Apparatus for mounting an electrical component on a structure

• US 6,573,446 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George H. Umstead, Steven M. Umstead
• Original Assignee: George H. Umstead, Steven M. Umstead
• Inventors: Umstead, George H., Umstead, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/447,784
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/50, 174/58, 174/60, 220/3.3, 220/3.6, 220/3.8, 220/4.02, 248/906
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/125 with supporting bar extending between two separate studs of a wall frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/90 Movable or disengageable on impact or overload

Abstract

A installation system for mounting electrical receptacle boxes within a building structure. The electrical receptacle box has at least one of a front contact positioning device for contacting the front wall surface of a wall and a rear contact positioning device for contacting the rear surface of the wall to thereby position the electrical receptacle box with respect to the wall. A bracket for mounting the electrical receptacle box to a structural member includes a clamping bracket which exerts a clamping force on opposing faces of the structural component and is slidable along the length of the structural component before being fixedly secured thereto. Preferably, the clamping bracket includes an adjustable biasing portion which is deflectable to define a variable clamping gap.

Claims

1. An electrical receptacle box for mounting in an aperture of a wall member of a structure, said electrical receptacle box being for receiving and at least partially enclosing at least one electrical component and for positioning such at least one electrical component within such aperture with respect to such wall member of such structure, such wall member of such structure having a front wall surface and a rear wall surface, said electrical receptacle box comprising:

a box, said box including a plurality of box panels interconnected to define and at least partially enclose a chamber for mounting such at least one electrical component therein; and

positioning means for positioning said box within such aperture with respect to such wall member, said positioning means including;

front contact positioning means for contacting such front wall surface of such wall member to thereby position said box with respect to such wall member; and

rear contact positioning means for contacting such rear wall surface of such wall member to thereby position said box with respect to such wall member.

2. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of box panels includes at least one lateral box panel extending substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said electrical receptacle box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member; and

said front contact positioning means includes at least one translatable tab member connected to said at least one lateral box panel;

said at least one translatable tab member having a wall front contact surface and being translatable between a first position and a second position with respect to said at least one lateral box panel;

said wall front contact surface of said at least one translatable tab member, in said first position, being in substantial non-contact with such front wall surface of such wall member when said box is positioned within such aperture of said wall member; and

said wall front contact surface of said at least one translatable tab member, in said second position, being in substantial contact with such front wall surface when said box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member.

3. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 2, wherein:

said at least one translatable tab member is translatable in a direction substantially parallel to such front wall surface of such wall member when said box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member.

4. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 3, wherein said front contact positioning means additionally includes:

at least one elongated slot formed in said at least one translatable tab member; and

at least one pin member extending from said box;

said at least one elongated slot engaging said at least one pin member;

whereby said at least one translatable tab member is rendered translatable with respect to said box through translation of said at least one elongated slot with respect to said at least one pin member.

5. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 3, wherein said front contact positioning means additionally includes:

a pair of elongated slots formed in said at least one translatable tab member; and

a pair of pin members extending from said box;

one each of said pair of elongated slots engaging one each of said pair of pin members;

whereby said at least one translatable tab member is rendered translatable with respect to said box through translation of said pair of elongated slots with respect to pair of pin members.

6. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 5, wherein:

said plurality of box panels includes a top box panel, a bottom box panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;

each of said top box panel, said bottom box panel, said first side panel, and said second side panel extending substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said box is positioned in such aperture of such wall member;

said front contact positioning means additionally includes;

a first pair of said pin members extending from said top box panel;

a top translatable tab member, said top translatable tab member having a first two elongated slots formed therein;

one each of said first two elongated slots slidably engaging one each of said first pair of pin members extending from said top box panel;

a second pair of said pin members extending from said bottom box panel; and

a bottom translatable tab member, said bottom translatable tab member having a second two elongated slots formed therein;

one each of said second two elongated slots slidably engaging one each of said second pair of pin members extending from said bottom box panel.

7. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 6, wherein:

each of said top box panel and said bottom box panel are provided with an attachment hole for attachment of such at least one electrical component thereto;

said first pair of said pin members and said first two elongated slots formed in said top translatable tab member straddle said attachment hole provided in said top box panel; and

said second pair of said pin members and said second two elongated slots formed in said bottom translatable tab member straddle said attachment hole provided in said bottom box panel.

8. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 7, wherein:

each of said top and bottom translatable tab members are provided with a relieved portion;

said relieved portion exposing said attachment holes provided in said top and bottom box panels when said top and bottom tab members are translated to said second position in substantial contact with such front wall surface of such wall member.

9. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 8, wherein:

each of said relieved portions includes an arcuate relieved portion; and

each of said pin members includes a screw.

10. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 2, wherein:

said at least one translatable tab member is translatable in a direction substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member.

11. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 10, wherein said front contact positioning means additionally includes:

at least one prong member extending from said at least one translatable tab member;

said at least one prong member extending substantially perpendicular to said wall front contact surface of said at least one translatable tab member; and

at least one slot formed in said box for receiving said at least one prong member.

12. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 11, wherein:

said plurality of box panels includes a top box panel, a bottom box panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;

each of said top box panel, said bottom box panel, said first side panel, and said second side panel extending substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said box is positioned in such aperture of such wall member; and

said front contact positioning means additionally includes;

a first pair of said slots provided in said top box panel;

a top translatable tab member, said top translatable tab member having a first pair of said prongs extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said wall front contact surface;

one each of said first pair of prongs slidably engaging one each of said first pair of said slots provided in said top box panel;

a second pair of said slots provided in said bottom box panel; and

a bottom translatable tab member, said bottom translatable tab member having a second pair of said prongs extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said wall front contact surface;

one each of said second pair of prongs slidably engaging said second pair of slots provided in said bottom box panel.

13. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 12, wherein:

each of said top box panel and said bottom box panel are provided with an attachment hole for attachment of such at least one electrical component thereto;

said first pair of said slots and said first pair of said prongs extending from said top translatable tab member straddle said attachment hole provided in said top box panel; and

said second pair of said slots and said second pair of said prongs extending from said bottom translatable tab member straddle said attachment hole provided in said bottom box panel.

14. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 13, wherein:

each of said top and bottom translatable tab members are provided with a relieved portion exposing said attachment holes provided in said top and bottom box panels.

15. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 14, wherein each of said relieved portions includes a substantially arcuate relieved portion.

16. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 12, wherein each of said prongs has a substantially corrugated surface configuration.

17. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 11, wherein said electrical receptacle box includes means for housing a plurality of electrical components.

18. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 1, wherein said electrical receptacle box includes means for housing a plurality of electrical components.

19. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of box panels includes at least one lateral box panel extending substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said electrical receptacle box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member; and

said rear contact positioning means includes;

a threaded member engaging and extending along said at least one lateral box panel; and

a rear contacting member threadingly engaging said threaded member;

said rear contacting member having a rear contact surface for contacting such rear wall surface of such wall member.

20. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 19, wherein:

said at least one lateral box panel includes an interior surface facing such at least one electrical component and an exterior surface opposite said interior surface;

said threaded member extends substantially along said exterior surface of said at least one lateral box panel;

said box additionally includes a flange connected to and extending from said at least one lateral box panel;

said flange is provided with an aperture;

said threaded member passes through said aperture to thereby rotatably engage said flange; and

said rear contacting member includes a wing portion extending radially outward from said threaded member when said rear contacting member is threadingly engaged with said threaded member.

21. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 20, wherein:

said aperture is a substantially keyhole shaped aperture formed in said flange, said keyhole shaped aperture having a substantially cylindrical portion and a slot portion, said slot portion connecting said substantially cylindrical portion of said aperture to an exterior edge of said flange; and

said threaded member includes a spool portion having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface;

said spool portion of said threaded member being snapably insertable into said aperture through said slot portion such that said substantially cylindrical exterior surface of said spool portion is rotatable within said substantially cylindrical portion of said aperture.

22. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 20, wherein:

said threaded member extends substantially parallel to said exterior surface of said at least one lateral box panel; and

said threaded member is a screw member, said screw member having a head with a tool engaging configuration.

23. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 19, wherein said rear contact positioning means additionally includes means for maintaining said rear contacting member in a position substantially transverse to said at least one lateral box panel.

24. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 23, wherein said means for maintaining said rear contacting member in a position substantially transverse to said at least one box lateral panel includes a raised bead extending along said at least one lateral box panel adjacent to said threaded member.

25. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 19, wherein:

said plurality of box panels includes at least an upper box panel and a lower box panel, each of said upper box panel and said lower box panel extending substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said electrical receptacle box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member; and

said rear contact positioning means additionally includes;

a first threaded member rotatably engaging and extending along said upper box panel;

a first rear contacting member threadingly engaging said first threaded member;

a second threaded member rotatably engaging and extending along said lower box panel; and

a second rear contacting member threadingly engaging said second threaded member.

26. An electrical receptacle box according to claim 19, wherein:

said electrical receptacle box additionally includes means for the receiving and at least partially enclosing of a plurality of electrical components;

said plurality of box panels includes at least an upper box panel and a lower box panel, each of said upper box panel and said lower box panel extending substantially perpendicular to such front wall surface of such wall member when said electrical receptacle box is positioned within such aperture of such wall member; and

said rear contact positioning means additionally includes;

a first pair of threaded members and a first pair of rear contacting members, one each of said first pair of rear contacting members threadingly engaging one each of said first pair of threaded members;

said first pair of threaded members rotatably engaging and extending along said upper box panel; and

a second pair of threaded members and a second pair of rear contacting members, one each of said second pair of rear contacting members threadingly engaging one each of said second pair of threaded members;

said second pair of threaded members rotatably engaging and extending along said lower box panel;

one each of said first pairs of threaded members and rear contacting members being disposed substantially adjacent opposing ends of said upper box panel; and

one each of said second pairs of threaded members and rear contacting members being disposed substantially adjacent opposing ends of said lower box panel.

27. A bracket for mounting an electrical receptacle box to a structure, comprising:

a clamping bracket for engaging opposing faces of a structural component of such structure and for exerting a clamping force on such structural component;

said clamping bracket being slidable along such structural component while said clamping bracket exerts said clamping force on such structural component prior to said clamping bracket being fixedly secured to such structural component;

said clamping bracket including a first leg member and a second leg member opposing said first leg member;

at least a portion of one of said first leg member and second leg member having an adjustable biasing portion;

said adjustable biasing portion being deflectable in a direction toward an other of said first leg member and said second leg member to thereby define a variable clamping gap between said adjustable biasing portion and said other of said first leg member and said second leg member;

said adjustable biasing portion and the other of said first leg member and said second leg member exerting said clamping force on such structural component; and

means for attaching such electrical receptacle box to said clamping bracket.

28. A bracket for mounting an electrical receptacle box to a structure according to claim 27, wherein:

said adjustable biasing portion includes a fragmented portion of said one of said first and second leg members.

29. A bracket for mounting an electrical receptacle box to a structure according to claim 28, wherein:

said fragmented portion includes a portion of said one of said first and second leg members fragmented therefrom by a throughgoing cut.

30. A bracket for mounting an electrical receptacle box to a structure according to claim 29, wherein:

said throughgoing cut includes three cut portions;

said three cut portions including a first cut portion;

a second cut portion disposed substantially parallel to said first cut portion, and a third cut portion disposed substantially perpendicular to both of said first and second cut portions, said third cut portion interconnecting both of said first and second cut portions.

31. A device for mounting an electrical component to a structure according to claim 27, wherein:

said means for attaching such electrical receptacle box to said clamping bracket includes a flange member extending from said second leg member; and

an attachment between such electrical receptacle box and said flange member.

32. A device for mounting an electrical component to a structure according to claim 27, wherein:

said means for attaching such electrical receptacle box to said clamping bracket includes an attachment between such electrical receptacle box and said second leg member.

33. A bracket for mounting an electrical receptacle box to a structure according to claim 27, said bracket additionally including offset means for offsetting such attached electrical receptacle box a distance from such structural member.

34. A bracket for mounting an electrical receptacle box to a structure according to claim 33, wherein said offset means includes at least one step formed in said second leg member.

35. A device for mounting an electrical component to a structure, comprising:

a clamping bracket for engaging opposing faces of a structural component of such structure and for exerting a clamping force on such structural component;

said clamping bracket being slidable along such structural component while said clamping bracket exerts said clamping force on such structural component prior to said clamping bracket being fixedly secured to such structural component; and

an electrical receptacle box for attachment to said clamping bracket and for housing such electrical component;

said electrical receptacle box having a first substantially planar face; and

said clamping bracket having a second substantially planar face for mating with said first substantially planar face of said electrical receptacle box;

wherein said clamping bracket includes a first leg member and a second leg member, said first and second leg members being biased toward one another to thereby exert said clamping force on such structural component;

wherein said device for mounting additionally includes a flange member extending from said second leg member; and

wherein said electrical receptacle box is fixedly attached to at least one of said second leg member and said flange member.

36. A device for mounting an electrical component to a structure according to claim 35, wherein said electrical receptacle box is fixedly attached to both of said second leg member and said flange member.

37. A device for mounting an electrical component to a structure according to claim 36, wherein said flange member extends substantially perpendicularly outward from said second leg member.

38. A device for mounting an electrical component to a structure, comprising:

a clamping bracket for engaging opposing faces of a structural component of such structure and for exerting a clamping force on such structural component;

said clamping bracket being slidable along such structural component while said clamping bracket exerts said clamping force on such structural component prior to said clamping bracket being fixedly secured to such structural component;

said clamping bracket having at least one leg member extending along at least a portion of a side of such structural component;

said at least one leg member having a substantially planar face; and

an electrical receptacle box attached to said clamping bracket;

said electrical receptacle box having another substantially planar face for mating with said substantially planar face of said at least one leg member; and

said device additionally including spacing means for spacing said electrical receptacle box at a distance from said at least one leg member of said clamping bracket;

wherein said spacing means includes a portion of said at least one leg member projecting outward from a surface of said leg member which extends substantially parallel to such side of such structural component.