Frame structure and assembly for wall mounting a speaker or camera

• US 5,330,144 A
• Filed: 01/08/1993
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ELAN Home Systems, LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Stevenson, Bruce B., Scherer, Paul T., Dickens, James W., Unseld, Bill R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/001,968
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 248/231.9, 248/906, 248/27.1, 248/205.1, 248/903, 220/3.5, 220/3.6, 220/241, 174/58
• US Class Current: 248/231.9
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/903 Support reinforcement

Abstract

The invention provides a mounting frame structure for association with a preformed aperture in a wall and for recessed mounting of a speaker or camera having a housing. The frame structure includes a one-piece, unitary frame body having an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing. The frame body has a flattened perimeter region and apertures individually located in the perimeter region. The frame structure also includes a shoulder region upstanding rearwardly from and extending substantially about the perimeter region. A mounting flange upstands rearwardly in a perpendicular direction from the perimeter region. The mounting flange has a generally flat shape and at least one aperture therethrough so that the mounting flange abuts and secures to a stud or cross-member of the wall. Optionally, the frame structure is utilized in an assembly with a mounting bracket for the camera or speaker and a cover plate thereover.

Claims

1. A mounting frame structure for association with a preformed aperture in a wall and for recessed mounting of a speaker or camera having a housing, the frame structure comprising.

a one-piece, unitary frame body having a front and back side, the frame body having an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing, the frame body having a flattened perimeter region extending about the open central region, the perimeter region defined by an outer and inner edge, a plurality of apertures individually located in the perimeter region at periodically spaced intervals about and adjacent to the central region;

a shoulder region upstanding rearwardly from and extending substantially about the perimeter region, the shoulder region having an outer and inner face, the inner face of the shoulder region being adjacent to the housing;

said shoulder region including at least one L-shaped flange attached to the outer face of the shoulder region, one leg of each such L-shaped flange abutting the outer face of the shoulder region, the opposite leg of each such L-shaped flange perpendicularly upstanding from the outer face, the upstanding leg being positioned near the front face of the perimeter region and having means for being fastened to the wall; and

a mounting flange upstanding rearwardly in a perpendicular direction from the perimeter region, the mounting flange having a generally flat shape and at least one aperture therethrough for receiving a fastener so that the mounting flange abuts and fastens to a stud or cross member of the wall.

2. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein the shoulder region extends from the inner edge of the perimeter region, the shoulder region extending between the perimeter apertures as a plurality of discrete shoulders.

3. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein the shoulder region extends from the outer edge of the perimeter region, the shoulder region extending substantially around the outer edge as a continuous shoulder.

4. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein the width of the perimeter region adjacent each of the perimeter apertures is greater than between the perimeter apertures.

5. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein a mounting bracket for the housing is provided, the mounting bracket having:

a front and back side;

an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing;

a flattened perimeter region extending about the open central region with the back side adapted for making abutting engagement with the front side of the frame body, a plurality of apertures individually located in the bracket perimeter region at periodically spaced intervals about and adjacent to the bracket central region, the apertures of the frame body and bracket perimeter region being adapted to disengagedly connect with one another so that the back side of the bracket perimeter region is mountable against the front face of the frame body perimeter region;

a shoulder region upstanding rearwardly from and extending substantially about the perimeter region, the shoulder region being adjacent to the housing; and

means for securing the housing to the mounting bracket at the desired angle.

6. The frame structure of claim 5 wherein a cover plate for the mounting bracket is provided, the cover plate substantially covering the open central region and mounting bracket, the cover plate attached to the mounting bracket with fastening means therebetween.

7. The frame structure of claim 5 wherein means for spacing the mounting bracket from the frame body is provided to accommodate a wall between the mounting bracket and the frame body, the spacing means abuttingly engaged between the front side of the frame body and the back side of the mounting bracket.

8. The frame structure of claim 5 wherein the securing means includes a pair of housing mounting flanges upstanding rearwardly in a perpendicular direction from the bracket perimeter region, each housing mounting flange having a generally flat shape and at least one aperture therethrough for receiving a fastener so that the housing mounting flange abuts and fastens to the housing.

9. The frame structure of claim 6 wherein each housing mounting flange being integrally formed with two opposed portions of the shoulder region and extending in the same plane beyond the distal edge of each opposed portion of the shoulder region.

10. The frame structure of claim 5 wherein the mounting bracket includes a second opening for receiving therethrough an auxiliary device associated with the housing.

11. A mounting assembly for association with a preformed aperture in a wall and for recessed mounting of a camera having a housing, the assembly comprising:

(A) a one-piece, unitary frame body having a front and back side, the frame body having;

(1) an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing, the frame body having a flattened perimeter region extending about the open central region, the perimeter region defined by an outer and inner edge, a plurality of apertures individually located in the perimeter region at periodically spaced intervals about and adjacent to the central region,

(2) a shoulder region upstanding rearwardly from and extending substantially about the perimeter region, the shoulder region having an outer and inner face, the inner face of the shoulder region being adjacent to the housing,

(3) a mounting flange upstanding rearwardly in a perpendicular direction from the perimeter region, the mounting flange having a generally flat shape and at least one aperture therethrough for receiving a fastener so that the mounting flange can abut and secure to a stud or cross-member of the wall; and

(B) a mounting bracket for the housing is provided, the mounting bracket having;

(1) a front and back side,

(2) an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing,

(3) a flattened perimeter region extending about the open central region with the back side adapted for making abutting engagement with the front side of the frame body, a plurality of apertures individually located in the bracket perimeter region at periodically spaced intervals about and adjacent to the bracket central region, the apertures of the frame body and bracket perimeter region being adapted to disengagedly connect with one another so that the back side of the mounting bracket mounts against the front side of the frame body,

(3) a shoulder region upstanding rearwardly from and extending substantially about the perimeter region, the shoulder region being adjacent to the housing,

(4) a pair of housing mounting flanges upstanding rearwardly in a perpendicular direction from the bracket perimeter region so that the housing is slightly tiltable to the desired angle, each housing mounting flange having a generally flat shape and at least one aperture therethrough to engage a fastener and abut the housing.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein means for spacing the mounting bracket from the frame body is provided to accommodate a wall between the mounting bracket and the frame body, the spacing means abuttingly engaged between front side of the frame body and the back side of the mounting bracket.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the assembly further includes a camera having a housing portion.

14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the body shoulder region extends from the outer edge of the body perimeter region, the body shoulder region extending substantially around the outer edge as a continuous shoulder.

15. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the width of the body and bracket perimeter regions adjacent each of the perimeter apertures is greater than between the respective perimeter apertures.

16. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the mounting flange being integrally formed with a portion of the body shoulder region, the mounting flange extending in the same plane beyond the distal edge of the body shoulder region.

17. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the body shoulder region includes at least one L-shaped flange attached the outer face of the body shoulder region, one leg of each L-shaped flange abutting the outer face of the body shoulder region, the opposite leg of each L-shaped flange perpendicularly upstanding from the outer face, the upstanding leg having means for fastening to the wall, the upstanding leg being positioned near the front face of the body perimeter region.

18. The assembly of claim 11 wherein each housing mounting frame being integrally formed with two opposed portions of the bracket shoulder region and extending in the same plane beyond the distal edge of the bracket shoulder.

19. The assembly of claim 11 wherein a cable adaptor assembly is provided, the adaptor assembly attached to the mounting bracket and having a plurality of terminals, one terminal for receiving a signal cable from the housing and providing output terminals for video and audio signals from the housing, an input terminal for receiving power from an external source and providing the power to the housing through the signal cable.

20. The assembly of claim 11 wherein a cover plate for the mounting bracket is provided, the cover plate substantially covering the mounting bracket and a portion of the open central region with an aperture in the cover plate positioned over the open central region, the cover plate attached to the mounting bracket with a fastening means therebetween.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the cover plate includes a second aperture therethrough to provide external access through the front of the cover plate for a auxiliary device associated to the housing.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the auxiliary device is a microphone or a doorbell.

23. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the spacing means includes a fastener having a cylindrical body, one end of the cylindrical body being threaded to engage a corresponding threaded aperture, the opposite end of the cylindrical body having a threaded hole extending into the cylindrical body for receiving a correspondingly threaded fastener.

24. A mounting assembly for association with a preformed aperture in a wall and for recessed mounting of a speaker having a housing, the assembly comprising:

(A) a one-piece, unitary frame body having a front and back side, the frame body having;

(1) an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing, the frame body having a flattened perimeter region extending about the open central region, the perimeter region defined by an outer and inner edge, a plurality of apertures individually located in the perimeter region at periodically spaced intervals about and adjacent to the central region,

(2) a shoulder region upstanding rearwardly from and extending substantially about the perimeter region, the shoulder region having an outer and inner face, the inner face of the shoulder region being adjacent to the housing,

(3) a mounting flange upstanding rearwardly in a perpendicular direction from the perimeter region, the mounting flange having a generally flat shape and at least one aperture therethrough for receiving a fastener so that the mounting flange can abut and secure to a stud or crossmember of the wall; and

(B) a mounting bracket for the housing is provided, the mounting bracket having;

(1) a front and back side,

(2) an open central region for receiving therethrough body portions of the housing,

(3) a flattened perimeter region extending about the open central region with the back side adapted for making abutting engagement with the front side of the frame body, a plurality of apertures individually located in the bracket perimeter region at periodically spaced intervals about and adjacent to the bracket central region, the apertures of the frame body and bracket perimeter region being adapted to disengagedly connect with one another so that the back side of the bracket perimeter region is mountable against the front face of the frame body perimeter region.

25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein a circuit board is provided, the circuit board attached to the mounting bracket and having a plurality of terminals, one terminal for receiving a signal from an auxiliary device and

26. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the assembly further includes a speaker having a housing portion.

27. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the body shoulder region extends from the outer edge of the body perimeter region, the body shoulder region extending substantially around the outer edge as a continuous shoulder.

28. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the width of the perimeter region adjacent each of the perimeter apertures is greater than between the perimeter apertures.

29. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the mounting flange being integrally formed with a portion of the shoulder region, the mounting flange extending in the same plane beyond the distal edge of the shoulder region.

30. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the shoulder region includes at least one L-shaped flange attached the outer face of the shoulder region, one leg of each L-shaped flange abutting the outer face of the shoulder region, the opposite leg of each L-shaped flange perpendicularly upstanding from the outer face, the upstanding leg having means for fastening to the wall, the upstanding leg being positioned near the front face of the perimeter region.

31. The assembly of claim 24 wherein a cover plate for the mounting bracket is provided, the cover plate substantially covering the open central region and mounting bracket, the cover plate attached to the mounting bracket with a fastening means therebetween.

32. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the cover plate includes an aperture therethrough to provide external access through the front of the cover plate for a auxiliary device associated to the housing.

33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein the auxiliary device is a microphone or a doorbell.

34. The assembly of claim 24 wherein means for spacing the mounting bracket from the frame body is provided to accommodate a wall between the mounting bracket and the frame body, the spacing means abuttingly engaged between front side of the frame body and the back side of the mounting bracket.

35. The assembly of claim 34 wherein the spacing means includes a fastener having a cylindrical body, one end of the cylindrical body being threaded to engage a corresponding threaded aperture, the opposite end of the cylindrical body having a threaded hole extending into the cylindrical body for receiving a correspondingly threaded fastener.

36. The assembly of claim 24 wherein means for spacing the mounting bracket from the frame body is provided to accommodate a wall between the mounting bracket and the frame body, the spacing means abuttingly engaged between front side of the frame body and the back side of the mounting bracket, the spacing means also abuttingly engaged with the circuit board positioned between the back side of the mounting bracket and the front side of the frame body.