ELECTRICAL BRACKET

• US 20050056450A1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dennis P. Revlock Sr, Eric G. Hull
• Inventors: Revlock, Dennis P. Sr., Hull, Eric G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,870,101 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/126 with supporting means for mounting on a single wall stud
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

An electrical bracket is for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud. The bracket includes a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls and first and second opposite side walls. The bracket further includes a front opening surrounded by the end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into the frame. The frame has an end-mounted position in which the first end wall faces the stud. A fastening structure, connected to the frame, is configured to be fastened to the stud when the frame is in the end-mounted position. An extension extends rearward from the first end wall. A stabilizer extends from the extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from the frame when the frame is in the end-mounted position.

Claims

1. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting the electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces the stud;

a fastening structure, connected to said frame, configured to be fastened to the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position;

an extension extending from said first end wall to a location rearward from said side walls; and

a stabilizer extending from said extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from said side walls when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said abutting contact by said stabilizer is with a side surface of the stud, and said fastening structure extends from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall for being fastened to a front surface of the stud.

3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said extension is a plate extending rearward from, and parallel to, said first end wall.

4. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said stabilizer is a plate that is perpendicular to said first end wall.

5. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said location of said abutting contact is spaced from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall so as to space said first end wall from the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

6. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces a side surface of the stud, a first side-mounted position in which said first side wall faces the side surface of the stud, and a second side-mounted position in which said second side wall faces the side surface of the stud;

an end attachment structure for mounting said frame in said end-mounted position;

a first side attachment structure for mounting said frame in said first side-mounted position; and

a second side attachment structure for mounting said frame in said second side-mounted position.

7. The bracket of claim 6 wherein said first side attachment structure is a fastener support extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to the stud when said frame is in said first side-mounted position.

8. The bracket of claim 7 wherein said fastener support has a distal end configured to contact the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

9. The bracket of claim 6 further comprising a side tab extending from said first side wall in a direction away from said second side wall, configured to overlie a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said first side-mounted position.

10. The bracket of claim 9 wherein said side tab has a perforation that enables said side tab to be removed from said frame.

11. The bracket of claim 6 wherein said second side attachment structure is a side tab extending from said second side wall in a direction away from said first side wall, configured to overlie and be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said second side-mounted position.

12. The bracket of claim 11 wherein said side tab has a perforation that enables said side tab to be removed from said frame.

13. The bracket of claim 6 wherein said end attachment structure is an end tab extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

14. The bracket of claim 6 further comprising a spacer extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to abut the side surface of the stud to space said first end wall from the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted condition.

15. The bracket of claim 14 wherein said spacer is configured to abut the side surface of the stud along a transversely extending line of abutment.

16. The bracket of claim 14 wherein said spacer is a fastener support configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to the stud when said frame is in said first side-mounted position.

17. The bracket of claim 16 further comprising a stabilizer, separate from said fastener support, extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to contact the surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position to stabilize said frame from rocking about said fastener support relative to the stud.

18. The bracket of claim 6 further comprising an extension extending from said first end wall to a location rearward from said side walls, and yet further comprising a stabilizer extending from said extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from said side walls when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

19. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a frame defining a front opening for accepting an electrical device, said frame having a first mounting position in which a first part of said frame faces a stud, a second mounting position in which a second part of said frame faces a stud, and a third mounting position in which a third part of said frame faces a stud;

an end tab extending from said first part of said frame, configured to be fastened to a front surface of a stud when said frame is in said first mounting position;

a fastener support extending from said first part of said frame, configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to a stud when said frame is in said second mounting position; and

a first side tab extending from said third part of said frame, configured to overlie and be fastened to a front surface of a stud when said frame is in said third mounting position, wherein the first, second and third mounting positions are different from one another.

20. The bracket of claim 19 further comprising a second side tab extending from said second part of said frame, configured to overlie a front surface of a stud when said frame is in said second mounting position.