designs. The secure mounting function is achieved through a simplified mechanism with lock features that engage directly with the base plate, removing intermediate components that caused wear and reduced tool life.
2Ease of manufacture
If covers with large surface areas and profiles are used, then aesthetic appeal and concealment are improved, but additional shelf space is required in retail environment
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative cover is designed to nest within the minimal profile of the base plate and attachment assembly. The cover fits into the recessed area created by the ledges and grooves, providing aesthetic concealment without increasing the overall external dimensions or shelf space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional large-profile covers to a low-profile design by utilizing the vertical dimension and recessed mounting area. The cover is positioned within the depth of the base plate structure rather than extending outward, maintaining aesthetic appeal while minimizing horizontal shelf space occupation.
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
These assemblies provide secure mounting solutions with reduced tool wear, lower profile designs, and simplified manufacturing, enabling cost-effective production and efficient use of retail space while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the grooves and each of the lock features may define a taper to permit annular deformation of the base when the attachment is mounted to the base and a force is applied to the attachment
Implementation Method 2
Each of the pair of flexible tabs may be arranged with the arms to receive a portion of a force applied to the attachment when the attachment is mated to the base
Data Source
AI summary
A back plate assembly for home hardware is provided with a base and an attachment. The base includes at least one mount aperture and is adapted to be mounted to a support surface. The base defines a receptacle, a through-hole, a pair of grooves disposed at an outer edge of the through-hole, and a pair of ledges offset from an inner edge of the through-hole. The attachment includes a lock member with a pair of lock features and a connector member sized for insertion between the pair of ledges when the attachment is oriented in a first radial position. Each of the pair of lock features is positioned on the attachment for insertion within one of the grooves and the connector member is sized to rest upon the ledges when the connector member extends through the through-hole and the attachment is rotated to a second radial position.