Spring-loaded dog assembly which enables a bezel of a speaker system and structure holding electric device to be mounted in ceilings and walls without having to use external retaining means

• US 6,588,543 B1
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audio Products International Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audio Products International Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Inventors: Tchilinguirian, Meguerditch John
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): San Martin, Edgardo
• Application Number:
  US09/947,187
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 181/148, 181/150, 381/386, 381/395, 381/87, 362/364, 362/365, 362/366, 362/368, 362/370, 362/371, 362/147, 362/148, 411/340, 411/341, 411/342, 411/345, 411/347, 411/349
• US Class Current: 181/150
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/02 by means of fastening members using screw-thread F16B5/0004 takes precedence; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0664 at least one of the sheets or plates having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases

Abstract

A mounting bracket comprises a plurality of spring-loaded dog assemblies for retaining a bezel to a ceiling or wall of a building structure without having to use external attachments. Each dog assembly has a dog tower which is molded to the rear the bezel. The dog tower has a spiral slot opening on one side which enables a dog member to be placed therein and rotated down or up within the dog tower to clamp to the material of the wall or ceiling. A notch is provided on the spiral slot opening to fix the dog member in a pre-mounting position. The dog member has a dog post that fits inside of the dog tower, where a clamping dog leg extends from the side of the dog post and has a bump that mates with the notch on the dog tower to fix the dog member in the pre-mounting condition. A coil spring is inserted inside the dog tower and between the dog post and a bottom of the dog tower. A hole in the bezel centered in the dog tower accommodates a screw which is threaded into a threaded insert at the base of the dog post.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket for mounting a speaker system to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the mounting bracket comprising:

a. a generally rectangular shaped bezel having a front side, a rear side, a recess opening, a lower ledge surrounding the recess opening, and an upper ledge surrounding the lower ledge and the recess opening, the lower ledge having a plurality of spaced apart apertures therethrough;

b. a plurality of spring-loaded dog assemblies, each having a hollow cylindrical dog tower integrally formed to a bottom surface of said lower ledge on said rear side of said bezel, the dog tower having a spiral slot opening on one side which enables a movable dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having a notch located on the spiral slot opening for securing the movable dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

c. said movable dog member having a connecting section, a cylindrical dog post integrally formed at one end of the connecting section and movable within said dog tower, and a clamping dog leg integrally formed at the other end of the connecting section, where the cylindrical dog post and the clamping dog leg extend in opposite directions, the connecting section having a ridge which mates with said notch on said dog tower for securing said movable dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

d. a coil spring inserted within said dog tower of said each spring-loaded assembly and located between a bottom of said dog tower and one end of said cylindrical dog post, where the coil spring is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition;

e. a generally rectangular shaped fixture sized to fit within said recess opening of said bezel such that the fixture rests on said lower ledge and below said upper ledge, the fixture having a front side, a rear side and a plurality of spaced apart slotted keyholes extending therethrough; and

f. a plurality of fixture screws, each fixture screw having one end inserted through said each aperture on said lower ledge of said bezel and threaded into an insert within said cylindrical dog post, the other end of said each fixture screw inserted into said each slotted keyhole on said fixture which provides an axial lock for retaining and securing said fixture to said bezel;

g. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said movable dog member of said each spring-loaded dog assembly past said notch on said dog tower, said coiled spring then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said each fixture screw out of said bezel, where said each fixture screw is screwed to secure said fixture to said bezel.

2. A mounting bracket for mounting a speaker system to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the mounting bracket comprising:

a. a generally circular shaped bezel having a front side, a rear side, a recess opening, a lower ledge surrounding the recess opening, and an upper ledge surrounding the lower ledge and the recess opening, the lower ledge having a plurality of spaced apart apertures therethrough;

b. a plurality of spring-loaded dog assemblies, each having a hollow cylindrical dog tower integrally formed to a bottom surface of said lower ledge on said rear side of said bezel, the dog tower having a spiral slot opening on one side which enables a movable dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having a notch located on the spiral slot opening for securing the movable dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

c. said movable dog member having a connecting section, a cylindrical dog post integrally formed at one end of the connecting section and movable within said dog tower, and a clamping dog leg integrally formed at the other end of the connecting section, where the cylindrical dog post and the clamping dog leg extend in opposite directions, the connecting section having a ridge which mates with said notch on said dog tower for securing said movable dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

d. a coil spring inserted within said dog tower of said each spring-loaded assembly and located between a bottom of said dog tower and one end of said cylindrical dog post, where the coil spring is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition;

e. a generally circular shaped fixture sized to fit within said recess opening of said bezel such that the fixture rests on said lower ledge and below said upper ledge, the fixture having a front side, a rear side and a plurality of spaced apart slotted keyholes extending therethrough; and

f. a plurality of fixture screws, each fixture screw having one end inserted through said each aperture on said lower ledge of said bezel and threaded into an insert within said cylindrical dog post, the other end of said each fixture screw inserted into said each slotted keyhole on said fixture which provides an axial lock for retaining and securing said fixture to said bezel;

g. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said movable dog member of said each spring-loaded dog assembly past said notch on said dog tower, said coiled spring then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said each fixture screw out of said bezel, where said each fixture screw is screwed to secure said fixture to said bezel.

3. A mounting bracket for mounting an object to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the mounting bracket comprising:

a. a bezel having a recess opening, a lower ledge surrounding the recess opening, and an upper ledge surrounding the lower ledge and the recess opening, the lower ledge having a plurality of apertures therethrough;

b. a plurality of spring-loaded dog assemblies, each having a dog tower formed to said lower ledge of said bezel, the dog tower having a spiral slot opening on one side which enables a movable dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having means for securing the movable dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

c. said movable dog member having a connecting section, a dog post formed at one end of the connecting section and movable within said dog tower, and a clamping dog leg formed at the other end of the connecting section, the connecting section having a protrusion which mates with said securing means on said dog tower for securing said movable dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

d. spring means inserted within said dog tower of said each spring-loaded assembly and located between a bottom of said dog tower and said dog post, where the spring means is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition;

e. a fixture positioned within said recess opening of said bezel such that the fixture rests on said lower ledge and below said upper ledge, the fixture having a plurality of slotted keyholes extending therethrough; and

f. a plurality of screws, each screw having one end inserted through said each aperture on said lower ledge of said bezel and threaded into said dog post, the other end of said each screw inserted into said each slotted keyhole on said fixture which provides an axial lock for retaining and securing said fixture to said bezel;

g. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said movable dog member of said each spring-loaded dog assembly past said securing means on said dog tower, said spring means then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said each screw out of said bezel, where said each screw is screwed to secure said fixture to said bezel.

4. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said fixture is used for a speaker system.

5. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said fixture is used for a can light.

6. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bezel is generally a rectangular shape.

7. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bezel is generally a circular shape.

8. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said securing means includes a notch located on said dog tower.

9. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said dog post and said dog leg extend in opposite directions.

10. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 3, wherein said spring means includes a coil spring.

11. A mounting bracket for mounting an object to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the mounting bracket comprising:

a. a bezel having a recess opening and at least two apertures therethrough;

b. at least two spring-loaded dog assemblies, each having a dog tower attached to said bezel, the dog tower having a spiral slot opening which enables a dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having means for securing the dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

c. said dog member having a connecting section, a dog post attached at one end of the connecting section and a dog leg attached at the other end of the connecting section, the connecting section having a protrusion which mates with said securing means on said dog tower for securing said dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

d. spring means inserted within said dog tower of said each spring-loaded assembly and between a base of said dog tower and said dog post, where the spring means is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition;

e. a baffle positioned within said recess opening of said bezel such that the baffle is almost within said bezel and having a plurality of slotted openings extending therethrough; and

f. at least two retaining means, each retaining means having one end inserted through said each aperture on said bezel and attached to said dog post, and the other end inserted into said each slotted opening on said baffle for retaining and securing said baffle to said bezel;

g. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said dog member of said each spring-loaded dog assembly past said.securing means on said dog tower, said spring means then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said each retaining means out of said bezel, where said each retaining means secures said baffle to said bezel.

12. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said baffle is used for a speaker system.

13. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said baffle is used for a can light.

14. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said bezel is generally a rectangular shape.

15. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said bezel is generally a circular shape.

16. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said securing means includes a notch located on said dog tower.

17. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said dog post and said dog leg extend in opposite directions.

18. The mounting bracket in accordance with claim 11, wherein said each retaining means includes an elongated screw.

19. A spring-loaded dog assembly used in conjunction with a bezel and a fixture for mounting a speaker system to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the spring-loaded dog assembly comprising:

a. a hollow cylindrical dog tower integrally formed to a bottom surface of said bezel and having a spiral slot opening on one side which enables a movable dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having a notch located on the spiral slot opening for securing the movable dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

b. said movable dog member having a connecting section, a cylindrical dog post integrally formed at one end of the connecting section and movable within said dog tower, and a clamping dog leg integrally formed at the other end of the connecting section, where the cylindrical dog post and the clamping dog leg extend in opposite directions, the connecting section having a ridge which mates with said notch on said dog tower for securing said movable dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

c. a coil spring inserted within said dog tower and located between a bottom of said dog tower and one end of said cylindrical dog post, where the coil spring is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition; and

d. a fixture screw having one end inserted through an aperture on said bezel and threaded into an insert within said cylindrical dog post, and the other end inserted into a slotted keyhole on said fixture which provides an axial lock for retaining and securing said fixture to said bezel;

e. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said movable dog member past said notch on said dog tower, said coiled spring then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said fixture screw out of said bezel, where said fixture screw is screwed to secure said fixture to said bezel.

20. A spring-loaded dog assembly used in conjunction with a bezel and a fixture for mounting an object to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the spring-loaded dog assembly comprising:

a. a dog tower attached to said bezel and having a spiral slot opening on one side which enables a movable dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having means for securing the movable dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

b. said movable dog member having a connecting section, a dog post formed at one end of the connecting section and movable within said dog tower, and a clamping dog leg formed at the other end of the connecting section, the connecting section having a protrusion which mates with said securing means on said dog tower for securing said movable dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

c. spring means inserted within said dog tower and located between a bottom of said dog tower and said dog post, where the spring means is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition; and

d. a screw having one end inserted through an aperture on said bezel and threaded into said dog post, and the other end inserted into a slotted keyhole on said fixture which provides an axial lock for retaining and securing said fixture to said bezel;

e. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said movable dog member past said securing means on said dog tower, said spring means then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said screw out of said bezel, where said screw is screwed to secure said fixture to said bezel.

21. The spring-loaded dog assembly in accordance with claim 20, wherein said securing means includes a notch located on said dog tower.

22. The spring-loaded dog assembly in accordance with claim 20, wherein said dog post and said dog leg extend in opposite directions.

23. The spring-loaded dog assembly in accordance with claim 20, wherein said spring means includes a coil spring.

24. A spring-loaded dog assembly used in conjunction with a bezel and a baffle for mounting an object to a wall or ceiling of a building structure, the spring-loaded dog assembly comprising:

a. a dog tower attached to said bezel and having a spiral slot opening which enables a dog member to be placed therein and rotatable up or down within the dog tower for clamping to a material of the wall or ceiling, the dog tower further having means for securing the dog member in a pre-mounting condition;

b. said dog member having a connecting section, a dog post attached at one end of the connecting section and a dog leg attached at the other end of the connecting section, the connecting section having a protrusion which mates with said securing means on said dog tower for securing said dog member in the pre-mounting condition;

c. spring means inserted within said dog tower and between a base of said dog tower and said dog post, where the spring means is in a compressed condition in the pre-mounting condition and in an uncompressed condition in a mounting condition; and

d. retaining means having one end inserted through an aperture on said bezel and attached said dog post, and the other end inserted into a slotted opening on said baffle for retaining and securing said baffle to said bezel;

e. whereby when an installer takes said bezel and puts said bezel in a hole in said wall or ceiling, said bezel fits flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling, the installer reaches inside said bezel and pushes said dog member past said securing means on said dog tower, said spring means then forces said dog leg to spiral around said spiral slot opening and firmly and securely clamps the material of said wall or ceiling and spring motion forces said retaining means out of said bezel, where said retaining means secures said baffle to said bezel.

25. The spring-loaded dog assembly in accordance with claim 24, wherein said securing means includes a notch located on said dog tower.

26. The spring-loaded dog assembly in accordance with claim 24, wherein said dog post and said dog leg extend in opposite directions.

27. The spring-loaded dog assembly in accordance with claim 24, wherein said retaining means includes an elongated screw.