Rock-n-lock non-metallic snap-on electrical box

• US 7,208,680 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2006
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Drane, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US11/399,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20060243473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/54, 174/57, 174/58, 174/61, 174/62, 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, 220/4.02, 248/343, 248/906, 248/200, 248/226.11, 248/228.6, 248/231.71, 211/26, 211/86.01, D13/152
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/105 in association with a plinth, channel, raceway or similar
• 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

A bracket assembly for supporting an electrical enclosure. The bracket assembly includes a bracket extending from an electrical enclosure and a flange extending from the bracket. The flange is designed to support one or more biasing structures which engage the support structure, such as a stud, to secure the bracket assembly thereto. The bracket assembly may further include gripping teeth to provide further securement thereto.

Claims

1. A bracket assembly for supporting an electrical enclosure comprising:

an electrical enclosure having a bracket extending therefrom, said bracket having a generally planar surface and a flange opposite said electrical enclosure, said flange having an upper end attached to said planar surface and a lower end;

said electrical enclosure, said generally planar surface and said flange defining a stud receiving cavity therebetween;

one or more curved deflectable spring having an attached end and an unattached end, said attached end is secured to said lower end of said flange, said unattached end extends towards said upper end of said flange, said attached end extends into said stud receiving cavity; and

wherein upon the insertion of a stud into said stud receiving cavity, the stud engages and deflects said deflectable spring thereby securing said electrical enclosure to said stud.

2. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein one side of said electrical enclosure has at least one stud gripping tooth affixed thereto.

3. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein said deflectable spring is configured with at least one stud gripping tooth affixed to said unattached end, wherein said at least one stud gripping tooth extending into said stud receiving cavity.

4. The bracket assembly of claim 3 wherein said deflectable spring is cantilevered and said at least one stud gripping tooth is located at a distal end thereof.

5. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein said deflectable spring is configured with a straight component and a curved component, said straight component extends from said attached end, said straight component is braced against movement whereas said curved component is configured to permit deflection.

6. The bracket assembly of claim 1 further comprising an alignment guide for guiding the stud into said stud receiving cavity.

7. The bracket assembly of claim 2 further comprising one or more standoffs secured to said one side of said electrical enclosure, said at least one gripping tooth on said electrical enclosure extending beyond said one or more standoffs and into said stud.

8. A bracket assembly for supporting an electrical enclosure comprising:

an electrical enclosure having a bracket extending therefrom, wherein one side of said electrical enclosure has at least one stud gripping tooth affixed thereto, said bracket having a generally planar surface and a flange opposite said electrical enclosure;

said flange having an upper end attached to said planar surface and a lower end, said electrical enclosure, said generally planar surface and said flange defining a stud receiving cavity therebetween;

one or more curved deflectable spring having an attached end and an unattached end, said attached end is secured to said lower end of said flange, said unattached end extends towards said upper end of said flange and extends into said stud receiving cavity, and

wherein upon the insertion of a stud into said stud receiving cavity, the stud engages and deflects said deflectable spring thereby securing said electrical enclosure to said stud.

9. The bracket assembly of claim 8 wherein said deflectable spring is configured with at least one stud gripping tooth affixed to said unattached end, wherein said at least one stud gripping tooth extending into said stud receiving cavity.

10. The bracket assembly of claim 8 wherein said deflectable spring is cantilevered and at least one stud gripping tooth is located at a distal end thereof.

11. The bracket assembly of claim 8 wherein said deflectable spring is configured with a straight component and a curved component, said straight component extends from said attached end, said straight component is braced against movement whereas said curved component is configured to permit deflection.

12. The bracket assembly of claim 8 further comprising an alignment guide for guiding the stud into said stud receiving cavity.

13. A bracket assembly for supporting an electrical enclosure comprising:

an electrical enclosure having a bracket extending therefrom, wherein one side of said electrical enclosure has at least one stud gripping tooth affixed thereto, said bracket having a generally planar surface and a flange opposite said electrical enclosure, said flange having an upper end attached to said planar surface and a lower end;

said electrical enclosure, said generally planar surface and said flange defining a stud receiving cavity therebetween;

one or more curved deflectable spring having an attached end and an unattached end, said attached end is secured to said lower end of said flange, said unattached end extends towards said upper end of said flange and extends into said stud receiving cavity,

one or more standoffs secured to said one side of said electrical enclosure, said at least one gripping tooth on said electrical enclosure extending beyond said one or more standoffs and into a stud, wherein upon the insertion of a stud into said stud receiving cavity, the stud engages and deflects said deflectable spring thereby securing said electrical enclosure to said stud.

14. The bracket assembly of claim 13 wherein said deflectable spring is configured with at least one stud gripping tooth affixed to said unattached end, wherein said at least one stud gripping tooth extending into said stud receiving cavity.

15. The bracket assembly of claim 14 wherein said deflectable spring is cantilevered and said at least one stud gripping tooth is located at a distal end thereof.

16. The bracket assembly of claim 15 wherein said deflectable spring is configured with a straight component and a curved component, said straight component extends from said attached end, said straight component is braced against movement

whereas said curved component is configured to permit deflection.