Powered communication connection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10233620-B2
Application number	US-201514599406-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 16, 2015
Priority date	Jan 17, 2014
Publication date	Mar 19, 2019
Grant date	Mar 19, 2019

Abstract

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing power and/or communication to a device, such as a dispenser, a flush valve of a bathroom device, a hygiene opportunity measurement device, a hands free faucet, etc. For example, a mounting system comprises a mounting plate that may attach to a structure, such as a wall. The mounting plate may comprise a mounting connector that may be configured to mate with a device connector of the device to establish a connection. Power may be provided to the device through the connection. A communication may be provided for the device through the connection. For example, the device may send current device statuses, usage metrics, and/or other information to a remote source. The remote source may send instructions, data collection requests, functionality changes, and/or other information to the device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting system for providing at least one of power or communication to a device, the mounting system comprising:
a mounting plate configured to mount to a structure, the mounting plate comprising:
a mounting configuration comprising a keying feature that is configured to allow for removable attachment of the device to the mounting plate when the device satisfies the keying feature and inhibit attachment of the device to the mounting plate when the device does not satisfy the keying feature; and
a mounting connector configured to mate with a device connector of the device to establish a connection between the mounting plate and the device, the mounting connector configured to at least one of:
provide power for the device through the connection; or
provide a communication for the device through the connection; and

at least one of an arresting portion or an attachment portion supported on at least one of the mounting plate or the device, the arresting portion configured to inhibit the attachment of the device to the mounting plate when the device does not satisfy the keying feature, the attachment portion configured to allow for the removable attachment of the device to the mounting plate when the device satisfies the keying feature, wherein at least one of:
the arresting portion is movable between an extended position, in which the arresting portion inhibits the attachment of the device to the mounting plate, and a retracted position, in which the arresting portion does not inhibit the attachment of the device to the mounting plate; or
the attachment portion is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;
wherein the keying feature comprises at least one of an electrical keying feature, an electromagnetic keying feature, or an electromechanical keying feature.

2. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a stationary mounting surface.

3. The mounting system of claim 1 , comprising an external device that is configured to communicate with at least one of the mounting plate or the device, the external device configured to selectively satisfy the keying feature and allow for removable attachment of the device to the mounting configuration.

4. A mounting system for providing at least one of power or communication to a device, the mounting system comprising:
a mounting plate configured to mount to a structure, the mounting plate comprising:
a mounting connector configured to mate with a device connector of the device to establish a connection between the mounting plate and the device, the mounting connector configured to at least one of:
provide power for the device through the connection; or
provide a communication for the device through the connection;

at least one of an arresting portion or an attachment portion supported on at least one of the mounting plate or the device, the arresting portion configured to inhibit attachment of the device to the mounting plate when a keying feature is not satisfied, the attachment portion configured to allow for removable attachment of the device to the mounting plate when the keying feature is satisfied, wherein at least one of:
the arresting portion is movable between an extended position, in which the arresting portion inhibits the attachment of the device to the mounting plate, and a retracted position, in which the arresting portion does not inhibit the attachment of the device to the mounting plate; or
the attachment portion is movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and

an external device that is configured to communicate with at least one of the mounting plate or the device, the external device configured to selectively satisfy the keying feature.

5. The mounting system of claim 4 , wherein the arresting portion and the attachment portion are supported on the mounting plate.

6. The mounting system of claim 5 , wherein the mounting plate defines a front surface and a side surface that is non-parallel to the front surface, the arresting portion supported on the front surface, the attachment portion supported on the side surface.

7. A mounting system for providing at least one of power or communication to a device, the mounting system comprising:
a mounting plate configured to mount to a structure, the mounting plate comprising:
a mounting connector configured to mate with a device connector of the device to establish a connection between the mounting plate and the device, the mounting connector configured to at least one of:
provide power for the device through the connection; or
provide a communication for the device through the connection; and

at least one of an arresting portion or an attachment portion supported on at least one of the mounting plate or the device, the arresting portion configured to inhibit attachment of the device to the mounting plate when a keying feature is not satisfied, the attachment portion configured to allow for removable attachment of the device to the mounting plate when the keying feature is satisfied, wherein at least one of:
the arresting portion is movable between an extended position, in which the arresting portion inhibits the attachment of the device to the mounting plate, and a retracted position, in which the arresting portion does not inhibit the attachment of the device to the mounting plate; or
the attachment portion is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

wherein the keying feature comprises at least one of an electrical keying feature, an electromagnetic keying feature, or an electromechanical keying feature.

8. The mounting system of claim 7 , wherein the arresting portion and the attachment portion are supported on the mounting plate.

9. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the mounting plate defines a front surface and a side surface that is non-parallel to the front surface, the arresting portion supported on the front surface, the attachment portion supported on the side surface.

10. The mounting system of claim 7 , wherein the mounting connector is configured to:
provide the power for the dispenser through the connection; and
provide the communication for the dispenser through the connection.

11. The mounting system of claim 7 , wherein when the device is attached to the mounting plate, the arresting portion is in the retracted position and the attachment portion is in the extended position.

12. The mounting system of claim 7 , wherein the arresting portion is movable along an arresting axis and the attachment portion is movable along an attachment axis, the arresting axis non-parallel to the attachment axis.

Assignees

• Gojo Ind Inc

Inventors

• Wegelin Jackson William
• Ciavarella Nick Ermanno
• Levy Stephen

Classifications

• A47K10/24

  Towel dispensers; Toilet paper dispensers · CPC title

• A47K2010/3226

  collecting data of usage · CPC title

• A47K2201/00

  Details of connections of bathroom accessories, e.g. fixing soap or towel holder to a wall · CPC title

• A47K5/1217

  Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism · CPC title

• E03C1/057 Primary

  touchless, i.e. using sensors · CPC title