Enhanced mounting system for panel mount test switches and test blocks

Abstract

A mounting mechanism comprising: a first end and a second end; and a shaft extending from the first end to the second end, the shaft including: a peripheral wall; threading extending along at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the shaft; a first port hole opening and a second port hole opening; a through-hole extending from the first port hole opening to the second port hole opening to provide a via for wiring to pass within the shaft from the first port hole opening to the second port hole opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting mechanism comprising:
 a first end and a second end; and   a shaft extending from the first end to the second end, the shaft including:
 a peripheral wall; 
 threading extending along at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the shaft; 
 a first port hole opening and a second port hole opening; and 
 a through-hole extending from the first port hole opening to the second port hole opening to provide a via for wiring to pass within the shaft from the first port hole opening to the second port hole opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first port hole opening has a minimum dimensional distance between about 0.120 inches and about 0.220 inches.   
     
     
         3 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first port hole opening is positioned on the peripheral wall of the shaft.   
     
     
         4 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a wire-protection sleeve positionable at the first port hole opening, the wire-protection sleeve including an opening alignable with the first port hole opening to provide a via for the wiring to pass through the wire-protection sleeve while protecting the wiring from being pinched or damaged.   
     
     
         5 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the wire-protection sleeve has a dimensional distance, as measured vertically along the centerline of the shaft, of less than about 0.5 inches.   
     
     
         6 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first port hole opening is positioned at one of: the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         7 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the mounting mechanism is configured to mount a test switch base to a control panel, the test switch base containing one or more knife blade style switches that electrically connect a first electrical component to a second electrical component.   
     
     
         8 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein
 the mounting mechanism is configured to mount a recording device to the test switch base, the test switch recording device being configured to record electrical signals that pass through the one or more knife blade style switches.   
     
     
         9 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the mounting mechanism is configured to mount a testing device to a control panel, the testing device being configured to contain a test switch base, the test switch base being configured to contain one or more knife blade style switches that electrically connect a first electrical component to a second electrical component.   
     
     
         10 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein
 the mounting mechanism is configured to mount a recording device to the device, the test switch recording device being configured to record electrical signals that pass through the one or more knife blade style switches.   
     
     
         11 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein
 the mounting mechanism mounts a test block base to a control panel, the test block base including one or more metal contacts that electrically connect a first electrical component to a second electrical component.   
     
     
         12 . The mounting mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a securing nut connectable to the shaft.