Self-expanding OpenGrid Lite MultiConnect wall mounting snap

MultiConnect mounting connector for OpenGrid Lite panels. Allows for easy and reversible removal of the panels and unlocks more potential options for mounting panels to your walls. Specifically designed for mounting panels in tight spaces or ones where screwing the panels in is not an option.

This model page contains the Self-expanding OpenGrid Lite MultiConnect wall mounting snap, which is a minor remix of mitufy's original model, generated with the Snap generator from the same author. The remix simply flips the direction of the MultiConnect connector to the back of the grid panel. (See below for the options used.)

Use it together with a corresponding wall-mounted MultiConnect slot, for example my Adhesive low-profile MultiConnect wall hanger slot.

Purpose and goals

I wanted a wall-mounting solution for OpenGrid Lite panels satisfying the following goals:

• Panels are easily and reversibly removable.
• Compatibility with hangers attached without the use of screws (e.g. with adhesive strips), while adding as little gap between the panel and wall as possible. 
• Panels are secure and constrained from moving downward or side-to-side. It's also strong against the panel being pushed or yanked away from the wall, even if there is a significant gap between the two.
• Panels can be mounted close to the top of the wall and (with the right hanger) require very little vertical clearance for removal.

I achieved this using a combination of two parts:

• Self-expanding OpenGrid Lite MultiConnect wall mounting snap (this model)
• Adhesive low-profile MultiConnect wall hanger slot

Project contents

• self-expanding-opengrid-lite-mounting-snap-reverse-entry: Contains the snap and the screw-in connector. The models are already oriented in the recommended printing direction.
   
• opengrid_parametric_snap.json.txt: OpenSCAD preset containing the exact parameters used to generate this model using the Snap generator. To use it, download the file and change the file ending from .json.txt to .json and place the file in the same folder as the .scad file from the generator. Ensure that the filename (excluding the file extension) is the same as for the .scad file. By opening the project in OpenSCAD, the preset should be available in the drop-down list in the panel on the right of the window.

Usage instructions

Push the snap in from the front of the panel, with the arrow pointing in the direction that will be facing vertically upward when you mount the panel. Flip the panel over and screw in the connector from the back. Use a coin or mitufy's dedicated tool to tighten it down.

Why use reversed MultiConnect?

The standard configuration for wall-attached MultiConnect hangers seems to be one with a wall-mounted connector mating with a slot is cut into the object you're hanging up. While this works great in many situations, it isn't ideal for snaps compatible with the Lite version of OpenGrid.

The first problem is orientation. OpenGrid Lite only actually lets you click tings in from the front of a panel: There is no feature to retain snaps going in from the back. So any MultiConnect snap we design has the limitation that it needs to fit through a single grid square (or use several independent snaps in adjacent squares).

Next is strength. While snaps are physically constrained from being pushed all the way through from the front, they are quite easy to pop out when pushed from the back. Alternatively, pushing on the grid itself while the snap is held in place can also cause the snaps to detach. This isn't great for setups where the snap is fixed to the wall (or constrained by a hanger which is fixed to the wall) and has to resist forces applied to the grid. Unless the grid is also completely flush against the wall, any gap allowing it to move back as you attach things to the grid from the front will potentially cause the snaps to detach.

This second problem is addressed by the original self-expanding snap: It grips the panel very firmly as you tighten down the screw-in connector, making it immune to being pushed through the panel from either side.

But it also provides a simple solution for the first problem: The MultiConnect connector has a footprint that easily fits through a single square without compromising any functionality. So we end up with this design: A snap that is flat on the front side and has a connector sticking out the back.

Wall-mounted slots

Since the reverse snap design doesn't have to make any compromises when it comes to the mating side, we can design wall brackets with MultiConnect slots however we like to suit our particular needs. Use deep slots or L-shaped slots for extra secure mounting, or use shallow ones for low-clearance mounting and removal.

For the latter one, check the accompanying Adhesive low-profile MultiConnect wall hanger slot.