Self-grounded plastic electrical box and method of making the same
First Claim
1. A mounting assembly, comprising:
- a) a box including a non-metallic top wall and a non-metallic side wall;
b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein;
c) a metal support disposed on said side wall;
d) said metal support extending substantially across a width of the box and engaging said top wall;
e) a fixture support having a first end and a second end, said first end being engaged with said metal support;
f) a threaded hole provided on the second end of said fixture support; and
g) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical junction box or mounting assembly includes a box having a top wall and a side wall. The side wall extends downwardly away from the top wall and defines a cavity therein. A hole is provided in the side wall, and a fixture support is disposed in the hole. The fixture support may be made of metal, and the side wall and/or top wall may be made of plastic. The fastener may be a stud having a threaded hole therein. Flutes may be provided on the stud for engaging with the plastic/metal side wall for preventing rotation of the stud. An adhesive sufficiently strong to adhere the junction box to a downwardly facing surface may be provided on the top wall of the junction box. The adhesive may be in the form of double-sided tape. A method of extruding junction boxes includes extruding at least the side wall of the box and attaching a top wall thereto.
72 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A mounting assembly, comprising:
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a) a box including a non-metallic top wall and a non-metallic side wall;
b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein;
c) a metal support disposed on said side wall;
d) said metal support extending substantially across a width of the box and engaging said top wall;
e) a fixture support having a first end and a second end, said first end being engaged with said metal support;
f) a threaded hole provided on the second end of said fixture support; and
g) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
a) said fixture support comprises metal.
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3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a) said top wall comprises plastic.
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4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein:
a) said top wall comprises a metallic material.
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5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein:
a) said fixture support engages said metallic top wall.
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6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein:
a) said fixture support includes a female fastener at a lower portion.
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7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein:
a) said fixture support includes a head which is disposed on an upper surface of the top wall.
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8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein:
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a) a window is provided in said side wall; and
b) said fixture support is disposed in said window.
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9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) said fixture support includes a stud having a head at a top portion;
b) said threaded hole is disposed in a bottom portion of said stud; and
c) said head engages said top wall of said box.
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10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) an opening is defined in said side wall; and
b) said opening defined in said side wall includes a portion which opens outwardly of said box.
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11. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) an adhesive is disposed on said top wall; and
b) said adhesive is located and is sufficiently strong for adhering said junction box to a support surface.
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12. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein:
a) said adhesive includes double-sided tape.
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13. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) an adhesive is disposed on said top wall; and
b) said adhesive includes double-sided tape and is located and is sufficiently strong for adhering said junction box to a support surface.
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14. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) a hole is defined in said side wall; and
b) said fixture support is at least partially disposed within said hole.
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15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein:
a) said fixture support is substantially completely disposed within said hole.
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16. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) said metal support is disposed on a non-metallic material disposed on said box; and
b) said metal support is configured for engaging said fixture support for establishing a grounding connection with a fixture attached to said fixture support.
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17. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a) an opening is provided on said metal support, and said opening is configured for securing a grounding screw thereto.
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18. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein:
a) said opening includes a threaded hole.
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19. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:
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a) an opening is provided in one of said top wall and said side wall of said box, said opening being configured for receiving a wire therethrough;
b) an extension is provided on said metal support, said extension being configured for extending at least partially into said opening in said one of said top wall and side wall; and
c) said extension being configured for allowing a wire to be inserted into said opening and for restricting movement of the wire out of said opening, in use.
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20. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein:
a) a ridged portion is provided on said extension for enhancing engagement between the wire and said extension, in use.
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21. A mounting assembly, comprising:
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a) a junction box including a top wall and a non-metallic side wall;
b) said side wall extending downwardly away from said top wall and defining a cavity therein;
c) a metal support disposed on said side wall;
d) a fixture support engaged with said metal support;
e) a threaded hole provided on said fixture support;
f) said threaded hole being sized for mating with threads of a fixture fastener;
g) said fixture support including a stud having a head at a top portion;
h) said threaded hole being disposed in a bottom portion of said fixture support; and
i) said head engaging said top wall of said box. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
a) said top wall comprises a non-metallic material.
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23. A device as defined in claim 22, wherein:
a) said non-metallic material of said top wall comprises plastic.
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24. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
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a) a hole is defined in said side wall; and
b) said fixture support is at least partially disposed within said hole.
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25. A device as defined in claim 24, wherein:
a) said fixture support is substantially completely disposed within said hole.
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26. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
a) said non-metallic material of said side wall comprises an extruded non-metallic material.
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27. A device as defined in claim 26, wherein:
a) said extruded non-metallic material of said side wall comprises plastic.
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28. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
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a) an opening is provided in the top wall; and
b) said fixture support is disposed in the opening.
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29. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
a) an opening is provided on said metal support, and said opening is configured for securing a grounding screw thereto.
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30. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
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a) an opening is provided in said side wall; and
b) said fixture support is disposed in said opening in said side wall.
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31. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
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a) an opening is provided in said top wall; and
b) said fixture support is disposed in said opening in said top wall.
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32. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
a) said fixture support includes a stud.
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33. A device as defined in claim 32, wherein:
a) at least one flute is provided on said stud, said at least one flute being configured for engaging said at least one of the top wall and the side wall.
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34. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
a) said top wall comprises a substantially flat plate.
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35. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
a) at least one guide is disposed on said top wall, and said at least one guide is configured for engaging a portion of a support to which said box is attached, in use.
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36. A device as defined in claim 35, wherein:
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a) said at least one guide includes a first guide and a spaced apart second guide; and
b) said first guide and said second guide being sufficiently far apart so that a joist will fit therebetween, in use.
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37. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein:
a) said top wall comprises a metallic material.
Specification