Bar hanger and mounting clip assembly

• US 6,491,270 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Pfaller, Mark Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Korie
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEINHOLD, INGRID M
• Application Number:
  US09/565,823
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 248/906, 248/74.2, 248/57, 248/58, 248/49, 248/317, 248/343, 248/340, 248/328, 248/200.1
• US Class Current: 248/200.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/125 with supporting bar extending between two separate studs of a wall frame
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/263 Installation, e.g. suspension, of conduit channels or other supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/281 in ceilings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly for securing an electrical box between two opposed Tee bar elements in a ceiling structure is provided which comprises a spanning bar which spans between the two opposed Tee bar elements; first and second clips at opposed ends of the spanning bar for attaching the spanning bar to the two opposed Tee bar elements; an electrical box; and a mounting clip for securing the electrical box to the spanning bar, the mounting clip including a tension leg for initially holding the electrical box in position on the spanning bar before the clip is securely fastened to the electrical box.

Claims

1. A clip for securing an electrical box to a spanning bar, said clip comprising:

(a) a first generally horizontally disposed flat portion engageable with an outer surface of said electrical box;

(b) an inverted generally U-shaped portion, attached to said first flat portion, sufficiently sized for receiving said spanning bar;

(c) a second generally horizontally disposed flat portion, attached to said inverted U-shaped portion, specifically configured to be received through a box knockout opening formed in a wall of said electrical box, said second flat portion engageable with an inner surface of said wall of said electrical box;

(d) initial holding means in the form of a tension leg for initially holding said clip in position on said electrical box before said clip is securely fastened to said electrical box; and

(e) channel means defined by said tension leg and second flat portion for receiving a peripheral edge of said knock-out opening in said wall of said electrical box.

2. A clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said tension leg comprises:

(a) a first portion extending generally upwardly from said second flat portion of said clip;

(b) a second portion extending laterally outwardly and downwardly from said first portion of said tension leg; and

(c) a third portion extending generally upwardly from a lower edge of said second portion of said tension leg.

3. A clip a defined in claim 2, wherein said first, second and third portions of said tension leg and said second flat portion of said clip cooperate to form said channel means.

4. A clip as defined in claim 3, wherein the distance of separation between said lower edge of said second portion of said tension leg and said second flat portion of said clip is formed so that said lower edge will resiliently engage said wall of said electrical box when said wall is received therein.

5. A clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip further comprises load wire attachment means for receiving and engaging one or more load wires.

6. A clip as defined in claim 5, wherein said load wire attachment means comprises a generally upwardly extending wire attachment arm and at least one wire attachment hole formed in said arm for receiving said one or more load wires.

7. A clip as defined in claim 6, wherein said wire attachment arm extends generally upwardly from said inverted U-shaped portion of said clip.

8. A clip as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip is of extent to substantially cover said knock-out opening in said electrical box once installed.

9. A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly for securing an electrical box between two opposed Tee bar elements in a ceiling structure, said clip assembly comprising:

(a) a spanning bar which spans between said two opposed Tee bar elements;

(b) first and second clips at opposed ends of said spanning bar for attaching said spanning bar to said two opposed Tee bar elements;

(c) an electrical box; and

(d) a mounting clip for securing said electrical box to said spanning bar, said mounting clip including a first generally horizontally disposed flat portion engageable with an outer surface of said electrical box;

an inverted generally U-shaped portion, attached to said first flat portion, sufficiently sized for receiving said spanning bar;

a second generally horizontally disposed flat portion, attached to said inverted U-shaped portion, specifically configured to be received through a box knock-out opening formed in a wall of said electrical box, said second flat portion engaging an inner surface of said wall of said electrical box; and

an initial holding means, said initial holding means including;

a first portion extending generally upwardly from said second flat portion of said mounting clip;

a second portion extending laterally outwardly and downwardly from said first portion of said tension leg; and

a third portion extending generally upwardly from a lower edge of said second portion of said tension leg, wherein said first, second and third portions of said tension leg and said second flat portion of said mounting clip cooperate to form a channel means for receiving a peripheral edge of said knock-out opening in said wall of said electrical box.

10. A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein the distance of separation between said lower edge of said second portion of said tension leg and said second flat portion of said mounting clip is less than the thickness of said wall of said electrical box so that said lower edge resiliently engages said wall of said electrical box when said wall is received therein.

11. A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said clip further comprises load wire attachment means for receiving and engaging one or more load wires.

12. A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said load wire attachment means comprises a generally upwardly extending wire attachment arm and at least one wire attachment hole formed in said arm for receiving said one or more load wires.

13. A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said wire attachment arm extends generally upwardly from said inverted U-shaped portion of said clip.

14. A bar hanger and mounting clip assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said clip substantially covers said knock-out opening in said electrical box once installed.

15. A clip for securing an electrical box to a spanning bar, said clip comprising:

(a) a first generally horizontally disposed flat portion engageable with an outer surface of said electrical box;

(b) an inverted generally U-shaped portion, attached to said first flat portion, sufficiently sized for receiving said spanning bar;

(c) a second generally horizontally disposed flat portion, attached to said inverted U-shaped portion, specifically configured to be received through a box knockout opening formed in a wall of said electrical box, said second flat portion engageable with an inner surface of said wall of said electrical box;

(d) means for securing said clip to said electrical box; and

(e) load wire attachment means comprising a wire attachment arm extending generally upwardly from said inverted U-shaped portion of said clip and at least one wire attachment hole formed in said arm for receiving one or more load wires.

16. A clip as defined in claim 15, wherein said means for securing said clip to said electrical box comprises an initial holding means for initially holding said clip in position before said clip is securely fastened to said electrical box.

17. A clip as defined in claim 16, wherein said means for securing said clip to said electrical box further comprises a screw.