Fastenerless connection for output device

• US 6,838,997 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2000
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pittway Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Davidson, Curtis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/553,578
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 340/691.1, 340/693.9, 174/53, 174/58, 174/54, 174/66, 174/55, 174/61, 174/67, 362/147, 362/368, 362/374, 439/535, 439/533, 439/536, 439/537, 439/538, 439/540.1, 439/541, 439/541.5, 439/544, 439/550, 439/552, 361/600, 361/728, 361/731, 361/732
• US Class Current: 340/693.9
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A plastic mounting plate closes a electrical box which delivers wires to an alarm unit or emergency light or the like. The alarm unit is mounted to the mounting plate by a snap connection and a tab-in-slot connection, without requiring the use of a tool. The mounting plate is connected to the electrical box by screws which engage threaded holes provided by the electrical box. The mounting plate can be mounted to either a single-wide electrical box or a double-wide (4×4) electrical box and provides corresponding holes for connection to either box. An alternate mounting plate for a single-wide electrical box is also provided.

Claims

1. An assembly for an electrical box, the electrical box, the plate having first and second spaced apart sides with at least one opening for connection to the box extending therethrough wherein the first side is oriented toward the box, when the plate is being connected to the box, and the second side is oriented outwardly, away from the box, wherein the plate carries on the second side, at least a first, slidable engagement member;

and

an alarm unit which has a mounting side which carries a second, slidable engagement member fixedly attached thereto wherein the two engagement members slidably engage one another thereby locking the alarm unit to the mounting plate, precluding rotation of the alarm uniot6, with the second side of the plate located adjacent to the mounting side of the unit.

3. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the plate carries one of a slot and a protrusion o the second side and the alarm unit carries a mating one of a protrusion and a slot whereby a respective slot and protrusion engage as the two engagement members slidably engage.

4. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the plate defines at least a second opening for receipt of at least one conductor for the alarm unit.

5. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the alarm unit defines an entry port for decoupling the engagement members.

6. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the alarm unit includes a decoupling structure for releasing the cou0pled engagement members from one another.

7. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein the alarm unit includes a decoupling structure for releasing the coupled engagement members from one another.

2. An assembly as in clam 1 wherein the engagement members slidably engage with a snap fit.