DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to mounting structures and more particularly, relates to a modular mounting structure for receiving a plurality of electrical components.

BACKGROUND

Generally, either in rural areas or urban areas, the use of electrical/electronic devices has increased exponentially. In this regard, houses, or any commercial spaces, either in the urban area or the rural area, are not well equipped with multiple wall-fitted electrical components, for example, electrical connectors, to ensure ease of charging or powering of the above-mentioned devices. For example, a room in the house or the commercial space, generally, has either one or two electrical connectors (charging sockets) to facilitate charging/powering of the electronic devices like laptops, phones, television, fans, coolers, emergency lights, etc. So, the user has to prioritize the charging/powering of the devices according to their use and the number of electrical components, for example, electrical connectors provided in the vicinity. Further, in such cases, major issues arise when the power supply cuts/stops during powering/charging of the devices. Hence, there is a need to provide alternate solutions so that the user can charge/power multiple devices at the same time.

Conventionally, there are many alternate solutions provided in known arts such as a power strip, and a three-pin connector. The three-pin connector has limitations as it is directly connected to a main electrical connector, thus, reducing ease of accessibility for the user. Further, different countries have distinct electrical standards and regulations which leads to a requirement for different types of electrical connectors for charging/powering devices. For instance, if the user wants to operate a device, in a country, standardized as per the requirement of another country, then the user may not be able to charge/power such device by using electrical connectors standardized to another country. Therefore, in order to use the device universally, the user may require to purchase a separate electrical socket compatible with such a device.

This increases the hassle for the user to separately carry multiple electrical connectors based on the requirement which is also not an economically beneficial solution. Thus, in the future, for buying such type of product/devices, every time, the user has to be conscious about a charging pin of such devices that whether the charging pin is compatible with the existing electrical connector/three pin connector, present in the home or the commercial space.

Another solution proposed is the power strip. The power strip is defined as a block of electrical connectors attached to an end of a flexible cable, where the flexible cable attaches to a main electrical connector provided in the house or the commercial space. The power strip provides charging/powering of the multiple devices from the main electrical connector. However, the power strip has limitations/disadvantages as the power strip is made up of one single unit, thus, in case of any electrical issue, it restricts the ease of accessibility of the electrical connectors from inside of the power strip, due to which the user has to discard the entire power strip. The electrical connectors are connected in series and are connected with a common metal strip where power comes from one side through a socket, so, if a short circuit happens in one electrical connector, the user has to scrap the entire power strip or has to give the same to an electrician for repairing. This configuration as disclosed increases the maintenance cost for the user.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved cost-effective modular mounting structure ensuring ease of assembly, ease of accessibility of electrical components, for example, a plurality of electrical connectors installed in the structure, and overcoming the disadvantages as explained in above mentioned paragraphs.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a modular mounting structure is disclosed. The modular mounting structure comprises a first member and a second member. The first member has a plurality of receiving members. The second member is adapted to be detachably attached to the first member to define a housing. Further, the second member has a plurality of extended members. Each of the plurality of receiving members detachably receives each of the plurality of extended members to attach the first member and the second member to form an octagonal-shaped structure.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1a illustrates a side view of a modular mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 1b illustrates a bottom view of the modular mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 1c illustrates different views of the modular mounting structure with a plurality of electrical connectors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2a illustrates an exploded view of the modular mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 2b illustrates a perspective view of the modular mounting structure with an opening having a wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1a illustrates a side view of a modular mounting structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1b illustrates a bottom view of the modular mounting structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1c illustrates different views of the modular mounting structure 100 with a plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The modular mounting structure 100 may be employed to charge/power multiple electrical/electronic appliances at a time. The modular mounting structure 100 may be adapted to removably support various electrical components, for example, the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120. In an embodiment, the modular mounting structure 100 may be adapted to be positioned or placed vertically on a surface, such as a horizontal surface. In an exemplary implementation, the modular mounting structure 100 is a movable structure which may be placed, anywhere, in a house, or in a commercial space for charging/powering various devices, such as household appliances. In an embodiment, constructional aspects associated with the modular mounting structure 100 may be optimized to enhance overall assembly of the modular mounting structure 100. This substantially reduces overall time consumed in assembling and disassembling the modular mounting structure 100. Further, this ensures ease of accessibility of the electrical components, for example, the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120 installed in the modular mounting structure 100. In particular, the modular mounting structure 100 may include at least a pair of detachable members that can be combined to form a structure having an octagonal shape.

Constructional and operational details of the modular mounting structure 100 are explained in detail in the subsequent paragraphs of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, the modular mounting structure 100 may include, but is not limited to, a top portion 101, a plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109, and a bottom portion 121. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion 121 may be adapted to be in contact with a ground in a manner that the modular mounting structure 100 may be vertically supported on the ground along a central axis CC’. Further, the plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109 may be positioned circumferentially between the top portion 101 and the bottom portion 121. Further, the modular mounting structure 100 may be embodied as the octagonal structure. In an embodiment, the modular mounting structure 100 may be referred to as the octagonal modular mounting structure 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is explained with respect to the modular mounting structure 100 having the octagonal structure. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the present disclosure is equally applicable to the modular mounting structure 100 having different shaped structures as well, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109 may be attached to the top portion 101 and the bottom portion 121, such that, the configuration accommodates electrical components, for example, the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120 and a plurality of electrical wires (not shown) corresponding to each of the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 101 may also include an electrical connector 122 in the modular mounting structure 100. Further, each of the plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109, may include a vertical portion 105, a first inclined portion 106, and a second inclined portion 107. The first inclined portion 106 may be positioned between the top portion 101 and the vertical portion 105 of the modular mounting structure 100. The second inclined portion 107 may be positioned between the vertical portion 105 and the bottom portion 121 of the modular mounting structure 100.

For sake of brevity, constructional details of the pillars are explained with respect to only pillar 102. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the present disclosure is equally applicable to other pillars 104, 108, 109, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pillar 102 from the plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109 comprises a vertical portion 105a, a first inclined portion 106a, and a second inclined portion 107a. The first inclined portion 106a may be positioned between the top portion 101 and the vertical portion 105a of the modular mounting structure 100. The second inclined portion 107a may be positioned between the vertical portion 105a and the bottom portion 121 of the modular mounting structure 100. This configuration ensures a compact structure of the modular mounting structure 100. The plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109 may be disposed in a manner that the pillar 102 and the pillar 108 may be positioned opposite to each other. Similarly, the pillar 104 and the pillar 109 may be positioned opposite to each other. This configuration eliminates interference of one electrical connector with other surrounding electrical connectors, while assembling and accessing the electrical connector among the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120.

Further, the modular mounting structure 100 may include a plurality of depressed portions 103, 110, 111, 112. Each of the plurality of depressed portions 103, 110, 111, 112 may be formed between two adjacent pillars from among the plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109. For instance, referring to Figure 1b, a depressed portion 103 may be formed between the pillars 104, 102. Similarly, a depressed portion 110 may be formed between the pillars 104, 108. Further, a depressed portion 111 may be formed between the pillars 108, 109. Furthermore, the depressed portion 112 may be formed between the pillars 109, 102. In an exemplary implementation, the depressed portion 103 comprises a vertical portion 123, a first inclined portion 125, and a second inclined portion 124. The first inclined portion 125 may be positioned between the vertical portion 123 and the top portion 101. The second inclined portion 124 may be positioned between the vertical portion 123 and the bottom portion 121.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the top portion 101 and the bottom portion 121 is formed in a circular shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This configuration ensures a closed and compact structure of the modular mounting structure 100. The configuration further reduces weight and size of the modular mounting structure 100, thus, ensuring ease of positioning and handling of the modular mounting structure 100. The configuration, therefore, becomes ergonomically compatible for the user and also, eliminates requirement of additional material, thus, becoming economically beneficial.

Figure 2a illustrates an exploded view of the modular mounting structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2b illustrates a perspective view of the modular mounting structure 100 with an opening 116 having a wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the modular mounting structure 100 comprises a first member 201, and a second member 202. The first member 201 has a plurality of receiving members 203, 205, 217, 218. The second member 202 has a plurality of extended members 204, 206, 213, 214.

Each of the plurality of receiving members 203, 205 may be adapted to detachably receive each of the plurality of extended members 204, 206, respectively. Similarly, each of the plurality of extended members 213, 214 may be adapted to be detachably received by the plurality of receiving members 217, 218 to form the modular mounting structure 100 having the octagonal shape. This configuration ensures ease of assembling and disassembling the modular mounting structure 100 by separating two halves, such as the first member 201 and the second member 202, from each other. This substantially increases overall modularity of the modular mounting structure 100. This configuration also ensures positioning and handling of the modular mounting structure 100 thus being ergonomically efficient for the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second member 202 is adapted to be detachably attached to the first member 201 to define a housing 215. The housing 215 (as shown in Figure 2b) accommodates electrical components, for example, the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120 (as shown in Figure 1c). This configuration ensures efficient fit and flush of the plurality of electrical components 115, 116, 119, 120 with the modular mounting structure 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first member 201 comprises a bottom horizontal portion 207, a vertical portion 208, and a top horizontal portion 209. The second member 202 comprises a bottom horizontal portion 210, a vertical portion 211, and a top horizontal portion 212. Each of the bottom horizontal portion 207 and the top horizontal 209 portion of the first member 201 comprises the plurality of receiving portions 203, 205, 217, 218. Further, each of the bottom horizontal portions 210 and the top horizontal portion 212 comprises the plurality of extended portions 204, 206, 213, 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the extended portions 204, 206 may laterally extend from an inner surface of the bottom horizontal portion 210 of the second member 202. Similarly, the extended portions 213, 214 may laterally extend from an inner surface of the top horizontal portion 212 of the second member 202.

Each of the bottom horizontal portion 207 and the top horizontal portion 209, of the first member 201, may be attached to the bottom horizontal portion 210 and the top horizontal portion 212, respectively, of the second member 202, via the plurality of receiving portions 203, 205, 217, 218 and the plurality of extended portions 204, 206, 213, 214 to form the modular mounting structure 100. Each of the bottom horizontal portion 207 and the top horizontal portion 209, of the first member 201, may be attached to the bottom horizontal portion 210 and the top horizontal portion 212, respectively. The attachment may be such that the vertical portion 208 of the first member 201 and the vertical portion 211 of the second member 202 may be radially positioned away from the central axis CC’ of the housing 215. This configuration ensures the octagonal shape of the modular mounting structure 100 and also, provides an internal space referred to here as the housing 215.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 215 may include a plurality of openings 219 to accommodate each of the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120 and the electrical connector 122 disposed on the top portion 101. Further, each of the plurality of openings 219 may include a plurality of walls 220 projected towards the housing 215 forming a U-shaped profile. This configuration of the plurality of openings 219 ensures a water-resistant modular mounting structure 100. Further, the housing 215 accommodates the plurality of electrical components, for example, the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119,120 and the electrical connector 122 disposed at the top portion 121, as required in the modular mounting structure 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the bottom horizontal portion 207 and the top horizontal portion 209, of the first member 201, may be attached to the bottom horizontal portion 210 and the top horizontal portion 212 to form the top portion 101 (as shown in Figure 1a) and the bottom portion 121 (as shown in Figure 1b), respectively. The vertical portion 208 of the first member 201 and the vertical portion 211 of the second member 202 comprise the plurality of pillars 102, 104, 108, 109 (as shown in Figure. 1c) and the plurality of depressed portions 103, 110, 111, 112 (as shown in Figure. 1c).

More precisely, in an exemplary implementation, the first member 201 comprises a plurality of first partial depressed portions 112a, 103a, and the second member 202 comprises a plurality of second partial depressed portions 112b, 103b from the plurality of depressed portions 103, 110, 111, 112. The first member 201 may be detachably attached to the second member 202 in a manner that the first partial depressed portion 112a may coincide with the second partial depressed portion 112b. Similarly, the first partial depressed portion 103a may coincide with the second partial depressed portion 103b.

Further, the first member 201 and the second member 202 comprise a first partial opening 216a and a second partial opening 216b. Further, the first member 201 and the second member 202 attach in a manner to coincide the first partial opening 216a and the second partial opening 216b to form an opening 216. The opening 216 may be adapted to support the elongated wire of the modular mounting structure 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the first partial depressed portion 112a comprises the first partial opening 216a and the second partial depressed portion 112b comprises the second partial opening 216b. The first partial opening 216a and the second partial opening 216b may be detachably attached to each other and form the opening 216. In particular, the first member 201 may be detachably attached to the second member 202 in a manner that the first partial opening 216a coincides with the second partial opening 216b to form the opening 216.

The opening 216 channelizes an elongated wire of the modular mounting structure 100 to a main electrical connector in the house or the commercial space. This ensures ease of accessing of the modular mounting structure 100 anywhere in the house or the commercial space. Further, the opening 216 act as a guiding member to open the modular mounting structure 100. This configuration ensures ease of assembly of the modular mounting structure 100 and also ensures ease of replacement, and customization of the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120 installed in the modular mounting structure 100. Further, the configuration also ensures changing/replacement of the plurality of electrical connectors 115, 116, 119, 120 and the electrical connector disposed at a top portion 121 as per the user’s choice, thus ensuring modularity of the modular mounting structure 100 by providing customization and also, reduces the hassle of the user for buying new product each time.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A modular mounting structure (100), the modular mounting structure (100) comprising:
a first member (201) having a plurality of receiving members (203, 205, 217, 218); and
a second member (202) adapted to be detachably coupled to the first member to define a housing (215), and having a plurality of extended members (204, 206, 213, 214);
wherein, each of the plurality of receiving members (203, 205, 217, 218) detachably receives each of the plurality of extended members (204,206, 213,214) to attach the first member (201) and the second member (202), to form an octagonal shaped structure.
2. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member (201) comprises a bottom horizontal portion (207), a vertical portion (208), and a top horizontal portion (209).

3. The modular mounting structure 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second member (202) comprises a bottom horizontal portion (210), a vertical portion (211), and a top horizontal portion (212).

4. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the bottom horizontal portion (207) and the top horizontal (209) portion comprises the plurality of receiving portions (203, 205, 217, 218).

5. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the bottom horizontal portion (210) and the top horizontal portion (212) comprises the plurality of extended portions (204, 206, 213, 214).

6. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the bottom horizontal portion (207) and the top horizontal portion (209) of the first member (201) are adapted to be attached to the bottom horizontal portion (210) and the top horizontal portion (212), respectively, of the second member (202),
wherein the vertical portion (208) of the first member (201) and the vertical portion (211) of the second member (202) are radially positioned away from a central axis CC’ of the housing (215).

7. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in one of claim 2 and 3, wherein the bottom horizontal portion (207) and the top horizontal portion (209) of the first member (201) is adapted to be attached to the bottom horizontal portion (210) and the top horizontal portion (212), respectively, of the second member (202), to form a top portion (101), a bottom portion (121).

8. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the vertical portion (208) of the first member (201) and the vertical portion (211) of the second member (202) comprises a plurality of pillars (102, 104, 108, 109) and a plurality of depressed portions (103, 110, 111, 112).

9. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first member (201) comprises a plurality of first partial depressed portions (112a, 103a) and a second member (202) comprises a plurality of second partial depressed portions (112b, 103b),
wherein the first member (210) is detachably attached to the second member (202) in a manner that the first partial depressed portion (112a) coincides with the second partial depressed portion (112b) and the first partial depressed portion (103a) coincides with the second partial depressed portion (103b).

10. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first partial depressed portion (112a) comprises a first partial opening (216a) and the second partial depressed portion (112b) comprises a second partial opening (216b),
wherein the first member (201) is detachably attached with the second member (202) in a manner that the first partial opening (216a) coincides with the second partial opening (216b) to form an opening (216).

11. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the top portion (101) and the bottom portion (121) are embodied as a circular-shaped structure.

12. The modular mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member (201) and the second member (202) comprises of a first partial opening (216a) and a second partial opening (216b), where the first member (201) and the second member (202) attaches in a manner to form an opening (216) adapted to support elongated wire of the modular mounting structure (100).