Adjustable electrical outlet box assembly

• US 20050092510A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong Thanh
• Granted Patent: US 6,956,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/58
• 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 adjustable outlet box assembly provides for attachment of an outlet box to a wall stud. The assembly includes an outlet box and a box bracket which is adjustably positioned to the outlet box. The box bracket includes a box attachment portion having a deflectable finger for resilient engagement with a side wall of the box. The bracket further includes a stud attachment portion for engagement with the stud. The bracket is adjustably positioned on the box so that the box may be adjustably positioned with respect to the wall stud.

Claims

1. An adjustable outlet box assembly for attachment to a wall stud comprising:

an outlet box having a side wall and an open front face; and

an box bracket, said bracket including a stud attachment portion for fixing said bracket to said wall stud and a side wall attachment portion for slidable attachment to said side wall of said outlet box;

said side wall attachment portion including an engagement member biasingly positioned for engagement with said side wall for fixing the position of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall;

said engagement member being releaseable from said engagement with said side wall to permit movement of said side wall attachment portion with respect to said side wall to adjustably position said open face of said box with respect to said stud.

2. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 1 wherein said engagement member includes a deflectable finger.

3. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 2 wherein said deflectable finger includes at least one tooth thereon for biting engagement with said side wall.

4. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 1 wherein said side wall attachment portion includes an extending lance for biting engagement with said stud upon attachment of said bracket to said stud.

5. An adjustable outlet box assembly of claim 1 wherein said stud attachment portion includes at least one barb for engagement with said stud.

6. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said side wall includes a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced ribs, said engagement member being adjustably positionable between two adjacent said ribs for fixing the position of said side wall attachment portion.

7. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said stud attachment portion includes a hook shaped portion for attachment to said stud.

8. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said hook shaped portion includes a plurality of barbs for biting engagement with said stud.

9. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said outlet box side wall includes a pair of spaced apart rails for slidably accommodating said side wall attachment portion.

10. An adjustable outlet box of claim 1 wherein said side wall attachment portion includes a plurality of inwardly directed dimples for frictional engagement with said stud.

11. A device for adjustable attachment to an electrical outlet box for attaching said box to a wall stud comprising:

a bracket, said bracket including a stud attachment portion and a box attachment portion for slidable attachment to said box;

said box attachment portion including a deflectable finger for resilient engagement with a wall of said box, said deflectable finger being biasingly movable between a first portion in engagement with said wall of said box and a second portion out of engagement with said wall of said box for permitting slidable movement of said bracket with respect to said box.

12. A device of claim 11 wherein said bracket is attached to said box with spaced apart rails for permitting slidable movement of said bracket with respect to said box.

13. A device of claim 11 wherein said stud attachment portion includes a hook-shaped member for attachment to said stud.

14. A device of claim 12 wherein said hook shaped member includes a plurality of barbs for biting engagement with said stud.