Electrical bracket

• US 6,812,405 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2003
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lamson & Sessions Company (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Hull, Eric G., Revlock, Dennis P. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US10/662,801
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/50, 174/53, 174/54, 174/57, 174/58, 174/61, 174/63, 174/17.R, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.4, 220/3.6, 220/3.8, 220/4.01, 220/4.02, 248/121, 248/126, 248/127, 248/200, 248/906, 361/600, D13/152
• US Class Current: 174/58
• 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

Abstract

An electrical bracket is for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud. The bracket includes a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls and first and second opposite side walls. The bracket further includes a front opening surrounded by the end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into the frame. The frame has an end-mounted position in which the first end wall faces the stud. A fastening structure, connected to the frame, is configured to be fastened to the stud when the frame is in the end-mounted position. An extension extends rearward from the first end wall. A stabilizer extends from the extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from the frame when the frame is in the end-mounted position.

Claims

1. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces a side surface of the stud;

a fastening tab extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall and configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position; and

a spacer extending from said first end wall in a direction away from second end wall, configured to abut the side surface of the stud and space the entire first end wall from the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said side walls are transversely spaced apart and said spacer is configured to abut the side surface of the stud along a transversely extending line of abutment.

3. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising a second such spacer that is rearwardly farther from said front opening than is said first spacer.

4. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said side walls are transversely spaced apart and said bracket further comprises a second such spacer transversely spaced apart from said first spacer.

5. The bracket of claim 1 further comprising an extension extending from said first end wall to a location rearward from said side walls, and a stabilizer extending from said extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from said side walls when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

6. The bracket of claim 5 wherein said extension is a plate extending rearward from, and parallel to, said first end wall.

7. The bracket of claim 5 wherein said stabilize is a plate that is perpendicular to said first end wall, and the location of said abutting contact by said stabilizer is spaced from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall so as to space said first end wall from the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

8. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the fastening tab is configured to accept a fastener.

9. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces a side surface of the stud and a side-mounted position in which said first side wall aces the side surface of the stud;

a fastening tab extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position; and

a fastener support extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall and configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to the stud when said frame is in said side-mounted position, said fastener support having a distal end configured to contact the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

10. The bracket of claim 9 wherein said fastener support is configured to retain the fastener in an orientation in which the fastener extends alongside said first end wall and into the stud when said frame is in said side-mounted position.

11. The bracket of claim 9 further comprising a stabilizer, separate from said fastener support, extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to contact the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position to stabilize said frame from rocking about said fastener support relative to the stud.

12. The bracket of claim 11 wherein said fastener support and said stabilize are spaced from each other.

13. The bracket of claim 9 further comprising an extension extending from said first end wall to a location rearward from said side walls, and a stabilizer extending from said extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from said side walls when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

14. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud side bracket comprising:

a wall structure defining a front opening and having at least one end wall and at least a first and a second side wall, said wall structure having an end-mounted position in which said at least one end wall faces a side surface of a stud;

a fastening member extending from said at least one end wall and configured to be fastened to a front surface of a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position; and

a spacing element coupled to said at least one end wall and configured to space the entire at least one end wall a distance from a side wall of a stud when in the end-mounted position.

15. The electrical bracket of claim 14, wherein the spacing element is a fastener support configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to a stud when the wall structure is in a side-mounted position in which said first side wall faces a stud.

16. The electrical bracket of claim 14, wherein the fastening member is a tab having at least one fastener receiving opening defined therethrough, and the spacing element is a member that extends outwardly from the at least one and wall.

17. The electrical bracket of claim 16, wherein the spacing element comprises an extension that extends from and is coplanar with the at least one end wall, and at least one stabilizing member that extended outwardly from the extension, said at least one stabilizing member being configured to about a side surface of a stud.

18. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud said bracket comprising:

a wall structure defining a front opening and having at least one end wall and at least a first and a second side wall, said wall structure having an end-mounted position in which the at least one end wall faces a side surface of a stud;

a fastening member connected to the wall structure configured to fasten the wall structure to a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position; and

means for spacing the entire wall structure a distance from a stud and for stabilizing the wall structure relative to a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position.

19. The electrical bracket of claim 18, wherein the means for spacing and stabilizing comprises a spacing element extending from the at least one end wall and configured to abut a side surface of a stud.

20. The electrical bracket of claim 18, wherein the means for spacing and stabilizing comprises an extension surface that is coplanar with and extends from the at least one end wall, said extension surface being configured to stabilize the wall structure relative to a wall stud when in an end-mounted position, said distance being about zero or greater.

21. The electrical bracket of claim 20, further comprising at least one stabilizing member extending outwardly from the extension surface, said stabilizing member being configured to abut a side surface of a wall stud at a distance that is greater than zero when the wall structure is in an end-mounted position.

22. The electrical bracket of claim 18, wherein the means for spacing and stabilizing comprises:

a spacer extending from the at least one end wall and configured to abut a side surface of a stud in the vicinity of the fastening member;

a faster support extending from the at least one end wall configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener for fastening the wall structure to a stud when the wall structure is in a side-mounted position, the fastener support configured to abut a side surface of a stud;

an extension surface extending from and coplanar with the at least one end wall; and

a stabilizing member extending from the extension surface configured to abut a side surface of a stud.

23. The electrical bracket of claim 22, wherein the extension surface is coplanar with the at least one end wall, the spacer has a first height, the fastener support has a second height, and the stabilizing member has a third height, and the first, second, and third heights are about the same.

24. The bracket of claim 23, wherein the stabilizing member is a plate that is perpendicular to the extension surface.

25. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces a side surface of the stud;

a fastening tab extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall and configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position;

a spacer extending from said first end wall in a direction away from second end wall;

configured to abut the side surface of the stud and space said first end wall from the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position; and

an extension extending from said first end wall to a location rearward from said side walls; and

a stabilizer extending from said extension into abutting contact with the stud at a location rearward from said side wills when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

26. The bracket of claim 25 wherein said extension is a plate extending rearward from, and parallel to, said first end wall.

27. The bracket of claim 25 wherein said stabilizer is a plate that is perpendicular to said first end wall, and the location of said abutting contact by said stabilizer is spaced from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall so as to space said first end wall from the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position.

28. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a wall structure defining a front opening and having at least one end wall and at least a first and a second side wall, said wall structure having an end-mounted position in which the at least one end wall faces a side surface of a stud;

a fastening member connected to the wall structure configured to fasten the wall structure to a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position; and

means for spacing the wall structure a distance from a stud and for stabilizing the wall structure relative to a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position;

the means for spacing and stabilizing comprising an extension surface that is coplanar with and extends from the at least one end wall, said extension surface being configured to stabilize the wall structure relative to a wall stud when in an end-mounted position, said distance being about zero or greater.

29. The electrical bracket of claim 28, further comprising at least one stabilizing member extending outwardly from the extension surface, said stabilizing member being configured to abut a side surface of a wall stud at a distance that is greater than zero when the wall structure is in an end-mounted position.

30. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a wall structure defining a front opening and having at least one end wall and at least a first and a second side wall, said wall structure having an end-mounted position in which the at least one end wall faces a side surface of a stud;

a fastening member connected to the wall structure configured to fasten the wall structure to a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position; and

means for spacing the wall structure a distance from a stud and for stabilizing the wall structure relative to a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position;

the means for spacing and stabilizing comprising;

a spacer extending from the at least one end wall and configured to abut a side surface of a stud in the vicinity of the fastening member;

a fastener support extending from the at least one end wall configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener for fastening the wall stature to a stud when the wall structure is in a side-mounted position, the fastener support configured to abut a side surface of a stud;

an extension surface extending from and coplanar with the at least one end wall; and

a stabilizing member extending from the extension surface configured to abut a side surface of a stud.

31. The electrical bracket of claim 30, wherein the extension surface is coplanar with the at least one end wall, the spacer has a first height, the fastener support has a second height, and the stabilizing member has a third height, and the first, second, and third heights are about the same.

32. The bracket of claim 31, wherein the stabilizing member is a plate that is perpendicular to the extension surface.

33. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces a side surface of the stud;

a fastening tab extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall and configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position; and

a spacer extending from said first end wall in a direction away from second end wall, configured to abut the side surface of the stud and space said first end wall from the side surface stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position;

said spacer being a fastener support configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to the stud when said frame is in a side-mounted position in which said first side wall faces the stud.

34. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a rectangular frame having first and second opposite end walls, first and second opposite side walls, and a front opening surrounded by said end walls and side walls for inserting an electrical device into said frame, said frame having an end-mounted position in which said first end wall faces a side surface of the stud and a side-mounted position in which said first side wall faces the side surface of the stud;

a fastening tab extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to be fastened to a front surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position;

a fastener support extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall and configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to the stud when said frame is in said side-mounted position, said fastener support having a distal end configured to contact the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position; and

a stabilizer, separate from said fastener support, extending from said first end wall in a direction away from said second end wall, configured to contact the side surface of the stud when said frame is in said end-mounted position to stabilize said frame from rocking about said fastener support relative to the stud;

said fastener support having a groove surface, and said stabilizer being configured to urge the fastener against the groove surface to retain the fastener in said groove surface.

35. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a wall structure defining a front opening and having at least one end wall and at least a first and a second side wall, said wall structure having an end-mounted position in which said at least one end wall faces a side surface of a stud;

a fastening member extending from said at least one end wall and configured to be fastened to a front surface of a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position; and

a spacing element coupled to said at least one end wall and configured to space the at least one end wall a distance from a side wall of a stud when in the end-mounted position;

the spacing element being a fastener support configured to capture a stud-penetrating fastener that fastens said bracket to a stud when the wall structure is in a side-mounted position in which said first side wall faces a stud.

36. An electrical bracket for mounting an electrical device to a wall stud, said bracket comprising:

a wall structure defining a front opening and having at least one end wall and at least a first and a second side wall, said wall structure having an end-mounted position in which said at least one end wall faces a side surface of a stud;

a fastening member extending from said at least one end wall and configured to be fastened to a front surface of a stud when the wall structure is in the end-mounted position; and

a spacing element coupled to said at least one end wall and configured to space the at least one end wall a distance from a side wall of a stud when in the end-mounted position;

the fastening member being a tab having at least one fastener receiving opening defined therethrough, and the spacing element being a member that extends outwardly from the at least one end wall; and

the spacing element comprising an extension that extends from and is coplanar with the at least one end wall, and at least one stabilizing member that extends outwardly from the extension, said at least one stabilizing member being configured to abut a side surface of a stud.