Hardware packaging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11390439-B2
Application number	US-201816028914-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2018
Priority date	Jul 7, 2017
Publication date	Jul 19, 2022
Grant date	Jul 19, 2022

Abstract

A hardware packaging assembly and method are provided. A hardware component has a front appearance surface and a back mounting surface. A package backing has a forward receiving surface to receive the back mounting surface of the hardware component. A retention feature protrudes from the package backing to engage the hardware component with an interference fit. The retention feature retains the hardware component on the package backing while maintaining the front appearance surface exposed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hardware packaging assembly comprising:
an electrical wall plate having a front appearance surface and a backside, wherein the electrical wall plate has an aperture extending from the backside through to the front appearance surface; and
a backing having a forward receiving surface adapted to receive the backside of the electrical wall plate; and
a retention feature integrally formed with and protruding from the backing, the retention feature engaging the electrical wall plate with an interference fit so that the front appearance surface of the electrical wall plate is exposed,
wherein the retention feature has a protrusion formed as a hardware shape that engages the aperture in the electrical wall plate and extends beyond the front appearance surface to simulate an installed configuration, wherein the protrusion has at least one detent to elastically deform and engage the electrical wall plate with a snap-fit to secure and retain the electrical wall plate to the backing,
wherein the backing does not cover the front appearance surface of the electrical wall plate.

2. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one hardware fastener; and
a fastener cavity for receiving the hardware fastener is defined along the backing, wherein the hardware fastener does not retain the electrical wall plate to the backing.

3. The hardware packaging assembly of in claim 1 , further comprising a display feature extending from the backing for retail display of the packaging.

4. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 3 , wherein the hardware shape comprises at least one of a switch and an electrical receptacle.

5. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the backing has a cavity defined by a plurality of side walls extending from the forward receiving surface.

6. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 5 , wherein the retention feature protrudes from at least one of the plurality of side walls.

7. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 5 , wherein the retention feature comprises a detent that protrudes from at least one of the plurality of side walls and extends generally parallel to the forward receiving surface of the backing, wherein the detent engages a periphery of the electrical wall plate.

8. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical wall plate has a plurality of side edges that define a periphery of the electrical wall plate, and wherein the backing does not cover at least one of the side edges.

9. A hardware packaging assembly comprising:
an electrical wall plate having a front appearance surface and a back mounting surface, wherein the electrical wall plate has an aperture extending from the back mounting surface through to the front appearance surface; and
a package backing having a front receiving surface to receive the back mounting surface of the electrical wall plate;
a retention feature protruding from the package backing to engage the electrical wall plate with an interference fit to retain the electrical wall plate on the package backing while maintaining the front appearance surface exposed,
wherein the retention feature protrudes from the front receiving surface of the package backing and extends through the aperture in the electrical wall plate and protrudes forward from the front appearance surface;
at least one hardware fastener for mounting the electrical wall plate; and
a fastener cavity for receiving the hardware fastener defined along the backing, wherein the hardware fastener does not retain the electrical wall plate to the backing.

10. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a display feature extending from the backing.

11. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the electrical wall plate has a plurality of side edges that define a periphery of the electrical wall plate, and wherein the backing does not cover at least one of the side edges.

12. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the retention feature is a protrusion shaped as at least one of a switch and an electrical receptacle and protrudes through aperture in the electrical wall plate and extends beyond the front appearance surface to simulate an installed configuration.

13. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the package backing is molded of at least one of pulp and plastic.

14. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the front appearance surface of the electrical wall plate is exposed and not covered by the package backing.

15. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the retention feature protrudes generally perpendicular from a front receiving surface of the package backing.

16. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the package backing has a recessed cavity and the retention feature protrudes from a periphery of the recessed cavity, wherein the retention feature engages a periphery of the electrical wall plate.

17. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 9 , wherein the retention feature includes at least one detent that adapted to elastically deform and engage the aperture with a snap-fit.

18. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 17 , wherein the retention feature protrudes generally perpendicular from the front receiving surface of the package backing and the detent extends transverse to the retention feature.

19. A hardware packaging assembly comprising:
an electrical wall plate having a front appearance surface and a back mounting surface; and
a package backing having a forward receiving surface to receive the back mounting surface of the electrical wall plate;
a retention feature protruding from the package backing to engage the electrical wall plate with an interference fit to retain the electrical wall plate on the package backing while maintaining the front appearance surface exposed,
wherein the electrical wall plate has a plurality of side edges that define a periphery of the electrical wall plate, and wherein the backing does not cover at least one of the side edges and the backing does not cover the front appearance surface of the electrical wall plate;
at least one hardware fastener for mounting the electrical wall plate; and
a fastener cavity for receiving the hardware fastener defined along the backing, wherein the hardware fastener does not retain the electrical wall plate to the backing.

20. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 19 , wherein the electrical wall plate has an aperture extending from the back mounting surface through to the front appearance surface, and
wherein the retention feature protrudes from the forward receiving surface of the package backing and extends through the aperture in the electrical wall plate.

21. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 20 , wherein the retention feature includes at least one detent that is adapted to elastically deform and engage the aperture with a snap-fit.

22. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 20 , wherein the retention feature is a protrusion shaped as at least one of a switch and an electrical receptacle and protrudes through aperture in the electrical wall plate and extend beyond the front appearance surface to simulate an installed configuration.

23. The hardware packaging assembly of claim 19 , further comprising a display feature extending from the backing.

Assignees

• Liberty Hardware Mfg Corp

Inventors

• Pruitt Ii James William
• Martin Ryan Patrick
• Daniels James Leroy

Classifications

• B65D75/366 Primary

  and forming one compartment · CPC title

• B65D75/367

  and forming several compartments · CPC title

• B65D73/0064

  the articles being supported by or suspended from a tag-like element · CPC title

• B65B15/00

  Attaching articles to cards, sheets, strings, webs, or other carriers · CPC title

• B65D73/0014 Primary

  by means of separate fixing elements, e.g. clips, clamps, bands · CPC title