Load supporting electrical box suited for attaching to a joist

• US 5,854,443 A
• Filed: 01/12/1995
• Issued: 12/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reiker Enterprises of Northwest Florida Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kenneth H. Reiker
• Inventors: Reiker, Kenneth H.
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/371,695
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/58, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.9, 248/906, 248/205.3
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/006 with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/10 for surface mounting on a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/125 with supporting bar extending between two separate studs of a wall frame
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/126 with supporting means for mounting on a single wall stud
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets

Abstract

An electrical fixture mounting assembly includes a junction box having a wall defining a junction box cavity therein. There are provided one or more members on the wall for attaching the junction box to a support. Such attachment members include spaced apart mounting brackets which are configured for engaging various sizes and shapes of supports. In addition, there are provided adhesive members for supplementing and/or replacing the attachment members so that the fixture mounting assembly can be readily attached to a variety of surfaces.

Claims

1. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall assembly defining a junction box cavity therein, said wall assembly including a top wall and a downwardly extending side wall;

c) a first mounting bracket disposed on said wall, and said first mounting bracket being configured for attaching to a joist;

d) a second mounting bracket disposed on said wall assembly, and said second mounting bracket being configured for attaching to a joist;

e) said second mounting bracket is spaced apart from said first mounting bracket;

f) said first and second mounting brackets being configured and positioned relative to each other for engaging opposite sides of a joist, said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets; and

g) at least one of said first and second mounting, brackets being disposed on said top wall and extending upwardly away therefrom.

2. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said second mounting bracket is variably fixedly attached to said wall of said junction box.

3. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) a piece of double-sided tape is disposed on said wall assembly, and said piece of double-sided tape is sufficiently strong for temporarily adhering said junction box to a joist.

4. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) A fixture supporting screw is provided on said first mounting bracket.

5. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein:

a) said fixture supporting screw is configured for transferring forces exerted by a fixture to said first mounting bracket substantially without exerting such forces on said junction box.

6. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall assembly defining a junction box cavity therein, said wall assembly including a top wall and a downwardly extending side wall;

c) means disposed on said wall assembly for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said engaging means including a second mounting bracket spaced apart from said first mounting bracket;

f) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a first direction, and said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a second direction extending transverse to the first direction; and

g) at least one of said first and second mounting brackets being disposed substantially above said top wall.

7. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) means is disposed on said engaging means for fixedly securing said engaging means to a joist.

8. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) a piece of double-sided tape is disposed on said wall assembly, and said piece of double-sided tape is sufficiently strong for temporarily adhering said junction box to a joist.

9. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist;

d) means disposed on said engaging means for fixedly securing said engaging means to a joist; and

e) said securing means including double-sided tape.

10. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein:

a) said engaging means includes a first mounting bracket.

11. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist;

d) means disposed on said wall for fixedly securing said wall to the bottom of a joist; and

e) said securing means including double-sided tape.

12. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein:

a) said engaging means includes a first mounting bracket.

13. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall assembly defining a junction box cavity therein, said wall assembly including a top wall and a side wall extending downwardly away therefrom;

c) means disposed on said wall assembly for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist;

d) said engaging means being disposed substantially above said cavity; and

e) means provided on said engaging means for supporting a fixture, said fixture supporting means transferring forces exerted on said fixture supporting means substantially to said engaging means substantially without exerting such forces on said junction box.

14. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein:

a) said engaging means includes a first mounting bracket.

15. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein:

a) a piece of double-sided tape is disposed on said wall assembly, and said piece of double-sided tape is sufficiently strong for temporarily adhering said junction box to a joist.

16. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) a first mounting bracket is disposed on said wall, and said first mounting bracket is configured for attaching to a joist;

d) a second mounting bracket is disposed on said wall, and said second mounting bracket is configured for attaching to a joist;

e) said second mounting bracket is spaced apart from said first mounting bracket;

f) said first and second mounting brackets are configured and are positioned relative to each other for engaging opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist;

g) means disposed on said first mounting bracket for fixedly securing said mounting bracket to a joist; and

h) said securing means including double-sided tape.

17. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein:

a) said first mounting bracket is configured for supporting a fixture and for transferring forces exerted by a fixture to said first mounting bracket substantially without transferring forces to said junction box.

18. An electrical fixture mounting assembly comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall assembly defining a junction box cavity therein, said wall assembly including a top wall and a downwardly extending side wall;

c) a first mounting bracket disposed on said wall assembly, and said first mounting bracket being configured for attaching to a joist;

d) a second mounting bracket disposed on said wall, and said second mounting bracket being configured for attaching to a joist;

e) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket;

f) said first and second mounting brackets being configured and positioned relative to each other for engaging opposite sides of an irregularly shaped joist;

g) at least one of said first and second mounting brackets being disposed substantially above said top wall; and

h) a fixture supporting screw being provided on said first mounting bracket.

19. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein:

a) said fixture supporting screw is configured for transferring forces exerted by a fixture to said first mounting bracket substantially without exerting such forces on said junction box.

20. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein:

a) a piece of double-sided tape is disposed on said wall assembly, and said piece of double-sided tape is sufficiently strong for temporarily adhering said junction box to a joist.

21. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) a first permanent mounting bracket disposed on said wall; and

d) an adhesive disposed on said wall, said adhesive being sufficiently strong for temporarily adhering said junction box to a joist.

22. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein:

a) said adhesive includes a piece of tape.

23. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein:

a) said adhesive includes a patch of spray-on adhesive.

24. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein:

a) said adhesive includes a patch of glue.

25. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein:

a) a second permanent mounting bracket is disposed on said wall; and

,

b) said second permanent mounting bracket is spaced apart from said first permanent mounting bracket.

26. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein:

a) said second permanent mounting bracket is spaced apart from said first permanent mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets.

27. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said engaging means including a second mounting bracket spaced apart from said first mounting bracket;

f) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets;

g) means disposed on said engaging means for fixedly securing said engaging means to a joist; and

h) said securing means including double-sided tape.

28. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said engaging means including a second mounting bracket spaced apart from said first mounting bracket;

f) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets;

g) means disposed on said wall for fixedly securing said wall to a bottom portion of a joist; and

h) said securing means including double-sided tape.

29. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said first mounting bracket being variably fixedly attached to said wall of said junction box; and

f) a piece of double-sided tape disposed on said wall, and said piece of double-sided tape is sufficiently strong for temporarily adhering said junction box to a joist.

30. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said engaging means including a second mounting bracket;

f) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets, and said second mounting bracket being substantially free of a direct connection with said first mounting bracket;

g) means disposed on said engaging means for fixedly securing said engaging means to a joist; and

h) said securing means including double-sided tape.

31. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said engaging means including a second mounting bracket;

f) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets, and said second mounting bracket being substantially free of a direct connection with said first mounting bracket;

g) means disposed on said wall for fixedly securing said wall to a bottom of a joist; and

h) said securing means including double-sided tape.

32. An electrical fixture mounting assembly, comprising:

a) a junction box;

b) said junction box including a wall defining a junction box cavity therein;

c) means disposed on said wall for engaging said junction box with opposite sides of a joist;

d) said engaging means including a first mounting bracket;

e) said engaging means including a second mounting bracket;

f) said second mounting bracket being spaced apart from said first mounting bracket in a direction of elongation of a joist disposable between said first and second mounting brackets, and said second mounting bracket being substantially free of a direct connection with said first mounting bracket; and

g) means is provided on said engaging means for supporting a fixture, said fixture supporting means transferring forces exerted on said fixture supporting means substantially to said engaging means substantially without exerting such forces on said junction box.

33. An electrical fixture mounting assembly as defined in claim 32, wherein:

a) said fixture supporting means includes a screw.