# US 11,306,480 B2 · Recessed mounting apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,480 B2 - Document ID: US11306480B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/834,864 - Filed: 2020-03-30 - Published: 2020-10-01 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-29 - Applicants: Brian Oliver Phillips; Richard Anthony Fling, II - Inventors: Brian Oliver Phillips; Richard Anthony Fling, II - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306480B2 ## CPC - E04B 9/18: Means for suspending the supporting construction - E04B 9/006: {with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling} - E04B 9/06: characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction {, e.g. cross section or material of framework members} - E04B 9/0478: {of the tray type} - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide a recessed mounting apparatus, a suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system, and a method of installing a recessed mounting apparatus. The recessed mounting apparatus includes a recessed mounting frame that forms a partially enclosed space with a lower perimeter defined by flanges configured to sit atop or otherwise connect with portions of a suspended ceiling frame. The recessed mounting apparatus includes or is attached to one or more attachment mechanisms from which equipment like temporary lighting, sound systems, and display projectors can be secured. To support the recessed mounting frame and attachment mechanism, one or more suspension support members are attached at a first end to the recessed mounting frame and at a second end to an overhead structural support. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A recessed mounting apparatus comprising: a recessed mounting frame defined by a top portion and one or more side portions, the recessed mounting frame comprising a partially enclosed space formed between the top portion and the one or more side portions, wherein a lower perimeter of the one or more side portions of the recessed mounting frame is defined by flanges extending outwardly, and wherein at least a portion of a downward facing surface of the flanges is configured to rest atop or operatively connect to at least a portion of suspended ceiling frame members; one or more attachment mechanisms operatively connected to an interior surface of the partially enclosed space of the recessed mounting frame; and one or more suspension support members operatively connected at first ends to the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recessed mounting frame comprises four side portions at substantially right angles to the top portion and adjacent side portions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partially enclosed space forms substantially a circular dome with a single rounded side portion and a rounded top portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a bar or rod operatively connected at a first end to a first side of the recessed mounting frame and connected at a second end to an opposing side of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first end of the attachment mechanism comprises one or more flanges attached to the first side of the recessed mounting frame, and wherein the second end of the attachment mechanism comprises one or more flanges attached to the opposing side of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recessed mounting frame and the attachment mechanism comprise a single component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more suspension support members are operatively connected at second ends to an overhead structural element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more electrical boxes operatively coupled to an exterior surface of the recessed mounting frame, wherein the electrical boxes are configured to convert electrical power for electrical power outlets or digital media components. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more power source outlets operatively coupled with the top portion or one or more of the side portions of the recessed mounting frame, whereby power source sockets of the one or more power source outlets are positioned substantially flush with the interior surface of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more data transfer outlets operatively coupled with the top portion or one or more of the side portions of the recessed mounting frame, whereby one or more data transfer outlets are positioned substantially flush with the interior surface of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The recessed mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable concealing member removably attached to at least a portion of the recessed mounting frame and extending substantially across the lower perimeter of the one or more side portions of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 12 A suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system comprising: an overhead structural element; a plurality of suspended ceiling frame members positioned below the overhead structural element; a recessed mounting frame defined by a top portion and one or more side portions, the recessed mounting frame comprising a partially enclosed space formed between the top portion and the one or more side portions, wherein a lower perimeter of the one or more side portions of the recessed mounting frame defined by flanges extending outwardly, and wherein at least a portion of a downward facing surface of the flanges is configured to rest atop or operatively connect to at least a portion of suspended ceiling frame members; one or more attachment mechanisms operatively connected to an interior surface of the partially enclosed space of the recessed mounting frame; and one or more suspension support members operatively connected at first ends to the recessed mounting frame and operatively connected at second ends to the overhead structural element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system of claim 12, wherein the recessed mounting frame comprises four side portions at substantially right angles to the top portion and adjacent side portions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system of claim 12, wherein the partially enclosed space forms substantially a circular dome with a single rounded side portion and a rounded top portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system of claim 12, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a bar or rod operatively connected at a first end to a first side of the recessed mounting frame and connected at a second end to an opposing side of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system of claim 15, wherein the first end of the attachment mechanism comprises one or more flanges attached to the first side of the recessed mounting frame, and wherein the second end of the attachment mechanism comprises one or more flanges attached to the opposing side of the recessed mounting frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system of claim 12, wherein the recessed mounting frame and the attachment mechanism comprise a single component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The suspended ceiling and recessed mounting apparatus system of claim 12, further comprising one or more electrical boxes operatively coupled to an exterior surface of the recessed mounting frame, wherein the electrical boxes are configured to convert electrical power for electrical power outlets or digital media components. ### Claim 19 A method of installing a recessed mounting apparatus in a suspended ceiling, the method comprising: providing a recessed mounting frame defined by a top portion and one or more side portions, the recessed mounting frame comprising a partially enclosed space formed between the top portion and the one or more side portions, wherein a lower perimeter of the one or more side portions of the recessed mounting frame defined by flanges extending outwardly, and wherein at least a portion of a downward facing surface of the flanges is configured to rest atop or operatively connect to at least a portion of suspended ceiling frame members; providing one or more attachment mechanisms operatively connected to an interior surface of the partially enclosed space of the recessed mounting frame; and securing the recessed mounting frame to an overhead structural element through one or more suspension support members operatively connected at first ends to the recessed mounting frame and operatively connected at second ends to the overhead structural element.