Flush Mount Panels With Interconnects

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method of aligning wall or ceiling mounted components. The mounted components are placed within brackets which, in turn, are placed within panels that are embedded into the wall or ceiling. The panels are pre-designed to be installed in precise alignment with respect to one another using various alignment tools or interlocking methods. Once the panels and components are installed into the wall or ceiling, the components are automatically aligned with respect to one another.

1 . A system of mounting a plurality of electrical components into a wallboard, comprising:
 a first panel having a first receiver that receives a first component of the plurality of components;   a second panel having a second receiver that receives a second component of the plurality of components;   an alignment mechanism that helps align the first panel with the second panel; and   a concealant that covers a junction between the first panel and the wallboard and a junction between the second panel and the wallboard.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first receiver comprises a lip extending beyond a front of the panel. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel and the first receiver are factory fabricated into one contiguous piece. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first receiver has a removable spackle shield covering an opening. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the spackle shield has the alignment mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a movement restrictor that restricts a travel of the first component in a direction relative to the first receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the movement restrictor engages as the first receiver receives the first component. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment mechanism comprises edges on the first panel that interlock with edges on the second panel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the interlocking edges are selected from the group consisting of snaps, butt joints, dovetails, a matching tongue and groove, a matching indent and detent, a matching mortise and tendon, and a matching screw and pocket hole. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a laser light on the first panel, and an alignment designator on the second panel. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the alignment mechanism further comprises a second alignment designator on the second panel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the concealant is at least one of tape and plaster. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the junction is shimmed. 
     
     
         14 . A method of aligning a plurality of components mounted in a wallboard, comprising:
 providing a first panel with a first receiver that receives a first component of the plurality of components;   providing a second panel with a second receiver that receives a second component of the plurality of components;   aligning the first panel with the second panel;   establishing a first superficially continuous junction between a first edge of the wallboard and an edge of the first panel; and   establishing a second superficially continuous junction between a second edge of the wallboard and an edge of the second panel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising pre-fabricating the first panel with the first receiver. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising locking the first component to the first receiver. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a tool that unlocks the first component from the first receiver. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein aligning the first panel and the second panel comprises interlocking an edge of the first panel with an edge of the second panel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein aligning the first panel and the second panel comprises affixing a fastener to a first fastener receiver in the first panel and a second fastener receiver in the second panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein aligning the first panel and the second panel comprises:
 coupling a laser light to the second panel;   activating the laser light to shine a laser on the first panel; and   positioning the first panel according to the laser light.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein establishing a first superficially continuous junction comprises spreading a spackle compound over the junction.