Pan type ceiling box

• US 7,361,833 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Dinh, Cong Thanh
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US11/708,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 174/58, 174/57, 174/61, 174/63, 174/54, 248/343, 220/3.3, 220/3.9, 220/3.92, 220/3.54
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets

Abstract

A pan-style electrical outlet box used to secure an electrical fixture such as a light or a ceiling fan to a ceiling joist. This shallow box has a generally planar back wall bounded by a perimeter sidewall extending therefrom. Also extending from the back wall but in an opposite direction are a plurality of mounting brackets that form a joist receiving channel therebetween. Each mounting bracket is integrally molded with the box and is also configured with at least one joist engaging device so as to engage the joist and hence temporarily hold the box thereto. This permits the installer to use both hands when subsequently permanently affixing the box to the joist, such as via the fasteners supplied with the box.

Claims

1. An electrical outlet box comprising:

(a) a back wall;

(b) a perimetric side wall extending from said back wall in a first direction, said back wall and said side wall defining an interior volume;

(c) at least two mounting brackets extending from said back wall in a second opposite direction, said mounting brackets along with a mid-portion of said back wall defining a joist receiving channel; and

(d) a joist engaging device provided on each of said mounting brackets, said joist engaging device extending into said joist receiving channel for engaging a joist and temporarily retaining said outlet box thereon, wherein said back wall, said perimetric side wall, said mounting brackets and said joist engaging device are integrally formed and of unitary construction.

2. The outlet box as set forth in claim 1, wherein said back wall is generally planar and wherein said joist receiving channel and said interior volume extend on opposite sides of said back wall.

3. The outlet box as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outlet box is non-metallic.

4. The outlet box as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a screw retention arrangement configured to temporarily secure at least one screw therein.

5. The outlet box as set forth in claim 4, wherein said screw retention arrangement projects into said interior volume.

6. The outlet box as set forth in claim 4, wherein said screw retention arrangement comprises a resilient tab and a fixed post integrally formed on said back wall, said tab and post defining a screw receiving space therebetween.

7. The outlet box as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are two said mounting brackets and wherein said joist engaging device on each of said mounting brackets is configured with at least one tooth for embedment into a respective side of the joist.

8. The outlet box as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said mounting brackets is provided with two engagement teeth disposed at opposite longitudinal ends thereof.

9. The outlet box as set forth in claim 7, wherein said tooth is configured having a joist receiving side, said joist receiving side being sloped to aid in the insertion of the joist into said joist receiving channel.

10. The outlet box as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tooth further includes a joist retention side opposite said joist receiving side, said joist retention side and said joist receiving side intersecting at a sharp point or edge.

11. The outlet box as set forth in claim 10, wherein said joist retention side extends generally perpendicular to the joist.

12. The outlet box as set forth in claim 10, wherein said joist retention side extends at a downward angle toward said back wall of said box.

13. The outlet box as set forth in claim 7, wherein said joist engaging device does not project outwardly beyond a maximum width of said box interior volume.

14. The outlet box as set forth in claim 7, wherein said perimetric side wall includes indents formed adjacent said joist engaging device for permitting access to said joist engaging device with a tool.