Adhesively mounted electrical box assembly

• US 7,214,877 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: de la Borbolla, Ian Rubin
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US11/480,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 174 57- 58, 174/63, 174/50, 220/3.9, 220/3.92, 220/3.3, 248/217.2, 248/217.3, 248/906, 439/535, 361/600
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/126 with supporting means for mounting on a single wall stud
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/266 Mounting by adhesive material
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings

Abstract

This invention pertains to an electrical box assembly for securing to a stud using an adhesive. The assembly includes an electrical enclosure, a bracket and at least one pair of opposed pads. The bracket is affixed to the enclosure and defines a stud-receiving cavity extending along an edge of the enclosure. The at least one pair of opposed pads are substantially disposed within the cavity and have a portion thereof for engaging the stud. The pads are sized and configured to receive the adhesive on the portion.

Claims

1. An electrical box assembly for securing to a stud using an adhesive, comprising:

an electrical enclosure;

a bracket affixed to said enclosure and defining a stud-receiving cavity extending along an edge of said enclosure; and

at least one pair of opposed pads substantially disposed within said cavity, said pads including at least one generally planar surface thereon for planar engagement with said stud, said pads sized and configured to receive said adhesive on said planar surface.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one pad of said at least one pair of opposed pads is biased toward said stud.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said pads are pivotal with respect to said bracket.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket includes a flange having a slightly concave shape supporting at least one of said pads, wherein said concave shape biases said at least one of said pads toward said stud.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said bracket further includes a stiffener secured to said flange for resisting deflection thereof.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket includes a pair of flanges having a concave shape and generally parallel to each other, wherein said concave shape biases said at least one of said pads toward said stud, and said pair of flanges forming two sides of said stud receiving cavity.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a drywall support extending from said enclosure, and substantially disposed on an opposite side of said enclosure from said bracket.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pads is moveable between a first position substantially within said cavity prior to mounting on said stud and a second position substantially outside said cavity upon said mounting.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical enclosure includes at least one of a single gang electrical outlet box, a multiple gang electrical outlet box or a low voltage outlet frame.

10. An electrical box assembly for securing to a stud, comprising:

an electrical enclosure;

a bracket affixed to said enclosure and defining a stud-receiving cavity extending along an edge of said enclosure;

at least one pair of opposed pads, wherein each of said pads includes a generally planar surface for engaging said stud, at least one of said pads is moveable between a first position substantially within said cavity prior to mounting on said stud and a second position substantially outside said cavity upon said mounting; and

an adhesive disposed on at least one of said surfaces for securing said assembly to said stud, said surfaces facing an inner portion of said cavity.

11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a removable protective sheet sized to cover said adhesive prior to installation.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one pad of said at least one pair of opposed pads is biased toward said stud.

13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said pads are pivotal with respect to said bracket.

14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said bracket includes a slightly concave portion supporting at least one of said pads, wherein said concave portion biases said at least one of said pads toward said stud.

15. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a drywall support extending from said enclosure, and substantially disposed on an opposite side of said enclosure from said bracket.

16. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said electrical enclosure includes at least one of a single gang electrical outlet box, a multiple gang electrical outlet box or a low voltage outlet frame.

17. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said engagement with said stud is a planar engagement wherein said adhesive is disposed between at least one of said pads and said stud for securing said planar engagement.