Universal modular support bracket assembly

• US 7,517,245 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Odin Braathen
• Original Assignee: Odin Braathen
• Inventors: Braathen, Odin
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US11/639,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20080146078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 439/535, 439/538, 439/539, 174/53, 174/54, 174/66, 174/67
• US Class Current: 439/538
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

An electrical module support assembly for use with a junction box disposed in a building structure at a structure surface, the assembly comprising: a mounting fastener; an electrical module having a mounting portion with a module fastener aperture disposed through the mounting portion; and a support bracket defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the support bracket having a modular face, a junction box face opposite the modular face, and a bracket fastener aperture disposed through the support bracket, the support bracket being rotatably disposable between the mounting portion and the structure surface with the modular face disposed towards the electrical module, the support bracket extending beyond the mounting portion in directions respectively along the longitudinal and lateral axes away from the support bracket with the mounting fastener disposed through the module fastener aperture and the bracket fastener aperture.

Claims

1. An electrical module support assembly for use with a junction box disposed in a building structure at a structure surface, the assembly comprising:

a mounting fastener;

an electrical module having a mounting portion, the mounting portion having an upper mounting portion and an opposing lower mounting portion, the upper mounting portion having an upper module fastener aperture disposed through the upper mounting portion, the lower mounting portion having a lower module fastener aperture disposed through the lower mounting portion; and

a substantially rectangular support bracket defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the support bracket having a modular face, a junction box face opposite the modular face, and a bracket fastener aperture disposed through the support bracket, the support bracket being rotatably disposable between the mounting portion and the structure surface with the modular face disposed towards the electrical module with the mounting fastener disposed through the module fastener aperture and the bracket fastener aperture, the support bracket extending beyond the mounting portion in directions respectively along the longitudinal and lateral axes away from the support bracket with the mounting fastener disposed through either the upper or lower module fastener aperture and the bracket fastener aperture.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the junction box face is disposable against the structure surface.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular face is disposed against the electrical module.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting fastener is engagable with the junction box.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support bracket has a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge being disposed between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical module is a light switch.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical module is a dimmer switch.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical module is an outlet socket panel.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a second electrical module, the second electrical module having a second mounting portion, the second mounting portion having a second upper mounting portion and an opposing second lower mounting portion, the second upper mounting portion having a second upper module fastener aperture disposed through the second upper mounting portion, the second lower mounting portion having a second lower module fastener aperture disposed through the second lower mounting portion.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9 further comprises a second support bracket, the second support bracket defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second support bracket having a modular face, a junction box face opposite the modular face, and a bracket fastener aperture disposed through the second support bracket, the second support bracket being rotatably disposable between the second mounting portion and the structure surface with the modular face disposed towards the electrical module, the second support bracket extending beyond the second mounting portion in directions respectively along the longitudinal and lateral axes away from the second support bracket, with the mounting fastener disposed through the second module fastener aperture and the bracket fastener aperture.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a plurality of electrical modules, each of the electrical modules having a mounting portion with a module fastener aperture disposed through the mounting portion.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11 further comprises a plurality of support brackets, each of the support brackets corresponding to the mounting portion on the electrical modules.

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical module has a main body with the mounting portion extending from the main body.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support bracket is made of metal.

15. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support bracket has a width of at least ⅝

in.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support bracket has a length of at least 2 7/16 in.

17. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a face plate, the mounting portion of the electrical module being disposed between the face plate and the support bracket.

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support bracket does not extend beyond the face plate.