Multi-functional electric support bracket

• US 7,053,300 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denier Electric Co., Inc., Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Denier Electric Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Denier, Dennis J., Hickey, Dennis, Bull, Charles H., Kallmeyer, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US10/888,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20060005987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/48, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/54, 174/61, 174/63, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.4, 220/3.5, 220/3.6, 220/3.7, 220/3.8, 220/3.9, 248/906, 248/200, 248/205.7, 248/300, 248/343, 248/27.1, 248/298.1, 312/245, 439/535
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A multi-purpose bracket for supporting electric boxes in a stud wall which can be attached directly to a stud, between two adjacent studs, or supported from the floor, includes a mounting bracket that includes four tabs that are adapted to attach to a vertically slotted base unit. Further, the bracket includes a cable support having an edge which aligns with a stabilizing leg of the bracket which allows it to align itself to a metal stud. An edge of the bracket is then screwed to the metal stud. Further, the bracket includes channels which receive straps which can be used to support the bracket between two adjacent studs without use of the floor support.

Claims

1. A bracket for mounting an electric box within a wall said bracket including a plate having a plurality of holes adapted to support said box aligned with an opening in said plate;

a cable support above said opening, said cable support having a left and a right edge extended away from a plane of said plate;

said plate further including a left leg and a right leg bendable inwardly at left and right fold lines from said plane of said plate, wherein said left edge of said cable support and said left fold line are aligned and said right edge of said cable support and said right fold line are aligned;

said plate having coplanar portions extended beyond said fold lines adapted to attach to a stud with one of said fold lines abutted against an edge of said stud.

2. The bracket claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate further comprises left and right tabs bendable at 90°

angles, each of said tabs separated from said plate by a slot, said tabs adapted to fit within vertical slots in a base member to support said bracket from a floor.

3. The bracket claimed in claim 1 further comprising leg extension members fixed to an area between said cable support and said plate, said leg extensions adapted to attach to said legs.

4. The bracket claimed in claim 1 further comprising first and second metal straps, said first and second metal straps located within upper and lower channels on said plate and said straps adapted to be fixed to adjacent studs in a stud wall.

5. The bracket claimed in claim 2 in combination with a base member said base member having first and second legs, said first and second legs each including a plurality of vertical slots wherein said vertical slots are adapted to receive said tabs on said plate to hold said bracket in position.

6. The bracket claimed in claim 5 further comprising at least one metal strap, said metal strap fixed to channels in said plate and adapted to attach to adjacent metal studs in a stud wall.

7. A bracket for supporting an electric box comprising first and second straps and a plate, said plate having supports for an electric box and an opening adapted to align with an electric box when supported by said bracket;

said plate having upper and lower channels along a face of said plate and said first and second straps extended through said channels parallel to the face of said plate;

said straps adapted to extend between adjacent vertical studs to support said bracket, said bracket further comprising legs, bendable perpendicular to a plane of said plate adapted to provide lateral support for said bracket.

8. The bracket claimed in claim 7 further comprising a cable support fixed to said plate.

9. The bracket claimed in claim 7 further comprising leg extensions adapted to attach to said legs.

10. The bracket claimed in claim 9 wherein said legs each include a slot and said extensions each include a tab adapted to fit within said slot.

11. The bracket claimed in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of tabs bendable 90°

relative to the plane of said plate and adapted to fit within vertical slots on legs of a base support.

12. A bracket for supporting an electric box in a stud wall comprising a base and a plate, said base including first and second legs, said legs including a plurality of spaced vertical elongated slots, said plate having a support for an electric box and a hole adapted to align with said electric box when said electric box is supported by said bracket;

said plate further including a plurality of tabs integral with said plate configured to bend and fit into slots in said first and second legs.

13. The bracket claimed in claim 12 further comprising a strap adapted to attach to adjacent studs in said stud wall, said strap further adapted to rest within a channel in said plate.

14. The bracket claimed in claim 12 further comprising a plurality of legs bendable 90°

relative to the plane of said plate, said bracket further including leg extensions separable from said bracket and attachable to said first and second legs.

15. The bracket claimed in claim 12 wherein said plate further includes left and right planar portions adapted to attach to a stud.