Ceiling device system for securing of devices in a ceiling

• US 8,235,349 B1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oberon, Inc. (Chatsworth Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oberon, Inc. (Chatsworth Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thompson, Scott D., Conklin, Ricky L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Kimberly
• Application Number:
  US11/609,380
• Time in Patent Office: 2,065 Days
• Field of Search: 248/551, 248/552, 248/553, 248/220.22, 248/220.21, 248/222.13, 248/224.8, 248/225.11, 248/317, 248/343, 248/298.1, 312/245, 312/246, 312/222, 312/215, 701/63, 701/66, 701/67, 701/68, 701/69, 70D/IG.34, 70/58, 109/50, 109/51, 109/52
• US Class Current: 248/553
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5562 Removable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5575 Directly seating

Abstract

A ceiling device system for securing a device in a ceiling. The ceiling device system includes a cover plate to simulate a ceiling and has a device opening to receive the device. The ceiling device system includes a sliding mechanism mounted on an inside surface of the cover plate. The sliding mechanism includes a sliding component which moves within an area about the device opening. The ceiling device system includes a lock mechanism connected to the sliding component. The lock mechanism connected such that movement of the lock mechanism moves the sliding component. The ceiling device system includes a device mounting plate with slide tabs to engage the device and mounted to the sliding component of the sliding mechanism. The slide tabs are shaped to slide within the device to lock the device in the device opening of the cover plate due to movement of the sliding component.

Claims

1. A ceiling device system for securing a device in a ceiling, comprising:

a cover plate to simulate a ceiling and is adapted to be installed in a ceiling, said cover plate including a device opening adapted to receive the device, said cover plate having an outside surface and an inside surface;

a sliding mechanism mounted on said inside surface of said cover plate, said sliding mechanism including a sliding component which is allowed to move within an area about said device opening of said cover plate,

a lock mechanism connected to said sliding component, said lock mechanism connected such that movement of said lock mechanism moves said sliding component within said area about said device opening of said cover plate; and

a device mounting plate with slide tabs adapted to engage the device and mounted to said sliding component of said sliding mechanism, said slide tabs being shaped and adapted to slide within the device to lock the device in said device opening of said cover plate due to movement of said sliding component of said sliding mechanism by movement of said lock mechanism.

2. The ceiling device system of claim 1, wherein said cover plate simulates a ceiling tile used in a suspended ceiling systems.

3. The ceiling device system of claim 1, further including a secure box mounted to said inside surface of said cover plate and over said sliding mechanism to prevent tampering of said sliding mechanism.

4. The ceiling device system of claim 1, further including a lock tab on said device mounting plate adapted to be fastened to a lock tab of the device.

5. The ceiling device system of claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism requires a security key to operate said lock mechanism.

6. The ceiling device system of claim 1, wherein said sliding mechanism includes two side rails attached to said cover plate and wherein said side rails each include slide guides to retain said sliding component and provide a path of travel for said sliding component.

7. The ceiling device system of claim 6, wherein said sliding component is a plate which slides along said slide guides.

8. The ceiling device system of claim 6, further including a secure box mounted to said inside surface of said cover plate and over said sliding mechanism to prevent tampering of said sliding mechanism.

9. The ceiling device system of claim 6, wherein each of said side rails includes a side, bottom flange, top flange, upper slide guide and lower slide guide;

wherein said bottom flange extends from said side and mounts to said cover plate;

wherein said top flange extends from said side; and

wherein said upper slide guide and lower slide guide extend from said side and are parallel to each other, and said upper slide guide and said lower slide guide being spaced apart just enough to allow the sliding component to slide between said upper slide guide and said lower slide guide.

10. The ceiling device system of claim 9, further including a secure cover mounted over said two side rails and said sliding component to secure such.

11. The ceiling device system of claim 10, wherein said sliding component is a plate which slides along said slide guides.

12. The ceiling device system of claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism includes a cam plate which rotates due to operation of said lock mechanism and wherein said sliding component includes cam tabs located such that said cam plate can contact any of said cam tabs and move said sliding component within said area about said device opening of said cover plate and hence move said device mounting plate in relation to the device.

13. The ceiling device system of claim 6, wherein said lock mechanism includes a cam plate which rotates due to operation of said lock mechanism and wherein said sliding component includes cam tabs located such that said cam plate can contact any of said cam tabs and move said sliding component within said area about said device opening of said cover plate and hence move said device mounting plate in relation to the device.

14. The ceiling device system of claim 7, wherein said lock mechanism includes a cam plate which rotates due to operation of said lock mechanism and wherein said plate includes cam tabs located such that said cam plate can contact any of said cam tabs and move said plate within said area about said device opening of said cover plate and hence move said device mounting plate in relation to the device.

15. The ceiling device system of claim 9, wherein said lock mechanism includes a cam plate which rotates due to operation of said lock mechanism and wherein said sliding component includes cam tabs located such that said cam plate can contact any of said cam tabs and move said sliding component within said area about said device opening of said cover plate and hence move said device mounting plate in relation to the device.

16. The ceiling device system of claim 11, wherein said lock mechanism includes a cam plate which rotates due to operation of said lock mechanism and wherein said plate includes cam tabs located such that said cam plate can contact any of said cam tabs and move said plate within said area about said device opening of said cover plate and hence move said device mounting plate in relation to the device.

17. The ceiling device system of claim 13, further including a secure cover mounted over said two side rails and said sliding component to secure such.

18. The ceiling device system of claim 14, further including a secure cover mounted over said two side rails and said sliding component to secure such.

19. The ceiling device system of claim 15, further including a secure cover mounted over said two side rails and said sliding component to secure such.

20. The ceiling device system of claim 16, further including a secure cover mounted over said two side rails and said sliding component to secure such.

21. A ceiling device system for securing a device in a ceiling, comprising:

a cover plate to simulate a ceiling and is adapted to be installed in a ceiling, said cover plate including a device opening adapted to receive the device, said cover plate having an outside surface and an inside surface;

a device mounting plate adapted to engage the device and hold the device within said device opening, such that the device is disposed within the walls of said device opening;

a sliding mechanism having a section mounted on said inside surface of said cover plate and a section mounted to said device mounting plate, said sliding mechanism to receive and hold said device mounting plate, said section of said sliding mechanism mounted to said cover plate large enough to allow said device mounting plate to move within an area about said device opening of said cover plate; and

a lock mechanism connected to said cover plate, said lock mechanism connected such that movement of said lock mechanism engages and holds in place said device mounting plate.

22. The ceiling device system of claim 21, wherein said cover plate simulates a ceiling tile used in a suspended ceiling systems.