Adjustable device alignment tool

• US 8,250,773 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Shotey, Marcus J., Baldwin, Jeffrey P., Klein, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US12/966,304
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 335/28, 336/13, 336/45, 33D/IG.10, 335/62, 335/63
• US Class Current: 33/528
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 2200/30 Tools for installing cables comprising a spirit level
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00

Abstract

A device for aligning an electrical device including a body having a front surface and a device through hole complimentary shaped to an electrical device perimeter and wherein the device through hole comprises at least two screw holes aligned with screws on the electrical device and the electrical device moves with the through hole to align the electrical device.

Claims

1. A device for aligning an electrical device comprising:

a body having a front surface and a device through hole complimentary shaped to an electrical device perimeter; and

,

wherein the device through hole comprises at least two screw holes aligned with screws on the electrical device and the electrical device moves with the through hole to align the electrical device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device through hole comprises four screw holes.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the front surface is flat and is a reference point for adjusting a depth of the electrical device.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device through hole screw holes are a pair of device mounting holes.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the pair of device mounting holes are connected to the device through hole.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the device through hole and the at least two screw holes are connected.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a leveling apparatus.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the leveling apparatus is located on the front surface.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the leveling apparatus is a bubble level.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a rear surface for contacting a reference surface.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a thickness approximately equal to a wall plate thickness.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the body further comprises a thickness of approximately a quarter of an inch.

18. The device of claim 9, further comprising a second bubble level located on the front surface.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a ruler along an edge of the front surface.

20. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least two removable screw hole members removably positioned within at least two of the at least two screw holes.

13. A method of aligning an electrical device with an electrical device box comprising the steps of:

providing an alignment device having a body with a device through hole and a front surface;

installing an electrical device having an outer surface within an electrical box;

locating the alignment device around the electrical device from a front side of the electrical device so that the device through hole is in contact with the outer surface of the electrical device; and

,

adjusting the electrical device by moving the alignment device so that the electrical device outer surface is coplanar with the alignment device outer surface.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

removing the alignment device; and

,

installing a wall plate around the electrical device.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of positioning the alignment device with a leveling apparatus before adjusting the electrical device.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting the electrical device includes the step of adjusting the electrical device by moving the device through hole.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of locating the alignment device around the electrical device includes positioning the alignment device abutting a wall front surface.