Self-adjusting frame for mounting over a wall-mounted electrical device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11069490-B2
Application number	US-201916530474-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2019
Priority date	Mar 24, 2016
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

A mounting frame may be configured as a self-adjusting mounting frame that biases itself against a surface of structure. The mounting frame may be a component, for example, of a remote control device or a faceplate assembly. The mounting frame may be configured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against the surface of a structure. The mounting frame may include biasing members. Each biasing member may include an attachment portion and a pair of resilient spring arms that suspend the attachment portion relative to a perimeter wall of the mounting frame such that the attachment portion is spaced further from the rear surface of the mounting frame than locations where the spring arms extend from the mounting frame. The rear surface of the mounting frame may be defined by the perimeter wall.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control device that is configured for use in a load control system having a load control device, the load control device configured to control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the load control device, the remote control device comprising:
a mounting frame that is configured to be attached to a yoke of a mechanical switch installed in a wallbox, wherein the mechanical switch controls whether power is delivered to the electrical load;
a control unit that is configured to be attached to the mounting frame, the control unit comprising a control interface and a wireless communication circuit, the control unit configured to translate a user input from the control interface into a control signal that controls the load control device, the control unit further configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the control signal; and
a faceplate that is configured to be attached to the mounting frame, the faceplate having an opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of the control interface,
wherein the mounting frame comprises a biasing member that extends inward from a perimeter wall of the mounting frame, the biasing member configured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against an outer surface of a structure that surrounds the wallbox, and wherein the biasing member comprises an attachment portion that is suspended from the perimeter wall of the mounting frame, and wherein the attachment portion defines an aperture that extends therethrough; and
wherein the aperture is configured to receive a faceplate screw that causes the attachment portion to move toward the outer surface of the structure, thereby causing the biasing member to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structure.

2. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structure as the mounting frame is fastened to the yoke of the mechanical switch.

3. The remote control device of claim 2 , wherein the biasing member comprises a pair of resilient spring arms that suspend the attachment portion relative to the perimeter wall of the mounting frame, and wherein the faceplate screw is configured to secure the attachment portion against the yoke of the mechanical switch.

4. The remote control device of claim 3 , wherein the mounting frame comprises a pair of tabs that extend inward from the perimeter wall, and wherein each spring arm extends from the attachment portion to a respective one of the pair of tabs.

5. The remote control device of claim 4 , wherein the biasing member is configured such that the attachment portion is spaced further from the rear surface of the mounting frame than respective locations where the tabs extend from the perimeter wall.

6. The remote control device of claim 5 , wherein the biasing member is a first biasing member, and wherein the mounting frame further comprises a second resilient biasing member that is configured to cooperate with the first biasing member to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structure.

7. The remote control device of claim 6 , wherein the first biasing member is located at an upper end of the perimeter wall and the second biasing member is located at a lower end of the perimeter wall.

8. The remote control device of claim 5 , wherein the spring arms define respective curved geometries between the tabs and the attachment portion.

9. A mounting frame that is configured to be attached to an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the mounting frame comprising:
first and second biasing members that are configured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against an outer surface of a structure to which the mechanical switch is mounted;
an opening that is configured to surround a bezel of the mechanical switch when the mounting frame is attached to a yoke of the mechanical switch; and
a perimeter wall that defines the rear surface of the mounting frame,
wherein the first biasing member comprises a first pair of resilient spring arms that extend from the perimeter wall into the opening and a first attachment portion that is suspended from the perimeter wall of the mounting frame, and wherein the first attachment portion defines a first aperture that extends therethrough, and
wherein the second biasing member comprises a second pair of resilient spring arms that extend from the perimeter wall into the opening and a second attachment portion that is suspended from the perimeter wall of the mounting frame, and wherein the second attachment portion defines a second aperture that extends therethrough, and
wherein the first and second apertures are configured to receive respective faceplate screws that secure the first and second attachment portions to the yoke of the mechanical switch, and
wherein the first and second biasing members are configured such that, as the mounting frame is attached to the yoke of the mechanical switch, the faceplate screws cause the first and second attachment portions to move toward the outer surface of the structure, thereby causing the first and second pairs of spring arms to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structure.

10. The mounting frame of claim 9 , wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are spaced outward relative to the rear surface of the mounting frame.

11. The mounting frame of claim 9 , wherein the first biasing member is configured to receive a first faceplate screw and the second biasing member is configured to receive a second faceplate screw, and wherein the first and second biasing members cooperate to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structure as the first and second faceplate screws are driven into corresponding screw holes of the yoke of the mechanical switch.

12. A faceplate assembly comprising:
a mounting frame that is configured to be attached to a yoke of a wall-mounted control device installed in a wallbox, wherein the mounting frame comprises a first opening that is configured to surround a bezel of the wall-mounted control device when the mounting frame is attached to the yoke of the wall-mounted control device, and wherein the mounting frame comprises a perimeter wall that defines a rear surface of the mounting frame, and wherein the mounting frame comprises a biasing member that is configured to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against an outer surface of a structure that surrounds the wallbox, and wherein the biasing member comprises an attachment portion that is suspended from the perimeter wall of the mounting frame, the attachment portion defining an aperture that extends therethrough;
a faceplate screw that is configured to be received by the aperture to secure the attachment portion against the yoke of the wall-mounted control device, wherein the faceplate screw causes the attachment portion to move toward the outer surface of the structure, thereby causing the biasing member to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structure; and
a faceplate that is configured to be attached to the mounting frame, the faceplate having a second opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of a control interface that controls an amount of power delivered to an electrical load.

13. The faceplate assembly of claim 12 , wherein the control interface is defined by a control unit

Assignees

• Lutron Tech Co Llc

Inventors

• Dimberg Chris
• Mcdonald Matthew Philip

Classifications

• H05B47/1975

  Gesture control · CPC title

• H05B47/19

  via wireless transmission · CPC title

• H01H9/025

  Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation · CPC title

• H01H2300/03

  Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring · CPC title

• H01H9/02

  Bases, casings, or covers (accommodating more than one switch or a switch and another electrical component H02B1/26) · CPC title