Self-Measuring Wall Box Bracket

• US 20170012421A1
• Filed: 07/08/2015
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Terwilleger
• Original Assignee: David Terwilleger
• Inventors: Terwilleger, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,084,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/125 with supporting bar extending between two separate studs of a wall frame

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for the installation of an electrical outlet between studs at a specified height. The apparatus comprises a body frame with an outlet box mounting frame and ears that extend outwardly from each corner. Each ear has a screw hole, which is precisely positioned, so that the bracket can be used to measure and install an electrical outlet at a specified height. During installation, the bracket is turned sideways, set on the floor and aligned with a wall stud. Next, a screw is secured in the uppermost ear that overlaps the wall stud. Next, the bracket is swung upward until the ears on the opposite side overlap the second wall stud. Next, screws are added to the remaining screw holes and all screws are tightly affixed, so that the apparatus is firmly mounted between the two wall studs at a specified height.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting an electrical outlet at a specified outlet height between a first wall stud and a second wall stud, which are spaced apart at a specified stud spacing distance, said apparatus comprising:

a rectangular body frame, said rectangular body frame comprising;

an outlet box mounting frame; and

ears that extend outwardly from each corner of said rectangular body frame, said ears comprising screw holes;

wherein the horizontal spacing between said screw holes on opposite sides of said rectangular body frame allows for said apparatus to span said specified stud spacing distance;

wherein the horizontal distance between said screw holes and the opposite edge of said apparatus plus one-half the vertical distance between said screw holes is the specified outlet height.

2. An apparatus of claim 1, comprising a singular construction.

3. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rectangular body frame further comprises alignment slits at the bases of said ears.

4. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rectangular body frame further comprises depth folds, which allow said electrical outlet to be mounted flush with a wall supported by said first wall stud and said second wall stud.

5. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said specified outlet height is eighteen inches, said vertical distance between said screw holes on the same side of said rectangular body frame is five and one-fourth inches, said horizontal spacing between said screw holes on opposite sides of said rectangular body frame is fifteen and one-eighth inches, and the horizontal distance between opposite edges of said apparatus is fifteen and five-eighths inches.

6. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical outlet is mounted to said outlet box mounting frame prior to installation of said apparatus.

7. A method of installing an electrical outlet at a specified outlet height between a first wall stud and a second wall stud, which are spaced apart at a specified stud spacing distance, using the apparatus of claim 1, said method comprising:

turning said apparatus sideways so that the bottom edge of the rectangular body frame is vertical and the sides of the rectangular body frame are horizontal;

setting said horizontal side of said rectangular body frame on the floor;

aligning said vertical bottom edge of said rectangular body frame with said first wall stud with said rectangular body frame positioned between said first wall stud and said second wall stud;

loosely securing a first screw in said screw hole in the uppermost said ear that overlaps said first wall stud;

swinging said apparatus upward, pivoting said apparatus around said loosely secured first screw, until said ears on the opposite side of said loosely secured screw overlaps said second wall stud;

horizontally aligning said apparatus relative to said second wall stud;

adding additional screws to the remaining said screw holes;

tightly affixing said first screw and said additional screws, so that said apparatus is firmly mounted between said first wall stud and said second wall stud; and

mounting said electrical outlet in said outlet box mounting frame.

8. A method of installing an electrical outlet at a specified outlet height between a first wall stud and a second wall stud, which are spaced apart at a specified stud spacing distance, using the apparatus of claim 1, said method comprising:

mounting said electrical outlet in said outlet box mounting frame;

turning said apparatus sideways so that the bottom edge of the rectangular body frame is vertical and the sides of the rectangular body frame are horizontal;

setting said horizontal side of said rectangular body frame on the floor;

aligning said vertical bottom edge of said rectangular body frame with said first wall stud with said rectangular body frame positioned between said first wall stud and said second wall stud;

loosely securing a first screw in said screw hole in the uppermost said ear that overlaps said first wall stud;

swinging said apparatus upward, pivoting said apparatus around said loosely secured first screw, until said ears on the opposite side of said loosely secured screw overlaps said second wall stud;

horizontally aligning said apparatus relative to said second wall stud;

adding additional screws to the remaining said screw holes; and

tightly affixing said first screw and said additional screws, so that said apparatus is firmly mounted between said first wall stud and said second wall stud.