Mounting bracket for an electrical box

• US 20050067546A1
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong
• Application Number:
  US10/943,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20050067546A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/343
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/125 with supporting bar extending between two separate studs of a wall frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting an electrical box within a wall cavity of a building, this wall cavity being defined by a plurality of wall supports. The apparatus consists of an elongated bracket having first and second mounting regions thereof and also configured to support an electrical box therefrom. At least the first mounting region is configured to be supported from a first wall support. An elongated bar is removably secured to the bracket with this bar being configured to secure the second mounting region of the bracket to a second wall support. This bar may be fully contained within the confines of the bracket or it may be removably secured alongside one edge region of the bracket. Preferably, the bar is stamped from the same metal plate that comprises the bracket.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting an electrical box within a wall cavity defined by a plurality of wall supports comprising:

(a) an elongated bracket having first and second mounting regions and configured to support an electrical box therefrom;

(b) said first mounting region being configured to be supported from a first wall support;

(c) an elongated bar designed for securement to said bracket;

(d) said elongated bar being configured to be supported from said second mounting region of said bracket and separately affixed to at least a second wall support.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar extends between said second wall support and a third wall support spaced from said second wall support.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar prior to being supported from said second mounting region of said bracket is secured to and within the confines of said bracket and is removable therefrom.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar prior to being supported from said second mounting region of said bracket is secured alongside one edge region of said bracket and is removable therefrom.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket is configured with at least one bar attachment area.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar and said bracket are separately supplied.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein an end region of said bar can be bent for securement to a side of a wall support rather than its face.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said box is mounted between said first and second mounting regions.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first wall support is a floor track and said second wall support is a wall stud.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar extends at an angle from said second mounting region.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket incorporates a plurality of keyhole slots used to secure the box to said bracket.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein at least one of said keyhole slots is located within a tab extending into a central open area of said bracket.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar is configured with at least one pair of openings therein spaced a pre-defined distance from each other and sized to accommodate a fastener therein.

14. A method of mounting an electrical box within a wall cavity defined by a plurality of wall supports comprising the steps of:

(a) configuring an elongated bracket with first and second mounting regions, said bracket also configured to support an electrical box within the wall cavity;

(b) supporting said first mounting region from a first wall support;

(c) positioning an elongated support adjacent said second mounting region of said bracket;

(d) affixing one portion of said elongated support to said second mounting region; and

,

(e) affixing another second portion of said elongated support to a second wall support.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of securing a third portion of said elongated support to a third wall support.

16. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of removing said elongated support from within the confines of said bracket.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of removing said elongated support from alongside an edge region of said bracket.

18. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of configuring said bracket with at least one elongated support attachment area.

19. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of separately supplying said bracket and said elongated support.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19 further comprising the step of bending an end region of said elongated support so as to secure said elongated support to a side of the wall support rather than its face.

21. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of mounting said box between said first and second mounting regions.

22. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of supporting said first mounting region from a floor track and affixing said second portion of said elongated support to a wall stud.

23. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of extending said elongated support at an angle from said second mounting region.

24. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of configuring said elongated support to incorporate a plurality of keyhole slots used to secure the box to said bracket.

25. The method as set forth in claim 24 further comprising the step of locating at least one of said keyhole slots within a tab extending into a central open area of said bracket.

26. The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of configuring said elongated support with at least one pair of openings therein spaced a pre-defined distance from each other and sized to accommodate a fastener therein.