WO2016114703A1

WO2016114703A1 - Back plate

Info

Publication number: WO2016114703A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/051377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harold Luik; Tom BINNEKAMP
Original assignee: Ascom Sweden Ab
Priority date: 2015-01-12
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2016-07-21

Abstract

Back plate in a device mounting system for arranging a device to an installation back box. The back plate comprises means to attach said back plate to the installation back box and at least one aperture extending through said back plate, wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a modular connector plug, preferably an RJ45 connector. The modular connector plug comprises a latching tab and the aperture is adapted to secure the modular connector plug within the aperture while securing said latching tab in a disengaged position.

Description

BACK PLATE

Technical field

[0001 ] The present invention relates generally to a device mounting system for electric equipment with an inventive back plate.

Background art

[0002] In prior art it is known to arrange devices, such as medical call panels, routers, telephone systems, access points, and other devices in offices, buildings, hospitals, and in domestic environments. Such devices are generally arranged on for example walls or ceilings and require installations. The installation process comprising installation of back boxes, pulling cables, and connecting and/or crimping plugs and sockets to the cables. The back boxes can be recessed or surface mounted and the cables are in general pulled through pipes running inside the walls. It is common to crimp connectors into place on the cables after the installation in order to make it easier to pull the cables through the pipes. In different parts of the world different diameters of piping are utilized, for example in Europe the most common standard is 16 mm diameter which allows for a few RJ- 45 cables to be arranged within the pipe simultaneously. Additionally, different sorts of back boxes are used in different parts of the world.

[0003] CAT-5 and CAT-6 cables equipped with RJ-45 connectors or other RJ- standard connectors are popular choices for installations of devices both in public, business, and domestic areas. Most installation engineers are thereby familiar with the RJ-standards and are effective in the skills of crimping connectors, debugging systems, and performing such installations. For this reason and many more is the RJ-45 standard the preferred choice for network installation of device.

[0004] Upon installing an RJ-standard connector there are two main options, either crimping a modular plug connector or installing a modular connector socket. For wall mounting of devices and other fixed installations the preferred choice in prior art is to install a socket as a wall mounted jack. The device is thereafter connected with a patch cable between the device and the wall socket. Mounting a socket manually is time consuming work wherein each conductor within the cable shall be placed and secured in the right position.

[0005] As previously stated, one of the most common standards to use are RJ- 45 connectors together with CAT-5 or CAT-6 cables. However, many different standards exists and out of those standardized connectors, such as registered jacks (RJ) RJ-45, RJ-61 , RJ- 25, RJ-14, and similar, most comprises latches that are adapted to secure the plug portion of the connector to the socket portion of the connector. The latches are very well adapted for securing a plug in a socket but as appreciated by the person skilled in the art they easily break.

[0006] There are multiple problems associated with the prior art solutions and the installation process thereof. For example, upon conducting installations it is rather uncommon to only install one cable and many devices requires more than one cable for their communication. In some cases, multiple devices shall be installed at the same location increasing the need for multiple cables. One problem with the prior art solutions is that the cables can easily be connected wrongly creating a situation wherein the cables for example are swapped between multiple devices. This is in prior art solved in a non-satisfactory way by for example labels that states an identification number for each cable. Another problem is that the amounts of installation errors due to the connection of sockets to cables are extensive. Yet another problem is that when a device finally is installed they are normally arranged in a public environment. This has the effect that cables easily may become disconnected, for example during cleaning of the area or due to an act of sabotage.

Summary of invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a solution for easy and secure mounting of a device to a surface, such as a wall.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution minimizing the risk of connecting cables to the wrong device, or in the wrong port at the right device. [0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to improve security of network installations.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need of replacing patch cables with damaged latches.

[001 1 ] Thus, the invention relates to a back plate in a device mounting system for arranging a device to an installation back box. The back plate comprises means to attach said back plate to the installation back box and at least one aperture extending through said back plate. The aperture is adapted to receive a modular connector plug, preferably an RJ45 connector, and a latching tab thereof and the aperture is adapted to secure said modular connector plug within the aperture while securing said latching tab in a disengaged position.

[0012] It is one advantage with the present solution that the latching tab arranged on a modular connector plug is secured in a disengaged position preventing it from locking a modular connector socket placed in electrical connection with the modular connector plug. This enables for a device, receiving said modular connector socket, to be connected and disconnected without the need to disengage the latch. This further provides multiple advantages over prior art solutions regarding utilizing mounting of a device. The back plate is part of a device mounting system adapted to arrange a device on for example a wall or cable tray and it is one advantage of the present solution that the modular connector socket is arranged on the back of the device creating a solution wherein the device can be arranged directly to the back plate.

[0013] Furthermore, through securing the latching tab in a disengaged position the latching tab is protected from interference of users connecting and

disconnecting the device which has the advantage that the latching tabs don't break as easily.

[0014] In one embodiment of the back plate in a device mounting system is the aperture adapted to secure the modular connector plug in a position where the modular connector plug extends from said back plate in an outwards direction that enables one or more electric connecting surfaces of said modular connector plug to engage with an electric connecting surface of a corresponding modular connector plug.

[0015] It is an advantage of the present solution that the modular connector plug extends from the back plate in an outwards direction in order to facilitate mounting of the device thereto. The device for use with any embodiment of the back plate in a device mounting system preferably comprises modular connector sockets arranged on the back face of said device. Said modular connector sockets are furthermore preferably adapted for enabling an electric connection engagement to the modular connector plugs extending from the back plate.

[0016] It is another advantage of the present solution that the need for a separate patching cable is eliminated. This improves the security of installations both through concealing the modular connectors and thereby preventing an unauthorized user to plug in a non-authorized device on the network. This improves the vulnerability of the system. Furthermore, removing the patch cable decreases the risk that the device is unintentionally disconnected, or intentionally through an act of sabotage or disconnection.

[0017] In one embodiment of the back plate in a device mounting system, the at least one aperture comprises a first notch arranged to secure the modular connector plug in a first longitudinal direction of the aperture and a second notch arranged to secure the modular connector plug in a second longitudinal direction of the aperture.

[0018] It is an advantage of the back plate that the aperture is designed to secure the modular connector plug from movement in all directions.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the back plate in a device mounting system are the means to attach the back plate to the installation back box at least two fastening tabs.

[0020] According to one embodiment of a device mounting system comprising a back plate, the device mounting system further comprises connection attachment means, a device, a cable, at least one modular connector plug, and an installation back box.

[0021 ] According to one embodiment of a device, such as a nurse call system panel, in a device mounting system, does the device comprise corresponding modular connector sockets adapted for electric connection to the modular connector plugs extending from the back plate.

[0022] The device can be any form of device, such as a router, access point, medical call system, or any other form of device. In a preferred embodiment are the devices adapted for communication systems.

[0023] According to one aspect for securing at least one modular connector plug comprising a latching tab in a back plate arranged in a device mounting system, wherein the device mounting system is adapted for arranging a device to an installation back box, wherein

the back plate comprises means to attach said back plate to the installation back box and at least one aperture extending through said back plate,

are the following steps performed:

- the modular connector plug attaches to a cable that through electric installation is located in the installation back box,

- the modular connector plug, preferably an RJ45 connector, is entered into said aperture,

- the aperture secures the modular connector plug within the aperture, and

- the aperture secures said latching tab in a disengaged position.

[0024] According to one embodiment are the following steps further performed:

- the aperture secures the modular connector plug in a position where the modular connector plug extends from said back plate in a outwards direction that enables one or more electric connect surfaces of said modular connector plug to mate with electric connect surface of a corresponding modular connector socket.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the aperture further comprises a first notch arranged to secure the modular connector in a first longitudinal direction of the aperture and a second notch arranged to secure the modular connector plug in a second longitudinal direction of the aperture.

Brief description of drawings

[0026] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 illustrates the prior art solution comprising a wall mounted socket.

[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates an unassembled view of the device mounting system comprising a back plate.

[0029] Fig. 3 illustrates a device adapted to be arranged with the device mounting system.

[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the device mounting system

comprising a back plate, a front plate, modular connectors, and a back box.

[0031 ] Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the device mounting system

comprising a back plate, a front plate, connectors, and a back box wherein the device mounting system is assembled.

[0032] Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the device mounting system wherein a device is arranged to the device mounting system.

[0033] Fig. 7 illustrates two states of a standard RJ-connector, preferably an RJ- 45 connector.

[0034] Fig. 8 illustrates a cross section view of the back plate.

[0035] Fig. 9 illustrates a view of an embodiment of an aperture.

[0036] Fig. 10 illustrates a cross section view of the back plate with a modular connector plug secured thereto. [0037] Fig. 1 1 illustrates a cross section of a back plate with a modular connector plug secured thereto and a corresponding cross section of a front plate with a modular connector socket.

Description of embodiments

[0038] In the following, a detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention is disclosed under reference to the accompanying drawings. All examples herein should be seen as part of the general description and are therefore possible to combine in any way of general terms. Individual features of the various embodiments and aspects may be combined or exchanged unless such combination or exchange is clearly contradictory to the overall function of the device mounting system.

[0039] Briefly described the invention relates to a device mounting system and a back plate thereof which are adapted to increase the efficiency of installing devices that are mounted on surfaces such as walls, ceilings, or any other surface suitable to mount a device on.

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a prior art solutions wherein a back plate 1 1 of a device connection system comprises a socket 12 adapted to receive a first plug 5a. The first plug 5a is attached to a cable 4, such as a patch cable, which in turn is connected to a device 21 through a second plug 5b adapted to fit in a socket of said device 21 . The connection creates an electrical connection between the device connection system and the device 21 . The device 21 is in turn for example mounted on a wall or ceiling close to the back plate 1 1 .

[0041 ] The back plate 1 1 is arranged on a back box (not shown) and the sockets 12 are connected to cables on the back of said back plate 1 1 . This solution has many drawbacks in comparison to the novel device mounting system as will be further described below.

[0042] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the device mounting system 2 in an exploded diagram view wherein the back plate 1 is illustrated from the view showing the side that will abut the back box 3 when the system 2 is fully assembled. The back box 3 in this example host three cables 4 comprising one modular connector plug 5 each. The modular connector plugs 5 can be any form of connectors comprising a locking mechanism such as a latch 9 or latching tab 9. In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2 are the modular connectors of an RJ-standard, such as RJ-45.

[0043] The back plate 1 comprises a number of apertures 8 corresponding to the number of cables 4 in the back box 3. The person skilled in the art

understands that the number of apertures 8 in the back plate 1 can be any reasonable number, for example one, two, three, four, five, etc.

[0044] Different embodiments of the back plate 1 comprise different means 7 for attaching the back plate 1 to a back box 3. The attaching means 7 may vary between different embodiments due to for example different sizes and/or different standards in different parts of the world. The person skilled in the art knows that the standards for back boxes 3 differs both regarding size and shape depending on the geographical region wherein the installation takes place.

[0045] Figure 3 illustrates a device 21 illustrated from a front 31 a view and a back 31 b view wherein the front 31 a comprises for example a user panel comprising interaction means 32, 33 such as buttons 32 and a display 33. The person skilled in the art understands that the design of the device 21 may vary depending on the intended use. In one embodiment is the device 21 an access point without any interaction means 32, 33 constituted of a back 31 b and a front 31 a wherein the front 31 a solely is a surface.

[0046] Figure 3 further illustrates the back 31 b view of the device 21 comprising corresponding modular connector sockets 41 that are adapted to mate with the modular connector plugs 5 extending through the back plate 1 as illustrated in Figure 2. The modular connector sockets 41 are in one embodiment of the device mounting system arranged as embedded parts of the device 21 , in another are the modular connector sockets 41 part of a front plate 22 adapted to be arranged in abutment with the device 21 . [0047] Figure 4 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment wherein a front plate 22 with modular connector sockets 41 is illustrated in relation to the back plate 1 . Figure 4 illustrates how the modular connector plugs 5 are adapted to mate with the modular connector sockets 41 . The embodiment as illustrated in Figure 4 illustrates the modular connector sockets 41 arranged on a front plate 22, however it shall be noted that in another non-limiting embodiment are the modular connector sockets 41 instead arranged directly on the device 21 or embedded therein.

[0048] Figure 4 further illustrates parts of the device mounting system 2 in an assembled state wherein the back plate 1 is attached to the back box 3 and the modular connector plugs 5 extends through the apertures 8 and thereby extends outwards in a direction away from the back box 3 in order to enable them to engage with the corresponding modular connector sockets 41 .

[0049] If an operator wishes to remove the modular connector plugs 5 from the apertures 8 the modular connector plugs 5 may be easily removed by entering a narrow object into the second limited section 8d (see figure 8).

[0050] Figure 5 illustrates an assembled view of the device mounting system 2 comprising a back plate 1 , front plate 22, and a back box 3. Figure 5 further illustrates guiding means 51 adapted to guide the front plate 22 into position. It should be noted that the guiding means 51 as illustrated in Figure 5 instead could be arranged in a device 21 , or in a similar way adapted to said device 21 .

[0051 ] The device 21 and/or the front plate 22 may be arranged to the back plate through any form of connection means, such as clips, screws, or any other form of suitable connection means.

[0052] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment wherein the front plate 22 has been removed and the modular connector sockets 41 instead are arranged as part of the device 21 .

[0053] Figure 7 illustrates a standard RJ modular connector plug 5, preferably modular RJ-45 connector plug 5, in two different states S71 , S72. The modular connector plug 5 comprises a locking means 9 that in a preferred embodiment is a latch 9 or a latching tab 9 as illustrated in Figure 7. The latching tab 9 is in a first state S71 engaged and in a second state S72 disengaged. The engaged state S71 and the disengaged state S72 are adapted to enable a user to connect and disconnect the modular connectors 5, 41 from each other. To further clarify the difference, the engaged state S71 is the state wherein the locking function of said latching tab 9 is engaged and thereby, if arranged in engagement with a socket, the plug is secured in its current position. The disengaged state S72 is the state wherein the locking function is disengaged and the plug can move freely.

[0054] The latching tab 9 is originally designed to secure the modular connector plug 5 in a socket 12 through a front portion 72 of said latch securing the modular connector plug 5 in position. The front portion 72 is actuated through moving the latching tab 9 between said engaged S71 and disengaged S72 states.

[0055] On the side of the modular connector plug 5 opposite to the latching tab 9 is a notch 10 arranged adapted to stop the modular connector plug 5 at the right position when connected to a modular connector socket 12.

[0056] Figure 8 illustrates a cross view of the back plate 1 wherein an aperture 8 is illustrated. The aperture 8 has a first main section 8a extending all the way through said back plate 1 and a second main section 8b that is narrow in relation to the first main section 8a but together creating a section of the aperture 8 that is through going. The aperture 8 further has a first 8c and second 8d limited section that extends a portion of the total depth of the back plate 1 . The first limited section 8c comprises a notch 61 arranged to limit a modular connector plug 5 from movement in a first longitudinal direction of the aperture 8 in a direction away from the back box 3. The second limited section 8d comprises a second notch 62 that is arranged to limit a modular connector plug 5 from movement in a second longitudinal direction of the aperture 8 in a direction towards the back box 3. The second notch 62 is adapted to engage with the latching tab 9 of the modular connector plug 5. [0057] Figure 9 illustrate a close up view of the aperture 8 with the first 8c and second 8d limited sections and the first 8a and second 8b main sections.

Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the modular connector plug 5 is secured within the back plate 1 through means of the latch 9 abutting the second notch preventing the modular connector plug 5 from moving in a in the above stated second longitudinal direction. The modular connector plug 5 is also secured in the aforementioned first longitudinal direction through means of the notch 10 of the modular connector plug 5 abutting the first notch 61 of the aperture 8 of the back plate 1 .

Figure 1 1 illustrates the modular connector plug 5 secured in the aperture 8 of the back plate 1 and in electric connection with a corresponding modular connector socket 41 .

Claims

1 . A back plate (1 ) in a device mounting system (2) for attaching a device (21 ) to an installation back box (3), wherein said back plate (1 ) comprises means (7) to attach said back plate (1 ) to the installation back box (3) and at least one aperture (8) extending through said back plate (1 ),

characterized in that the aperture (8) is adapted to receive a modular connector plug (5), preferably an RJ45 connector, and a latching tab (9) thereof, and in that the aperture (8) is adapted to secure said received modular connector plug (5) within the aperture (8) while securing said received latching tab (9) in a

disengaged position.

2. The back plate (1 ) in a device mounting system (2) according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture (8) is adapted to secure the modular connector plug (5) in a position where the modular connector plug (5) extends from said back plate (1 ) in an outwards direction that enables one or more electric connect surfaces of said modular connector plug (5) to engage with an electric connect surface of a corresponding modular connector plug (5).

3. The back plate (1 ) in a device mounting system (2) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least one aperture (8) comprises a first notch (61 ) arranged to secure the modular connector plug (5) in a first longitudinal direction of the aperture (8) and a second notch (62) arranged to secure the modular connector plug (5) in a second longitudinal direction of the aperture (8).

4. The back plate (1 ) in a device mounting system (2) according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein said means (7) to attach the back plate (1 ) to the installation back box (3) are at least two fastening tabs (7).

5. A device mounting system (2) comprising a back plate (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein said device mounting system (2) further comprises a device (21 ) with connection attachment means (22) adapted to secure the device (21 ) in the device mounting system (2), at least one modular connector plug (5) connected to a cable (4), and an installation back box (3).

6. A device (21 ), such as a nurse call system panel, in a device mounting system (2) according to claim 5, wherein said device (21 ) comprises

corresponding modular connector sockets (41 ) adapted for electric connection to the modular connector plugs (5) extending from the back plate (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 - 4.

7. A method for securing at least one modular connector plug (5) comprising a latching tab (9) in a back plate (1 ) arranged in a device mounting system (2), wherein the device mounting system (2) is adapted for arranging a device (21 ) to an installation back box (3), wherein

the back plate (1 ) comprises means (7) to attach said back plate (1 ) to the installation back box (3) and at least one aperture (8) extending through said back plate (1 ),

characterized by the steps:

- the modular connector plug (5) attaches to a cable (4) that through electric installation is located in the installation back box (3),

- the modular connector plug (5), preferably an RJ45 connector, is entered into said aperture (8),

- the aperture (8) secures the modular connector plug (5) within the aperture (8), and

- the aperture (8) secures said latching tab (9) in a disengaged position.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the steps:

- the aperture (8) secures the modular connector plug (5) in a position where the modular connector plug (5) extends from said back plate (1 ) in a outwards direction that enables one or more electric connect surfaces of said modular connector plug (5) to mate with electric connect surface of a corresponding modular connector socket (41 ).

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the aperture

(8) further comprises a first notch (61 ) arranged to secure the modular connector plug (5) in a first longitudinal direction of the aperture (8) and a second notch (62) arranged to secure the modular connector plug (5) in a second longitudinal direction of the aperture (8).