Method for attaching an electrical fixture to a junction box

• US 7,786,379 B1
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gardenia Industrial Limited
• Original Assignee: Gardenia Industrial Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Chen Xiao, Kwong, Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R
• Application Number:
  US12/276,694
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/66, 174/17.R, 174/135, 174/58, 174/61, 174/63, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 220/3.34, 248/906, 248/343, 439/535, 52/39, 297/29, 295/92, 295/921
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/03 Ceiling bases, e.g. ceiling roses F21V21/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

A mounting assembly for connecting a housing of an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box, in which a plate attached to the housing includes a locking member having an engager at a first end moveable relative to the plate between a first position and a second position. A locking post adapted for connecting to an electrical junction box includes a receiver for engaging the engager. The locking post secures the housing to the electrical junction box upon moving the locking member to the second position to engage the engager with the receiver of the locking post. A method of attaching a housing for an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of attaching a housing for an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box, comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a cross member to an electrical junction box, the cross member including a locking post extending in a first direction from the cross member;

(b) moving a housing of an electrical fixture to receive the locking post in an opening of the housing; and

(c) moving a locking member that defines an engager at a first end through a slot in a side wall of the housing relative to the housing from a first position where the locking post is received in the opening to a second position to engage the locking member to the locking post;

whereby the locking member engaged with the locking post secures the housing to the electrical junction box.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein prior to step (b) suspending the housing relative to the electrical junction box and making electrical connections.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (c) comprises moving the locking member longitudinally guided by opposing flanges extending from a portion of the housing.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises moving the locking member through a slot in a wall of the housing;

and further comprising the steps of positioning a locking tab for passing through the slot substantially co-planar with the locking member; and

releasing the locking tab for contacting a portion of the wall of the housing to restrict reverse longitudinal movement of the locking member through the slot.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising stopping the longitudinal movement of the locking member upon contact with a stop.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of receiving opposing projections on distal end portions of spaced-apart arms extending from the locking member into recesses in the locking post.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(d) moving a cantilevered sloped arm attached to a portion of the locking member opposing the engager from an extended position to a retracted position as the portion moves through the slot; and

(e) releasing the sloped arm to the extended position to lock the locking member to the housing,

whereby the locking member is restricted from opposing longitudinal movement relative to the housing.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising with the housing attached to the cross arm, the step of moving the cantilevered sloped arm from the extended position to the retracted position for sliding the locking member in an opposing direction whereby the engager releases from the locking post as the locking member moves laterally through the slot away from the housing.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) moving the engager comprises moving a pair of spaced-apart arms extending longitudinally from the first end of the locking member which arms defining a slot therebetween;

and wherein the locking post defines a recessed groove, whereby the arms are slidably received in the groove upon moving the locking member to the second position.