Electrical utility box having vertical adjustment

• US 20110042138A1
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Todd Dutton
• Original Assignee: Todd Dutton
• Inventors: Dutton, Todd
• Application Number:
  US12/583,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20110042138A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/542
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/126 with supporting means for mounting on a single wall stud

Abstract

The present invention relates to electrical wiring components, and more particularly, to an electrical utility box having a mechanism for providing vertical adjustment after attachment to a wall stud, both before and after wall surface installation and during all phases of construction. A first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical utility box attached to a mounting bracket containing a slot placed longitudinally along the center of the bracket, thereby allowing the electrical utility box to slide along the length of the bracket. A second preferred embodiment includes an electrical utility box and a T-shaped mounting bracket permanently fixed to the electrical box, thereby allowing the combination to be used as a conventional electrical utility box assembly. In addition, an L-shaped optional adjustable mounting bracket to provides a vertical adjustment capability when combined with a T-shaped mounting bracket. A third preferred embodiment includes an electrical utility box attached to a mounting bracket by wrap-around tabs.

Claims

1. An electrical utility box assembly, comprising the combination of:

a electrical utility box having four side portions, a back portion, and a front opening;

a mounting bracket having a longitudinal axis;

means for attaching said electrical utility box to said mounting bracket, such that said electrical utility box slides along said longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket; and

means for fixing said electrical utility box along said longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket, said means for fixing accessible through said front opening of said electrical utility box;

whereby said electrical utility box assembly provides for vertical adjustment of said electrical utility box both before and after installation of wall surfaces.

2. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical utility box contains one or more electrical components, said electrical components further comprising a combination of electrical switches and receptacles.

3. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical utility box is constructed of metal.

4. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical utility box is constructed of plastic.

5. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket is constructed of metal.

6. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket is constructed of plastic.

7. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket further comprises a slot placed along longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket, and said means for attaching comprises at least two rivets that pass through a side of said electrical utility box and through said slot, thereby allowing said electrical utility box to slide along a portion of said mounting bracket.

8. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket further comprises a plurality of mounting holes for attaching said mounting bracket to a wall stud.

9. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a pair of fasteners connecting said electrical utility box to said slot of said mounting bracket.

10. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a plurality of tabs attached to a side of said electrical utility box, said tabs for receiving said mounting bracket.

11. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a fixed mounting bracket attached to said electrical utility box, and said mounting bracket further comprises a channel for receiving said fixed mounting bracket.

12. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for fixing further comprises a set screw, said set screw for applying friction to hold said electrical utility box at a desired location, and said set screw accessible from said front opening of said utility box.

13. An electrical utility box assembly, comprising:

a electrical utility box for holding one or more electrical components disposed within said electrical utility box, said electrical components including a combination of electrical switches, receptacles and low-voltage components;

a mounting bracket having a longitudinal axis;

means for attaching said electrical utility box to said mounting bracket, such that said electrical utility box slides along said longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket; and

means for fixing said electrical utility box along said longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket;

whereby said electrical utility box assembly provides for vertical adjustment of said electrical utility box during all phases of construction.

14. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a pair of fasteners connecting said electrical utility box through a slot disposed along said longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket.

15. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a plurality of tabs attached to a side of said electrical utility box, said tabs for wrapping around an outside edge of said mounting bracket.

16. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a fixed mounting bracket attached to said electrical utility box, and said mounting bracket further comprises a channel for receiving said fixed mounting bracket.

17. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said means for fixing further comprises a set screw, said set screw for applying friction to hold said electrical utility box at a desired position along said mounting bracket, and said set screw accessible through a front opening of said electrical utility box.

18. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said electrical utility box is constructed of metal.

19. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said electrical utility box is constructed of plastic.

20. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said mounting bracket is constructed of metal.

21. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said mounting bracket is constructed of plastic.