U.S. patent application number 12/501335 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for universal support bracket for electrical junction box.
Invention is credited to Frank Yan.
Application Number | 20100006723 12/501335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41504269 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100006723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yan; Frank |
January 14, 2010 |
Universal Support Bracket for Electrical Junction Box
Abstract
This invention relates to an Universal Support Bracket for
Electrical Junction Box. The Universal Support Bracket has two
brackets, each bracket being U-shaped and having two arms, the arms
of one bracket being dimensionally larger than the arms of the
other bracket and having a channel for purposes of receiving the
arms of the smaller second bracket. The arms of the bracket may
have a series of parallel bores, capable of receiving a fastener to
lock the arms in place. The invention includes a snap-on fitting
with a central opening for receiving an electrical junction
box.
Inventors: |
Yan; Frank; (Irvine,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL OLSON
1400 Bristol Street N., SUITE 270
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
41504269 |
Appl. No.: |
12/501335 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61080217 |
Jul 11, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/201 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. An Universal Support Bracket for Electrical Junction Box
comprising: A first U-shaped bracket, said bracket having two arms,
each arm having a channel, and said first U-shaped bracket having a
tab on one end; a second U-shaped brackets, said bracket having two
arms and being of such predetermined dimension as to be slidably
insertable into the channels of the arms of the said first U-shaped
bracket, and said second U-shaped bracket having a tab on one end;
a snap-on fitting, said fitting having a central opening for
receiving an electrical junction box.
2. The Universal Support Bracket for Electrical Junction Box of
claim 1 wherein the arms of said first and second U-shaped brackets
have a series of parallel bores and one or more fasteners for
locking the arms in position.
3. An Universal Support Bracket for Electrical Junction Box
comprising: A first U-shaped bracket, said bracket having two arms,
each arm having a channel, and said first U-shaped bracket having a
tab on one end; a second U-shaped brackets, said bracket having two
arms and being of such predetermined dimension as to be slidably
insertable into the channels of the arms of the said first U-shaped
bracket, and said second U-shaped bracket having a tab on one end;
a snap-on fitting, said fitting having a central opening for
receiving an electrical junction box; an attachment bar with a
built in back support fixedly attached to the electrical junction
box.
4. The Universal Support Bracket for Electrical Junction Box of
claim 3 wherein the arms of said first and second U-shaped brackets
have a series of parallel bores and one or more fasteners for
locking the arms in position.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] Priority is claimed based on the Jul. 11, 2008 filing of
provisional application 61,080,217, said application being
specifically incorporated herewith in its entirety by reference for
all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In construction of commercial, industrial and residential
spaces, building and electrical codes require that the framing
members of walls be generally spaced at either 16 inches or 24
inches on center. Occasionally, the span is more or less than 16
inches on center, depending on construction circumstances. Wall
framing may consist of metal or wood stud members, generally
attached to floor sole plates and top plates. Codes also specify
certain criteria for the installation of electrical junction boxes
between stud framing members. The electrical junction box is
generally affixed to the stud framing members by nailing the box to
the stud. Occasionally, building specifications call for the
installation of electrical junction boxes between stud members and
up to 26 inches as measured from the floor sole plate.
[0003] A problem arises when one wants to place the electrical
junction box between stud framing members at some predetermined
distance other than contiguous with one of the stud framing
members. Problems also arise when one wants to install multiple
electrical junction boxes in the same general area and on the same
horizontal plane. If the electrical junction boxes are to be
installed parallel to each other, the two must either be connected
directly to each other or they must be installed on adjacent stud
framing members.
[0004] Prior art discloses a wall bracket, either of fixed length
or telescoping, consisting of a single arm with each end of the
bracket being attached to adjacent stud framing members. An
electrical junction box can then be attached to the arm with
screws. A problem with the prior art is that the installed
electrical junction box is prone to movement around the arm.
Another problem is that prior art uses screws to attach to arms
which means that the electrical junction box can only be attached
to predetermined spots where holes are located. A further problem
is that the wall bracket cannot be affixed to a sole plate. Prior
art also discloses a floor bracket consisting of a single arm for
attachment to a sole plate. A problem with the floor brackets
disclosed by the prior art is that the brackets cannot be affixed
to adjacent framing members. Finally, the prior art also discloses
a fixed dual arm bracket for mounting a ceiling fan. The problem
with this design is that the arms are not telescoping and the
placement of the electrical junction box is at a fixed location.
Further, the design is not suitable for attachment to a floor sole
plate.
[0005] The present invention related to a Universal Support Bracket
that can be installed either between stud framing members or
attached to a sole plate. The Universal Support Bracket consists of
two U-shaped brackets, each bracket having two arms which are
adjustable with respect to each other. The Universal Support
Bracket has tabs on each end allowing each end to be securely
fastened to a different stud framing member. The Universal Support
Bracket has a snap-on member allowing attachment at any point on
the arms of the Universal Support Bracket. The 2 U-shaped brackets
prevent pivoting of the electrical junction box after
installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box according to the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box according to the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box according to the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box according to the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box according to the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box affixed to framing members
according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 7 contains a trimetric view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box affixed to framing members
according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 contains a front view of the Universal Support
Bracket for Electrical Junction Box affixed to framing members
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 contains a trimetric view of the rear of Universal
Support Bracket for Electrical Junction Box affixed to framing
members according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 contains a trimetric view of the snap-on fitting
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0016] The present invention relates to a Universal Support Bracket
for an Electrical Junction Box. An objective of the invention is to
provide for a support bracket for an electrical junction box that
allows for either horizontal or vertical installation. A further
objective is to provide for an adjustable bracket allowing the
bracket to span up to 26 inches, thereby allowing one bracket to be
used in a multitude of applications. A further objective is to
provide for a support bracket that allows for placement of the
electrical junction box at a plurality of locations within the span
of the bracket. A further objective is to provide for a support
bracket that has the ability to prevent undesirable movement such
as deflection, to prevent movement of the electrical junction box
back into the wall cavity space area of a stud framed wall, and to
prevent the pivoting or rocking motion of the electrical junction
box when it is supported from a central point at the center back of
a box with conventional supports. A further objective is to provide
for a snap on installation feature of the electrical junction box
to one of the slidably adjustable bracket without the use of
fasteners, which function further enhances the ability of the box
to accommodate job-site positioning requirements.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that the Universal Support
Bracket [1] comprises two rigidly formed, rectangular U-shaped
brackets, each bracket having two arms. One U-shaped bracket is
dimensionally larger than the other. As seen in FIG. 2, each arm is
formed such that it has a channel [12] for receiving the arms of
the smaller dimensioned bracket, such that the two brackets are
slidably adjustable with respect to each other. As seen in FIG. 4,
there are a plurality of equally spaced bores [13] through the arms
and the position of the brackets relative to each other can be
locked by aligning the bores in the arms of the slidably adjustable
brackets and locking the position with appropriate fastener [14],
such as a locking pin, cotter pin, nut and bolt or a screw.
Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that on each end of the slidably
adjustable brackets is one or more tabs [15]. As seen in FIG. 7,
fasteners can be used to nail or screw the tab of the Universal
Support Bracket to a framing member [8]. As seen in FIG. 2, for
vertical attachment, one tab can be formed with a 90 degree bend
[16] to allow for attachment to a floor sole plate. As seen in FIG.
8, a brace [6] can be attached to the Universal Support Bracket to
provide extra support when attached to the sole plate.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that the invention also
comprises a snap-on fitting [2] for an electrical junction box [3].
Referring now to FIG. 10, it is seen that the snap-on fitting has
two or more pre-formed brackets or tabs [17] on opposing sides of
the snap-on fitting. The brackets, or tabs, of the snap-on fitting
are folded and dimensioned to correspond with the dimensions of the
arms of the U-shaped brackets, such that the snap-on fitting is
slidably adjustable when mounted on each arm of the brackets. The
snap-on fitting is generally rectangular in shape and contains a
central opening. [18] As seen in FIG. 1, the electrical junction
box may be mounted to the snap-on fitting with one or more
fasteners. [19] After the electrical junction box has been mounted
to the snap-on fitting, the interior of the electrical junction box
is accessible through the central opening. The snap-on fitting is
attached to the slidably adjustable bracket at one of the bore
holes with a screw by the installer, allowing for placement of the
electrical junction box at any of multiple positions withing the
span of the slidably adjustable arms.
[0019] As seen in FIG. 9, an attachment bar with a built in back
support [9] can be attached to the electrical junction box. The
back support is bendable [10] and can be bent into a position such
that it rests against the wall covering. [11] This prevents
movement of the electrical junction box into the interior of the
wall cavity. It further prevents undesirable movement such as
deflection, prevents movement of the electrical junction box back
into the wall cavity space area of a stud framed wall, and prevents
the pivoting or rocking motion of the electrical junction box when
it is supported from a central point at the center back of a box
with conventional supports.
* * * * *