US20140014408A1

US20140014408A1 - Wall grommet for routing cables inside walls

Info

Publication number: US20140014408A1
Application number: US14/029,263
Authority: US
Inventors: Joe A. Milheiro; Daron Callahan
Original assignee: Wiremold Co
Current assignee: Wiremold Co
Priority date: 2011-06-01
Filing date: 2013-09-17
Publication date: 2014-01-16
Also published as: US20120305868A1; CA2778520A1; USD779435S1; US8651460B2; CA2778520C; USD792347S1; US9184579B2; US20140158958A1; US20190036319A1; US20140361231A1; US11942773B2; US10090658B2; US20220255306A1

Abstract

Provided is a grommet for routing one or more cables through the interior space of a wall. The grommet may be configured to be inserted through a hole in a surface of the wall and mounted substantially flush with the surface of the wall to route one or more cables in the wall's interior space. The grommet can be used to route power cords and low-voltage cables for audio and video applications. For instance, the grommet may be configured to allow a cable to be inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall and into the interior space of the wall. Also, the grommet may be configured to hold an end of a cable so that the cable may be routed through the interior space of the wall.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/247,573 filed on Sep. 28, 2011 and published as United States Publication No. 2012/0305868, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/492,179 filed Jun. 1, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present application has particular applicability for the installation of electronic equipment, where it may be desirable to route power cords and audio/video cables inside walls.

BACKGROUND

In certain electronic equipment installations, it may be desirable to route power cords and audio/video cables inside walls to hide them from view and to provide a clean finished appearance to the electronic equipment installation.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present application, provided is a grommet for routing one or more cables through the interior space of a wall. The grommet may be configured to be inserted through a hole in a surface of the wall and mounted substantially flush with the surface of the wall to route one or more cables in the wall's interior space. The grommet can be used to route power cords and low-voltage cables for audio and video applications. The grommet may be configured to allow a cable to be inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall and into the interior space of the wall. Also, the grommet may be configured to hold an end of a cable so that the cable may be routed through the interior space of the wall. The grommet may be configured to retain a cable connector attached to the end of a cable. Alternatively, the grommet may comprise a cable connector to which a cable may be attached/connected.
In one embodiment, the wall grommet may comprise a housing defining a front opening, a back opening and an interior space. The housing may also include a flange disposed around the front opening and extending outwardly from said front opening. Also, the wall grommet may further comprise a cable connector disposed in the interior space of the housing. The cable connector comprises a receptacle configured to receive a first cable and a terminal configured to be attached to a second cable. The wall grommet is configured such that the receptacle is accessible through the front opening of the housing and the terminal is accessible through the back opening of the housing.
In another embodiment, the wall grommet may comprise a housing that defines a front opening, an interior space and a back wall. The housing may also include a flange disposed around the front opening and extending outwardly from said front opening. The wall grommet may further comprise a hanging element disposed on the flange, which is configured to engage an object such that the object can be hung from the hanging element. The back wall of the housing defines an opening configured such that a cable can be inserted through the opening in the back wall, into the interior space of the housing and out through the front opening of the housing.
In accordance with another aspect of the present application, provided is a wall grommet assembly comprising two wall grommets and a cable. The two grommets and the cable may be provided in accordance with the preceding descriptions. The wall grommet assembly may be installed by cutting out two holes on the surface of a wall and running the cable inside the wall such that a first end of the cable comes out of the wall through one hole and a second end of the cable comes out of the wall through the other hole. Then, the terminal of a first wall grommet can be attached to the first end of the cable and the second end of the cable can be inserted through the opening in the back wall of a second grommet. The grommets can each be inserted through holes in a wall and secured to the surface of the wall.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present application, provided is a kit for routing wiring in the interior space of a wall. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a saw, a fish stick, two grommets and a power cord. The two grommets and the power cord may be provided in accordance with the preceding descriptions. The saw may be any conventional saw that can be used to cut out holes in the surface of walls (e.g., drywall saw). The fish stick comprises a rod with a hook (or other means for holding a cable) on one end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating various aspects of the present application, there are various exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings; it being understood, however, that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a first exemplary wall grommet;

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the wall grommet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the wall grommet of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along cross-sectional line C-C shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a wall grommet assembled with a female connector;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the wall grommet of FIG. 4 with a female connector;

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a wall grommet assembled with a male connector;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the wall grommet of FIG. 6 with a male connector;

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a second exemplary wall grommet;

FIG. 9 shows a back perspective view of the wall grommet of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of a third exemplary wall grommet;

FIG. 11 shows a back perspective view of the wall grommet of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a first exemplary wall grommet assembly;

FIG. 13 shows a second exemplary wall grommet assembly;

FIG. 14 shows a first exemplary wall grommet kit; and

FIG. 15 shows a second exemplary wall grommet kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before various embodiments are described in further detail, it is to be understood that the present application is not limited to the particular embodiments described. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present application.
In accordance with one aspect of the present application, provided is a grommet for routing one or more cables through the interior space of a wall. The grommet may be configured to be inserted through a hole in a surface of the wall and mounted substantially flush with the surface of the wall to route one or more cables in the wall's interior space. The grommet can be used to route power cords and low-voltage cables for audio and video applications. The grommet may be configured to allow a cable to be inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall and into the interior space of the wall. Also, the grommet may be configured to hold an end of a cable so that the cable may be routed through the interior space of the wall. The grommet may be configured to retain a cable connector attached to the end of a cable. Alternatively, the grommet may comprise a cable connector to which a cable may be attached/connected.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, a grommet 10 comprises a housing 100, a back cover 200, a wire-egress cover 300 and a trim ring 400. However, it is also contemplated that grommet 10, in another embodiment, may comprise only a housing 100 and a back cover 200. Still in other embodiments, grommet 10 may further optionally comprise a wire-egress cover 300 or a trim ring 400.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, housing 100 defines an interior space 120 that is adapted to hold either the female connector 510 (also referred to a “female end”) or male connector 520 (also referred to as a “male end”) of a power cord 500. Housing 100 may comprise a tubular wall 130 having a substantially tubular shape that defines a front opening 140 and a back opening 142. Tubular wall 130 extends between the front opening 140 and back opening 142 of housing 100. Also, a wire-egress opening 144 may be provided in tubular wall 130 of housing 100 so that the interior space 120 of housing 100 communicates with a space outside of housing 100, other than through the front and back openings 140, 142. Further, a relief cut 148 may be provided adjacent to back opening 142 for accommodating a power cord 500. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, housing 100 may have an irregular tubular shape. For example, the shape of a cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis Z may be asymmetric about a horizontal axis X and/or a vertical axis Y. Further, the cross-sections transverse to the longitudinal axis Z may be non-uniform, i.e., the shape of the cross-sections transverse to the longitudinal axis Z may vary along the longitudinal axis Z.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, housing 100 may comprise an interior wall 150. Interior wall 150 is disposed inside housing 100 and extends from tubular wall 130 across interior space 120 of housing 100 to create a separation in the interior space 120 of housing 100. Interior wall 150 defines a front interior space 122 and a back interior space 124 inside housing 100. A first portion 152 of interior wall 150 preferably extends substantially vertically from the interior of tubular wall 130 and into interior space 120 of housing 100. The first portion 152 of interior wall 150 includes an electrical-connector opening 146 that connects the front interior space 122 and the back interior space 124 of housing 100. The back interior space 124 of housing 100 is adapted to receive the electrical connector 510, 520 of a power cord 500, such that the electrical connector 510, 520 abuts interior wall 150 and the female receptacle or male prongs of electrical connector 510, 520 are accessible through the electrical-connector opening 146. The front opening 140 and the front interior space 122 are adapted to provide access to the electrical connector 510, 520 of power cord 500, which is disposed in the back interior space 124 of housing 100, so that the mating connector end of another power cord can be connected to the electrical connector 510, 520 disposed in the back interior space 124 of housing 100. Thus, grommet 10 can be mounted flush on a surface and the electrical connector 510, 520 of power cord 500 may be recessed from the surface.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a second portion 154 of interior wall 150 extends from the interior of the tubular wall 130 at the back edge of the wire-egress opening 144 and slopes/curves up and forward toward front interior space 122 and front opening 140. This particular configuration of the second portion 154 of interior wall 150 guides any wires or cables that are inserted through wire-egress opening 144 toward front interior space 122 and front opening 140. Thus, when grommet 10 is installed in a wall, wires or cables (e.g., low voltage audio/video cables) can be easily fed from the interior space of a wall out through the wire-egress opening 144 of housing 100. Further, screw posts 156 may disposed on the backside of the second portion 154 of interior wall 150, in the back interior space 124 of housing 100, for engaging fasteners 158, which secure back cover 200 to housing 100.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, housing 100 may comprise an annular flange 160 that extends outwardly from the front opening 140 of housing 100 and defines a substantially planar surface transverse to the longitudinal axis Z of housing 100. Annular flange 160 comprises a front surface 162 and a back surface 164. When the housing 100 of housing 100 is inserted through an appropriately sized hole in the surface of a wall, the back surface 164 of flange 160 abuts the surface of the wall and prevents housing 100 from falling through the hole. Extending from the front surface 162 through to the back surface 164 of flange 160 are at least two holes 166 adapted to receive and engage fasteners 170 (e.g. screws, nails, etc.) for securing housing 100 to a wall surface. Thus, once housing 100 is inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall, fasteners 170 can be inserted through holes 166 of flange 160 to secure housing 100 to the wall.
Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, toggles 172 may be provided in conjunction with fasteners 170 to secure housing 100 on the surface of a wall. Toggles 172 comprise bores 174 that are adapted to engage fasteners 170. Toggles 172 may be disposed adjacent to the holes 166 on the back surface 164 of flange 160, such that the bores 174 of toggles 172 are aligned with the holes 166 on the back surface 164 of flange 160. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, toggles 172 may be held in mounts 132 provided on an outer surface of housing 100. Toggles 172 and mounts 132 are preferably configured to allow toggles 172 to pivot about a longitudinal axis of bores 174 parallel to longitudinal axis Z. The configuration of toggles 172 and mounts 132 allow toggles 172 to rotate between a closed position (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6) and an open position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) when a fastener 170 is rotated in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise). Likewise, when a fastener 170 is rotated in a loosening direction (e.g., counter clockwise), toggles 172 may rotate from an open position to a closed position. Preferably, mounts 132 include detents 134 that prevent toggles 172 from moving in an opening direction past a certain point, such that toggles 172 are substantially radially aligned with longitudinal axis Z of housing 100. As housing 100 is inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall, toggles 172 may be held in a closed position. Once housing 100 has been inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall and fasteners 170 are tightened, toggles 172 may move into an open position and engage the backside of the wall to secure housing 100 to the wall.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, grommet 10 further comprises back cover 200 that is adapted to engage housing 100 of housing 100 at the back opening 142. Back cover 200 comprises at least two holes 202 for receiving fasteners 158. The holes 202 are configured to align with the screw posts 156 so that fasteners 158 may be inserted through holes 202 in back cover 200 and engage screw posts 156. Once the electrical connector 510, 520 of power cord 500 is inserted into back interior space 124 of housing 100, electrical connector 510, 520 can be secured in housing 100 by attaching back cover 200 to housing 100 and inserting fasteners 158 through holes 202 and into screw posts 156. Thus, by enclosing the back interior space 124 of housing 100 with back cover 200, an electrical connector 510, 520 can held and secured in the back interior space 124 such that the female receptacle or male prongs of electrical connector 510, 520 can be accessed from the front opening 140 and front interior space through the electrical-connector opening 146.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, grommet 10 may further optionally comprise a wire-egress cover 300. Wire-egress cover 300 preferably includes a planar surface 310 that is shaped to match the shape of a portion of a cross section of the interior space 120 of housing 100 such that the interior space—between the second portion 154 of interior wall 150 and the interior of tubular wall 130—that leads to wire-egress opening 144 can be covered while still allowing wires or cables to be passed through an opening 344 in the planar surface 310 of the wire-egress cover 300. Wire egress cover may further include arms 320 that extend orthogonally from surface 310. Arms 320 are adapted to fit in the front interior space 122 of housing 100 and engage the interior surface of tubular wall 130 so that wire-egress cover 300 may be secured to housing 100. Wire-egress cover 300 may also include tabs 330 disposed on the free ends of arms 320. Tabs 330 are configured to engage recesses 136 in the interior surface of tubular wall 130. Wire-egress cover 300 may further include an opening 344 to allow wires or cables to be passed through the wire-egress opening 144 when the egress cover 300 is installed.
Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, grommet 10 may further optionally comprise a trim ring 400. Trim ring 400 includes a substantially planar surface 410 that defines a central opening 420 for allowing access to the interior space 120 of housing 100. Extending orthogonally from surface 410 is a semi-cylindrical wall 430. Semi-cylindrical wall 430 partially encircles central opening 420 on surface 410 and is adapted to extend inwardly into interior space 120 of housing 100. Semi-cylindrical wall 430 is adapted to engage the interior surface of tubular wall 130 so that trim ring 400 may be secured to housing 100. Trim ring 400 is preferably adapted to securely fit on the flange 160 of housing 100 without the need for fasteners (e.g., snap-fit connection). Trim ring 400 is configured to cover fasteners 170 on flange 160 and provide an even finished surface around the front opening 140 of housing 100. Thus, trim ring 400 provides a clean finished appearance to the portion of grommet 10 that is visible after installation in a wall.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a grommet 80 comprises a housing 800 and a trim ring 810. The housing 800 may comprise a tubular wall 830 having a substantially tubular shape that defines an interior space 820, a front opening 840 and a back wall 842. Tubular wall 830 extends between the front opening 840 and back wall 842 of housing 800. The back wall 842 of the housing 800 defines an opening 844 so that the interior space 820 of housing 800 communicates with a space outside of housing 800. Thus, when grommet 80 is installed in a wall, wires or cables (e.g., low voltage audio/video cables) can be easily fed through the opening 844 of housing 800 into the interior space of a wall. Further, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, housing 800 may have an irregular tubular shape. For example, the shape of a cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis Z may be asymmetric about a horizontal axis X and a vertical axis Y. Further, the cross-sections transverse to the longitudinal axis Z may be non-uniform, i.e., the shape of the cross-sections transverse to the longitudinal axis Z may vary along the longitudinal axis Z.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, housing 800 may comprise an annular flange 860 that extends outwardly from the front opening 840 of housing 800 and defines a substantially planar surface transverse to the longitudinal axis Z of housing 800. Annular flange 860 comprises a front surface 862 and a back surface 864. The housing 800 is configured such that when the housing 800 is inserted through an appropriately sized hole in the surface of a wall, the back surface 864 of flange 860 abuts the surface of the wall and prevents housing 800 from falling through the hole. Extending from the front surface 862 through to the back surface 864 of flange 860 are at least two holes 866 adapted to receive and engage fasteners 870 (e.g. screws, nails, etc.) for securing housing 800 to a wall surface. Thus, once housing 800 is inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall, fasteners can be inserted through the holes of flange 860 to secure housing 800 to the wall.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the annular flange 860 may include a hanging element 868 on the front surface 862, which can be used to hang objects therefrom. For example, the hanging element 868 may be configured to extend outwardly from the front surface 862 of the flange 860 and engage an object (e.g., audio speaker box) such that the object can be hung from the hanging element 868. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the hanging element 868 may comprise a screw 876 that can be screwed into a bore 878 that extends through the front surface 862 of the flange and into the housing 800. The bore 878 may be configured to receive the screw 876 such that an audio speaker box can be hung from the screw 876 inserted into the bore 878. For instance, an inner surface of the bore 878 may be threaded to mate with the threads of the screw 876. Alternatively, the hanging element 868 may comprise a protruding element that is integrally formed with the flange 860 and that extends outwardly from the front surface 862 of the flange 860 such that an object (e.g., audio speaker) can be hung therefrom.
Additionally, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, toggles 872 may be provided in conjunction with fasteners 870 to secure housing 800 on the surface of a wall. Toggles 872 comprise bores 874 that are adapted to engage fasteners 870. Toggles 872 may be disposed adjacent to the holes 866 on the back surface 864 of flange 860, such that the bores 874 of toggles 872 are aligned with the holes 866 on the back surface 864 of flange 860. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, toggles 872 may be held in mounts 832 provided on an outer surface of housing 800. Toggles 872 and mounts 832 are preferably configured to allow toggles 872 to pivot about a longitudinal axis of bores 874 substantially parallel to longitudinal axis Z. The configuration of toggles 872 and mounts 832 allow toggles 872 to rotate between a closed position and an open position when a fastener 870 is rotated in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise). Likewise, when a fastener 870 is rotated in a loosening direction (e.g., counter clockwise), toggles 872 may rotate from an open position to a closed position. Preferably, mounts 832 include detents 834 that prevent toggles 872 from moving in an opening direction past a certain point, such that toggles 872 are substantially radially aligned with longitudinal axis Z of housing 800. As housing 800 is inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall, toggles 872 may be held in a closed position. Once housing 800 has been inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall and fasteners 870 are tightened, toggles 872 may move into an open position and engage the backside of the wall to secure housing 800 to the wall.
Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, grommet 80 may further optionally comprise a trim ring 810. Trim ring 810 includes a substantially planar surface 812 that defines a central opening 814 for allowing access to the interior space 820 of housing 800. Further, planar surface 812 may define a hole 816 that lines up with bore 878 when the trim ring 810 is secured to the housing 800. Accordingly, screw 876 can be inserted into the bore 878 through the hole 816 in the trim ring 810. Trim ring 810 is preferably adapted to securely fit on the flange 860 of housing 800 without the need for fasteners (e.g., snap-fit connection). Trim ring 810 is configured to cover fasteners 870 on flange 860 and provide an even finished surface around the front opening 840 of housing 100. Thus, trim ring 810 provides a clean finished appearance to the portion of grommet 80 that is visible after installation in a wall.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a grommet 90 comprises a housing 900 and a trim ring 910. The housing 900 defines an interior space 920 that is adapted to hold a wire/cable connector 980. Housing 900 may comprise a tubular wall 930 having a substantially tubular shape that defines a front opening 940 and a back opening 942. Tubular wall 930 extends between the front opening 940 and back opening 942 of housing 900. The housing 900 is configured to secure the wire/cable connector 980 in the interior space 920 so that the front of the wire/cable connector 980 can be accessed through the front opening 940 of the housing 900 and the back of the wire/cable connector 980 can be accessed through the back opening 942 of the housing 900. The wire/cable connector 980 may be provided with the grommet 90 (i.e., may be part of the grommet 90) and may be configured to have a cable attached/connected thereto. Alternatively, the grommet 90 may be provided without cable connector 980 and may instead be configured to retain a cable connector 980 attached to the end of a cable. The wire/cable connector 980 may be any type of connector for connecting cables such as low-voltage audio/video cables, power cables and data cables. Preferably, the wire/cable connector 980 is configured to connect at least two wires/cables—one wire/cable routed inside an interior space of a wall and another wire/cable routed outside of the wall. Accordingly, the wire/cable connector 980 is configured such that when it is disposed in the grommet 90, one connection interface faces into the interior space of the wall so that a wire/cable routed inside the wall can be connected to the first connection interface, and a second connection interface faces out of the wall so that a wire/cable routed outside of the wall can be connected to the second connection interface. The first connection interface may be a receptacle configured to receive the end of a cable and the second connection interface may be a terminal configured to be attached to the end of a cable.
For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the wire/cable connector 980 may be a speaker wire terminal 982. As shown, speaker wire terminal 982 may for example comprise a first connection interface comprising a pair of spring-loaded receptacles 984 and a second connection interface comprising a pair of connector terminals 986. The pair of spring-loaded receptacles 984 may be configured to face out of the wall when the grommet 90 is installed in the wall so that a wire/cable routed outside of the wall can be connected to the spring-loaded receptacles 984. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the spring-loaded receptacles 984 are configured so that the bare ends or pin connectors of a speaker wire can be inserted in the spring-loaded receptacles 984. Alternatively, the speaker wire terminal 982 may comprise binding-post receptacles (not shown) configured to receive banana plugs or spade connectors at the end of a speaker wire, instead of the spring-loaded receptacles 984. Further, as shown, the pair of connector terminals 986 may be configured to face into the interior space of the wall so that a wire/cable routed inside the wall can be connected to the connector terminals 986. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the connector terminals 986 are configured so that a speaker wire can be attached by, for example, soldering. However, other types terminals providing other types of connection interfaces may be used to connect the wire/cable connector 980 to a wire/cable routed inside a wall.
As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, housing 900 may have an irregular tubular shape. For example, the shape of a cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis Z may be asymmetric about a horizontal axis X and/or a vertical axis Y. Further, the cross-sections transverse to the longitudinal axis Z may be non-uniform, i.e., the shape of the cross-sections transverse to the longitudinal axis Z may vary along the longitudinal axis Z. Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, housing 900 may comprise an annular flange 960 that extends outwardly from the front opening 940 of housing 900 and defines a substantially planar surface transverse to the longitudinal axis Z of housing 900. Annular flange 960 comprises a front surface 962 and a back surface 964. The housing 900 is configured such that when the housing 900 is inserted through an appropriately sized hole in the surface of a wall, the back surface 964 of flange 960 abuts the surface of the wall and prevents housing 900 from falling through the hole. Extending from the front surface 962 through to the back surface 964 of flange 960 are at least two holes 966 adapted to receive and engage fasteners 970 (e.g. screws, nails, etc.) for securing housing 900 to a wall surface. Thus, once housing 900 is inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall, fasteners can be inserted through the holes of flange 960 to secure housing 900 to the wall.
Additionally, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, toggles 972 may be provided in conjunction with fasteners 970 to secure housing 900 on the surface of a wall. Toggles 972 comprise bores 974 that are adapted to engage fasteners 970. Toggles 972 may be disposed adjacent to the holes 966 on the back surface 964 of flange 960, such that the bores 974 of toggles 972 are aligned with the holes 966 on the back surface 964 of flange 960. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, toggles 972 may be held in mounts 932 provided on an outer surface of housing 900. Toggles 972 and mounts 932 are preferably configured to allow toggles 972 to pivot about a longitudinal axis of bores 974 parallel to longitudinal axis Z. The configuration of toggles 972 and mounts 932 allow toggles 972 to rotate between a closed position and an open position when a fastener 970 is rotated in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise). Likewise, when a fastener 970 is rotated in a loosening direction (e.g., counter clockwise), toggles 972 may rotate from an open position to a closed position. Preferably, mounts 932 include detents 934 that prevent toggles 972 from moving in an opening direction past a certain point, such that toggles 972 are substantially radially aligned with longitudinal axis Z of housing 900. As housing 900 is inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall, toggles 972 may be held in a closed position. Once housing 900 has been inserted through a hole in the surface of a wall and fasteners 970 are tightened, toggles 972 may move into an open position and engage the backside of the wall to secure housing 900 to the wall.
Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, grommet 90 may further optionally comprise a trim ring 910. Trim ring 910 includes a substantially planar surface 912 that defines a central opening 914 for allowing access to the interior space 920 of housing 900. Trim ring 910 is preferably adapted to securely fit on the flange 960 of housing 900 without the need for fasteners (e.g., snap-fit connection). Trim ring 910 is configured to cover fasteners 970 on flange 960 and provide an even finished surface around the front opening 940 of housing 100. Thus, trim ring 910 provides a clean finished appearance to the portion of grommet 90 that is visible after installation in a wall.
In accordance with another aspect of the present application, as shown in FIG. 12, provided is a wall grommet assembly 600. In one embodiment, wall grommet assembly 600 may comprise two wall grommets 10′, 10″ (as described above) and a power cord 500. Power cord 500 preferably has a female connector 510 on one end and a male connector 520 on the other end. Further, power cord 500 preferably comprises type NM-B cable, or other type of cable that is rated for use inside walls. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, grommet 10′ is used in conjunction with the female connector 510 of power cord 500, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, grommet 10″ is used in conjunction with the male connector 520 of power cord 500, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 8, wall grommet assembly 600 may be installed by cutting out two holes on the surface of a wall and running power cord 500 inside the wall such that female connector 510 comes out of the wall through one hole and male connector 520 comes out of the wall through the other hole. Then, female connector 510 can be secured in grommet 10′ and male connector 520 can be secured in the other grommet 10″. Grommets 10′, 10″ can then be inserted through their respective holes in the wall and secured to the surface of the wall using fasteners (e.g. screws, nails, etc.) through holes 166 in flange 160. Additionally, other cables (e.g., low-voltage audio/video cables) may be passed through the wire-egress opening 144 of one grommet 10′, through the interior space of the wall, and out through the wire-egress opening 144 of the other grommet 10″. Wire egress covers 300 and/or trim rings 400 may also be secured on the housings 100′, 100″, as desired.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a wall grommet assembly 650 may comprise two wall grommets 80, 90 (as described above) and a cable 550. Cable 550 may be a low-voltage audio/video cable. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, cable 550 is a speaker wire. Preferably, the speaker wire is appropriately certified wire for in-wall installation (e.g., UL listed: CL2- or CL3-rated) that complies with, for example, U.S. standards for resistance to fire, chemicals, abrasion, temperature extremes and voltage rating. As shown in FIG. 13, wall grommet assembly 650 may be installed by cutting out two holes on the surface of a wall and running cable 550 inside the wall such that a first end of the cable 550 comes out of the wall through a first hole and a second end of the cable 550 comes out of the wall through a second hole. Then, the first end of the cable 550 can be inserted through the opening 844 of the grommet 80 and the second end of the cable 550 can be connected to the wire/cable connector 980 of grommet 90. Grommets 80, 90 can then be inserted through the first and second holes in the wall, respectively, and secured to the surface of the wall. Once grommet 80 has been installed, the first end of the cable 550 may be connected to an audio speaker box and the audio speaker box may be hung from the hanging element 868 of grommet 80. Also, a speaker wire connection may be made from an audio receiver/amplifier to the wire/cable connector 980 of grommet 90, so that the audio receiver/amplifier can be connected to the audio speaker hanging from the hanging element 868 of grommet 80.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present application, as shown in FIG. 14, provided is a kit 700 for routing wiring in the interior spaces of walls. In one embodiment the kit 700 comprises a saw 710, a fish stick 720, two grommets 10′, 10″, and a power cord 500. Saw 710 may be any conventional saw that can be used to cutout holes in the surface of walls (e.g., drywall saw). Fish stick 720 comprises a rod 722 with a hook 724 (or other means for holding a cable) on one end. The rod 722 may have a one-piece construction, or it may be provided in multiple sections (as shown) that are connected by connectors 726. The two grommets 10′, 10″ and power cord 500 may be provided in accordance with the preceding descriptions.
Saw 710 may be used to cut out holes on the surface of a wall. Once two holes are cut out, fish stick 720 may be inserted through one of the holes and into the wall such that the hook 724 on the end of the rod 710 can be accessed through the other hole. One end of the power cord 500 can be secured on the hook 724 and inserted through the hole such that the power cord 500 can be fished through the inside of the wall by pulling out the other end of fish stick 720 through the other hole. Power cord 500 may be fished through the inside of the wall such that one end of the cord comes out of the wall through one hole and the other end of the cord comes out of the wall through the other hole. Then, female connector 510 can be secured in grommet 10′ and male connector 520 can be secured in the other grommet 10″. Grommets 10′, 10″ can then be inserted through their respective holes in the wall and secured to the surface of the wall using fasteners (e.g. screws, nails, etc.) through holes 166 in flange 160. Additionally, other cables (e.g., low-voltage audio/video cables) may be passed through the wire-egress opening 144 of one grommet 10′, through the interior space of the wall, and out through the wire-egress opening 144 of the other grommet 10″. Wire egress covers 300 and/or trim rings 400 may also be secured on the housings 100′, 100″, as desired.
In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 15, provided is a kit 750 for routing wiring in the interior spaces of walls. In one embodiment the kit 750 comprises a saw 710, a fish stick 720, two grommets 80, two grommets 90 and two cables 550. Saw 710 may be any conventional saw that can be used to cutout holes in the surface of walls (e.g., drywall saw). Fish stick 720 comprises a rod 722 with a hook 724 (or other means for holding a cable) on one end. The rod 722 may have a one-piece construction, or it may be provided in multiple sections (as shown) that are connected by connectors 726. The two grommet 80, 90 and cable 550 may be provided in accordance with the preceding descriptions.
Saw 710 may be used to cut out holes on the surface of a wall. Once two holes are cut out, fish stick 720 may be inserted through one of the holes and into the wall such that the hook 724 on the end of the rod 710 can be accessed through the other hole. One end of the cable 550 can be secured on the hook 724 and inserted through the hole such that the cable 550 can be fished through the inside of the wall by pulling out the other end of fish stick 720 through the other hole. Cable 550 may be fished through the inside of the wall such that a first end of the cable 550 comes out of the wall through a first hole and a second end of the cable 550 comes out of the wall through a second hole. Then, the first end of the cable 550 can be inserted through the opening 844 of the grommet 80 and the second end of the cable 550 can be connected to the wire/cable connector 980 of grommet 90. Grommets 80, 90 can then be inserted through the first and second holes in the wall, respectively, and secured to the surface of the wall. Trim rings 810, 910 may also be secured on the housings 800, 900 of the grommets 80, 90, as desired.
While various exemplary embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications can be made to the structure and elements of the various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the teachings of the present application as a whole.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wall grommet for routing cables inside a wall, comprising:

a housing defining a front opening, a back opening and an interior space; and

a cable connector disposed in the interior space of the housing, the cable connector comprising a receptacle and a terminal;

wherein the receptacle is accessible through the front opening of the housing and is configured to be connected to a first cable; and

wherein the terminal is accessible through the back opening of the housing and is configured to be connected to a second cable.

2. The wall grommet of claim 1, further comprising means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the wall grommet to the wall.

3. The wall grommet of claim 2, wherein the means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the wall grommet to the wall comprises a toggle connected to the housing, the toggle being configured to secure the housing to the wall;

wherein the toggle has a bore that engages a fastener and the toggle is configured to rotate with the fastener between a closed position that allows the housing to be inserted through the hole in the surface of the wall and an open position for engaging a backside of the wall for securing the housing to the wall.

4. The wall grommet according to claim 1, wherein the first and second cables are audio or video cables.

5. The wall grommet according to claim 3, wherein the second cable is a CL2 or CL3 rated cable, or other type of cable that is rated for use inside walls.

6. The wall grommet of claim 1, further comprising a trim ring having a planar surface that defines an opening, wherein the trim ring is adapted to engage the housing.

7. The wall grommet according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a spring-loaded receptacle or a binding-post receptacle.

8. The wall grommet according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured to be attached to the second cable with solder.

9. A wall grommet for routing cables inside a wall, comprising:

a housing that defines a front opening, an interior space and a back wall; and

means for hanging an object from the wall grommet;

wherein the back wall defines an opening configured such that a cable can be inserted through the opening in the back wall, into the interior space of the housing and out through the front opening of the housing.

10. The wall grommet of claim 9, wherein the means for hanging an object from the wall grommet comprises a hanging element disposed on the housing, the hanging element being configured to engage an object such that the object can be hung from the hanging element.

11. The wall grommet of claim 9, further comprising means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the wall grommet to the wall.

12. The wall grommet of claim 11, wherein the means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the wall grommet to the wall comprises a toggle connected to the housing, the toggle being configured to secure the housing to the wall;

13. The wall grommet according to claim 9, wherein the cable is an audio or video cable.

14. The wall grommet according to claim 13, wherein the cable is a CL2 or CL3 rated cable, or other type of cable that is rated for use inside walls.

15. The wall grommet of claim 9, further comprising a trim ring having a planar surface that defines an opening, wherein the trim ring is adapted to engage the housing.

16. The wall grommet according to claim 9, wherein the means for hanging an object from the wall grommet comprises a screw.

17. The wall grommet according to claim 16, wherein the screw is inserted into a hole in the housing.

18. A wall grommet assembly for routing audio/video cables inside a wall, the assembly comprising:

a first wall grommet comprising:

a first housing defining a first front opening, a back opening and a first interior space; and

a cable connector disposed in the first interior space of the first housing, the cable connector comprising a receptacle and a terminal;

wherein the receptacle is accessible through the first front opening of the first housing and is configured to be connected to a first cable; and

wherein the terminal is accessible through the back opening of the first housing and is configured to be connected to a second cable; and

a second wall grommet comprising:

a second housing that defines a second front opening, a second interior space and a back wall; and

means for hanging an object from the second wall grommet;

wherein the back wall defines an opening configured such that a cable can be inserted through the opening in the back wall, into the second interior space of the second housing and out through the second front opening of the second housing;

wherein the terminal of the first wall grommet is configured to be attached to the first end of the cable; and

wherein the opening in the back wall of the second grommet is configured such that the second end of the cable can be inserted therethrough.

19. The wall grommet assembly of claim 18, wherein the first wall grommet further comprises means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the first wall grommet to the wall.

20. The wall grommet assembly of claim 19, wherein the means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the first wall grommet to the wall comprises a toggle connected to the housing, the toggle being configured to secure the first housing to the wall;

wherein the toggle has a bore that engages a fastener and the toggle is configured to rotate with the fastener between a closed position that allows the housing to be inserted through the hole in the surface of the wall and an open position for engaging a backside of the wall for securing the first housing to the wall.

21. The wall grommet assembly of claim 18, wherein the second wall grommet further comprises means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the second wall grommet to the wall.

22. The wall grommet assembly of claim 21, wherein the means for engaging the backside of the wall to secure the second wall grommet to the wall comprises a toggle connected to the housing, the toggle being configured to secure the second housing to the wall;

23. The wall grommet assembly according to claim 18, wherein the receptacle of the first grommet is a spring-loaded receptacle or a binding-post receptacle.

24. The wall grommet assembly according to claim 18, wherein the terminal of the first grommet is configured to be attached to the cable with solder.

25. The wall grommet assembly according to claim 18, wherein the cable is a CL2 or CL3 rated cable, or other type of cable that is rated for use inside walls.

26. The wall grommet assembly according to claim 18, wherein the means for hanging an object from the second wall grommet comprises a screw.

27. The wall grommet according to claim 26, wherein the screw is inserted into a hole in the second housing.