Multifunctional mounting bracket for an electrical device

• US 7,793,901 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: De Wit, Ruud, Van Bruinessen, Ko
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US11/583,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20080048076A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 248/207, 248/300, 248/309.1
• US Class Current: 248/207
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

In the daily live electrical devices are used in connection with a plurality of applications like telephone systems, computer systems and so on. These electrical devices should be mounted to a support to keep order within such electrical or electronic systems and thus achieve systems comprising electrical devices with a reproducible output and which are reliable and easy to maintain. A multifunctional mounting bracket 1 for an electrical device 25 is proposed comprising means for mounting 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19 the electrical device 25 on a first support whereby a first mounting angle between the electrical device 25 and the first support is defined and for mounting the electrical device 25 on an alternative second support whereby a second mounting angle between the electrical device and the second support is defined, and whereby the second mounting angle is different from the first mounting angle.

Claims

1. A multi-functional mounting bracket for an electrical device, comprising

means for mounting the electrical device on a first support and defining a first mounting angle between the electrical device and the first support, which means include first fastening means for fastening the mounting bracket to the first support and first connecting means for connecting the mounting bracket with the electrical device;

and

means for mounting the electrical device on an alternative second support and defining a second mounting angle between the electrical device and the second support, which means include second fastening means for fastening the mounting bracket to the second support and second connecting means for connecting the mounting bracket with the electrical device;

wherein the second mounting angle is different from the first mounting angle;

wherein the mounting bracket comprises a first section, a second section and a third section in an arrangement defining a three-sectional shape with a broadened U-shaped cross-section; and

wherein said first section comprises said second fastening means, said second section comprises said first fastening means and said first connecting means and said third section comprises said second connecting means.

2. A multi-functional mounting bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting the electrical device on the first support is configured so as to allow a mounting of the electrical device to the first support in a manner selected from the group consisting of a parallel mounting and a substantially parallel mounting, said means for mounting the electrical device on the second support being configured so as to allow a mounting of the electrical device to the second support in a manner selected from the group consisting of a perpendicular mounting and a substantially perpendicular mounting.

3. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second mounting means and said first and second connecting means are arranged separately from each other on the mounting bracket.

4. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said fastening means and at least one of said connecting means are configured as recesses in the mounting bracket.

5. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 3, wherein both said fastening means and both said connecting means are configured as recesses in the mounting bracket.

6. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is configured as a one-piece part.

7. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket has a three-sectional shape, with a first section, a second section, and a third section.

8. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 6, wherein said first section comprises said second fastening means, said second section comprises said first fastening means and said first connecting means, and said third section comprises said second connecting means.

9. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 8, wherein said sections are arranged with a cross-section selected from the group consisting of a U-shaped cross-section and a broadened U-shaped cross-section, such that a lying leg is defined by said second section.

10. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastening means is configured as at least one protruded region defining a contact area for a wall or a ceiling with a recess for accommodating a fixing means.

11. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein said second fastening means is configured as a hole for accommodating a pin or a threaded bolt of a tripod.

12. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein said first connecting means is configured with at least one first receptacle for accommodating a mounting link of the electrical device, whereby said mounting link is fixed by sliding movement along a first sliding direction.

13. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 12, wherein said second connecting means is configured as at least one second receptacle for accommodating the mounting link of the electrical device, whereby said mounting link is fixed by sliding movement along a separate sliding direction, which his different from the first sliding direction.

14. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein said second connecting means comprise holes for accommodating pins protruding from mounting links of the electrical device for securing the electrical device to the mounting bracket.

15. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical device has third connecting means adapted to match with said first and second connecting means on the mounting bracket.

16. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is integrated in the electrical device for a first support installation.

17. A multi-functional bracket as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket protrudes out of the electrical device for a second support installation.