The present invention relates generally to a mounting device for removably coupling a system to a sub-system.

AU 645 008 B2 relates to a storage container for storage of articles (perishable or otherwise) having a base member, a top member and an intermediate member. The members are connected to each other using a connecting member provided with a bead like arrangement. In controller systems, it is typical to require a system to be mechanically coupled to a sub-system in the form of an adapter for mechanical actuation or to establish electrical connectivity. In many instances, the adapter may be operated within a vibratory environment and would necessitate firm and secured coupling. However, as the adapter is required to be changed and /or serviced from time to time, permanent means of coupling is not desirable.

Presently, there are various means in which detachable coupling may be achieved. One of such is through surface adhesion means. The reliability of surface adhesion however, is greatly reduced when coupled components are operated within a vibratory environment. Other mechanical fastening means such as spring clips, sliding fit connectors or screws have also been commonly used. However, these methods are cumbersome particularly within a space constraint controller unit and would also necessitate the use of specialized tools during mounting or dismounting.

As evidenced from the above discussion, it is desirable to provide an alternative to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned problems.

In accordance to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controller unit according to claim 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongated bar is instantly snapped within the channel once the bar traverses beyond the ledge's corner.

In a preferred embodiment, the handles are disposed substantially at opposite corners of the base bracket.

In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for removably coupling a sub-system to a system according to claim 11.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of exerting the handles inward further includes the step of traversing the elongated bar along the ledge and past the ledge's threshold corner to instantly snap the bar into the channel.

• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention;
• Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the invention including a pair of handles;
• Fig. 3a shows a cross sectional view of the invention with an elongated bar of the handles contacting surface of a ledge;
• Figs. 3b-3c show cross sectional views of the invention with the elongated bar of the handles being pushed past the ledge toward a channel; and
• Fig. 3d shows a cross sectional view of the invention with the elongated bar of the handles disposed within the channel.

The present invention provides an apparatus 100 for mounting and retaining a sub-system 120 onto system 135 as shown in Fig. 1. The sub-system 120 may be removably coupled to system 135 in the form of an adapter and once coupled, sub-system 120 is secured within apparatus 100 in a firm retaining relationship with system 135.

The present invention advantageously facilitates the quick mounting and demounting of sub-system 120 and system 135 without requiring additional or specialized tools. The system 135 comprises a circuit breaker and sub-system 120 comprises a circuit breaker adapter.

The apparatus 100 comprises a base bracket 212, a first handle 215 and a second handle 218 as shown in Fig. 2. The base bracket 212 further comprises two parallel sidewalls 223 and 225 in which mounting holes 228-231 are formed near the four corners of the sidewalls. Preferably, the base bracket 212 is made of a metal, however it may also be made of hard plastic or any other material suitable for mounting support.

Each of the handles 215 and 218 comprises a first arm 233 and a second arm 236 that are coupled at each proximal end by an elongated bar 240. Projections 244-247, preferably in the form of tubular or cylindrical projections are formed at the distal end of the arms 233 and 236 for insertion into the mounting holes 228-231 to form a pivoting. The pivoting allows rotational movement of the handles 215 and 218 relative to the base bracket 212.

The sub-system 120 comprises a channel 312 with a ledge 315 formed along each top 142 and bottom 143 lateral extensions of sub-system 120 as shown in Fig. 3a. The ledge 315 further includes a corner 322 formed between the meeting of the ledge 315 and the channel 312. The channel 312 serves to maintain a mounted structure, in this case, the elongated bar 240 in position, whereby the elongated bar 240 is disposed within the channel 312 and is abutted against the corner 322 of the ledge 315 by a tension acting from the handles 215 and 218 relative to the base bracket 212.

Preferably, the first arm 233, second arm 236 and elongated bar 240 are made of a resilient material which would resiliently provide a clamping engagement for retaining sub-system 120 with system 135 once the elongated bar 240 is abutted against the corner 322 of the ledge 315.

In one embodiment of the invention, the width of the elongated bar 240 is formed to match the width of the channel 312 so that the bar 240 may be disposed firmly within the channel 312.

In another embodiment of the invention, the width of the elongated bar 240 may be made slightly wider than the width of the channel 312 so that when the bar 240 is disposed within the channel 312, the entire surface length of the resilient bar 240 is constricted by an inward tension from the contacting walls of the channel 312. The constriction advantageously allows an elastic deformation of the elongated bar 240 and resulting an outward tension from the surface length of the elongated bar 240 against the contacting walls of the channel 312, thereby providing a firm embedding of the elongated bar 240 within the channel 312.

Preferably, the elongated bar 240 is made of a rectangular shape although other shapes such as circular, triangular or hexagonal may also be used.

When the elongated bar 240 is abutted against the corner 322 of the ledge 315, the resilient handles 215 and 218 are put in tension relative to the base bracket 212. The handles 215 and 218 now operate as a clamper that clamps sub-system 120 and system 135 in a firm clamping engagement.

When in used, the system 135 is coupled to the base bracket 212 through a securing device, such as screws. The base bracket 212 may in turn be mounted onto the wall of a controller box. The sub-system 120 is coupled to system 135 and the handles 215 and 218 are turned into contacting the top 142 and bottom 143 lateral extensions of sub-system 120.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated bar 240 is disposed within the channel 312 through a snapping-action means. The means includes biasing the handles 215 and 218 by traversing the handles 215 and 218 inward relative to sub-system 120 along and against surface traction of the ledge 315 towards the channel 312. Once the elongated bar 240 traverses past the threshold corner 322 of the ledge 315, the bar 240 instantly snaps into channel 312 and retained therein by abutting against the corner 322 of the ledge 315.

The abutment of the elongated bar 240 against the corner 322 of the ledge 315 sets the handles 215 and 218 in a biased state. The resilient handles 215 and 218 are thereby set in tension relative to the base bracket 212. This allows the handles 215 and 218 to now operate as a clamper that clamps sub-system 120 and system 135 in a firm clamping engagement.

When required, the clamping may be disengaged by pushing the handles 215 and 218 out from the channel 312. Removably engaging the handles 215 and 218 from sub-system 120 advantageously facilitates the quick mounting and dismounting of sub-system 120 from system 135 and without requiring any specialized tools.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description but with reference to the appended claims.