Clip for mounting objects on a wall stud

• US 6,389,658 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Bailey, Mark Anthony, Pfaller, Mark Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/560,601
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 245/45, 242/92, 242/94, 242/95, 245/70, 248/205.1, 248/217.1, 248/217.2, 248/906, 248/27.1, 220/3.9, 220/3.3, 220/3.6, 220/3.92, 522/201, 522/21
• US Class Current: 24/545
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/245 external, i.e. with contracting action
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0635 fastened over the edges of the sheets or plates
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• 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: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/307 Sheet metal formed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44769 Opposed engaging faces on gripping member formed from single piece of resilient material

Abstract

A clip for mounting an object such as an electrical box on a stud is provided which comprises a fist side portion for engaging a first surface of the stud; a second side portion for engaging a second surface of the stud; the second side portion including at least one box clip arm for securing the electrical box to the clip; and at least one support member extending between the electrical box and the second surface of the stud for substantially preventing flexing of the clip and inward movement of the electrical box when a force is applied generally inwardly of the electrical box.

Claims

1. A clip for mounting an object such as an electrical box on a stud, said clip comprising:

(a) a first side portion including a first pair of prongs having pointed tips for gripping said first surface of said stud;

(b) a second side portion including a second pair of prongs having pointed tips for gripping said second surface of said stud;

(c) said second side portion including at least one box clip arm for securing said electrical box to said clip; and

(d) at least one support member extending between said electrical box and said second surface of said stud for substantially preventing flexing of said clip and inward movement of said electrical box when a force is applied generally inwardly of said electrical box.

2. A clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one support member projects from a distal end of said second side portion of said clip toward said second surface of said stud.

3. A clip as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one support member includes a turned lip portion for engaging said second surface of said stud.

4. A clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip includes a pair of support members extending between said electrical box and said second surface of said stud for substantially preventing flexing of said clip and inward movement of said electrical box when a force is applied generally inwardly of said electrical box.

5. A clip as defined in claim 4, wherein said stud comprises a metal stud.

6. A clip as defined in claim 5, wherein said clip is attached to a closed side of said metal stud.

7. A clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said second side portion includes a pair of box clip arms for securing said electrical box to said clip.

8. A clip as defined in claim 7, wherein said pair of box clip arms and said second side portion cooperate to define a channel means for receiving a side wall of said electrical box.

9. A one-piece clip for mounting an object such as an electrical box on a metal stud of generally channel shape having a web, a pair of generally parallel flanges and inwardly turned lips on the flanges, said clip comprising:

(a) a first side portion for engaging one of said lips for securement of said clip to said stud;

(b) a second side portion for engaging the web of said stud for securement of said clip to said stud;

(c) said second side portion including at least one box clip arm for securing said electrical box to said clip; and

(d) at least one support member extending laterally between a side wall of said electrical box and the web of said stud for substantially preventing flexing of said clip and inward movement of said electrical box when a force is applied generally inwardly of said electrical box.

10. A one piece clip as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one support member projects from a distal end of said second side portion of said clip toward the web of said stud.

11. A one-piece clip as defined in claim 10, wherein said at least one support member includes a turned lip portion for engaging the web of said stud when said force is applied to said electrical box.

12. A one-piece clip as defined in claim 11, wherein said clip includes a pair of support members extending between said side wall of said electrical box and the web of said stud.

13. A one-piece clip as defined in claim 12, wherein said second side portion includes a pair of box clip arms for securing said electrical box to said clip.

14. A one-piece clip as defined in claim 13, wherein said pair of box clip arms and said second side portion cooperate to define a channel means for receiving said side wall of said electrical box.

15. A one-piece clip as defined in claim 10, wherein said clip is attached to a closed side of said metal stud.

16. A clip for mounting an electrical box to a stud, comprising:

a first side portion for engaging a first surface of said stud;

a second side portion for engaging a second surface of said stud and having a clip arm for securing said box thereto; and

at least one support member extending laterally between said box and said stud for substantially preventing flexing of said clip and inward movement of said electrical box when force is applied generally inwardly of said electrical box.

17. A clip as defined in claim 16, wherein said at least one support member projects from a distal end of said second side portion of said clip toward said second surface of said stud.

18. A clip as defined in claim 17, wherein said at least one support member includes a turned lip portion for engaging said second surface of said stud.

19. A clip as defined in claim 16, wherein said clip includes a pair of support members extending between said electrical box and said second surface of said stud for substantially preventing flexing of said clip and inward movement of said electrical box when a force is applied generally inwardly of said electrical box.